TOESP and TOSSS Finalists for Panel Interview at ST. CLEMENT'S RETREAT HOUSE

The following finalists are requested to prepare for panel interview on February 15, 2012, 1:00pm at the ST. CLEMENTS RETREAT HOUSE, Luna St., Lapaz, Iloilo City.

The finalists are requested to come in appropriate attire. They should NOT come in their school uniforms.

TOESP Finalists (in alphabetical order): Almarza, Lourde Frances Mye M. - Cabatuan CES; Baquiran, Lorenzo Faustino - Jaro I ES; Catolico, Joan P. - Iloilo CES; Clement, Josh Thomas M. - West Visayas State University – ILS; Combatir, Jose Emmanuel T. - Sun Yat Sen High School of Iloilo, Inc.; Delgado, Edrianne S. - SPED - Integrated School for Exceptional Children; Ildesa, Miguel Lorenzo L. - PAREF - Westbridge School, Inc.; Londres, Rea Anne D. - Sto. Domingo ES; Lopez, John Christian S. - Leganes ES; Magtoles, Lyca Marie M. - Maasin CES; Serisola, Reeza Shane S. - Sta Barbara CES; Sombiro, Alexandria Marie O. - Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo; Sorongon, Maxim Grace S. - Children's Integrated School of Alta Tierra, Inc.; Suarez, Felix E. - Oton CES; Valencia, Dyan Reizl L. - Ateneo de Iloilo – SMCS.












TOSSS Finalists (in alphabetical order): Cerbaña, Giovanni N. - Cabatuan NCHS; Cogollo, Christian Jim V. - Central Philippine University High School; Daplas, Christel Angela D. - SPED Integrated School for Exceptional Children; Deypalubos, Florencio III S. - Sta. Barbara NCHS; Gallos, Rey Philip J. - Iloilo NHS; Garces, Roi Jenesy - Guimbal NHS; Guanco, Emma Rose O. - Iloilo Scholastic Academy; Lustre, Maphete Dianne M. - West Visayas State University – ILS; Oberes, Raymund Jun - Tigbauan NHS; Pama, Ma. Jasmine P. – Passi NHS; Peñol, Jelmar Jude J. - Pavia NHS; Salvilla, Karen Gaye O. - Leonora S. Salapantan NHS; Sayson, Gloria Mar G. - University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo City; Tirador, Luis Miguel L. - PAREF - Westbridge School, Inc.; Yao, Hubert - Iloilo Central Commercial High School.











Congratulations! @

OSCI is Outstanding NGO awardee

The Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo (OSCI) was awarded a plaque of recognition as Outstanding Non-Government Organization (NGO) - Secondary Schools Category by the Department of Education, Division of Iloilo on May 20, 2011. The award was received by MR. HENRY BUERON CASPE, Chairman, OSCI, from DR. RAYMUNDO LAPATING, Schools Division Superintendent , Division of Iloilo, and HON. FERJENEL BIRON, Congressman, 4th District of Iloilo.

OSCI was cited for its 'genuine and untiring support in promoting quality education'.

(From L to R) Dr. Raymundo Lapating, Mr. Henry Bueron Caspe, and Cong. Ferj Biron during the DepEd awarding ceremonies dubbed 'An Evening of Excellence' on May 20, 2011, Del Rio Hotel.

Also given awards on the same event dubbed 'An Evening of Excellence' were the Ten Outstanding Secondary School Teachers of the Division of Iloilo, the Ten Outstanding Secondary School Principals of the Division of Iloilo, and the LGUs (local government units) which helped the division in many of its activities.@

TOEP and TOSSS Awarding Ceremony 2011

Awarding Ceremony, March 11, 2011, 2:00 pm, at the Social and Cultural Hall, Department of Education, Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City.

