The 10 outstanding students of the Philippines

I was surprised when I found out that the awardees were nine men and a lady! Would this be an emerging trend for all searches from now on? I think I could start a new trend here. 

Kidding aside, I remember that 52 years ago, my father, Joecon, was the one who started the search for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP). 

This awarding happens every August and continually excites me and my family, who always look forward to this month.

The president of the RFM Foundation is my sister Marie, who chairs the annual TOSP program. I am very glad that this year, two TOSP former awardees are working with her: Noorain Sabdulla, a Muslim, who is taking the helm as program director, and Ben Secretario, a proud Bicolano, as the formation head.

I am humbled by the thrust of the TOSP program, for it recognizes the graduating college students from all different parts of the country who exemplified and balanced their academics, leadership and community involvement. The program is not only an award-giving gathering but it also a community of modest individuals responding to the call of nation-building.

This year, 233 students were nominated from 120 participating schools. They were screened through several procedures, including a regional search. The chosen 30 national finalists underwent the National Formation Program from August 23 to 28. PLDT let the organizing team hold some of the activities at PLDT Innolab. Also, the finalists visited our house in Balai Taal to have their formation. Of course, no one missed the exceptional halo-halo of my mother!
We had the awarding at the Malacañan Palace last Thursday. Jose Rene Amendras (Cabinet Secretary), Dr. Patricia Licuanan (chairman, Commission on Higher Education), Alfredo Ramos (president, National Book Store), Ma. Esther Santos (president, PLDT - Smart Foundation) and Nereus Acosta, PhD (Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection) graced the event. My parents and sister Marie were also there.

Let me share the moving stories of our Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines 2013 awardees.

Having graduated as class valedictorian at the Ateneo de Manila University, Delfin Stephen Villafuerte declined corporate opportunities to give way to his one simple dream of becoming a public school teacher. This selfless decision is a testament that a young Filipino like him can always dare to give it all for the love of country.

An extraordinary accountancy graduate at the Far Eastern University, John Michael Lava is a diligent student who spent his five years in college on youth mobilization, a position paper and other programs for the informal settlers in Quezon City and deprived people of Tondo.

Baliuag University beams with pride over their scholar, Aries John Pineda. He is filled with gratitude for graduating from an esteemed university. He passes the goodness on to the people of Bulacan by being a dedicated volunteer of sustainable and entrepreneurial programs for housewives, out-of-school youths, people with disabilities, and unemployed citizens.

Foundation University produced an architect in Von Jovi Biala. This inspiring graduate practices his architecture career through his humble initiatives.  He spearheaded designing and constructing daycare classrooms in Negros Oriental while attending to the other needs of the those in the community.   
A young graduate from Kalinga-Apayao State College, Leonardo Visaya Jr. proved that poverty is a great teacher when he mastered the act of generosity. He believes that effort, time, skills and talent can make a person excel in his dreams. He has been actively involved in teaching mathematics, sharing the lessons of the Bible and organizing sustainable environmental programs in the northern part of the country.

Responding to the call of being a “doctor of the future,” Gabriel Ignacio Alejo of the Ateneo de Manila University spearheaded healing communities by organizing disaster response and management programs. As president of the student council, he actively encouraged the Ateneo students to go out of their comfort zones and take part in community programs.

Environmentalism occupies a big space in the heart of Michael Miatari of Far Eastern University. With his project Luntiang Alab, he initiated alternative sources of income and sustainable technology for the people of Dumagats in Rizal province.

Aside from being a fine pianist, Lucelle Santibañez from West Negros University characterizes a true Filipina — optimistic, intelligent and obedient. Her passion for service is admirable because it is grounded in her faith to the Lord.

Stephen Bryan Boncaras of the Holy Name University is a firm believer despite all the adversities that have come his way. He has been an advocate of HIV/AIDS prevention by providing a platform for children and young people to learn and take part in controlling and preventing it. He is an epitome for other students worthy of emulation.

A graduate from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Vincent Yu believes that education is one of the serious matters in the country that deserves some keen attention. Instead of considering business opportunities that were being offered to him as university valedictorian and a summa cum laude recipient, he confidently chose to join the non-governmental movement to uplift education in the country.

All the remarkable TOSP qualities can be found in these 10 national awardees. I hope that they continue reaping the fulfilling rewards of their labor as they achieve even more successes that are also for the benefit of the society. May their life stories also inspire other Filipinos to go beyond their comfort zones and be of service to others.  

The panel of judges for this year is composed of Ma. Teresita Dimaculangan, managing partner of Dimaculangan Co., Concepcion Asis, commissioner of Unesco Philippines, Nereus Acosta, general manager of Laguna Lake Development Authority, and Ma. Esther Santos, president of PLDT-Smart Foundation.

I would like to commend the national finalists who joined the 10 national awardees. They were John Albert Baltazar (Nueva State University), Luisa Gay Antonio (Ifugao State University), Jordan Luther Basawil(Saint Louis University), Ronald Bustos(Saint Louis University), Ruiz Joy Escollar (University of Iloilo-PHINMA), Philip Jason Falcis (Filamer Christian University), Mary Jade Gabanes (West Visayas State University), Nikaela Katrina Gamboa (De La Salle Lipa), Cherry Mae Gumapac (Siliman University), GL John Haro (West Visayas State University), Gieno Lee Ilagan (Holy Angel University), Albert Jan Matthew Java (Central Philippine University), Kearsay Chenkie Low (Adamson University), Kim Sony Mendoza (University of the Philippines-Los Baños), Gianina Joy Nathan Napo (Far Eastern University), Eduard Joseph Narciso (St. Paul University-Dumaguete), Jose Mari Pineda (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), Mark Edward Sanchez (Southern Leyte State University), Mark Kevin Vidar (Araullo University) and John Paul Taday (University of Nueva Caceres).

Lastly, on behalf of my family, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our partners who supported us in the TOSP program: RFM Corporation, PLDT, National Book Store, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and TOSP Alumni Community.

Congratulations to the awardees, parents and teachers! You are the prime movers and the reason why this country will have a better future ahead of itself.