Education
PGMA to RP’s top students: Help gov't in pursuing national economic recovery
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Jul 2, 2009 - 11:48:27 AM

By Joel C. Atencio

MANILA, July 3 (PNA) -– President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo asked the country’s top student leaders on Thursday to help the government in pursuing national economic recovery as the nation wages war against the global economic crisis.

In her speech read by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita at the awarding ceremonies of the 2009 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) this morning at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall, the President also said she has launched the National Youth Service Corps to provide jobs and opportunities for the Filipino youth aged 18 to 24 years.

”We want to make sure these young people have a way to positively contribute to the nation and their own well-being. I hope some of our 10 outstanding students can help us coordinate this,” the President said.

This year’s TOSP, whom President Arroyo congratulated through Ermita, are Roger Montepio Flores (Philippine Military Academy, BS Naval Science); Miguel Antonio Barreto Garcia (University of San Carlos, AB Economics); Aidel Paul Garcia Belamide (University of the Philippines Los Banos, BA); Ann Bernaldez Crusit (University of Bohol, BS Education);

Paul John Basubas Gesta (University of Cebu, BSC Management); Adrian Clark San Pascual Mundin (Ateneo de Manila University, BS Management Engineering); Stacy Danika Sia Alcantara (Silliman University, AB Mass Communication);

Stephen Alexeus Gorgonio Baltazar (University of San Carlos, BS Accountancy); Nicole Marie Regner Villarojo (De La Salle University, BSC Marketing Management & AB Economics); and Carlos Ramos Gerogalin Jr. (West Negros University, BS Education).

”Similarly, I continue to promote the One Scholarship, One Town Program to aid in the academic and intellectual development of our most promising youth,” President Arroyo said.

”Education is cherished here in the Philippines. It is a ticket to better life. We must stay focused on giving our best and brightest a chance for a better life. You, the youth of our nation, are a national treasure. The youth must be aided in the pursuit of a better life,” she said.

In a brief interview, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman Atty. Emmanuel Y. Angeles told the Philippines News Agency that the student awardees are outstanding and inspiring.

Ermita, who represented the President, handed out the glass trophies to the awardees. He was assisted by Angeles, Republic Flour Mills (RFM) chairperson and TOSP founder Jose Concepcion Jr., RFM Foundation president Marie Concepcion Young, RFM Corporation president Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III, and National Book Store (NBS) president Alfredo C. Ramos.

Past TOSP awardees include the late former Education Secretary and Senator Raul S. Roco, woman leader Sonia Malasarte-Roco, Presidential Adviser on Culture and Arts Secretary Cecille Guidote-Alvarez, and Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. president Albert Fenix.

The TOSP is an annual recognition program that honors graduating college students who have not only excelled academically, but have also dedicated their talents and leadership abilities in making a difference by becoming socially involved in their respective communities, organizations and fields of interest, for the greater good of their constituents and members.

The TOSP dates back when businessman Jose S. Concepcion Jr., then the publisher of Student Life Magazine, envisioned an annual recognition of outstanding students.

Launched on June 19, 1961, in time with the 100th birthday of the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, the event had been held annually until Martial Law was declared in 1972. It was relaunched in 1989 and continues to celebrate, affirm, and inspire and champion the noble and enduring spirit of the Filipino youth.

The search has expanded since 1994 and embarked on regional searches so that students in the regions can closely identify themselves with role models selected from their immediate environment.

The 10 awardees, who were among the 33 national finalists coming from different regions in the country, were invited to Manila for a week-long itinerary of activities starting June 26, including a weekend in Tagaytay for a formation program sponsored by The Outstanding Students of the Philippines Alumni Community.

The TOSP program is a commitment of the RFM Corporation and the RFM Foundation since 1961 together with National Book Store and in cooperation with the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, the Commission on Higher Education and supported by The Outstanding Students of the Philippines Alumni Community.

Student awardee Flores said he prayed to God to put him where he can best help in solving problems since he strongly believes that the Lord has given him life in order to serve His own purpose for mankind. (PNA)