Your schools, and everybody, are proud of you!

It's summertime. Vacation time. And time to go around in search of enjoyment. Along the way, we encounter a sourfeit of congratulatory streamers. Bcoz, yes, indeed, just a few weeks back was the graduation of Batch 2008. And Congratulations! overflowed to the school fences, and even to the town plazas. What could be a better way to toast the golden harvest of Batch 2008?

Congratulations, indeed!

What then after high school graduation?

An Inquirer editorial zeroes in on the new high school graduate.

'A graduating high school student now has to answer the question: What course should I take? Different people will take different approaches. One graduate says, “My father is a successful lawyer; probably I should take up law.” Another says, “I want to avoid mathematics and science subjects; I will study journalism or mass communication.” A third says, “Nurses make a lot of money in the United States and Europe; probably I should enroll in a nursing school.”

Students and their parents should face the reality that each person has his or her unique capabilities and skills. For instance, one cannot force a student who is poor in the natural sciences to study medicine. Graduates should also resist the temptation to enroll in a course just because thousands are doing it, and the opportunities for getting high-paying jobs are good. The latest report says the country now has an oversupply of nurses. '

Read on...

'A Momentous Step in a Thousand Mile Walk' by Maphete Dianne M. Lustre

Words are not enough to express how I feel this very moment. I am sure my equally deserving fellow awardees feel the same way and I speak in behalf of them.

Today marks the momentous step in our journey as life-long learners in pursuit of academic excellence. We may be beaming with pride as we accept this prestigious award, but, we are also aware that this honor comes with challenges which we have to embrace. Emerging as the ten outstanding elementary pupils of Iloilo out of the numerous qualified aspirants is indeed a pleasure but it is one that brings duties to uphold and to live up. Now, we are not only responsible for our own self and actions but likewise we have responsibilities towards our peers in this society.

We have proven what we can do and what we can be and coupled with this, we have to make ourselves worthy of emulation and be an inspiration to our fellow students. A gigantic burden to carry but we can do it because we have the unconditional love of our parents, the unwavering support of our mentors and the firm prayers of our friends. Add to these, our faith in the Almighty God who has entrusted to us these talents and your belief in what we can be. All these are the pillars that we can lean on to whenever we are hesitant to make an even bigger step.

To all the distinguished people behind this laudable endeavor, especially the leadership of Mr. Henry Bueron Caspe, Chair of the Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo and Dr. Japhet Gensaya-Fernandez-De Leon, who is the overall chairperson of 2008 Screening Committee, we sincerely thank you for all the efforts you have done in making this search a success.

Truly, your endeavor has inspired us to be better than ever. We will take dynamic effort to make this momentous step to go on to a thousand mile walk and hopefully reach not only the national arena but the international scene as well. It may sound ambitious, but who knows what we can do in the future? Of course, it is all in God’s time and with His Divine Providence.

There is one little promise we can make: the honor and trust you have bestowed on us today shall NEVER BE IN VAIN because young as we are, you made us believe that we can be the BEST that we can and WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

And so…in behalf of my fellow awardees, our parents, our teachers as well as our school officials, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.

MAY GOD BLESS US ALL! @

'Seeing the Future' by Jo Jan Paul Peñol

Leaders of the Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo, Department of Education Officials, guests, fellow awardees, friends, colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon.

I know that all of us here are all outstanding students and leaders who have excelled in academic pursuits and Co-curricular activities. Obviously, people around here are all very smart, very intelligent and very deserving of the award as Outstanding Students and Pupils of Iloilo. For this, let us give ourselves a round of applause.

First, allow me to give you a glimpse of who I am and my convictions.

On a clear night, the stars seem so close that all we have to do is stand on our tip toes to touch them.. Yet, from an early age, my parents insisted that the stars were very far away. In fact, the light I saw took years and years to reach Earth. So, when I looked up, I saw the past.

But I am a child of Apollo and the space age, and when I looked up, I knew I was seeing the future. As the Russian leader said, "Dependence is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot live in the cradle forever."

I know it will take more than standing on my tip toes to reach the stars. It will take new and powerful rockets. It will take money, I hope not as much as I think. For me, however, what is really required to reach the stars is someone who wants to reach them.

