Inquirer columnist Prof. Oscar Franklin Tan gets JCI TOYP recognition

Inquirer columnist Oscar Franklin Tan (Photo from the website of the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World)

A Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist who is a law professor has been selected as one of the 10 outstanding youth leaders in the world.

Professor Oscar Franklin Barcelona Tan has been chosen as one of the recipients of the 2017 Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (JCI TOYP), the world’s most prestigious youth award.

The JCI TOYP is a program that honors 10 outstanding young people under 40 years old who exemplify the spirit of the JCI Mission and provide extraordinary service to their communities.

Tan was the only Filipino who secured a slot in the Top 10 after a rigorous selection process by a distinguished panel of judges and online public voting.

He will formally receive the award on November 9, 2017, at the JCI World Congress in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Tan is a public intellectual, legal columnist, former constitutional law professor and a leader of overseas Filipino workers.

Over the course of his writing career with the Inquirer, Tan published more than 200 columns, discussing many controversial issues facing the Philippines, including the martial law, the thriving of fake news, and the government’s controversial war against drugs.

In 2014, Tan received The Outstanding Young Men award, the Philippine’s most prestigious civic award, for thought leadership in legal and other issues.

He is an attorney-at-law admitted with the Supreme Court of New York.

Tan finished his Master of Law with concentration in International Finance at Harvard Law School in 2007.

He completed his Bachelors of Law degree at the University of the Philippines in 2005, wherein he was the president of the Philippine Law Journal, a student-run law review.

He finished his BS Management Engineering and AB Economics double degree with honors (cum laude) at the Ateneo de Manila in 2001.

In a statement issued by JCI said that as a lawyer, Prof. Tan decided to turn his legal expertise into a thriving career in journalism, becoming the Philippines youngest public intellectual, offering exclusive and insightful content to the citizens of his country.

“As we move into a new generation of media, we see the power of one story to change the narrative. Tackling controversial issues, Prof. Tan has created a shift in the way that news is being told in the Philippines. He has curated stories on the effects of martial
law in the Philippines, discussed pressing issues like same sex marriage and brought light to corruption in politics,” it said.

“Though he has published more than 200 columns, Prof. Tan has not gone without his share of difficulties, including overcoming cultural barriers and lack of mentorship as he worked to grow his readership and impact. Whether being cited in Supreme Court decisions, testifying before Congress or advocating for women’s rights, Prof. Tan is proving that the power of words shows no limits and that civil society owns an authoritative voice in the decisions of their community. He works tirelessly to empower the public to see beyond headlines, drawing deeper meanings to the content within a story. Realizing that the issues faced are multi-generational, he ensures that his articles are transparent and reader-friendly for any age group, wielding journalistic styles unparalleled by fellow Filipino journalists,” the statement continued.

Through his extensive work in law and journalism, Prof. Tan has brought his readers more than just words but experiences, allowing them into the courtroom through his detailed narratives.

JCI is a worldwide membership-based nonprofit organization of young active citizens ages 18 to 40 who are dedicated to creating positive change in their communities. Through projects in more than 5000 communities across nearly 120 countries, members seek targeted solutions to local problems, creating a global impact. Visit www.jci.cc to learn more. JPV