10 outstanding NCR students announced

This year’s Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in the National Capital Region (TOSP-NCR) were announced last Monday, May 5 at the Lancaster Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

The chosen ten were pooled from twenty Young Filipinos who excelled in their chosen fields as students.

The 2014 TOSP are:

• Billie Crystal Dumaliang from the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU)
• Jason Alacapa from the University of the Philippines-Manila (UP Manila)
• Ira Gayll Zamudio from the De La Salle University Manila (DLSU Manila)
• Lancelot Yupingkun from the University of the Philippines-Diliman
• Irish Dizon from the Philippine Normal University (PNU)
• Jose Lemuel Silvestre from Far Eastern University (FEU)
• Jose Miguel Moreno from DLSU Manila
• Ma. Teresa Angela Sebastian from UP Diliman
• Grant Buena Joy Mesa from University of the East Manila
• Justin Sucgang from DLSU Manila

Dream for the nation

The finalists came from diverse backgrounds and dubbed themselves as “Batch Infinite.” They also presented their stories to a select panel of judges.

This year’s theme, ‘choose to be a hero everyday’, emphasizes the need for the youth to be leaders each day.

“We must choose to be everyday heroes, with the shared responsibility in building our nation” the batch responded. “If we should dream only for ourselves and our family, that is a small dream.”

Educate others

Keynote speaker Dr. Paco Sandejas, member of the TOSP batch 1989 and a leader in venture capital in the country, told the finalists that it is their job to educate other people especially in playing fair.

“We all have to learn how to play fair,” he explained. “In the end, we all get better when we play fair.”

Sandejas noted that the “brain drain” the country is experiencing can be attributed to societal injustice.

“If we don’t have a country that lets the best players win, the best players give up,” he said relating cheating to the corrupt practices by government officials.

Recognizing achievements

The TOSP program was established in 1961 by Jose Concepcion Jr. and has since been honoring graduating students who strive to excel in academics and in leadership.

The finalists underwent a 3-day formation program facilitated by TOSP-NCR Alumni.