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By Ma. Margarita Z. Sandejas, Contributor
Poverty is not a hindrance to achievement as the
story of Rose Ann Caringal has proven. Caringal’s family has
always been financially strapped, but this never stopped her from
bagging the top post in the recently concluded Muntinlupa
Outstanding Students (MOST) Awards. In her moving speech, Caringal
tells of her struggles and hope to rise from poverty through
education. Her father earns a meager sum as a tricycle driver and
the family has had to face tough times, “But schooling was always
my priority,” she points out.
The MOST topnotcher who bested her contenders by
bagging the highest scores in almost all categories has also proven
her mettle as a leader. Caringal is the chapter president of the
National Drug Education program in her alma mater, Pedro E. Diaz
High School. Contemplating on her feat of besting the other MOST the
young lady believes that attitude and diligence almost always pay
off. She said if one focuses and makes a conscious effort to achieve
something, that person is most likely to get tangible results.
When asked what makes her number one, “I know
how to define my game and I’ve already set my goals. I’m fully
aware of my assets and I have the sheer will to excel,” Caringal
told the Manila Times.
Caringal and each of the nine MOST finalists
were given a P5,000 award and a full scholarship to the university
or college of their choice amounting to P30,000 per semester, and
this guarantees them financial support throughout their college
years as long as they are able to maintain a minimum general
weighted average of 2.0 or higher.
Press Secretary Ignacio “Toting” Bunye
founded the MOST Awards in 1992. Bunye, then the mayor of Muntinlupa,
desired to get more children off the streets, give them shelter and
schooling. Also included in his goals then were to motivate students
to excel in academics and other related endeavors such as community
service and youth leadership programs.
Incumbent Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro
believes MOST gives due recognition to the talent and effort of
students across the city. “MOST encourages more students to serve
their country and make a difference,” he relates. San Pedro
intones that MOST is Muntinlupa’s way of supporting the
government’s effort to boost the quality of education in the
country.
The guidelines for the program have not changed
since it started 16 years ago. All public and private schools in
Muntinlupa are given yearly invitations to nominate their candidates
for the program—one contender for each school. Ten finalists were
chosen out of the 19 outstanding students nominated for 2008.
Dr. Fe Faz, Department of Education Schools
Division Superintendent for Muntinlupa, believes MOST aims to
instill a broader sense of responsibility among students in
Muntinlupa. She expresses joy for the recipients of scholarship
grants knowing that the awardees are one-step closer to the
fulfillment of their dreams.
Faz stresses that it looks like MOST is making
significant headway, “There have been significant changes in
Muntinlupa’s educational scenario ever since. In fact, instead of
spiraling downward, the rate of students enrolled each year has
risen drastically,” she narrates, adding, “Muntinlupa’s
illiteracy rate, on the other hand, has decreased and so has the
number of children left in the streets.”
Faz hopes though that the MOST awardees, once
they reach the zenith of success won’t forget, “To give back to
Muntinlupa what it has given to them through genuine public
service,” she concludes.
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