Eat, Bulaga! honors 30 elementary students

MANILA, Philippines – Eat, Bulaga! fetes 30 poor but deserving elementary students from all over the country today as part of its Tatlong Dekads Ng Dabarkads anniversary and its gesture of paying back to the public who has supported the program all these years.

Dubbed as Eat, Bulaga!’s Excellence Student Awards (E-BEST), the lives of 30 young people who graduated with honors — valedictorian, salutatorian and first honorable mention — will change after receiving a seed money and school supplies to get started with high school.

Each student has his own sad story to tell that was featured almost every day on the program since last month. Today, they will all be gathered for an event.

After celebrating its 25th year at Clark Expo via lavish production numbers, grandiose sets, colorful costumes and star-studded celebrities, TAPE bosses led by Tony Tuviera, Malou Choa-Fagar, Poochie Rivera, Grace Esquillon and Creative head, Jenny Ferre decided to do away with pompousness. Thus, E-BEST was conceptualized and was in full swing as early as February. From Aparri to Jolo, the hardworking staff traveled around the Philippines to search for the 30 underprivileged yet deserving students.

After hearing their touching lives, seeing their impoverished situations, the kids and their parents can be spared from daily expenses high school education brings.

The 30 E-BEST young people are Yllor Sedol, salutatorian, Quirino Elementary School, Quezon City; Joyce May Gilboy, salutatorian, Mayao Crossing Elementary School, Lucena; Grace Angela Pocyoy, valedictorian, Pinsao Elementary School, Benguet; Caroline Faith Vidan, valedictorian, Sta. Clara Elementary School, Batangas;

Melvin Dugan, valedictorian, Napindan Elementary School, Taguig; Jaydee Lucero, salutatorian, Camarin D. Elementary School, Caloocan; Angela Wella Lacsa, valedictorian, Bangkal Elementary School, Bulacan; Regine Benito, first honorable mention, Don Manuel Abella Elementary School, Camarines Sur; Sylvan Dan Moldes, valedictorian, Hulo Elementary School, Mandaluyong; Rosette Caballero, first honorable mention, Malinta Elementary School, Valenzuela;

Shaira Pateño, valedictorian, Lagtang Elementary School, Talisay, Cebu; Hannah Rose Sibi, salutatorian, Amparo Elementary School, Amparo, Southern Leyte; Nikko Angelo Dela Rosa, salutatorian, Kalibo, Pilot Elementary School Aklan; Jennylyn Dela Cruz, valedictorian, Sapa Elementary School Pampanga; Kate Marie Viray, salutatorian, Platon Elementary School Laguna;

Joshua Estrella, valedictorian, Salian Elementary School Bataan; John Lancer Fabon, salutatorian, F. Benitez Elementary School Makati; Maribel Singian, valedictorian, Don Pequeño Elementary School Iloilo; Romar Angelo Ponce, first honorable mention, P. Burgos Elementary School, Pasay; Joshua Arvin Aguayo, valedictorian, San Antonio Elementary School, Ilocos Sur; Almira Bless Amorado, valedictorian, Zapatera Elementary School, Zapatera, Cebu City; Angebert Baguhin, first honorable mention, East City Central School Cagayan De Oro; Rica Daniella Sapigao, valedictorian, Torres Bugallon Elementary School, Pangasinan; Isah Clarise Lilia, valedictorian, Dr. Albert Elementary School, Manila; Ma. Myka Barbilla, valedictorian, Don Rodolfo A. Medel Sr. Elementary School, Bacolod; Hanelyn Mae Milca, salutatorian, Tugbok Central Elementary School, Davao;

Prince Jomari Soriano, valedictorian, Mayapyap Elementary School, Nueva Ecija; Ara Lambon, valedictorian, Milagroso Elementary School, Leyte; Marjorie Pagulayan, salutatorian, Parabba Elementary School, Tuguegarao; and Cleo Dela Torre, first honorable mention, Polo Elementary School, Zamboanga Del Norte.