Awarding Program



Elementary Awardees


Secondary Awardees

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The cream of Iloilo's studentry

Ten Outstanding Elementary Pupils of Iloilo for AY 2010-2011 (L-R): Villanueva, Jinnah Mae C. - SPED - Integrated School for Exceptional Children; Galvan, Ramon A. III - Iloilo Central Commercial High School; Nismal, Gianne Gilbert P. - Sto. Domingo Elementary School; Soltones, Kenn John S. - Sta. Barbara Central Elementary School; Tse Wing, Paula Margarita - West Visayas State University; Dasas, Neil Marc S. - Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo; Togonon, Justin Adriel Zent G. - Children's Integrated School of Alta Tierra, Inc.; Jaro, Ma. Christelli L. - Jaro I Elementary School; Sibug, Antonio V. - Baluarte Elementary School; Mellizas, Mary Diane L. - Cabatuan Central Elementary School. (click pic to enlarge)

Ten Outstanding Secondary School Students of Iloilo for AY 2010-2011 (L-R): Manuel, Raoul Danniel A. - University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo; Sesbreño, Roxzien Shaye G. - Guimbal National High School; Ciriaco, Prince Descartes Jode B. - Central Philippine University; Lopez, Anna Isabel D. - St. Joseph (School), Inc.; Somes, Tiffany Marie A. - Iloilo Central Commercial High School; Guelos, Ramon S. Jr. - Colegio de San Jose; Caram, Francine Beatrix A. - SPED - Integrated School for Exceptional Children; Wee, Krisha C. - Iloilo Scholastic Academy; King, Jethro Aramis V. - Sun Yat Sen of Iloilo, Inc.; Robles, Threscia Grace S. - Sta. Barbara National Comprehensive High School.(click pic to enlarge)

(Above photo) AY 2010-2011 Awardees with the senior OSCI members and former awardees. @

What makes a person outstanding?

(A Response delivered by JINNAH MAE CATONG VILLANUEVA on March 11, 2011 at the Social and Cultural Hall, Department of Education as the Most Outstanding Elementary Pupil of Iloilo for Academic Year 2010-2011)



What makes a person outstanding? What qualifies one to be regarded as outstanding?

Medals, trophies, certificates, ribbons, and never- ending list of awards and recognitions maybe one’s basis for regarding one as outstanding but for me, it is not.

An outstanding person is someone who was able to battle every war that has befallen in his life; was able to surpass every trial and testing that has beset him; and was able to overcome every obstacle that has come his way.

As a child, dealing with all these experiences is no joke. The feeling of being disliked; of being unwanted; of being detested by some people around you is something that is too heavy to carry for a 13 year old like me. I wanted to cry. I wanted to give up. I almost lost hope.

But then, a tiny voice whispered to me, “God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see, God will make a way, God will make a way.”

The words helped me to become strong. I said to myself, “ I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

From that day on, I did everything with confidence and trust in the Lord for I know that once you commit your ways unto the Lord, your plans will succeed.

This recognition given to me by the Outstanding Circle of Iloilo is something to be thanked for.

To my parents, thank you very much for your endless support, love and concern;

To my sisters and relatives, thank you for your words of encouragement;

To my teachers, thank you for your guidance and patience in teaching me the things that I have to learn;

To my friends, thank you for cheering me up in times when I was down;

To my principal, Ms. Elizabeth L. Orquiola, thank you for providing me opportunities where I can grow as a student;

To the organizers of the Outstanding Student Circle of Iloilo, thank you for opening doors for us to meet new friends and to excel in our endeavors;

And above all, I would like to thank God for this blessing and would like to give all the honor and glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who gave me strength every step of the way.

Before I end this speech, let me share with you the lyrics of the song “Rejoice in the Lord”

“ God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servants and molding a man
Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long
In darkness He giveth a song

I could not see through the shadows ahead
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead
I bowed to the will of the Master that day
Then peace came and tears shed away

Now I can see testing from above
God strengthens His children and purges in love
My father knows best, anf I trust in His care
Through purging more fruit I will bear

O Rejoice in the Lord
He makes no mistakes
He knoweth the end of each battle I take
For when I am freed
And purified
I shall come forth as gold.


