Excellence 101 by Neil Andrew Chiu Llorente

EXCELLENCE 101

By: Neil Andrew Chiu Llorente

The core of excellence is the flow of utmost passion that goes with it.

Such a statement was one of the few things I utterly refused to believe for many years. Driven by the idea that success could only be measured by one’s achievements, I have been one of those students who kept losing track of the true meaning of greatness. Blinded by the brilliance of fame, influence, and the stole of respect people bestow upon the shoulders of those with the most honors, I have pushed myself beyond the limits of my comfort zone for the feeble reason of being way on top of others.

Sad to say, it seems that my world only revolved around being the most multi-awarded figure at school. There was not a single day when a voice inside my head would not whisper the usual grab-and-take-everything-that-makes-you-great, a line that appeared to be quite difficult to erase from my mind. Like a damaged CD player, I taught myself to love the plaques, the medals, and the trophies over and over again for in those days, the crappy things about the so-called ‘real’ happiness, faith, and hope were light years away, a dim glow compared to the radiance of awards. When all those old people started talking about true joy and the blah blah blahs that go with it, I shut my ears and laugh at the outright stupidity these implied.

Perhaps, such line of thought could be traced to family background. You see, ever since I was a child, excellence has become part of our family culture. From my parents down to my youngest sibling, one cannot seem to do away with the desire to be on the top spot. In other words, every single thing I did was directed towards that vague future of achieving everything there is to achieve, of surpassing all obstacles man has ever known.

But as I reaped those that many a student would give anything to have, I began to notice this overwhelming sense of incompletion, an unusual emotion that dawned on me like the gradual rise of the sun. At first I thought that this was just a part of seeming to have everything, an aftermath of this thing people call ‘overachievement’. But then again, instead of being snuffed out by my winning in the United Nations Information Agency World Environment Day on-the-spot Essay Writing Contest, which is truly something I should be proud of, things grew worse.

I became more distraught and discontented. My thirst for something more turned into the hardest thing to satisfy. I felt lost, directionless, empty, hurt, and weary of life for it seemed that the very purpose of living became too obscured for me to grasp. I have suddenly realized that for the past sixteen years, I had not been living my own life but that of a pawn controlled by the burning desire to be on top. After a few weeks, I learned to accept that I was, though surrounded by all praises and honors, one of the unhappiest persons in the world.
I soon opened my eyes to the fact that I have indeed missed out a lot since I was literally drooling over awards. Believe it or not, I have even scrapped the word ‘fun’ out of my life’s dictionary (staying at home instead of hanging out with friends; burning the midnight candle for the exams instead of partying the night away).

The pain of knowing all these came in such a strong crash that I was abruptly pulled back to my senses. But never did I know that the next competition I joined, the National Schools Press Conference Editorial Writing Contest, would become a stepping stone to this sudden change.

Different from the usual tedious preparations I would normally make for tests, examinations, and contests, I took this competition quite lightly, more like a game, a challenge, unlike my typical preset notion of contests as venues where I HAD TO WIN. Instead of forcing myself to understand as many current issues as possible to get in touch with the political affairs of the country for the sake of winning, I began to focus my mind on the ‘present’, on the ‘NOW’, appreciating news articles and researches on the political arena of the Philippines simply because these were well-written selections and not because knowing them is an apparent pre-requisite to victory.

As Khalil Gibran wrote, “Work is love made visible”. I too have leaned to love what I was doing and direct my passion and all the energies that go with it not to turn silly visions of grabbing every trophy into reality but to manifest my greatest appreciation for writing and this is what excellence and passion are all about - learning to value your work and not the rewards that come with it.

Though I still managed to land first place in the NSPC Editorial Writing competition, I know longer felt so troubled and to my surprise, the beacon of contentment, which refused to be lit for many years, has gone so bright that a sense of light-heartedness enveloped my entire being and thus, I become a new man, a person who has taken hold of the vitality of passion and who had released the false importance mere awards portray.@

Neil Andrew Chiu Llorente is the Most Outstanding Secondary School Student of Iloilo for SY 2005-2006.

2006 Ten Outstanding Elementary Pupils of Iloilo

(Above) The Ten Outstanding Elementary School Pupils for 2006 with OSCI members, Iloilo City Division Superintendent of Schools Dr. Erlinda Gencaya, and Iloilo City Councilor Hon. Jefrey Ganzon.

