Soulprints - Amyline Quien Ching

2004 TOSP: Rebuilding a dynasty of greatness

To build a nation, a pair of hands is not enough. Neither would the efforts of a few— no matter how powerful or how committed they are— be sufficient to compensate for the indifference of others. Every pair is needed to bring the nation beyond its boundaries and fulfill, finally, the promise of greatness of the dynasty that drank the blood of Dr. Jose Rizal, Ninoy Aquino and others like them who died so as to breathe life to it.
And as the country faces the twilight of its existence, it is all the more essential that every hand, especially that of the youths’, plough through every hindrance and together work to liberate the nation from the clutches of cynicism and despair. Only then can the Filipinos live up to the ideals of those whose lives were consecrated for them— a life of unity, of liberty and of equality.

POTENT FORCE IN NATION-BUILDING
The country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal could not have issued a better challenge when he said, “Where are the youth of the land, who will consecrate their lives for their country?”
And though so many have remained apathetic, there are few who have answered this call for dedicated and sincere service, brought on not by the promises of fame, power or fortune but by something as simple and as (unfortunately) “disgustingly foreign” as love for country and love for its people.
This year’s Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) awardees may have but small hands but they have certainly used them to create big and better things for their country.
Among the country’s fresh crop of youth achievers and leaders, who were recently awarded at the Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace, are Lea Janice Sicat of St. Paul University-Dumaguete; Alexander Edward Drilon of the University of the Philippines-Manila; Mark Lester Altoveros of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños; Charlotte Kendra Castillo of Ateneo de Manila University; Paypon Primitivo of University of St. La Salle; Jennefir Digaum of Mindanao State University-Marawi; Karen Joy Nomorosa of De La Salle University; Ruth Jade Canlas of Technological Institute of the Philippines; Jennifer Teves of Assumption College; and Jose Bias of Ateneo de Naga University.
In her message, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo commended the awardees and enjoined other youths to once again heed the call of the motherland for sacrifice and unity in the face of crises.
“The role of students in clarifying issues and advocating change has been clearly established. Together with different sectors of our society, students represent a potent force in charting our country’s history.”
According to her, the awardees have exemplified the qualities that continue to inspire optimism for the future as they have diligently and consistently pursued excellence not only in their academic subjects but also in nation-building.

THEIR TIME TO ACT (Inspire)
With the theme, “Celebrate. Inspire. Affirm,” the annual search hopes to embolden other students to become living examples of the Filipino youth’s commitment to academic and professional excellence, moral leadership, and social responsibility. It is a recognition of what the Filipino youth can do and achieve when given the opportunity.
“Let us make this commitment today –not tomorrow for there is not a day to lose— to be active and visible agents of change, towards a new beginning for our country. Let us do all these, to the very end of our courage and strength, knowing full well that ‘the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,’” RFM Foundation Inc. chairman and president Jose Concepcion, Jr. recited in a privilege speech during the awarding ceremony.
Needless to say, those words of British statesman Edmund Burke were not wasted on this set of “good men” as they have certainly worked tirelessly to institute community renewal through the different projects and programs that they have spearheaded.
As mentioned by previous TOSP awardees, it is not as much of the scholastic achievement of the student as his commitment to serving his country. And while most winners have cum laudes attached to their names come graduation, there are some who have been recognized for their contribution to their communities.
“You don’t really need to be a cum laude to win. It would certainly help a candidate but it is not a requirement,” says Niño Ranezes.
True enough, while the 10 may boast of receiving such high academic distinctions, they were chosen for the depth of their commitment to serve.

PRODUCING WINNERS AND LEADERS
A virtual “laboratory of leaders,” TOSP has produced outstanding “alumni” in various fields including former senators Rene Sauisag and Raul Roco; Miriam College President Patricia Licuanan; and lawyer-broadcaster Dong Puno, among others. This year was not any different. In fact, each of the ten has already reaped honors locally and internationally.
Even the 30 finalists (18 from science-based fields and 12 from nonscience-based fields) who were selected over the 357 nominees submitted by their respective colleges and universities, were all achievers in their own right. It was indeed a tight race as everyone deserved a place in the podium.
Among the judges for this year’s competition are Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide; former Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Dr. Emil Javier; Professional Regulation Commission Board for Professional Teachers Chairperson Dr. Gloria Salandanan; Makati Business Club Executive Director Guillermo Luz; Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. President Rina Lopez Bautista; and Rotary International District 3830 Centennial Governor J. Antonio Quila.

TO SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE
It is perhaps the realization of the pivotal role that they play as role models for the next generation that further strengthened the resolve of this year’s TOSP awardees to commit to a life of difference and foster a culture of volunteerism.
“My co-TOSPians… I take that as a challenge. I hope that in my own way I could serve as a good example to others especially to my students. To become a leader and a role model is a never-ending responsibility. It’s hard but it is all worth when you see the people you have trained become leaders themselves,” says BS Elementary Education graduate Lea Sicat, who will go back to her teaching post in Dumaguete.
DLSU Computer Science graduate Karen Nomorosa agreed. True leadership, according to her, can be seen not in teaching people what to do but in teaching them how to become leaders themselves. It lies in realizing the potentials of others and empowering them to do their best in everything.
One person however could not carry the whole of the world on his shoulders. Neither could one group, the youth in this instance, make much difference without the support and guidance of people who have walked the same road.
Concepcion Jr. referred to this when he said, “With the youth before us, we their elders cannot afford to fail in our sacred duty and obligation to lead by example. We must also do our share in combating the growing sense of cynicism and hopelessness by taking action and joining hands to bring about change.”
In their TOSP Batch 2004 Response, which was read by Sicat, the awardees reaffirmed their commitment to service.
“We represent the youth, the greatest asset of this nation. We are at the time when out country needs us the most. We are here to reaffirm that, indeed, THIS IS OUR TIME TO ACT. We pledge to use our God-given talents, capabilities, and expertise to serve the less fortunate brothers and sisters in our communities. And we hope that this commitment to work and lead people will be the anchor towards the empowerment of the Filipinos.”
Indeed, the time to start is now. It does not matter whether one project is a resounding success, helping thousands or an abysmal failure helping only three. Whether it be big or small, the important thing is to act now, to take that first step.
“The point is to do something, however small and show you care through actions by giving your time. It is not how much we do, but how much love we put into doing,” reveals BS Physics student Kendra Castillo.

One need not do something grand to become catalysts of change. Even the smallest act of kindness could produce a domino effect that could heal a nation and possibly the world.

posted by Amyline Quien Ching @ 11:17 PM