After being endorsed by College President and Chancellor Br. Dennis Magbanua, FSC as the official nominee of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), senior BS International Hospitality Management (IHM) student Bryan James Liboro was among those awarded in the Search for Ten Outstanding Collegiate Students of Manila 2015 held in the Manila Grand Opera House last June 15.
Pioneered just last year by the City Government of Manila’s Youth Development and Welfare Bureau (YDWB), the competition sought one official representative from each of the colleges of Manila—either public or private—like Centro Escolar University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Unibersidad de Manila, and Technological University of the Philippines.
Applicants were subjected to an interview with YDWB Director Angel Espiritu III, Counselors Princess Abante and Lei Lacuna, and were asked to submit paperwork for their academic records and moral conduct among others.
In terms of the interview questions, Liboro shared that they focused on the applicants’ personal lives and what they can contribute to the Manila City Government, as the recognition of being one of the most outstanding students of the city served as an invitation to partner with the local government. Each of the applicants were then given grades that comprised of 30% interview results, 40% academic records, 20% extracurricular involvement, and 20% school delegation for local and international events.
According to the screening committee, the competition was not to rank the outstanding students from first to tenth. Rather, it seeks to be able to coordinate with the different colleges and universities to have students participate in the city’s community extension projects. Aside from receiving a trophy, all ten student awardees were given Php 10,000 in check and a chance to coordinate with the YDWB for a project.
Liboro also recently received several awards from the Department of Student Life’s Gawad Benildyano 2015 held last June 11 at the College’s School of Design and Arts Theater, including Minor Awards for Most Outstanding Student Trainer and Most Outstanding Student Leader, Major Awards for Most Outstanding Student Volunteer and Most Outstanding Project Manager, and Meritorious Recognition for being a delegate to the BPI Student Summit on Banking Finance and a presenter in the Asia Pacific Student Services Association International Conference.
“At a certain point, ‘di ko alam na darating sa buhay ko ‘tong mga pangyayari, ‘tong series of events na ‘to. But one thing for sure that I know nung nag-start ako [as a student-volunteer], alam kong masaya ako sa ginagawa ko, alam kong nag-e-enjoy ako sa binibigay ko. Pero ‘di ko alam na may na-i-inspire na pala and may natutulungan na rin pala akong students,” he said during an interview with The Benildean.
The student leader continued on to share that his recent successes would not have been possible if not for God, his supportive parents, his mentor Sir Leandro Loyola, fellow Student Trainers, and School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management mentors. He adds that he has also been inspired by his active participation in the De La Salle Philippines as an Aspirant or one who wishes to become a full-fledged Lasallian Brother.
As advice to those who are also aiming to serve, he ended his statement by saying that “plain service, volunteer service is really enough. You just need to look for that spark na gusto mong makatulong, gusto mong mag-participate, and s’yempre, gusto mong maging masaya. Yu’n lang, kumpleto na yung formula for service.”
Apart from collegiate students, ten outstanding educators were also honored in the awarding ceremonies by the City Government of Manila.
Photos by Gerard Del Mundo and Yves Publico
