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By: Tony A. San Juan OCT-Retired
March 17, 2022
The Filipino Centre Toronto-FCT, a 22 -year old community-based, service-focused & volunteer-run hub in the Greater Toronto Area(GTA), has aptly recognized and honoured 10 top student graduates in Ontario during its 16th "Annual Rosalinda C, Javier Outstanding Students Awards Day" (RCJOSA) on March 13, 2022, at the FCT Social Hall, Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario. Celebrated yearly, the competition aims to encourage, challenge, and recognize Filipino-Canadian students to achieve academic excellence and success.
The 10 Outstanding Student Awardees with Event Guests and FCT officers
The current crop of honourees belonged to those who completed their respective elementary, high school, and post-secondary studies in the school year of 2020-2021. Those who received awards are three Grade 8 graduates: Nicolas Manlapaz of San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Elementary School-YCDSB; Mariella Gayle Bernasor of Our Lady Of Peace Catholic Elem. School- DPCDSB; and Maria Angela Alampay of Fr. Daniel Zanon School-DPCDSB; and three Grade12 graduates: Joanna Flor Chumacera of St. Basil Catholic High School-TCDSB; Kairra Clemente of Francis Liberman Catholic High School-TCDSB; & Jacob William Santos Bouckley of All Saints Catholic Secondary School-DCDSB. The post-secondary awardees are Samantha De Vera of McMaster University; Dennedy Yrvin Corcega of the University of Toronto; Ma. Lacson of CDI College; and Myles Matundan of the University of Toronto.
All ten graduates each received a Plaque of Recognition from the Filipino Centre Toronto and Cash Prizes, as well, from donors Atty. Ramon Andal, Ben & Fanny Calucag, Dr. Maria De Villa, Friends of Aida D'Orazio, Alvine Marasigan Flor, Kabayan Remit, and Precy & Segundino "Dodong" Tumulak. All the awardees were also given Congratulatory Certificates by 4 Members of the Federal Parliament (MP) and two Members of the Provincial Parliament(MPP).
The popular awards program, which started in 2005, has already presented a total of 134 recipients under the 3 categories in the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. The annual ceremony should have been undertaken in 2021 but due to the pandemic crisis, it was rescheduled for this winter. FCT will start receiving applications for the 2021-2022 outstanding students competition in September 2022.
Selected by a panel of judges, the proud awardees have extraordinarily qualified and satisfied the 4 main criteria: Average Grades -50%; Extracurricular Activities- 15%; Community Involvement - 15%; and Interview Performance -20%.
The FCT-RCJOSA Committee is composed of Chairman Tony A. San Juan- founder of Filipino Heritage Council of Canada; Co-chair Mary Ann S. San Juan- president & CEO of Filipino Centre Toronto; and Members: Steve Pagao - president of Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto; Jodelyn Huang - community relations officer-TCDSB, and Fermer Santos -vice-principal of Agincourt Collegiate Institute, TDSB), and Rose Tijam- president of Philippine Press Club of Ontario.
Among the distinguished guests present was the Member of Parliament for Mississauga Streetsville Rechie Valdez, who was the event guest speaker and presenter of the awards. Likewise, Ms. Salma Zahid, MP for Scarborough Centre, Ms. Mitzie Hunter, MPP for Scarborough Guildwood, Ontario Minister for Seniors & MPP for Scarborough North Mr. Raymond Cho gave their inspirational addresses. The Ontario Minister of Education & MPP for Vaughan King Mr. Stephen Lecce sent his recorded greetings. Messrs. Shaun Chen, MP for Scarborough North, and Gary Anandasangaree, MP for Scarborough Rouge sent their respective messages via staff.
FCT president & CEO Mary Ann S. San Juan and FCT Treasurer Wendy Arena Villa made the welcome address and gave the invocation. FCT Vice president Tess Lumanlan ably hosted the 2-hour program while the Most Outstanding University Graduate Awardee Samantha De Vera provided the response. One of the awardees, Nicolas Manlapaz rendered a vocal solo. Also in attendance were the FCT directors & officers, the awardees' parents, relatives & friends, donors, community & media leaders & volunteers.( Tony A. San Juan-OCT-Ret.)
All photos are courtesy of Joey Baking of LM Confidential.
Link to article here http://muntingnayon.com/106/106037/index.php?fbclid=IwAR3hsEL_ZnLgVu9C9XPSdbz-
Click here to see the full 2021 RCJ OSA Program