HANS Sy of SM Prime has been recognized for his contribution to nation-building and resiliency in the country through sustainability and disaster risk reduction at The Outstanding Filipino (Tofil) Awards 2022. The event was held on December 12 at the Rizal Park Hotel, Manila.

The son of the late tycoon-philanthropist Henry Sy Sr. was joined by other notable awardees this year, including Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Maria Catalina Estamo Cabral, Public Attorney's Office Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, horticultural innovator and scientist Ruben Villareal, and the pioneer of Imaginative Figurism Nemesio Miranda Jr.

Also present at the ceremony were Civil Service Commission Chairperson Karlo Alexei Nograles and Sen. JV Ejercito.

Established in 1988 by the JCI Senate Philippines (JCISP), Tofil Awards was created to institutionalize public recognition of the exemplary achievements and contributions to public welfare and community-building of Filipinos 41 years of age and older.

Also dubbed the Filipino equivalent of the Nobel Prize, it seeks to recognize truly outstanding Filipinos who have dedicated themselves to serving the nation.

This year's theme 'Resiliency in Rebuilding Our Nation' bodes well with Sy's success in integrating sustainability and resilience in the framework of the SM Group's operations.

Under his leadership, SM has been a major player in disaster relief efforts and community assistance through initiatives such as the SM Yolanda Housing Program and Covid-19 vaccination programs.

'My father, the late Henry Sy Sr., taught us a multitude of lessons growing up, one of them being the importance of goodwill and inclusivity. This evoked in me a passion for helping others and uplifting their lives through sustainability, disaster preparedness, and infrastructure resiliency programs at SM,' said Sy, chairman of the Executive Committee at SM Prime, in his acceptance speech.

'I dream about having a resilient and sustainable society that the next generations can benefit from, and I want you to join me in that endeavor, where no one is left behind, and where everyone can experience a safer, better future for us all,' Sy concluded.