A Cordilleran   is among the   national awardees in the 57th Search of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) who were   recognized in the virtual TOSP awarding last Wednesday (Dec.1).

Joining the 57th batch of TOSP is Austin Miguelle L. Ogad, a Cum Laude graduate of Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship from Saint Louis University.

Ogad is the founder of three initiatives - Moma Chew, a cleaner and healthier alternative to Moma or Nganga (bettlenut); Pisa para kay Isko, and Unwrapped: Social Enterprise Proposal in the BPI Sinag University 2017. He also led the project “Gabi Chips” that aims to increase the revenue of taro farmers of Barangay Poblacion Tuba, Benguet. 

Five other Cordillerans made it to the 30 national finalists of the 57th TOSP. They are   Joven C. Wadwachan, a Bachelor of Science in Geodetic Engineering graduate of Baguio Central University; Von Ameri J. Escobar; Bachelor of Secondary Education Magna Cum Laude graduate of Abra State Institute of Science and Technology; Edgar Christian C. Dirige, Summa Cum Laude graduate of BS in Civil Engineering, also of SLU; Denmark P. Butic, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science graduate of Ifugao State University.  and Alladin A. Banez, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of BS in Agribusiness major in Marketing Management from Benguet State University.

TOSP Foundation Inc. President Marie Concepion- Young led the virtual TOSP awarding with RFM Corporation President and CEO Jose “Joey” Concepcion III and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles served as inspirational speakers.

Concepcion, in his message, advised the 57th TOSP finalists and winners to continue learning even if they are already in the working environment and to maintain positive outlook and surround themselves with good people and mentors who will help them to have positive values in life.

In building a better profession or improving business undertakings, also continue in helping our country as ultimately, the love for country is what drives us to excel. Let us move the Philippines to be the best country in ASEAN, Concepcion added.

Nograles  inspired  the TOSP  awardees and  finalists    to continue to cultivate their talents, abilities and skills to use them as tools to serve God and country and  to actively participate in nation building and be among the future gallant leaders of the country  who  will work towards bringing better and progressive life to every Filipino.

By being chosen as    finalists in the TOSP already shows that you  are taking  the right path, he said.

Since 1961, the TOSP celebrates, honors and challenges Filipino youth to be exemplary models of academic and professional excellence, servant leadership, selfless community service and positive social involvement and active partners in nation building.

The 57th TOSP awarding was led by the TOSP Foundation Inc., in partnership with RFM Corporation, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, the Commission on Higher Education and the Outstanding Students of the Philippines – Alumni Community. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)