3 Boholano studes among Region 7's bets for TOSP

THREE Boholano students Friday night earned tickets to represent Central Visayas in the search for the Ten Outstanding Students in the Philippines (TOSP). This after they were named among Region 7's best, in rites held at the Bohol Plaza in Barangay Mayacabac in Dauis town.

Five Boholanos made it to the circle of 24 finalists but only three hurdled the formation training and final screening also held at Bohol Plaza . Of the three however, only two are studying in Bohol ; the third studied at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Cebu. Bohol 's Big Three are Metodio Maraguinot Jr. of the Holy Name University (HNU) taking up Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Lord Salas of the University of Bohol (UB) taking up Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Narsheen Artiaga of Talibon town who is taking up Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications.

In the run-up to the search for Region 7's best, Gov. Erico Aumentado initiated the Search for the 10 Outstanding Students of Bohol (TOSB) to identify the crème-de-la-crème from which group Bohol will field bets to the next level of the search. Aside from Maraguinot and Salas, Bohol 's qualifiers for the regional search were Leonard Namalata, BS Computer Engineering of UB, Marites Digamon taking up Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSEd) and Analyn Polinar taking up Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEEd) both of Batuan Colleges Inc. Artiaga was listed as Cebu 's bet.

At the honoring rites, Gov. Erico Aumentado challenged the finalists to dedicate their finest hours “to the country and our people.” While they were chosen as winners because they excelled as students and as student leaders, the governor said they have, at the same time, the responsibility of responding to the challenge of the greatest Malayan hero Dr. Jose Rizal when he said the youth are the hope of the fatherland.

“Do not just be future leaders, be at the forefront. Involve yourselves in pushing the country forward, to neutralize those who are in politics only for personal ambition and seeking to destroy the fundamental democracy of the land,” he said. For his part, Dr. Abello Jaca, chair of the TOSP 7 executive committee said he was honored to address the outstanding students because they have one purpose – nation-building. He commended Aumentado for initiating TOSB, and for hosting this year's search and extending financial assistance of P50,000 for the TOSP 7 activities.

Meanwhile, Rep. Edgar Chatto of Bohol 's 1st District congratulated the finalists who he considered were “a good bunch.” “Everyone is a born leader, but only when you expose yourself to responsibilities, opening doors and windows of opportunities and taking up challenges that your skills are honed,” he said. Maraguinot gave the response on behalf of the TOSP 7. He said while they were given honors, they are not special but just ordinary citizens capable of having visions and dreams. “Our medals and plaques are not as important as our contributions to nation-building,” he said.

Aside from the three from Bohol, the TOSP 7 are Terrence Anton Callao, BBA Management, Silliman University (SU), Dumaguete City; Sheryll Chua, BS Accountancy, University of San Carlos, Cebu; Rey Lumanog, BS MarE, Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT); Frances Louie Abellana, BS Information Technology, CIT; Glenda Mae Gaisano, BS Accountancy, SU; Michael Nicholas Malazarte, BSIT, CIT; and Joven Cabebe, Bachelor of Technical Education, Negros Oriental State University.

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