Seventeen of some of the smartest Grade 6 to 12 students in Cebu Province took the stage to speak their minds on how the ideals of a local hero live on in modern-day Filipinos.
The island-wide extemporaneous speech contest was organized in celebration of the 162nd birthday of General Arcadio Maxilom from whom one of Cebu City’s major streets borrowed its name.
Maxilom led Cebu's anti-Spanish revolution to victory.
The eventual winner of the extemporaneous contest, Frederick Wilhelm Kesner of Cebu City National Science High School, was asked what policies he would implement - should he become a leader in government - that would align with Maxilom’s aspirations for his people.
Kesner, a Grade 11 student, said he will pay particular attention to special education to make the education sector more inclusive.
“By doing this, I would ensure that everybody is tended to in the educational landscape - where they’re from or who they are or what their background is, it wouldn’t matter because I believe in equality and equity,” he said.
He would also pay attention to mental health to help people navigate through the complexities of the modern world while ensuring that health care facilities are equipped with the latest technology.
He would also implement policies that would encourage people to appreciate the sacrifices of their heroes.
“By implementing these three policies, I can ensure that the society, the future society of the Filipino youth… I can ensure that everybody is tended to, everybody is taken care of, and that we would not forget our heroes. We would preserve their values in a way that nobody has before… I leave you with a quote: The faces of our past are the faces of our future and today.”
Second place winner Precious Zoe Bulias Tan of Toledo City Science High School secured her spot by saying compassion and patriotism, two traits of Maxilom, are what local officials must emulate.
“Compassion gave him the heart to listen and identify a problem within our people, and patriotism gave him the courage in order to find ways and let ourselves take control of our own lives,” Tan, also a Grade 11 student, said.
She said local leaders have exemplified these qualities by making sure the their constituencies, particularly the marginalized, are provided for and listened to.
“General Maxilom and our local government officials have shown us that victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay the pay the prize. And the prize for freedom and victory is eternal vigilance mixed with compassion and patriotism,” Tan said.
Hanamae Arrogancia, another Grade 11 student, this time from St. Theresa’s College of Cebu, picked the late Philippine Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago as someone she believes has exemplified selfless service like Maxilom.
“Arguably one of the best senators we ever had and, arguably, one of the best presidents we never had… even when she was dying of cancer, she was still willing to run for president, she was still willing to die for our country,” Arrogancia said.
“Seeing her run for president… at eight years old, I found a sense of self. I looked at her and said, that’s who I want to be,” she added.
She said she saw in Santiago the same passion, courage, and patriotism Maxilom showed when he fought for Cebu and the Philippines.
“The fact that General Arcadio was willing to be persecuted, willing to be prosecuted in the name of the Philippines is such a noble thing to do and I see that exact same thing in Miriam Defensor Santiago… they have inspired young people, they have inspired people like me… to create change,” she said.
Two others were awarded consolation prizes: Chloe G. Lotivio of Cebu City National Science High School and Carl Zachary Llesol of Argao National High School who also emerged as the netizens’ choice.
The speech contest was organized by Palm Grass The Cebu Heritage Hotel with support from the Department of Education (DepEd).
The following also made it to the finals:
- Alfonzo Gian Monton, Don Bosco Technical College - Cebu, Inc.
- Jasmine Claire Jocson, Luray II National High School
- Angel Kate Dovibar, Bato National High School
- Mark Gabriel Ong, Abellana National High School
- Ghabriel Jane Sotelleza, Mabolo Elementary School
- Xian Yap, Tejero Elementary School
- Azaiah Guthrae Deligero, Sangi Elementary School
- Vonn Khasmir Anito, Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School
- Brescias Avila, Luray II National High School
- Quer Baroman, Tejero National High School
- Areld Abanto, Don Andres Soriano National High School
- Kharim Therese Tan, Toledo City Science High School
