With parents toiling abroad, 10 students make them proud

Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) on Monday honored 10 exemplary children of overseas Filipinos, concluding its seventh annual search for young people who excelled in academic and nonacademic fields despite being away from their parents.

This year’s roster of awardees includes eight “Ibang Klaseng Talino” awardees for academic excellence and one each for “Ibang Klaseng Community Leader” for leadership and “Ibang Klaseng Artist” for creativity.

All but one of the eight “Ibang Klaseng Talino” awardees are from Metro Manila:

— Alison Galian of De La Salle University Manila, daughter of Manuel Galian who is an information systems engineer at CAVU Corp. in Singapore;

— Nel Jason Haw of Ateneo de Manila University, son of Nelson and Imelda Haw who both work in Taiwan;

— Raoul Danniel Manuel of University of the Philippines Visayas Miag-ao, Iloilo, son of Raul Manuel, a caregiver in Canada;

— Emir-Deogene Mendoza of UP Diliman, son of Norgina-Marian and Deogracias Orina Mendoza who both work in Saudi Arabia;

— Louise Ann Florelle Pasadilla of Lyceum of the Philippines University, daughter of Dione Pasadilla who is chief engineer at Splash Inc. in Japan;

— Cloie Ann Rabinetas of University of Santo Tomas, daughter of seaman Elpidio Rabinetas;

— Joezelle Salunga of UP Manila, daughter of Ralph Salunga who works as a production manager at National Prawn Co. in Saudi Arabia; and

— Joseph Kennedy Tabor Jr. of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, Manila, son of Leticia Tabor who works as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia.

Lauded as an outstanding community leader was student volunteer Christine Joyce Agapito, a nursing student at Far Eastern University and daughter of Nomer Agapito who works as a piping foreman in UAE. Agapito has been active in medical-dental missions, gift-giving and relief operations as a member of the Philippine National Red Cross.

Honored as an outstanding artist was Andrei Karoly Hernandez, a Fine Arts student (majoring in Cinema) at University of San Carlos and daughter of Felman Hernandez Sr. who works as a quality control inspector at Lend Lease Singapore Pte. She has won numerous awards and citations, including the first prize in the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival for Cinephone category, for her entry titled “Two Minutes.”

The annual search is part of BPI’s advocacy to promote the value of education and culture of excellence among the children of overseas Filipinos.

“BPI continues to honor the children of overseas Filipinos for their sacrifices and hard work to excel in academic and nonacademic fields despite being distant from their parents. Their achievements serve as inspiration to which we demonstrate that we can be successful despite distance and difficulties,” BPI executive vice president Natividad Alejo said.