Paing Hechanova Youth Leadership Awards

2023: Recognizing outstanding youth leaders

in the Philippines
Honoring exceptional youth leaders dedicated to Rotary's causes and sports advocacy

BY MB LIFESTYLE
Oct 9, 2023 11:06 AM

Rafael "Paing" Hechanova Jr.

The Rotary Club of Makati (RC-Makati) launched the Paing Hechanova Youth Leadership
Awards (PHYLA) last July 7, 2023. PHYLA is a nationwide search to recognize outstanding
youth leaders who have exhibited extraordinary leadership skills in projects dedicated to Rotary's
causes: Promoting peace, Fighting disease, Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene,
Saving mothers and children, Supporting education, Growing local economies, and Protecting
the environment. In addition, Sports Advocacy and Development.

Rotary or Rotaract Clubs throughout the Philippines may nominate these leaders.

PHYLA is named after Rafael "Paing" Hechanova Jr., an esteemed member and a past president
of the RC-Makati. From 1996 to 1998, he served as Director of Rotary International (RI) and
became one of only four Filipinos elected to the RI Board in the past 118 years.
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Paing was a sports icon as well. He was 22 when he captained the Philippine team that won the
championship in the first Asian Games 72 years ago. The following year, Paing co-captained the
Philippine basketball team that placed 9th (among 23 teams from different countries) in the 1952
Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.

The Philippine Sportswriters Association named him "Mr. Basketball" after he led the University
of Santo Tomas varsity team to the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (or
UAAP) championship. He co-founded the Philippine Olympians Association and was its Chair
for many years until his demise.

But it was in Rotary that Paing's star shone brightest. He was a leader who distinguished himself
with decency, dignity, and purposeful service. Paing's quiet leadership catapulted him to the
highest positions in Rotary International, and Rotarians everywhere always sought his views and
counsel.

In this context, RC Makati conceived PHYLA to memorialize the legacy of its cherished leader.
Paing always believed that the future of this nation rests on our young leaders, which is why he
steadfastly supported any project that has the youth as partners, implementors, and benefactors.
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PHYLA: Building our youth leaders for the future

The nominees must be 18-30 by May 31, 2024. Like Paing in his youthful prime, these nominees
should be role models for the youth and consistently demonstrate leadership skills. A Rotary or a
Rotaract Club in the nominee's residence or where the nominee's impactful project is may submit
nominations. If you believe you are a deserving youth leader, contact info.phyla@gmail.com.
The deadline for nominations is on Dec. 31, 2023, through the online portal below.

Required Attendance in Leadership Training

RC-Makati will host several leadership training programs to further strengthen the leadership
aptitude of the PHYLA nominees from the ten Rotary districts in the Philippines. The nominees
are expected to participate in these programs. On Jan. 20, 2024, the organization will announce
the top ten district-level winners. They will attend a boot camp and the final judging session in
Manila on Feb. 22-24, 2024. The Manila Marriott Hotel is the venue for the Awards Night on
May 16, 2024.

National judges will comprise persons of known integrity and reputation, including a member of
the family of Paing -- Past president Raissa Hechanova-Posadas of the Rotary Club of Makati
Premier District.

The Grand Winner shall receive a cash prize of P350,000, with the first and second runners-up
receiving P250,000 and P150,000, respectively. Their nominating clubs will receive P50,000
each. The other top seven finalists will receive P50,000 each, while their nominating clubs will
receive P25,000 each.