SC chief to keynote FLP Awards

MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo will be the guest of honor and speaker during the awards ceremony of the Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity (FLP) on July 28 at the Stephen Fuller Hall, Asian Institute of Management in Makati City.

The chief magistrate will honor and recognize the new batch of scholars under the FLP’s Legal Scholarship Program, the winners of its Dissertation Writing Contest and the new fellows of its ESMEL Program.

In partnership with the Tan Yan Kee Foundation, FLP implements the Legal Scholarship Program, a highly competitive and merit-based scholarship opportunity for third and fourth year law students from the best law schools in the country.

The scholars were chosen based on their outstanding academic achievements and their understanding of and dedication to FLP’s philosophy of liberty and prosperity under the rule of law. The program serves as a vital platform for nurturing the next generation of legal minds and of ensuring the future development of the legal profession.

The 21 scholars who will each receive P200,000 are: Betlee-kyle Barraquias (ADMU), Gerifel  Cerillo (ADDU), Joanna Rizza David (BulSU), Susanna Ruth Gruyal (UP), Mia Jasmin Laza (SLU), Alma Angela Patricio (UST), Aimiel Marian Reyes (ADMU), Allan Cairo Reyes (UP), Marisse Shaine Salazar (DLSU), Azalea Coleen Salcedo (JRU), Shergina Grace  Alicando (UCebu), Laine Marie J. Bringuelo (DLSU), Frances Mickaella Noreen Chavez (UST), Ian Christian Cosido (UCebu), Almira Bianca De Guzman (DLSU), Patrizia Anne Garcia (DLSLipa), Shandrei Allen  Guevarra (DLSU), Blessie Ngeteg (UCordilleras), Maria Lovelyn Joyce Quebrar (UP), Dana Mae Tadea (FEU) and Kyle Christian Tutor (UP).

They were chosen by the board of judges chaired by Gesmundo, with former education secretary Edilberto de Jesus, Evelyn Doris Abao of the Tan Yan Kee Foundation, law dean Soledad Deriquito-Mawis and FLP corporate secretary Joel Gregorio as members.

In partnership with Ayala Corp., the FLP also sponsors the Dissertation Writing Contest, a program open to third and fourth year law students and those pursuing Master’s, Doctor of Laws and PhD degrees, as well as to MBA students.

Five were selected: Clarisse Mae Zaplan (ADMU), first prize (P320,000); Patrizia Anne Garcia (DLSLipa), second prize (P220,000); Anton Gabriel Leron (UP), Michelle Anne Mendoza (ADMU) and Erielle Robyn Ongchan (ADMU), third prizes (P120,000 each).

In partnership with Metro Pacific Investments Corp. through the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, FLP implements the ESMEL Fellowship Program, which looks for and helps develop Filipino entrepreneurs who promote sustainability, social justice, and/or equitable prosperity for all Filipinos.

Five graduate students pursuing Master’s degree in entrepreneurship, sustainability, management, economics and/or business law (ESMEL) were chosen: Ma. Andrea Ali (UP), Mark Anthony Angeles (UP), Dave Angelo Calutan (AIM), Margaret Stefanie Arielle Gecana (UP) and Hannah Jara (AIM). They will be awarded a fellowship amounting to a maximum of P450,000 each.