Top students in PH honored in Malacanang

TOSP 2016 awardees named in Malacanang Palace on Thursday.

MANILA - The Duterte administration on Thursday, Feb. 9, feted the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) in a ceremony in Malacañang.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña led the awarding of the 2016 TOSP at the Palace's Heroes Hall.

This year's awardees (in no particular order) are:
• Anne Catherine D. Malazarte, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, University of San Agustin
• Andrienne E. Boado, Doctor of Medicine, University of Northern Philippines
• Arizza Ann S. Nocum, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, University of the Philippines-Diliman
• Nafieza S. Mohammad, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, Universidad de Zamboanga
• Ronalyn B. Pordan, Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Far Eastern University
• Janssen Rae B. Ramos, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, University of the East-Caloocan
• Gimar A. Reyes, Bachelor of Elementary Education, major in General Education, Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan
• Ladie Lyn G. Fuderanan, Bachelor of Science in Criminology, University of Bohol
• Vryxon Val D.C. Del Valle, Bachelor of Arts in Communication, First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities
• Riego Ferrer L. Garcia, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Central Philippine University

Also honored were their 20 co-finalists.




"I feel really honored to be here with you today as representative of President Duterte. My warmest congratulations to our young and brilliant students, including the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines," Secretary Dela Peña said in his speech.

Launched on June 19, 1961 on the birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, this annual recognition program for student was founded by businessman Jose Concepcion Jr.

"Many of you may be a part of the government one day. Maybe one of you be a president one day. Nothing is impossible. It all starts with a dream. You really have to work hard for that. If it's really meant to be, it will be," Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. Concepcion III, son of TOSP founder, told the students.




With the theme "Partnering for change and prosperity for all", this year's batch of outstanding students reflects a new breed of future leaders coming from diverse fields of endeavors.

"President Duterte has outlined in very simple words the thing that he would like to achieve: to reduce inequality, to create opportunities, and to expand our potentials. I'm sure you can help," Dela Peña continued, assuring that the government will be their ally. [via PNA, Photo by William Dar]