Founded 2004 'Because we believe we can make a difference.'
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
TOEP and TOSSS Awarding Ceremony 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The 2010 Awardees
The Ten Outstanding Secondary School Students of Iloilo for Ay 2009-2010 (From L to R, click photo to enlarge): Cerebo, Bryan Eric T. - Sta. Barbara National Comprehensive High School; Mejorada, Brian Michael Moses A. - Central Philippine University; Calacal, Jeremiah Claudine - St. Joseph School; Real, Jerenney C. - Colegio de San Jose; Geganzo, Stessi Marie - Iloilo National High School; Tirador, Paolo Lorenzo L. - PAREF - Westbridge School for Boys; Leonida, Jerry Ian - University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo; Chan, Karl Francis - Iloilo Scholastic Academy; Gumban, Martin Erick P. - West Visayas State University – ILS; apastora, Estela Marie E. - SPED-Integrated School for Exceptional Children.
The Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo: almost always prim, proper, erudite...
... and a few times funny and mentally borderline.@
Yes, I belong to the Family!
Our distinguished guests, my fellow honorees, officers and members of the Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo, school heads, teachers, our dear parents, friends, ladies and gentlemen.
“Yes, I belong to the family!” This was the first statement I uttered upon learning that I got the most coveted Award for the Most Outstanding Pupil of Iloilo.
Winning this most coveted award is an answered prayer. This feat placed me at par with my parents whom I regarded as my greatest inspiration. My mother has been national finalist in the Search for Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines while my father had been one of the Outstanding Youth Leaders in the Philippines.
I thank God, first and foremost, for this blessing. He is the supreme provider of our strength and a constant guide in all our endeavors.
As we honorees beam with pride on stage, we can observe that our parents look at us in jubilation. We are their greatest gift from God and their priceless jewels. We children are the symbol of their immortality. And I personally thank Mama and Papa, my brother Nico and my sisters Alexandria and Rikka for supporting me all the way in nurturing my God-given prowess.
It would be a mortal sin if I will not give due credit and recognition to the Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo which the organizers of this competition described as a “hole-in-the-wall school” with a small building that is lost among the neighboring houses with a small number of enrollees that is correspondingly equivalent to the number of yayas, which fortunately, do not crowd the narrow streets of the subdivision.”
Yes, you may not easily locate where the Solomon Integrated School is as it is situated like a molehill amidst mountains. But one who seeks where true wisdom begins would be faced with extra-large streamers hung at the roadside and around the perimeter of the school like feathers in a giant cap. The school has the pool of kind-hearted, diligent and committed teachers who are always ready to walk an extra mile in order to harness the potentials, talents, skills and values of their pupils to the utmost. Potential students are being prepared to stand out from among the Titans from other schools and live in the real world.
Being named the Most Outstanding Pupil of Iloilo for Academic Year 2009-2010 is a very rare privilege and a triumph that everyone aspires to have. I consider this award as more prestigious than my international feats. Why do I consider this so? Participants herein are not just wizards in a particular field like Mathematics, Science, Music or Arts. Instead, this is a gathering not only of versatile students but leaders of the young generation. We are regarded as the cream of the crop whose deeds are worthy of emulation.
In this trans-generational age, we should not only consider ourselves as the hope of the fatherland. Instead, we are active participants in shaping the nation for our future and the future of our children.
And how can we achieve this goal? In this forthcoming elections, let us convince our elders to vote with conscience, to vote for leaders who have the conviction and independence, those who can say no while all around him says otherwise, leaders who have proven their self-worth, those who do not ride on the popularity of others, and most of all, those who have deep faith in God.
I am afraid what will happen two years from now as I celebrate my birthday on December 21, 2012. The Mayan calendar and other tribes studying the time zones are one in saying that a great disaster will happen on that day. God forbids but it is not too late for us to institute change after all.
My fellow honorees, can you count how many trees have you planted to help balance our ecosystem? On the other hand, can you count how many candy wrappers, plastic cups and other non-biodegradable materials have you thrown anywhere that contribute to the destruction of our ozone layer?
Og Mandino’s Credenda says it all: “Do not blame your conditions on others. You are what you are because of your choice alone.”
My friends, all of us here belong to one family, the Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo. This family do not only include us honorees for Academic Year 2009-2010 but also the organizers, our past honorees, our dear parents, teachers and our respective families. We are here as one family. Thus, let us join hands and let change start from within us.
In closing, allow me to read these words of wisdom which goes:
“Watch you thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
I express my warmest congratulations to my fellow honorees and deep gratitude to the organizers of this search for giving us the opportunity to be in the Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo.
Thank you and good day to everyone.@
My Chronicles of Excellence
By Bryan Eric T. Cerebo, MOSSS AY 2009-2010
I found myself looking at a compilation of photographs. When I turned to the first page, there was an image of a little boy wearing a fascinating grin. His smile could write thousands of stories and could paint wonderful artworks. Then I also smiled. I began to know him more with his chronicles of excellence.
