ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Karen Davila has been named as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men this year by the Junior Chamber International Philippines. Aside from Ms. Davila, this year's honorees include Tourism Sec. Ace Durano, Antonio Alfonso, Rex Bernardo, and Christian Camagun. They will be awarded by the JCI Philippines in Malacañang this Saturday, December 20.
"I feel so humbled to be recognized," said Ms. Davila about her award. "It inspires me to continue looking for stories that can improve lives and bring about change in this country."
Ms. Davila, who anchors TV Patrol World, The Correspondents, and Wonder Mom, is the third Kapamilya broadcast journalist to join the prestigious circle of TOYM awardees following ABS-CBN Head of News and Current Affairs Maria Ressa and Sen. Loren Legarda.
Her two-part documentary on "Yellow Babies," which showed the effects of the life threatening liver disease biliary atresia, not only saved the life of a one-year-old baby, but also opened the discussion for the need of a liver transplant facility in the country.
She recalled that the airing of the documentary in The Correspondents and a discussion in a radio program on DZMM helped raise P3 million for the baby to be treated in Taiwan.
"It not only showed the power of television and the reach of ABS-CBN, but more importantly, it demonstrated that television can change lives. The boy is now seven years old and it makes me feel good," she said.
The JCI cited Ms. Davila for being able to marshal her beauty, talent, and drive in using television and radio as powerful tools for education and social change.
"She walks her talk, using her celebrity and influence for advocacy work for global institutions, such as World Vision and Habitat for Humanity," cited the JCI.
The TOYM Award is widely recognized as the country's most prestigious recognition for young men and women whose selfless dedication to their field makes significant contributions to the Philippines.