BPSU journalist, TOSP-Region 3 awardee

“For me, leadership is a process of trying, of being defeated, and of learning,” this was once said by Bhee Jay Layug, an outstanding student from Bataan Peninsula State University who was adjudged as one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) in Region 3 during the recently-concluded judging and awarding for the 2016 TOSP Regional Search in Central Luzon, held at the Labuyo Lounge, Air Force City, Clark Airbase, Pampanga.

“Higit sa medalya, katumbas ng pagkilalang ito ang panibagong hamon na patuloy na maglingkod para sa bayan. Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng naging bahagi ng aking paglalakbay. Sa lahat ng naging inspirasyon ko lalo’t higit sa aking pamilya. Kay tatay, kahit na hindi na nakasama sa araw ng parangal, para sa inyo po ito ni nanay,” said Layug in his Facebook post regarding his latest achievement.

“Nagpapasalamat din ako sa The Guilds na may malaking parte kung sino ako ngayon. Lalong-lalo na sa aking pangalawang magulang, kay Ma’am Canare. Sa aking mga ka-scholar na patuloy na nagmamalasakit sa komunidad at nagsusumikap makatapos para sa pamilya at bayan. Salamat. Gayundin sa Regional Emergency Assistance and Communications Team (REACT), na dahilan kung bakit lalong napatingkad ang aking pagmamahal para sa bayan, salamat sa mga inspirasyon ng kabayanihan. Salamat sa lahat. Mahirap isa-isahin. At syempre, salamat sa lumikha,” he added.

Layug is a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering graduate, a two-time Philippine Quill awardee, a three-year REACT volunteer member, Chapter President of the Association of College Scholars of Balanga City from 2012-2015, founder and organizer of TUTORun: Run to Educate and Gabay Kaalaman, a 12-day tutorial program, an outstanding journalist of the year and a four-year editor of The Guilds–the official student publication of BPSU-Main Campus, a dean’s lister, a multi-awarded student journalist, a peer facilitator, a former Sangguniang Kabataan Kagawad, a Department of Interior and Local Government Scholar, a resource speaker, lecturer and trainer, student-leader, proud Peninsulares, and a proud Balangueño.

“Nais kong ibahagi ang aking istorya ng pagkatalo, muling pagbangon at pagkatuto para kapulutan ng aral ng iba. Na minsan hindi sapat ang talento at mas matimbang pa rin ang pagkauhaw sa kaalaman at walang alinlangang pagtatangka,” he stressed.

To give you a gist of what TOSP is all about, Jose Concepcion, Jr., in his desire to honor students who are exemplars and leaders in their own academic fields and in their contributions to society, established the TOSP on June 19, 1961.The inspiration was Dr. Jose Rizal, the embodiment of a model student who not only achieved academic citations but also gave himself to those in need.

“We are now on our 55th year as a search program. This endeavor recognizes the role of the youth in nation-building,” said Lawrence Charlemagne David, TOSP-Region 3 Alumni Community of Heroes (R3ACH) Chairperson.

Waving its commitment of learning, leading and serving for life, TOSP exists to live out its mission of establishing role models, galvanizing young people into action, and bringing about total human and economic development in the nation.

Along with Layug, other nominees who landed as regional finalists for the TOSP 2016 Search coming from BPSU were Samantha Batalla and Candy Laxamana, Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English and Bachelor of Elementary Education Major in General Education graduates, respectively.

After the regional search, all the regional winners will submit their bid books to the national executive committee. From there, the entire bid books will then undergo screening.  Thirty national finalists will be selected. Those thirty national finalists will subsequently attend the national formation program for a week. The last day of which will be the interview and judging to be held in Malacañan Palace where the Top Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines will eventually be recognized and awarded.

“After ng search, I commit myself na patuloy na maglingkod sa bayan sa pamamagitan ng paglalaan ng panahon sa mga organisasyon na aking kinabibilangan. At bilang isang inhinyero sa hinaharap, itinataya ko ang aking propesyon para sa patuloy na pag-iingat at pagpapanatili sa likas-yaman ng bansa lalo’t higit ng Bataan,” Layug stated.