To my fellow outstanding students, never fallen in times of failure. Never surrender when faced with troubles……. Look up and whisper a prayer to Him . God promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Good afternoon to everyone and to God be the glory. @

Doors of opportunities

(A Response delivered by RAOUL DANNIEL A. MANUEL on March 11, 2011 at the Social and Cultural Hall, Department of Education as the Most Outstanding Secondary School Student of Iloilo for Academic Year 2010-2011)



Ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon.

If we were to conduct a background check and investigation of my fellow awardees honored to be the Ten Outstanding Secondary School Students of Iloilo for this school year, we would feel awe as we discover their accomplishments from records and browse over their long lists of worthwhile endeavors in different fields. We would drop our jaws and exclaim, “Wow, so unbelievable!” For this, the high school awardees deserve a round of applause.

However, one fact is more unbelievable --- that a student who is about to finish high school from a state university topped the pack of all-around individuals and has been awarded as the most outstanding, an incredible feat for a school caught “in between.” Most call us public, although we do not take all the scholastic aptitude tests administered in such schools and although we attend classes on Monday holidays when the rest stay home. Then a few would consider us as private; yet our school does not participate in the sports and literary-musical events of private schools and our students seldom take part in seminars and camps intended for them.

During the first time I visited the OSCI blog and did my own background checking of the past number one’s of this annual search, I myself was intimidated. What made me more intimidated was my familiarity with the other contenders. Fortunately, I was able to transform these trepidations into motivations to aim for this spot and rely on my abilities, into self-confidence to prepare thoughts and points I would share with you this afternoon before the official release of this year’s OSCI search results. With the help of the Divine Providence, I have become the living testimony that this triumph of a state university’s high school student is indeed not unbelievable, just highly improbable.

Student life can be likened to a house of many doors. These doors are knocked upon by so-called opportunities. We may opt to open the door for one, take a peek at some, and totally shun others. Honestly, my student life is a house with unopened doors. Due to circumstances, I was not able to unlock several doors, doors which could have allowed me to move out of my house and explore other aspects of the world. Four years back when I was in sixth grade, I was qualified for the Mathematics Trainers Guild National Training Program at Tagaytay. Attending that program could have enticed other opportunities to knock at my doors. Going to Tagaytay could have brought me to distant borders where I could have sharpened my mathematical skill. Unfortunately, I failed to go.

Another opportunity tapped on one of my doors late October of 2009. It came in the form of a package that included a letter informing me that I was invited as a Filipino delegate to the People to People Leadership Program in the US. I was willfully eager to swing my door and open it wide so that I could grab this chance of visiting and learning at Washington, DC. It was a once-in-a-lifetime knock, for that kind of program was open to high school students exclusively. Because of factors beyond my control, the door was left ajar until it slowly moved and snapped shut. CLOSED.

These and other missed opportunities have left my house and my student life and I can only speculate on the mysteries behind those unopened doors. My mind was crammed with all sorts of “if only’s”. If only I went there…if only I was able to make it. That mindset of mine persisted until I brought home from a science contest in Manila a box labeled Today’s Advice containing everyday wisdom for everyone. On a cold morning in November last year, Today’s Advice read: “To be happy, drop the words if only and substitute instead the words next time” by Dr. Smiley Blanton. That supposedly ordinary morning shifted my mindset. It dawned on me that I have been a man walking through the gaps of the past and the dark shadows of the unknown. My mentality took a leap. I had learned to use the past to my advantage: to live in the present with the past as a compass for the future. Now, as a cream of the crop, I can say that I am armed with the weapons I collected from the past and I am ready to face the uncertain future. I gained the courage to step out of my hut and come back in as a more fortified person.

