CAPAS, Tarlac -- A project co-lead of the 2019 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) in Central Luzon has urged the youth to continue dreaming for a better Philippines.
Mark Anthony Lim, a co-lead of the 58th TOSP, said this during a wreath-laying ceremony honoring the more than 31,000 Filipino and American soldiers who were encarcerated and died in the concentration camp inside what is now Capas National Shrine during the Second World War.
"Patuloy po tayong mangarap para sa mas magandang Pilipinas," Lim said.
He said the wreath laying is part of the week-long event of the TOSP held this year in Tarlac province.
"For today po, we have province or community day. Actually, this is composed of a three-day formation program and this is the third day wherein we will visit historical or cultural heritage sites and business enterprises here in Tarlac which is the host province this year," Lim said.
The awarding judging ceremony will be held today at the Aquino Center, according to him.
"For the province day today, we show that we value the culture and history of our country particularly here in Tarlac. It's just like we want to highlight what every Filipino contributed to our country including the soldiers who died during the death march," LIm said.
During the event, the finalists and organizers in this year's TOSP awards also offered prayers for the fallen hereos.
The finalists include Trent Joshua Asuncion of President Ramon Magsaysay State University, Albert Cyril Bernardo of Centro Escolar University, Elaine Bernardo of Republic Central College, Abigail Cayanan of Republic Central College, Keanu Costales of Pampanga State Agricultural University, Jag Lyra Costamero of Pampanga State Agricultural University, Michael Dominguez of Angeles University Foundation, Ronee Bien Gutierrez of Mabalacat City College, Clark Louie Javier of Angeles University Foundation, and Christine Laguda of Holy Angel University.
The others are Marc Allaine Lazaro of Central Luzon State University, Emmanuel Lozano of Don Honorio Ventura State University, Kimberly Macuto of Holy Angel University, Christian Manio of Angeles University Foundation, Precious Nacatab of Tarlac Agricultural University, Jeff Gerald Quindoyos of Pampanga State Agricultural University, Renz Raydanas of RCC Colegio De San Rafael, Mark Lester Santiago of Tarlac Agricultural University, Alhexis Valmadrid of Baliuag University and Dean Carlo Ventura of BUlacan State University.
TOSP is an awards program seeking young role models of the country who have personified academic excellence, exemplary leadership and deep sense of social responsibility, all anchored on good moral values.
Nominees are rated according to their academic performance, 40 percent; leadership, 30 percent; and social responsibility, 30 percent.
Engineer Darwin Campo, curator of the Capas National Shrine, welcomed and assisted the TOSP delegation during the event.