DepEd recognizes outstanding students in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education awarded at least 229 first honor students and class valedictorians from both public and private elementary and high school from Cebu City yesterday.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, in his speech, stressed the importance of education and excellence in attaining one’s goals and aspirations.

“I rather be in the last place… second and last place are the same,” he said, adding that today’s graduates are not trained how to lose since it is an “unacceptable.”

The ceremony, dubbed as 2nd Don Sergio Osmeña, Sr. Academic Excellence Award with the theme “Education: Changing Lives” (Edukasyon ang Solusyon) was also participated in by Cebu City Councilor and Education Consultant Joy Augustus Young, Cebu City councilor and chairman for Committee on Education Gerardo Carillo, Schools Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud, and Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Salustiano Jimenez.

Halfway through his speech, the mayor let his son, Miguel Osmeña, to share his wisdom as a top student himself.

“You already have your own methods, but let me share three steps (in coping with academic pressures),” the younger Osmeña said.

Miguel said that one has to have to take down notes, train oneself to listen carefully, learn effective time management, and try to develop a natural interest in what you are studying.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing well,” he emphasized.

Miguel Osmeña graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of California, Los Angeles where he took Philosophy. UCLA is known as one of the premier state universities in the United States.

Meanwhile, Osmeña has warned the students not to take up courses that they are not interested in or just because their parents or close relatives wants them to take it.

“When you decide to take up a course, take up the course that you are interested in, that is very important. Do not take up the course just because these are the choice of your parents. That is a very sure way of getting high grades,” Osmeña told the 158 scholars who graduated from the Cebu City National Science High School.

Osmeña cited his 24-year-old son, Miguel, who graduated with top honors last December because he gave him freedom to choice what course he wanted to take up after graduating in the secondary level.

“If you like to play basketball, play basketball. If you like to watch your favorite TV show, do it. If you want to go to movies, go to the movies, But always see to it that you have time to study when you are well rested,” the mayor said.   (FREEMAN NEWS)