NCR Outstanding Students Choose to be Everyday Heroes
With this year’s theme Choose to be a hero everyday, the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) NCR emphasizes the greatness of young leaders who took the challenge of becoming heroes in both ways: everyday—by doing things that are simple and ordinary, and every day—as in every single day, even when it’s difficult and uninspiring.
However, the 20 regional finalists in the annual search for TOSP-NCR are themselves stories of inspiration. Through their academic excellence, leadership, and social responsibility, they have proven that being young does not stop them from making a difference and that most times, heroism is in the daily and ordinary.
This year’s 20 finalists are Jason Alacapa from University of the Philippines Manila, Genina Mariel Arceo from Adamson University, Ma. Ninna Roem Bonsol from University of Sto. Tomas, Cliff Kevin Cedaña and Jose Lemuel Silvestre from Far Eastern University (FEU) and Marlon Quijano from FEU- East Asia College, Irish Dizon from Philippine Normal University, Billie Crystal Dumaliang and Alisson Ray Ladaga from Ateneo de Manila University, Kate Edquibal and Brandon Louise Medrano from Technological Institute of the Philippines Manila, Antonio Salido from Technological Institute of the Philippines Quezon City, Grant Buena Joy Mesa and Joseph Wong from University of East Manila, Vince St. Mesias from Polytechnic University of the Philippines Manila, Jose Miguel Moreno, Justin Sucgang and Ira Gayll Zamudio from De La Salle University, and Ma. Angela Teresa Sebastian and Lancelot Yupingkun from University of the Philippines Diliman.
Before the interview and judging, the regional finalists went through a three-day formation program facilitated by TOSP-NCR alumni. A trademark of TOSP, the three days were centered on humanizing the finalists as achievers, building the community, and understanding the challenges in the region and responding to the call of nation-building.
Over those three days, they had an exposure trip at the New Bilibid Prison, and had “kapihan” and sharing sessions with Gang Badoy of RockEd Philippines, and notable young alumni of TOSP-NCR: Kenneth Abante of the Department of Finance and Gelo Apostol of iTayoNa, a movement to build more disaster-resilient towns and cities, and empower communities through social entrepreneurship.
This year’s members of the Board of Judges are Vicky Garchitorena, TOSP alumna and former President of Ayala Foundation, Inc.; Greg Navarro, Managing Partner & CEO of Deloitte Philippines; Lito Tayag, Country Managing Director of Accenture Philippines; Raymond Abrea, Chief Strategy Officer of Abrea Consulting Group; and Ofelia Odilao-Bisnar, former President and CEO of Makati Medical Center College and Chair of the 2014 TOSP-NCR Screening Committee.
The awarding ceremony was held at the Peak Hall of Lancaster Hotel in Mandaluyong, May 5. Dr. Paco Sandejas from TOSP Batch 1989 and a pioneer in venture capital in the Philippines delivered the keynote address during the ceremony.
This year’s TOSP-NCR awardees are Alacapa, Dizon, Dumaliang, Mesa, Moreno, Sebastian, Silvestre, Sucgang, Yupingkun, and Zamudio.
Since Jose Concepcion Jr. founded it in 1961, the TOSP program has honored graduating college students who have not only excelled academically but have also made a difference in their respective communities, organizations, and fields of interest.
The TOSP NCR Regional Search and Formation Week was made possible through the efforts of the TOSP-Alumni Community NCR combined with those of its partners: RFM Foundation, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (regional champion), Commission on Higher Education, TOSP-Alumni Community (National) and WhenInManila.com (media partner), and its sponsors: W Group Inc., Chevron, Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corporation, SL Agritech Corporation, Deloitte Navarro Amper & Co., Ayala Land, Inc., Makati Medical Center Family Credit Cooperative, and Starbucks.
