Finalists in outstanding Boy Scout search bared

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines yesterday presented the 26 national finalists for the 2006 Search for Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines sponsored by Coca-Cola Export Corporation in coordination with the Department of Education.

The search committee, headed by BSP Commissioner Maximo Edralin, said that the 26 finalists were chosen from the hundreds of aspirants from BSP's 108 councils nationwide.

Yesterday, the finalists were interviewed by BSP officials, which was the last leg of the search, comprising 45 percent of their total score. Edralin said that finalists were chosen based on their academic performance, community service and leadership record in BSP and that somebody should vouch for the character of the scout.

Adjudged regional winners and national finalists were Sct. Paulo Audal, Iriga City Council; Sct. Matatag Bautista, Baguio City Council; Sct. Excel Cagay, Capiz Council; Sct. Roland Dane Carreon, Tarlac Council; Sct. Joshua Rex Cheng, Manila Council; Sct. James Russell Encina, Cebu Council; Sct. Wilson Lloyd Estero, Eastern Pangasinan Council; Sct. Dennis Evangelista, ZAMDIDAP (Zamboanga-Dipolog-Dapitan) Council; Sct Neil Gutierrez, Iriga City Council; Sct. James Robin Javellana, Negros Occidental Council; Sct. Marbin Laus, Cavite Council; Sct. John Mark Lirac, Abra Council; Sct. Paul Ramil Llanes, Lipa City Council; Sct. Martin Luigi Marcelino, Rizal Council; Sct. Allan Vincent Miñon, Laguna Council; Sct. Wilfred Opinion, Zamboanga City Council; Sct. Lerjohn Raphael Panganiban, Bulacan Council; Sct. Arden Christopher Quiambao, La Union Council; Sct. Alvin John Salmorin, Cavite Council; Sct. Niño Vince Suelto, Cebu Council; Sct. Kent Tangcalagan, Cebu Council; Sct. Camilo Gil Toledo III, Cotabato Council; Sct. Roland Andrew Umanan, Davao City Council; Sct. Michael Erik Uy, Misamis Oriental Council; Sct. Adrian Jonathan Velasco, Manila Council; and Sct. Joshua Young, Quezon City Council.

The awards to this year's winners will be presented today, the 70th founding anniversary of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines at the Cebu City Hall.

Each of the 10 outstanding boy scouts will receive prizes which include a two-year college scholarship, P10,000, medals, trophies and plaques for their schools and local councils. - Jasmin R. Uy