BY ALONA V. RAYMUNDO
ILOILO City – An elementary pupil from SPED-Integrated School for Exceptional Children (SPED-ISEC) was honored during the last day of the “National Week for Filipino Gifted and Talented” last Nov. 29, 2019 at Hive Hotel in Quezon City by the Philippine Center for Gifted Education, Inc. (PCGE, Inc.).
Sophia Kirsten Mallada Tunguia, a Grade VI pupil, was given recognition by PCGE as one of the 17 recipients of the 2019 Mga Bagong Rizal Pag-asa ng Bayan award and part of the 17 outstanding youth nationwide.
Sixteen other leaders from different parts of the country were also conferred the award. They were chosen from 400 others, who were nominated.
Tunguia is the youngest awardee of this batch at only 12 years old.
“Mga Bagong Rizal Pag-asa ng Bayan” is a biennial search which envisions to look for high quality to gifted young Filipinos from Grade 3 to college level who personify the values of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, the epitome of who the Filipino gifted is: brilliant, nationalistic, spiritual, hardworking, humble, and with many other traits.
They will serve as exemplars of what a complete Filipino youth is.
The search is also intended to help elevate Filipino consciousness for a life with integrity, dignity, truth, honesty, and love of country thru self-awareness, leadership and skills development and recognition.
Mayor Jerry Treñas congratulated Tunguia and awarded her a Certificate of Recognition during city hall’s flag ceremony last Dec. 23, 2019.
All nominees from the different regions went through stringent qualifiers set by the PCGE headed by Dr. Letecia Penano-Ho.
Tunguia underwent orientation, leadership and skills training and project planning by the PCGE, after which they will be part of the PCGE’s role to mold other youth programs and they are expected to keep an updated journal of their activities emphasizing how these activities will enhance their nationalism being a Filipino and how they can show their love for the country and the people like Rizal.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be given an award from PCGE, especially coming from a prestigious organization and in honor of our National Hero,” said Tunguia.
“We will do whatever we could just to embody our Hero’s effort to mold the youths in our society. My message to my fellow youth is to continue persevering to attain our hopes and dreams like Dr. Jose Rizal and together let’s envision a good picture for our country, make it happen through hard work, passion, dedication, discipline and prayers,” she added.
Tunguia is currently the Supreme Pupil Government President of her school and is continuously engaged in various community service./PN