He is a young man who lives a humble life yet dreams to achieve extraordinary things. He pursues to climb the mountains and surf the deepest oceans, then triumphantly rises above to see the beauty of the horizon. Some said that he is gifted… but for me, he is not. It is his brilliant character that makes him extraordinary. He never fails to dream and aspire. He believes that if he does his damn hard, he can surely land in the moon if not in the stars. And finally, HE is ME.
Then I turned to page 2. It was a gallery of pictures of the experiences that led me to this podium and to speak in front of you as the Most Outstanding Secondary School Student of Iloilo.
I have a wholesome life in a public school system. I am proud to say that I am a true product of a public school. I am a leader. I became a leader because I was made to be one. I was not a born leader. I did not wake up in the family of politicians, of the rich and the famous, of extravagance and arrogance. I am just a simple boy, with a bizarre dream - that is to become excellent out of my hardships and determination.
Being the president of the National Federation of Supreme Student Government, plays a special role to my development as a leader. My ambassadorship will never start, if I wasn’t given this extraordinary task. But looking back, the days before I was elected were a nerve-breaking campaign period. As a result of the executive session of the regional presidents, I was to compete with the regional president of the National Capital Region. Though he belongs to the biggest region and is a son of a congresswoman in one of the districts in NCR, I did not give up. I considered it to be my inspiration to continue and finish victoriously the battle that I started. And I have proven to them that nothing is impossible if you just believe in the beauty of your dream.
I was also blessed to be one of the 60 young Filipinos to go to Japan for a two-week intercultural program. I cannot deny the fact that I found a hard time adjusting among the students coming from prestigious and exclusive schools all over the archipelago. But an opportunity opened which I did not expect - I was granted the title as Ambassador of Goodwill for American Field Service- Philippines and was able to speak in front of the leaders of Japan representing my beloved country.
And this led me to another challenge - which was to be in the pool of the Outstanding Students of the Philippines. I thought the time I delivered my speech in Malacańang, was my last to speak as a recipient of an award. But it was a total mistake. Not until the results for this year’s OSCI search were released.
I believe that excelling in elementary is a different battle compared to excelling in high school. High school life is a more complicated field where all of us experience ups and downs just like a roller coaster or a blizzard ride. There are so many distractions along the way. There are turmoil and bumpy roads. It is another challenge for a pupil who was once known to be outstanding to live with the title as part of his being and maintain the brilliance of being one.
Receiving my first medal in the OSCI when I was in elementary taught me already the concrete definition of the words “Making a Difference”. I learned to devote my time in developing myself to become an effective and efficient leader that this country is in dire need of. Then I expanded my wings to soar the sky high without any hesitation to help people in my own little way.
Thanks to Executive Director Joey Peláez and Atty. Buboy Sotto of the Department of Education-Center for Students and Co-curricular Affairs for the opportunities they gave me; to my Green Horizon and Supreme Student Governments family from the school up to the national level for the trust and encouragement. Thank you so much.
Let me also grab this opportunity to thank all my teachers for the consideration and understanding for the classes I missed because of being the National President of the Supreme Student Government. I may scratch my head when someone talks about figures and formulas about Math every time I come back to school, but Math is just a “subject”; there is still the word “verb” that refers to the action that a person needs to take to acquire complete learning. As they say, learning is useless without application.
Let me also mention the names of those who extended their extraordinary efforts before I reached this: to Mrs. Zenaida Sudario, and Mrs. Milagros Somosa, my Supreme Student Government advisers; to Mrs. Eufemia Sonza, my class adviser and coach; to Miss Oliva Suelo, our Special Science Class Coordinator and to Mr. Rogelio S. Oscares, our school principal, thank you so much.
And also to them, I may not name them one by one but I would like to thank all of my classmates…who have always been my number 1 followers since I started my leadership journey.
Lastly, to the great coaches of this team play, my Nanay and Tatay and most especially my Mama and Papa, a million thanks to you.
After taking a glance at those pictures, I realized that I have really gone this far. I cannot imagine that I became successful and stood tall amidst life challenges. I entered a battle carrying no armors except for my extraordinary character as my only weapon.
Then I finally turned to page 3, the last page.
Now, at this podium, I already knew where I am heading. I knew it’s about the grave battle of politics. But I am more prepared of the challenges. No mountains will remain uncrossed as I continue my journey as a leader. Stars may reach my hands and brim with pride, but I will always be BRYAN, the leader who dreams and who believes.
Lastly, I should thank Him at the start of my speech but I preferred to save the best for last. Thank you Heavenly Father for all these. You are the greatest leader of all times.
Now, what does it take to be an outstanding student? I believe it’s not our teachers for they only give advises, it’s neither also our school nor our parents. All of them won’t matter, as long as you dare to dream and make every possible way to fulfill it, you will always have the guts and the extra factor to be outstanding. I believe what makes a person outstanding, is himself.
