Photo via Malacanang Photo Bureau

On December 7, 2011, President Benigno Aquino III commended seven individuals for winning The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in a ceremony held at the Malacanang Palace. The 2011 TOYM Awardees are: Maria Antonia (Maoi) Gregorio Arroyo, Raul V. Destura, Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Paulino Salvador Leachon, Gerard Joseph Salonga, Edgar “Injap” Sia II, and Antonio “Tony” Tiu.

As the youngest and only female 2011 TOYM awardee, Maoi Arroyo is recognized for establishing Hybridigm Consulting, the first biotechnology consulting firm in the Philippines. Her firm developed policies for the government, facilitated over $4 million in biotech investments, and trained over 15,862 aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Hybridigm consulting is committed to making sure that biotechnology like Raul Destura’s Dengue Diagnostic kit is given to an investor in the private sector, developed and sold to consumers,” says Maoi Arroyo. “We want to help scientists and businessmen profit together. We want to harness Philippine biodiversity and Filipino ingenuity to serve the world.”

Maoi Arroyo is also an adjunct faculty of AIM (Asian Institute of Management). Her course focuses on Innovation, Strategy, and Consulting. She also teaches entrepreneurship and leadership.

For more than half-a-century, the TOYM Awards has established itself as one of the nation's most prestigious awards. Its purpose is to recognize individuals who have not only exemplified excellence and leadership in their respective fields, but also challenge themselves to be agents of transformation.

Prof. Arroyo joins an esteemed group of past TOYM winners from the AIM family, including Mr. Roberto de Ocampo, executive director of the AIM Gov. Jose B. Fernandez Jr. Center for Banking and Finance; Philip Ella Juico (MBM 1973); Tony Tan Caktiong (TMP 1983); and Rex Bernardo (MDM 2001).