THE YOUTH need role models from all walks of life. Success stories serve as guideposts on how initiatives to better one’s life are attainable through industry and creativity.

On May 11, the Speechcom culminating activity will feature

“Talento Cebuanos” Dexter Alazas, Ria Lidia Espina and Robby Alugar at Ayala Center Cebu, 1:30 p.m. This project is inspired by the Perlas Awards on valuable Filipinos, and supported by the Education Committee of Zonta Club of Cebu 1, Adopt-a-School Project and Zonta 1 Z Club.

The event is chaired by Zontians Rufina Tanchan and Matt Baguia, and University of San Jose-Recoletos’ College of Arts and Sciences led by dean, doctor Glenn Pajares, who just arrived from the United States. Pajares received the ”badge,” a completion of American English E-Teacher Program (part of Teaching Grammar Communicatively, a self-paced Massive Open Online Course, developed by World Learning.) Sponsored by the US Department of State and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the program makes it easier to adapt English lessons to the needs of the students.

Speechcom 2019 participants and guest schools will pay tribute to the awardees. The past Perlas Awardees and Talento Cebuanos will confer the awards.

Service awards

We congratulate Marco Polo Plaza Cebu for the celebration of its decades of service to Cebu. Lara Scarrow was a special service awardee. With professionalism and great public relations graciousness, Lara has been the glowing gem of Marco Polo. The new president of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nonoy Espeleta, is credited for long meaningful years of service to the business sector.