MANILA—Samira Gutoc, once a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award, encouraged today's youth to recognize their potential and be "game-changers."

Gutoc is one of the attendees of the launch of the activities for the 2019 TOYM Awards Wednesday.

" 'Woke Twitter' is that mechanism by which we can actually create positive change. So 'wag natin paniwalaan na apathetic tayo, wala tayong pakialam . . . meron tayong paki," said Gutoc, who ran for senator in this year's national elections.

She was a TOYM honoree for youth development in 2001.

Gutoc said being a TOYM awardee helped her be accepted in Luzon and Metro Manila.

"It's very major in my national bid. Siguro alam niyo 'yun na, nakilala ako bilang isang TOYM, at 'yung beyond borders na kinikilala ako bilang isang tao, hindi lang Muslim," she said.

TOYM Search 2019 national chairman Raymond Salazar said this year's event is special, as it is the organization's 60th anniversary.

"We intend to look for more Filipinos who have been giving their best in whatever fields that they are in," Salazar said.

This year's search has the theme, "celebrating excellence, inspiring Filipinos."