PGMA honors 10 outstanding RP students

July 6, 2007

MANILA, Philippines  –  President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presented on Thursday the 2007 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) awards to the winners of the annual search for young students committed to moral leadership, social responsibility, and academic and professional excellence.

The TOSP is organized by the RFM Foundation, National Book Store and the Rotary Club of Makati Central in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The President handed out trophies to the awardees in simple ceremonies Thursday afternoon at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang.

Assisting the President were CHED chairman Carlito Puno, RFM chairman Jose Concepcion Jr., RFM Corporation president Jose Ma. Concepcion III, RFM Foundation president Marie Concepcion Young, and National Book Store president Alfredo Ramos.

In her message sent earlier to the organizers, the President said the young awardees are the best exemplars of what national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal had described as the hope of the country, having excelled not only in their studies but also in fulfilling their social responsibilities.

"With this kind of young citizens, I am confident that our country will have a brighter future," the President said in her message.

The 10 awardees, considered as role models and inspiration for the Filipino youth, were chosen from among 30 finalists who recently graduated from various schools in the country.

The awardees were Cherrie Atilano (Leyte State University), Michael Gamalinda (University of the Philippines-Los Banos), Dennis Umali (UPLB), Herbert Klaus Martin Hallig (De La Salle University-Manila), Luis Andres Abad (Ateneo de Manila University);

Julie Lucille del Valle (Ateneo de Naga University), Ben Secretario (Ateneo de Naga University), Roma Padua (Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion-Roxas City), Mark Carlo Pahati (University of San Jose Recoletos), and Mary Kathryn Quinon (University of the Philippines in the Visayas).