CEBU, Philippines - The final set of nominees for the Ten Outstanding Students in the Philippines (TOSP) for Central Visayas was announced last April 25 at the Cebu City Library and Rizal Museum.
At least ten students from different universities and colleges in Region 7 were awarded out of the twenty finalists who comprised the regional search.
The nominees will participate in the TOSP national search in October.
The ten finalists are Jose Isabelo R. Abella of Cebu Institute of Technology, Nikko Paulo R. Cablao of Silliman University, Jynx King R. Chanjuenco of University of San Jose-Recoletos.
Heno Rey S. Chin of the University of the Philippines-Cebu, Lalaine Dajao of the University of Bohol, Rankine Ruel Novabos and Englevert P. Reyes of USJ-R, April Joy G. Seville, of Saint Theresa’s College, and Felice Suzanne D. Soria and Marc Louie J. Yap of University of San Carlos.
The final judging and interview of the finalists were held last April 24 at Bright Academy. A rigid review of the 20 nominees were done based on the outputs they contributed during their community immersion in Olango Island and other activities they took part within a five-day timetable.
According to Richard Caluyo, TOSP regional representative for Central Visayas and an alumna of TOSP Batch 2007, the criteria of the search was based on the program’s framework which are leadership, academic excellence, social responsibility and anchored with good moral values geared towards nation-building.
April Joy Seville, one of the top ten finalists from STC said, “I feel so euphoric and I don’t want to forget what I am feeling right now. TOSP is really life changing.”
Heno Rey Chin, a finalist from UP-Cebu, shared his achievements with his fellow youth who strive for excellence in their fields.
“Tribo Takna,” which is this year’s regional TOSP batch group name, was also formed.