17 students named Mga Bagong Rizal

MANILA, Philippines - Seventeen outstanding young students were named the 2015 “Mga Bagong Rizal: Pag-asa ng Bayan” by the Philippine Center for Gifted Education (PCGE) in ceremonies held at the Heritage Hotel Manila last Sunday.

The awardees were Mico Xander Rubico, 9; Jerome Clarence Benter and Edmund Mayor Tolentino Jr., 10; Anessa Tiburon, 13; Josh Cezar Serilo, 15; Thea Marie Tinaja, Erson Paolo Muyalde, Kim Patrick Saren and Jade Edward Biron, 16; Patrick Roland de Guzman, 17; Jayvy Gamboa, Kevin Joseph Dinglasan, Rein Ronald Bercasio and Ferna Simbulan, 18; and Ernest Esmeralda, James Russo Taga and Remart Dumlao, 19.

The students were recognized for their abilities and gifts in various fields, while exemplifying love for country reflective of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s virtues.

“It is our mission to help recognize and develop the innate talents and exemplary traits of young Filipinos through the “Mga Bagong Rizal: Pag-asa ng Bayan” awards. We hope that the awardees will serve as exemplars to the rest of the young Filipino generation,” PCGE president Leticia Ho said.

In partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Philippine Information Agency, Regional Development Councils of the Philippines, Mercury Drug Foundation and Promil Pre-School, the awards mark the national celebration of Rizal Day this month.

In his remarks, multi-awarded actor John Arcilla said, “We commend our young awardees for setting a laudable example to all our countrymen. They have demonstrated not only the enormous talents residing in every Filipino, but also their deep love for country propelling their accomplishments.”

The awardees received a trophy designed by Carlo Pineda of the University of the Philippines, which serves to remind recipients of the country’s continuing struggle for reforms for which the national hero gave his life.

“We are honored to partner with PCGE and stakeholders in helping recognize and nurture giftedness in the country. We believe that children whose gifts are nurtured are able to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society,” Promil Pre-School brand lead Dian Yu said.

The awarding ceremonies highlighted the two-day Annual Conference on Giftedness attended by members of the academe, the private sector and the government. Internationally recognized speakers shared their insights on addressing learning challenges prevalent even among brilliant students.

In her keynote address, World Council for Gifted and Talented Children president Leslie Graves said, “Children learn best when approached through their strengths. If we help give them internal harmony consisting of self-esteem, independence, contentment and self-worth to enable them to cope with their learning deficits, they will be halfway to their respective masterpieces — themselves.”