CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — Cebuanos took the spotlight during the 2024 national search for Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts (TOBS) of the Philippines.
Cebu hosted for the ‘first time’ the national search of 2024 TOBS of the Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP), which has been running for 34 years now.
TOBS is an annual search of the BSP for exceptional scouts who exemplify leadership, excellence, and moral integrity which was founded by former education secretary and BSP national president Dr. Isidro D. Cariño in 1989.
The search underwent a screening process conducted in Cebu City that involved technical evaluation, skills set, and a final interview that yielded at least 26 national finalists for the TOBS 2024.
Out of the 26, it will be streamed down to top 10 outstanding scouts from across the country.
In his message, TOBS 2024 Search Committee Chairperson Jose Mari G. Pelaez highlighted the significance of the platform in empowering young people to become responsible citizens and become effective community servants.
“Since its inception in 1989, the search for Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines has served as a vital platform for young people to highlight their potential, refine their skills, and become proactive community members,” Pelaez said.
While the platform is for nationwide youth development and empowerment, Pelaez also underscored its importance to measure the success of the BSP in forming outstanding people through scouting.
Through the annual national search, the BSP empowers the scouts to exercise and showcase their community involvement through their advocacies.
Community Service: Cebuano Honoree for Cebuano Awardee
Apart from recognizing the top 10 outstanding scouts, the BSP development arm, TOBS Philippine Association (TOBSPA), also recognizes exemplary performance in community service called ‘TOBSPA Award for Community Service.’
Every year, the community service award is named in honor of an individual who created a lasting impact in their community through their values and spirit of scouting.
For 2024, the award is in honor of a Cebuano, Juanito Ibañez King, founder of the Juanito I. King Foundation.
Although the community service award may not necessarily be one of the TOBS winners, the ‘2024 TOBS Philippine Association Award for Community Service’ has been awarded also to a Cebuano Scout, Sct. Julianne Philippe Signe from the Cebu Council of Eastern Visayas Region.
Signe initiated his project, the ‘Project Tulay: A program Bridging the Special Needs Education Graduates to the Work Field,’ which is an inclusivity program that aims to bridge the gap between the students in special needs education and the mainstream workforce.
He shared that the birth of his project was inspired by the words of his friend with special needs: “I really don’t want to be special anymore.”
“Ever since, I decided to advocate for these special education learners because I want them to be given the same opportunity that we are given as well,” said Signe.
He also learned that individuals enrolled in the special needs department of schools had to graduate when they reach 25 years of age to allow new students to enroll in the department.
Signe discovered that most have nowhere to go after graduation.
He started his project with the aim of making his community more inclusive for people with special needs.
“We have (those) working as ice cream shop vendors… working at a laundry shop, that really warms my heart because we were able to help out the minority,” said Signe.
“Everyone has their own story, be it big or small, and those stories of yours are very outstanding in their own ways… whether you’re scouts, whether you’re not, each of us is going through different problems and it’s our ability to overcome those problems, those challenges which make us outstanding,” he added.
Signe is also the recipient of the ‘Best in Character as a Scout and Youth Leader’ award.
“This ceremony reflects the exceptional achievements of these young scouts who have embodied the highest ideals of scouting: the leadership, service and integrity,” said BSP Cebu Council chairperson Noel F. Alicaya.
The other Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts awardees are: Chrisha Belle D. Janas from Aklan Council, Leander Kyle B. Katigbak from Lipa City Council, Jarvis Andre D. Balancio from Bulacan Council, Laurence Kier M. Viray from Dagupan City Council, Jhoanne Phoebe D. Paje from San Pablo City Council, Myko Jedd D. Del Valle from Camarines Sur Council, Resa Jem E, Abiog from Bulacan Council, Sean Jaben Aga E. Viloria from Tagum City Council, JJ Titus R. Aguilar from Tagum City Council. (JJT/PIA-7)
