Devex, in partnership with Chevron Corporation, recently announced the final list of awardees for the Manila 40 Under 40 – a global program that recognizes and honors 40 international development leaders under the age of 40 from cities around the world.
Following a public nominations process and rigorous review of more than 250 nominees, the Manila 40 Under 40 awardees were selected based on their influence on the development agenda and impact on development results in the Philippines and abroad.
Some of the awardees are co-founder of Microventures Inc. Bam Aquino, YesPinoy founder and chairman Dingdong Dantes, Malasakit Fnd. founder Kara David, and Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian.
The awardees form an accomplished group of development professionals working in international organizations, the Philippine government, civil society, social enterprises, and media. They join the distinguished ranks of past Devex 40 Under 40 winners such as USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, Google’s Jared Cohen, and Obama Administration Senior Foreign Policy Advisor Samantha Power.
The Manila 40 Under 40 follows similar events in London in 2011 and Washington DC in 2010, the Philippines is the first developing country to host Devex.
“The Philippines is home to an extremely dynamic and vibrant international development community driving change both at home and abroad,” said Devex Manila Director Pete Troilo. “The young and committed development talent here deserves this recognition. We couldn’t be more proud to have selected the Philippines as the first emerging country to host this event,” said Troilo.
Chevron, the founding sponsor of the Devex 40 Under 40, has four companies in the country. These are Chevron Philippines Inc., which markets the Caltex brand of fuel and lubricants; Chevron Holdings Inc.; the 1st multinational regional operating HQ recognized by government; affiliate Philippine Geothermal Production Company; a pioneer in geothermal energy; and Chevron Malampaya LLC; a pioneer of the Philippine natural gas industry.
“Chevron Corporation, in partnership with Devex, congratulates the next generation of leaders in international development. As one of the world’s largest integrated energy companies, Chevron is committed to improving social, environmental and economic conditions where we operate,” said Peter Morris, country chair Chevron Philippines Inc..
Chevron is helping develop communities in the country through its Caltex Energy for Learning (EFL) initiative which supports educational programs like the TB awareness campaign, the Pugad Pandesal, KAPATID, Loaves and Fishes and others. Over the past five years, Chevron invested 50 million pesos in EFL projects that have benefited close to 22,000 people.
“Our focus on sustainable employment opportunities promotes self-sufficiency. With partners, we identify and promote programs to expand access to basic human needs, enable education and skills training opportunities, and promote sustainable livelihoods which build better standards of living and create a more stable operating environment,” added Morris.
The awardees will be honored at a reception on Feb. 19 at the new Zuellig Building in Makati City.
Members of the selection committee were Pete Troilo, Director, Devex Manila; Rafael Lopa, Executive Director, Philippine Business for Social Progress; John Forbes, Senior Adviser, American Chamber of Commerce Philippines; Marites Dañguilan-Vitug, Editor-at-Large, Rappler; and Richard Hirsch, Chairman, Applied Planning & Infrastructure, Inc.