We, this year’s high school awardees, have our own share of doors and corresponding opportunities. More prospects that accompany this title conferred to us will surely turn up. Fellow awardees, this award we have just received will be an addition to our collection of medals and array of plaques. This title is truly unique for it has inspired us to add the touch of passion to our endeavors. This award may serve as a memorabilia of our struggles to be called Outstanding Students. But more than that, may it also be a symbol of three virtues I have acquired from my high school. First, may the structure of this strap exemplify the timelessness and continuity of service we must all render for the benefit not of the self but of others: the community, the nation, and the world. Second, may the luster of this medal typify the standard of excellence we ought to maintain. May it drive us to aspire high benchmarks and give our best in all pursuits. Lastly, may the solidity of those plaques signify indestructible honor, a kind of honor that seeks to preserve integrity above all costs, that is valued highly and points to the right direction in the quest for excellence and service. Together, let us live up and practice these virtues so as to become foundations of a better, more progressive nation. Let us utilize honor, excellence, and service in harmony with one another such that in today’s word of mayhem, we light up as hopes by being catalysts of opportunities for change.

Just as no TV icon would shine without any sponsors, I would have not reached this far without the guidance of the people who have always been supporting me and reaching out a hand to help me in any way they can. To my coaches in this search as well as the UPHSI Student Council Advisers, who have contributed much to the honing of my leadership capacity, Prof. Dominique Maquiran and Prof. Dolores Jardeleza, to another coach in this search as well as in math competitions, Prof. Raphael Belleza, to the UP High School in Iloilo faculty and staff for producing breeds of outstanding students through the decades, to my mother and my father for their care and understanding, my family, my IV-Narra classmates for your patience whenever I ask about schoolwork I missed because of inter-school activities, and to UPHSI Batch 2011, a thousand thanks.

To the staff of the UPV Office of Continuing Education and Pahinungod, for the time and effort you shared in my application to different student searches, the SPED – Integrated School for Exceptional Children, the Alma Mater that first unleashed my hidden potentials, a big thanks.


In behalf of all the awardees, I express my gratitude to all the teachers, school administrators, heads, and coaches for doing your part in the continual empowerment of today’s generation to grow into the responsible movers and leaders of tomorrow. To the Outstanding Student Circle of Iloilo, thank you for sending a ripple of difference to the world. And to God, the Great Omnipotent Divine, a million thanks for your shower of blessings every day of our lives.

Exactly a week from now is the deadline of confirmation to enroll in a university at Diliman. Another opportunity knocking, I guess. Should I open the door soon, later, or not at all? May God help us make the right choices with regard our respective doors. May the choice be with you. Once again, good afternoon. @

2011 Solicitations

Main Sponsor: Angelina Bakeshop

Full Page: Altamera Dental Clinic, Damires Hills, Marc Dasas, Engr. and Mrs. Salvador Gumban, Landbank, Angelita Lapastora Demotica, Magin Benedict Ferrer, JS Layson,& Co., Inc., Ma. Socorro L. Zamora Metalcraft and Engraver, Metro Psych Facility, Negros Navigation, Jo Jan Paul Peñol, Philuscan International Realty, Plaza Libertad Medical Specialists’ Center, Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Ruel Romarate, Skinetics, Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo, Solomon’s Porch, Sombiro Family, TMX Travel and Marketing Experts

Half Page: Mary Beatrice J. Bagaforo, Bryan Eric Cerebo, Davies, Deco’s, Ashere Nisseth Equiña, Sherwin Figueroa, Mr. and Mrs. Warren French, Jollimee A. Jamero, Estela Marie Lapastora, Municipality Officials of Pavia and Pavianhons, Neil Andrew Chiu Llorente, Engr. And Mrs. Pedrito Lustre, Dr. and Dr. Ronnie Magno, Mr. Eduardo (Boy) Ong and Dr. Eva Ong, Perpetual Help Ultrasound & OB-Gyne / Medical Clinic, Tibiao Fish Spa, Atty. Niel D. Tupas, Sr., Rae Dawn T. Vales,