And thanks to the Outstanding Students Circle of Iloilo, I now have an even greater opportunity to share my love of leadership to work with young people not just because of this award which was a huge surprise for me.

The Search for Ten Outstanding Secondary Students of Iloilo wasn't easy, but it was fun and challenging. The main challenge was that I had to strive more so that I can give honor and prestige not only for myself, but for the excellence of our school and the nation in general.

I owe the success of my life as a high school student to my family especially my parents and to Pavia National High School and the teachers who prepared me to take advantage of every opportunity and then urged me to keep going.

Every one of you has a unique set of experiences and knowledge to share. Your words or strategies could be just the information or inspiration that a student needs to climb out of the cradles in their life.

I am very much happy to say, that my life seems to revolve around as a prominent figure at school. I let myself learn to love the trophies, the medals, the plaques, and the certificates over and over again. The things about the genuine contentment, confidence, and optimism were light years away, a diffused blaze compared to the vivacity of awards. When people start talking about exact joy and the blah-blah-blahs that goes with it, I keep myself strong and flexible as compared to a bamboo. I must be humble.

When there were student and youth camps, congresses and conferences, I was sometimes chosen as Guest Speaker. I asked myself, “There are many leaders who can be a good speaker. Why me?” The teacher replied, “It is in YOU; just believe on your capacity as a leader, you can do it!” Such statement served as a big inspiration and a challenge to me as a young student leader to speak in public, to impart my knowledge and experiences.

As young as I am, I became the President of the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs Inc. and Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O). Because I was elected into position, I worked for my duty and put efforts to satisfy people. However, I cannot please everybody. That served as my bases in striving harder to attain excellence.

Sometimes, I wasn’t able to attend classes because of activities. But, with the help of God whom I always lean on, I was able to cope with all the lessons I haven’t attended. For these, I want to thank my ever-supportive classmates and schoolmates for being there for me always. Further, I also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my parents. All awards I received were made possible because of their patient love and loving patience. To the Pavia National High School family especially to our past and present principals, Miss Nilda M. Lago and Mrs. Leonisa J. Simba respectively, my maximum appreciation and respect to you. PNHS has been good to me since my first year, opening a lot of doors to success. My coach, Miss Julieta Jancilan, who never failed to foresee what it takes to win the contest, a very big thank you.

Finally, I would like to embark upon you a more philosophical question.. I have asked you who you are and what you represent, but an equally important question is why you are here.

In other words, ladies and gentlemen, our future for better or for worse is in our hands. It is my firm belief that our future is bright. We are in capable hands and we must not disappoint our fellow achievers. Let us live up to their expectations and to God’s eyes.

Lastly if you have been asleep during my speech, it is perfectly alright. After all, I don't really want you to wake up too early from your dreams.

Just believe that “We can make a difference.” OSCI, “ang dakilang samahan.” @

10 Outstanding Elementary Pupils of Iloilo for SY 2007-2008

(L-R) Kristiana Claire Yray, Ma. Phoebe T. Subo, Aserina Yvonne Baladjay, Marc Adrian Philippe Estuche, Rumel Angelo T. Alfaro, Emma Rose O. Guanco, EJ Marie Roga, Florencio Deypalubos III, Maria T. Montelibano, and Maphete Dianne Lustre.

Maphete Dianne Lustre, MOEP 2008, before the TOEP medalion.

10 Outstanding Secondary School Students of Iloilo for SY 2007-2008

(L-R) Beverly Ann de la Vega, Quennie Lyn S. Umadhay, Stephanie Keiko Enarbia, Rose Ann Garces, Cornelius Csar Jude Salinas, Jo Jan Paul Peñol, Paul Vincent S. Bayona, Stella Mariedith Leda, and Stephen John B. Palomaria. Not in photo is Rosa Lea Baldevarona (in Metro Manila to represent Region VI in the National Biology Quiz). Her plaque and medal were received by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Rodolfo Baldevarona (photo below, 2nd and 3rd from Right).

Jo Jan Paul Peñol, MOSSS 2008, before the TOSSS medalion.

From TOSSS 2007: Congratulations to TOSSS 2008!

Congratulations to the 2008 Awardees! From us (L-R) Ray John, Victor, Ken, Frances, Ivory, Karl, Joe, Ability-Ann, Luville, and Donna.