It is only yourself that can determine where you are heading and how you will reach your destination. Even destiny depends upon your choice and it’s up to you if you will make or break yourself. Let us all dare to make a difference and believe in our own chronicles of excellence. Long live Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo!@
2010 Solicitations
Engr. Bernardo Arellano; Mang Inasal; Negros Navigation Itravel
One-Whole Page
Ceres P. Caro; Dr. Daisy Altamera & Shari A. Altamera; Pharmaworld; JLRDI; Ma. Socorro L. Zamora Metalcraft & Engraver; Metro Psych Facility; Mr. and Mrs. Ruel Z. Romarate; Plaza Libertad Medical Specialists’ Center; Tacuyan Poultry Farms; Teodoro C. Robles; TMX Travel And Marketing Experts
One-Half Page
Col. Jose Ernesto Fernandez & Oton High School Batch 1975; Cornelius Csar Jude Hisole-Salinas; Cristina Z. Romarate; Davies; Dr. Rodolfo Baldevarona & Family; Jollimee A. Jamero; Lapuz Supermart Siomai House; Mr. And Mrs. Warren French; New Life 2000 Therapeutic Community, Inc; Zenel, Bianca, Yara, and Janet Yap;
One-Fourth Page
Ajuy (Iloilo) Development Corporation & Dr. Yul Balleza; Andre Karl S. Faculin; Aplasca Sisters; Ashere Nisseth Sonza Equiña; Brilliant Montessori Learning Center; Dr. Karen & Paul Francia; Engr. Pedrito Lustre & Mrs. Marilyn Lustre; Estelita Sumayo & Family; I.P. Property Management & Nang Bob’s Eatery; Koi Herbal Capsule; Lulu Hisole-Salinas; Miguel Llagas; Pangasinan (Family) Home Care; Remedios Suplico & Joy Diocera; Rex Melchor D. Muyco; Rhonel Eusebio; Sarah & Carl Edward Sagge
One Line
Fivymar Soap; JJ Hilado; Stephen Brent T Jaruda, Selena Beatrice T. Jaruda@
Friday, March 19, 2010
Awarding Photos
Monday, March 8, 2010
TOEP and TOSSS Awarding Ceremony 2010
I Entrance of Colors/ Processional ..... led by the Sta. Barbara National Comprehensive High School CAT Corps
II Opening Prayer ..... Ms. Jollimee A. Jamero, TOEP 2009
III National Anthem ..... Led by the Sta. Barbara National Comprehensive High School Choral Group
IV Opening Remarks ..... Mr. Henry Bueron Caspe, TOSSS 1975, Chairman, OSCI
V Message ..... Dr. Raymundo A. Lapating, Schools Division Superintendent, Dept of Education, Division of Iloilo
VI Message ..... Mrs. Febe Cang, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent - OIC, Dept of Education, Division of Passi City
VII Special Musical Number ..... Solomon Band
VIII Introduction of the Inspirational Speaker ..... Mr. Andre Karl S. Faculin, TOSSS 2009
IX Inspirational Message ..... Engr. Bernardo Arellano, TOSSS 1975, Engineering Consultant, Republic of India
X Presentation of Awardees
A. Elementary ..... Mrs. Lyn Madera-Bautista, TOEP 1975, Screening Committee Member
B. Secondary ..... Dr. Japhet Gensaya – F. de Leon, TOSSS 1975, Chairperson, Secondary Screening Committee
XI Reading of Citation to Schools And Coaches ..... Dr.Daisy Altamera, TOSSS 1974, Screening Committee Member
XII Presentation of Awards ..... Dr. Raymundo A. Lapating, Mrs. Febe Cang, Ms. Clarissa Zamora, Mr. Henry B. Caspe, and OSCI members
XIII Responses
Leo Emmanuel O. Sombiro, Most Outstanding Elementary Pupil of Iloilo AY2009-2010
Bryan Eric T. Cerebo, Most Outstanding Secondary School Student of Iloilo AY2009-2010
XIV Impressions on the OSCI Awards ..... Ms. Clarissa Zamora (representing Dr. Erlinda Gencaya, Schools Division Superintendent, Division of Iloilo City), Administrative Officer V, Dept. of Education, Division of Iloilo City; Member of the Panel of Interviewers, Search for TOEP 2007, 2009, 2010
XV Closing Remarks ..... Dr. Japhet Gensaya – F. de Leon, Vice Chairperson, OSCI
XVI Recessional
Program Hosts :
Ms. Nina Isabela P. Juan Loa, TOSSS 2009
Mr. Abner C. Zamora II, TOSSS 2009
Dr. Diadem Pearl Sonza-Equiña, TOEP 1975, TOSSS 1979
Mr. Jo Jan Paul Peñol, MOSSS 2008
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Announcement to Awardees and Finalists
Letters of notice with corresponding Search results were also sent to the schools of the other Finalists.
Schools which have not received the above letters may text 09187973041.
Schools/Awardees are requested to visit this blog once in a while for updates.
Thank you.