Peñol in Pambansang Gawad sa Ulirang Kabataan

Jo Jan Paul Peñol of Pavia National High School made it to the finals of the 4th Pambansang Gawad sa Ulirang Kabataan last June 8 - 12 at the Bayview Park Hotel in Metro Manila. The Pambansang Gawad is a project of the Department of Education in line with the 110th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence. Peñol was nominated by the Department of Education - Division of Iloilo after he, a public high school student from the province, topped the list of the Ten Outstanding Secondary School Students of Iloilo.


Jo Jan Paul Peñol (4th from R) with the other Gawad finalists.

A total of 51 students from the public and private schools in the country were nominated. Only 3 nominees were from Western Visayas.

In the 3rd Pambansang Gawad sa Ulirang Kabataan, Victor B. Robinson III of Ateneo de Iloilo - SMCS, also made it to the finals. Robinson was a TOSSS of Iloilo awardee in SY 2006-2007.

Press Release of the Department of Education
June 12, 2008

Seventeen (17) finalists from among 51 high school nominees from public and private schools were chosen winners in the 4th Pambansang Gawad sa Ulirang Kabataan by the Department of Education – Special Events Unit at the Bayview Park Hotel, Manila, June 8-13.

The awardees are all achievers, leaders and active community workers. All graduated with top honors in their secondary schools last year.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said the Pambansang Gawad recognizes the achievements and contributions of the nation’s outstanding students in their school and community.

“Our young people are looking for role models and these Gawad awardees are here for all the Filipino youth to emulate,” Malaya added.

The national winners went through a rigid process. The criteria for selection were personality and character – 20 percent, critical thinking – 10 percent, rhetoric – 10 percent, quality and content – 10 percent and credentials – 50 percent.

Some five evaluators, eight interviewers and three judges from the academe, the government and private sectors were invited during the three-day selection process.

The judges during the final interview were Commissioner Raul Dominic Badilla of the National Youth Commission, Atty. Pablo Trillana of the Asian Development Bank of the Philippines and Justice Antonio Nachura of the Department of Justice.

The Pambansang Gawad coincides with the observance of the 110th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.- DepEd


Jittery before the panel of interviewers led by Supreme Court Justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura (below, 2nd from L).


(Above) Nominees from the other schools all through out the Philippines.(Below) The 17 finalists.

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