A SON of a Victoriahanon Gerlino Dominic Furbeyre Tamayo achieved the highest academic honors and distinction in graduating summa cum laude at the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) in Ontario, Canada during convocation ceremonies of the Faculty of Sciences in the Canadian capital on June 18, 2019.

Tamayo’s parents Eric and Joyce were proud of their son who finished his four-year Honours Bachelor of Science Program in Biomedical Science from the world’s largest English-French bilingual university and regarded as among the top ranked schools in Canada acclaimed for its innovative and dynamic research and health science programs.

Tamayo was consistently on the Dean’s List in all his four years in the course, and an Ontario scholar all throughout.

The 22-year-old Earl subscribes to balancing academic excellence with civic and extra-curricular work.

Earl has devoted his time volunteering in various community projects and civic activities in Ottawa and among the Filipino community in the city.

He was active in student outreach movements and served as president of the Filipino Students Association of Ottawa (FILSAuO).

Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia, in providing constant encouragement, conveyed her good wishes and congratulations to Earl for his achievement, hoping that his example will serve as an inspiration and role model to the young generation of Filipinos studying both in the Philippines and overseas.

Ambassador Garcia was delighted for Earl and his parents, Eric and Joyce.

Ambassador Garcia and Mrs. Tamayo both hail from Negros Occidental – the municipality of Isabela and the City of Victorias respectively.

Dr. Ruby de Guzman Formoso, an eminent figure in the Filipino community in Ottawa, and herself a mentor to Earl, underscored the importance of young Filipinos embracing their heritage in staying grounded.

She was struck at how Earl as a bright man is filled with compassion, leadership, and a desire to serve.

In the same way Mrs. Nora Arriola, president of the of the Philippine Independence Day Committee of Ottawa Valley (PICOV), lauded Earl’s accomplishments noting that it is consistent with the hallmarks of a friendly, courteous, diligent and caring Filipino. (PR)