One-fourth Page: Dr. Florentino Alerta, Dr. Caroline G. Arroyo, Mary Princess ‘Niña’ M. Arsenal, Melbert G. Divinagracia & Ellamae D. Sorongon-Divinagracia, Double D Merchandising, Dawn Jamandre, Janken Pizza & Kenjan Store, Koi Herbal Capsule, Koi Herbal Liniment, Dr. Glenn A. Mana-ay, Leila B. Muel, Section of Preventive Community and Family Medicine (CPU College of Medicine), Dr. Lydelia Seribo, Cristina Mae Tronco, Dr. Celine Vilches,

Line Ad: Ma. Elmira G. Balboa, Libcab Marketing Corp., Mr. and Mrs. Romulo Mesias, Exec. Dir. Joey G. Pelaez

With Contributions from: Engr. Bernardo Arellano, Dr. Anselmo Tronco

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) press release

OSCI awards outstanding students of Iloilo
by Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, Mar 8 (PIA). The Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo (OSCI) is set to award the winners of the Search for the Ten Most Outstanding Elementary Pupils and Ten Most Outstanding Secondary School Students in Iloilo for Academic Year 2010-2011 this Friday, March 11, 2011.

OSCI Chairman Henry Caspe said Dr. Raymundo A. Lapating, Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education, Division of Iloilo will lead the giving of awards to be held at the DepEd’s Social and Cultural Hall in Gen Luna St., Iloilo City starting at 1:30 pm.

Jinnah Mae Villanueva of the SPED - Integrated School for Exceptional Children topped the search in the elementary level while Raoul Danniel A. Manuel University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo topped the secondary level.

The other awardees in the elementary level are : Galvan, Ramon A. III of the Iloilo Central Commercial High School; Nismal, Gianne Gilbert of the Sto. Domingo Elementary School; Soltones, Kenn John of the Sta. Barbara Central Elementary School; Tse Wing, Paula Margarita of the West Visayas State University; Dasas, Neil Marc of the Solomon Integrated School de Iloilo; Togonon, Justin Adriel Zent of the Children's Integrated School of Alta Tierra, Inc.; Jaro, Ma. Christelli of the Jaro I Elementary School; Sibug, Antonio of the Baluarte Elementary School; Mellizas, Mary Diane of the Cabatuan Central Elementary School

For the secondary level, the other awardees are :Sesbreño, Roxzien Shaye of the .Guimbal National High School ; Ciriaco, Prince Descartes Jode of the Central Philippine University ; Lopez, Anna Isabel of the St. Joseph (School), Inc ; Somes, Tiffany Marie of the Iloilo Central Commercial High School ; Guelos, Ramon Jr. of the Colegio de San Jose; Caram, Francine Beatrix of the SPED - Integrated School for Exceptional Children ; Wee, Krisha of the Iloilo Scholastic Academy ; King, Jethro Aramis of the Sun Yat Sen of Iloilo, Inc. ; Robles, Threscia Grace of the Sta. Barbara National Comprehensive High School.

The ten winners in each category were carefully chosen based from the following criteria: Academic achievement 50%; co-curricular activities 35% and interview 15%.

Through the years, the Search for the TOEP and TOSSS in Iloilo continues to attract the participation of learning institutions in the city and province of Iloilo including Passi City. For this year, two new schools joined the winners circle. These are the Baluarte Elementary School and Sun Yat Sen of Iloilo, Inc.

“I commend the schools and students who continuously support and aspire for this annual award despite the absence of monetary reward from the organizers”, said Caspe.

Caspe said the annual search aims among others ‘’to recognize and honor outstanding young men and women who will in due time make a difference in the world we live in’’. It is spearheaded by the OSCI, consisting of previous winners, in coordination with the DepEd Divisions in the city and province of Iloilo and Passi City. (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)