Senator Gerry Roxas believed that building responsibility and developing a real sense of stewardship is best introduced to the young when their potentials can best be harnessed. He established the Roxas Educational Advancement Committee in 1958, to provide scholarship assistance to poor but deserving students in the First District of Capiz, which he represented in Congress.

This program was further expanded in 1967 with the launching of the Gerry Roxas Leadership Award given to outstanding student leaders in public high schools all over the country. The award consisted of a medallion given to graduating high school students in recognition of their scholastic and extra-curricular achievements.

Today, Senator Gerry’s vision of developing the youth towards leadership and service lives on through the Gerry Roxas Foundation, one of the oldest foundations in the country. The Youth Leadership Program (YLP) currently has a long list of awardees that are now achievers and experts in their chosen field of profession.

1. Gerry Roxas Leadership Award (GRLA)

   The Award consists of a medallion given to a graduating high school student who has shown exemplary leadership and dynamism in both academic and extra-curricular activities. Its purpose is to encourage the youth to continue to live the visions they have for their families and communities. The Awardee is selected by the GRLA Screening Committee from each of about 2,000 GRF-accredited public and private high schools in the country on the basis of the following criteria: (a) a well-rounded personality and good moral standing; (b) outstanding leadership in extra-curricular and/or community projects; and, (c) must be among the Top Ten graduating students of his/her school.

2. Gerry Roxas Scholarship Grant (GRSG)

   The Grant provides financial assistance to deserving but economically-needy students. It aims to harness their idealism and energy and motivate them to pursue college education. It further encourages them to become role models in responsible citizenship and community development. The Grant is awarded to those qualified students who prefer service professions that contribute to Philippine development.

3. The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM)

   Annually, the Philippine Jaycees chooses from a list of Filipino achievers The Outstanding Young Men (and Women) of the Philippines. The Gerry Roxas Foundation has been a partner of the TOYM search since 1975. The search looks for Filipinos under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields and in the service of their community.

1. In five decades, the GRF Youth Leadership Program covers all the 82 provinces in the country. From the initial 227 public high schools accredited by GRF at the launch of the GRLA in 1967, the Foundation now partners with over 2,000 public and private high schools nationwide for the grant of the Gerry Roxas Leadership Award.

2. From 1958 to 2008, the GRF Youth Leadership Program has recognized over 50,000 leadership awardees and supported the college education of about 1,400 scholars.

3. As part of its development initiatives, GRF organizes and strengthens Community of Leaders (CO-LEAD) through Leadership Development Workshops, Youth Camps, and Chika-Chika Buzz Sessions to carry forward a legacy of leadership and service for community and country.

4. The Foundation is also organizing University-based groups of leadership awardees. The objective is to encourage them to share ideas and undertake school-based projects that will benefit the schools and the student populace at large.

5. The GRF YLP On-Line Database has been operationalized via the GRF Website. It encourages the awardees to touch base and log-in information particularly about their school activities. The website enjoys abundant feedbacks from the awardees.