Makati awards top 10 students

MANILA, Philippines - The city government of Makati proclaimed the winners of this year’s Search for Ten Outstanding Students of Makati (TOSM) in awarding ceremonies held at the Makati City Hall last Thursday.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, who led city officials and program partners in the ceremonies, noted that six of the outstanding students are from the city’s public schools.

“I am truly heartened to see, year after year, a steady stream of public school students joining this prestigious circle of excellence,” Binay said.

Proclaimed this year’s Ten Outstanding Students of Makati are: John Angel L. Aranas of Makati Science High School; Ma. Veronica Pia N. Arevalo of Colegio San Agustin-Makati; Mikka M. Carel of Makati High School; Lyndon Rom T. David of Fort Bonifacio High School; Shawn Hailey Dy of Makati Hope Christian School; Julius Ezra M. Gundran of Don Bosco Technical Institute; Hannah May R. Ona of Makati Science High School; Shanell Grace B. Recheta of Gen. Pio del Pilar High School; Francesca C. Sy of Assumption College; and Adrian Miguel S. Umengan of the Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino High School.

Selected meanwhile for the Junior Chamber International (JCI)-Makati Leadership Award was Ma. Veronica Pia Arevalo of Colegio San Agustin-Makati.

The TOSM awardees each received a P10,000 cash award together with a trophy and a medal.

In his speech, Binay acknowledged the hard work and sacrifices made by the awardees to excel in their studies and praised them for showing fellow students that achieving a ‘holistic balance of excellence’ is possible.

“I congratulate these young people who have gone the extra mile to make good use of their potential.  I am confident that with continued nurturing and encouragement from their parents, mentors and community, they will one day bring about positive changes to society,” Binay said.

Now on its 38th year, the city-wide TOSM search aims to recognize students who have shown exceptional performance in the fields of academics, leadership, athletics and the arts.

The search and evaluation processes were spearheaded by the Makati Youth and Sports Development Department (YSDD), in partnership with JCI Makati and STF Foundation.

The following criteria were used to determine the winners: Academic Excellence, 40 points; School Co-curricular Activities, 15 points; Extra-curricular Activities, 20 points; Talent Presentation, five points; and Leadership, 20 points. The screening committee was composed of three members from JCI Makati and one member from YSDD.

Fourth year high school students from public and private schools in Makati who were nominated by their respective schools were screened based on the guidelines approved by the organizers and the board of judges. The nominees were also required to submit accomplished nomination form; authenticated scholastic record (from first to fourth year); certificate of good moral character; and school certification that the nominee has been a Consistent Academic Achiever for four school years.