1. Altamera, Shari A. SPED – Integrated School for Exceptional
Children
2. Mellizas, Marian Mae L. Cabatuan Central Elementary School
3. Cerebo, Bryan Eric New Lucena Central Elementary School
4. Deocampo, Irish Joy G. Iloilo Central Elementary School
5. Leda, Francis Paul B. Don Eugenio Ladrido Memorial Elementary
School
6. Ponta-oy, Lennon Dingle Central Elementary School
7. Divinagracia, Bert Lorenz S. Ateneo de Iloilo/Sta Maria Catholic School
8. Magallon, Marianne Joy Sta. Barbara Central Elementary School
9. Atas, Celeste West Visayas State University
10. Jamerlan, Ma. Christina M. St. Joseph School

(L-R) Divinagracia, Cerebo, Magallon, Leda, Altamera, Atas, Deocampo, Mellizas, Ponta-oy

@

2006 Ten Outstanding Secondary School Students of Iloilo

(Above) The Ten Outstanding Secondary School Students of Iloilo for 2006 with OSCI members, Iloilo City Division Superintendent of Schools Dr. Erlinda Gencaya, and Iloilo City Councilor Hon. Jeffrey Ganzon.

1. Llorente, Neil Andrew Chiu Ateneo de Iloilo/Sta Maria Catholic School
2. Almendros, Ma. Jilyn C. Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus
3. Tunguia, Saer Martin J. Iloilo National High School
4. Mondin, Vincent Leuter J. Zarraga National High School
5. Canong, Ma. Verni Katrina A. University of the Philippines
6. Misajon, Joshua J. Central Philippine University
7. Servanio, Nikko Jones G. Pavia National High School
8. Loreno, Christine Anne L. Lambunao National High School
9. Pruto, Melissa P. Mina National High School
10. Sampiano, Nyre Cyre Colegio de San Jose

(L-R) Almendros, Loreno, Sampiano, Llorente, Misajon, Tunguia, Canong

2006 Awarding Ceremony

Awarding Ceremony
2:00 pm, March 14, 2006
Monfort Hall, Department of Education Bldg., Lapaz, Iloilo City

I Entrance of Colors/Processional............ led by the Ateneo de Iloilo CAT Corps

II National Anthem ........................... Ateneo de Iloilo

The Ateneo de Iloilo Glee Club (right) led the singing of Lupang Hinirang as their school ranked first in the TOSSS.

III Invocation .............................. Engr. Dimpna Castigador
TOEP 1975
IV Welcome Remarks .......................... Dr. Diadem Pearl Sonza-Equina
TOEP 1975, TOSSS 1979

V Opening Remarks ........................... Mr. Henry Bueron Caspe
Chairman, OSCI; TOSSS 1975


VI Message ................................... Hon. Niel Tupaz
Governor, Province of Iloilo

(L-R) Hon. Jeffrey Ganzon, Iloilo City Councilor; Mr. Mario Nillos, Provincial Planning Officer

VII Message .................................. Hon. Jerry P. Trenas
Mayor, Iloilo City


Deaf-mute special students from SPED rocking the stage.

VIII Special Number .......................... SPED - School for Exceptional Children

(L-R) Dr. Raymundo A. Lapating; Dr. Erlinda Gencaya

IX Inspirational Message ..................... Dr. Raymundo A. Lapating
Schools Division Superintendent
Province of Iloilo

X Presentation of Awardees

A. Elementary .............................. Engr. Dimpna Castigador
Chairperson, Elementary Screening Committee

Marianne Mellizas, Cabatuan Central Elementary School

Bryan Eric Cerebo, New Lucena Central Elementary School

Lennon Ponta-oy, Dingle Central Elementary School

B. Secondary ............................... Dr. Japhet Gencaya-F. de Leon
Chairperson, Secondary Screening Committee

Jilyn Almendros, Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus

Mellisa Pruto, Mina National High School

Neil Andrew Llorente, Ateneo de Iloilo-Sta Maria Catholic School

XI Reading of Citation to Schools

XII Presentation of Awards .................... Dr. Raymundo A. Lapating, Dr. Erlinda Gencaya, and OSCI Members

XIII Responses

Shari A. Altamera, 2006 Most Outstanding Elementary Pupil
Neil Andrew Chiu Llorente, 2006 Most Outstanding Secondary School Student

XIV Challenge: The Task Ahead ................. Dr. Erlinda Gencaya
Schools Division Superintendent
Division of Iloilo City

XV Closing Remarks ............................ Dr. Japhet Gensaya-F. de Leon
Vice Chairperson, OSCI
TOSSS 1975

XVI Recessional
Program Hosts: Dr. Diadem Pearl Sonza-Equina, Engr. David Robert de Leon

2006 Message from the Chairman

Today, we in the Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo (OSCI), relive the day we received honors as outstanding high school students and elementary pupils. We take time to reflect and thank the well-meaning persons of years gone by, who worked extra to give us simple wooden plaques which unknowingly had made a difference in our lives.

We, too, take justifiable pride in giving recognition and honor to the cream of batch 2006. Such pride was not drawn vicariously; but was the first blood from the bond among us, former awardees, wanting to serve back what we believe we owed to the society at large. Being once youthful idealists, we realize now that we cannot change the world. But with our humble contributions today, we hope we had made a difference to some grains of sand in the vastness of the desert.

