MABALACAT CITY -- Five students in Pampanga are among the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) for Central Luzon.
The Kapampangan youths, who were awarded in Tarlac province on Monday, include Emmanuel G. Lozano of Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU), Kimberly Macuto of Holy Angel University, Keanu Costales of Pampanga State Agricultural University, Christian Manio of Angeles University Foundation, and Christine Laguda of Holy Angel University.
The other five winners are Marc Allaine Lazaro of Central Luzon State University, Alhexis Valmadrid of Baliuag University, Dean Carlo Ventura of Bulacan State University, Trent Joshua Asuncion of President Ramon Magsaysay State University and Mark Lester Santiago of Tarlac State University.
Mark Anthony Lim, a co-lead of the 58th TOSP, earlier urged the youth to continue dreaming for a better Philippines.
Lim said this during a wreath-laying ceremony honoring the more than 31,000 FIlipino and American soldiers who were incarcerated and died in the concentration camp inside what is now the 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.
During the event, the finalists and organizers in this year's TOSP awards also offered prayers for the fallen heroes.
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.