The Mandaue City government awarded last week “20 Outstanding Children” in recognition of their excellent performance in academic and community service.
The awardees were all high school students, two from private schools while the rest from public schools.
“It is one of the pet projects of Madame Sarah Cortes, the mayor’s wife, in inspiring the youth to do good acts,” said Maricel Yu, focal person of Mandaue City Council for the Protection of Children.
Cortes, who chaired the council, has also embarked into a major project, the construction of children’s center, a halfway house for street children.
Topping the awardees was John Keith S. Mazo, 16, a fourth year student of St. Louis College-Cebu.
“Service makes me feel satisfied because in such way I can help people. I hope I can inspire my fellow students to achieve. You have only to dream big and work for it,” said John in behalf of the awardees.
Mazo is a consistent first honor student since elementary. His academic obligation did not hamper his extra-curricular and community involvement. He is president of the school’s supreme student government, editor of the school paper, Louisian; president of Rotary Club; CAT battalion commander; peer facilitator; orator and debator. He was also a lector during Masses and plays keyboard, violin and ticcolo.
John thanked those who contributed to his success including his mother “who sacrificed her career to guide us in our pursuit of academic excellence.”
“I am really proud of him, he is really a workaholic,” said Eva Amor Marzo, who stopped working as an electrical engineer to become full-time mother in the absence of her husband who works abroad.
Other awardees were Sheila Mahusay, Mandaue City Comprehensive NHS; Angelica Conde, Labogon National HS; Danie Mae Ybanez, Mandaue City Science HS; Ma. Liza Zarate, Mandaue City Comprehensive NHS; Khanna Blithe Cortes, Mandaue City School for the Arts; Chad Errol Booc, Pagsabungan NHS; Angel Perez, Tabok NHS; Mary Charity Gwen Calban, Paknaan NHS; Ma. Nieves, Matilde Mercader, Mandaue City Comprehensive NHS; Jan Louie Mendoza, Mandaue Ebenezer Alliance Academy; Ruel Briz, Subangdaku Techvoc School; Ma Jessa Cereno, Cabancalan NHS; Hero Yuki Oplado, Maguikay NHS; Jayvee Armamento, Don Gerardo L. Ouano MNHS; Divine Saludaga, Tipolo NHS; Fernan Salimbongcogon, Canduman NHS; Charlette Joyce Dawaton, Subangdaku Techvoc School;Rhoda Ulgasan, Jagobiao NHS; Shera Mae de Gahira, Canduman NHS.
Also awarded for their contribution to street children were World Vision Development Foundation, Children’s Legal Bureau, Danish volunteers, Christian Eckist Buddhist Union, Foundation and Girlie Suico.