By Sam David Andrada
Central Philippine University congratulates the following Centralian finalists in the 2023 The Outstanding Students of Iloilo Awards.
We are Centralians; we are exceptional – Graduating college students from Central Philippine University Sam David Q. Andrada (Business Administration); Kriss Kringle Inge C. Bancolo (Tourism Management); Jireh Daniel Tim L. Pinuela (Education); and graduating Junior High School students Beneil Christian L. Caperocho; and Sheriemei Anne S. Hojilla were hailed as awardees during the 14th Salute to Excellence: The Awarding Ceremony of 2023 The Outstanding Students of Iloilo Awards (TOSIA) on June 18, 2023 at the Robinsons Place, Iloilo City.
These Centralian awardees hurdled the rigorous 5-month screening process of JCI Regatta where each of them showcased excellence and exhibited their prowess in the 4 Pillars of TOSIA: Academic Excellence, Leadership, Community Involvement, and Faith.
Out of the 10 TOSIA awardees at the College level and 11 awardees at the High School level, Andrada and Pinuela emerged as TOSIA Top Circle of 5 Awardees for the College category and Caperocho was named as one of the TOSIA Top Circle of Five Awardees for the Junior High School Category.
The TOSIA Top Circle Awardees were chosen based on the top scores received by the awardees during the online bid nomination screening, essay-writing challenge, and interview rounds.
Meanwhile, Pinuela bagged the TOSIA Writer Award, an award given to an individual who excelled during the essay-writing challenge, and TOSIA Best in Advocacy Video (the winner was determined based on the 3-minute advocacy video produced by the awardees).
The prestigious event was attended by the CPU representatives: President Dr. Teodoro Robles, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Esther Rose Romarate, and Director of Student Development Programs Dr. Margen Java together with the proud parents and close relatives of the Centralian honorees.
Hon. Paolo Lorenzo L. Tirador, the keynote speaker during the said Awarding Ceremony emphasizes the vital role of the Filipino youth in building the nation and reminded the awardees to go beyond the title “Outstanding students of Iloilo.”
The awardees are grateful for the support of the administration, their coaches, and mentors, and most especially to God, who is the author of every good and perfect gift.