I toast and welcome the Outstanding Batch 2006 to OSCI. The plaques and medals are only of value as they carry with them a lifetime membership to OSCI. This, I believe, is more than the material rewards that some persons were craving from us.

With the 2006 awardees, we can now ensure the continuity of these annual awards. And as a new generation of accomplished professionals carries on the legacy, more of us will sit back and relive the day of honor and glory. For, indeed, once an outstanding student, always an outstanding student.



(Sgd) HENRY BUERON CASPE
OSCI Chairman

Press Release 2006: Ateneo, SPED Students Top OSCI Awards

Press Release
March 2006
By: The Outstanding Students Corcle of Iloilo


Ateneo, SPED Students Top OSCI Awards

Neil Andrew Chiu Llorente of Ateneo de Iloilo/Sta Maria Catholic School, and Shari A. Altamera of SPED – Integrated School for Exceptional Children are the 2006 Most Outstanding Secondary School Student and Most Outstanding Elementary Pupil of Iloilo, respectively.

Llorente has won several local and national awards in campus journalism. Recently, he towered over his peers when he presided over city hall as Boy Mayor of Iloilo City during the Boys and Girls Week. Altamera is a Mathematics prodegee as member of the Philippine Math Team in the International Math Olympiad. She shines in co-curricular activities as well as retains her number one rank in her school's academics.


The two topped the list of Ten Outstanding Secondary School Students and Ten Outstanding Elementary Pupils of Iloilo for school year 2005-2006. All will be awarded with plaques and medals in an awarding ceremony on March 14, 2006, 2:00 pm at Monfort Hall, Department of Education Bldg., Lapaz, Iloilo City.


The awardees were evaluated based on academic record, co-curricular activities, written examinations, and interview. The evaluation was done by the Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo (OSCI), a group of former recipients of outstanding high school and elementary students awards handed out by the former Governor Hon. Conrado J. Norada.

Neil Andrew Chiu Llorente (above); Shari A. Altamera (right)

The other high school awardees are Ma. Jilyn C. Almendros, Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus; Saer Martin J. Tunguia, Iloilo National High School; Vincent Leuter J. Mondin, Zarraga National High School; Ma. Verni Katrina A. Canong, UP High School; Joshua J. Misajon, CPU; Nikko Jones G. Servanio, Pavia National High School; Christine Anne L. Loreno, Lambunao National High School; Melissa P. Pruto, Mina National High School; and Nyre Cyre Sampiano, Colegio de San Jose.

Other elementary awardees are Marian Mae L. Mellizas, Cabatuan Central Elementary School; Bryan Eric Cerebo, New Lucena Central Elementary School; Irish Joy G. Deocampo, Iloilo Central Elementary School; Francis Paul B. Leda, Don Eugenio Ladrido Mem Elementary School; Lennon Ponta-oy, Dingle Central Elementary School; Bert Lorenz S. Divinagracia, Ateneo de Iloilo/Sta Maria Catholic School; Marianne Joy Magallon, Sta. Barbara Central Elementary School; Celeste Atas, WVSU; and Ma. Christina M. Jamerlan, St. Joseph School. @

2006 SEARCH Diary

Schedule of Activities

I Deadline for Submission of Nominations ............ February 1, 2006
II Written Examinations .............................. February 18, 2006
III Panel Interview ................................... February 27, 2006
IV Awarding Ceremony ................................. March 14, 2006

Screening Committee

Dr. Japhet Gensaya-F. de Leon ........................ Over-All Chairperson
Engr. Dimpna Castigador .............................. Chairperson, Elementary
Dr. Caroline Arroyo .................................. Member
Mr. Henry Bueron Caspe ............................... Member
Dr. Diadem Pearl Sonza-Equina ........................ Member
Mrs. Amihan Tamayo-Panes ............................. Member

Criteria

Academic Grades ............................ 15%
Co-Curricular Activities ................... 35%
Written Examination ........................ 25%
Interview .................................. 25%

PANEL OF INTERVIEWERS

Elementary

Mrs Esterlita M. Baddong, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist,
DTI, Iloilo Province

Dr. Rosalea G. de Leon, Program Director, Emmanuel Foundation for Special Children

Ms. Clarissa G. Zamora, Administrative Officer IV, Department of Education,
Division of Iloilo City

Secondary

Engr. Gilberto Altura, Supervising Economic Development Specialist, NEDA, Region VI

Dr. Myrna Castillo, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent, Department of Education
Division of Iloilo

Dr. Henrietta C. Espanola, Chair, Department of Pshyciatry, WVSU College of Medicine
and St. Paul's Hospital

Mrs. Rachel Nufable, Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist, DTI, Iloilo