BSP names 10 Outstanding Scouts
The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) announced on October 25, the winners of this year’s Search for the Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines (TOBS). The winners were selected from the 26 regional finalists, coming from the 2.8 million member Scouts, who hurdled the unit, council then regional level selection before they reached the finals to meet the panel of interviewees for the last leg of the competition – the interview.
The winner will receive a two-year college scholarship, cash prize and tokens, and the chance to be selected as the country’s representative in the 8th Asia-Pacific Regional Award for Outstanding Scouts in 2021.
The nationwide search begins in July and culminates in the awarding ceremony held in October as one of the highlights of the Scouting Month. The competition is for Senior Scouts (aged from 15 to 17 years old), who are Filipino citizens, currently registered member of the BSP, of Venturer or Eagle Scout Rank and has not reached the age of 18 at the time of the nomination at the Local Council Level.
The search aims to recognise Scouts who worked hard to progress in the advancement ladder, who live up to the ideals of Scouting and who best epitomise sterling qualities in school and community leadership, academic excellence and good moral conduct. It also provides an avenue for improving the image of the BSP as an effective tool for character development and citizenship training.
Part of criteria for the selection of winners are community service, which refers to leadership or membership involvement in school-related or community activities; character development and bearing; academic standing; and interview which includes communication skills and personality.
“This year’s batch of finalists is probably one of the best since the search started in 1989 (30 years anniversary). Our judges had difficulty naming the winners because they were all good in the interview and the documents they have submitted were too good to be ignored. However, there should only be 10 winners and we believe we have chosen the best candidates,” BSP Chief National Commissioner Cedric G. Train said, also the chairman of the TOBS National Selection Committee.
The winners, three of whom are girls, were announced in a ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Centre in Manila.
The awardees are Venturer Scout Carl Andre F. Santiago, Tarlac Council; Eagle Scout Jason James Isada, Negros Occidental Council; Eagle Scout Dave Joshua C. Dy, Tacloban City Council; Eagle Scout Rasheed Jared D. Royo, Capiz Council; Eagle Scout Celeste G. Cananua, Batangas City Council; Eagle Scout Jaya Mae R. Sarte, Cotabato Council; Venturer Scout Via Marie D. De Vera, Baguio City Council; Eagle Scout Vince Dylan G. Visey, San Pablo City Council; Eagle Scout Renibon P. Galvez, Zamboanga City Council; and Venturer Scout Ghio A. Gatlabayan, Antipolo City Council.
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with reports from Public Relations and Communications Office, Boy Scouts of the Philippines
