In the awarding of the new batch of excellent students in Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati recently, Turner Entertainment Networks Asia, Inc. (TENA) senior vice president and general manager Ian Diamond explains that CNAE is meant for full-pledged Filipino students with ages 10 to 16 years old from private and public elementary and high schools in Metro Manila who have manifested excellence in fields other than academics. "The nominees should come from recognized individuals and bodies," he says. The categories in CNAE include the Award of Excellence in Leadership that is given to young people who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities that have driven their organizations to achieve and exceed their goals, the Award of Excellence in the Arts that acknowledges young people’s outstanding work in the arts through media or performance and the Award of Excellence in Sports that is given to athletes with exceptional ability and who have demonstrated good sportsmanship and promotion of their sports activities in their communities.

"I am, once again, overwhelmed by the astounding quality of the nominations submitted to the CNAE this year," Diamond enthuses. "All the entries received have demonstrated true excellence and the winners have shown us the enormous potential Filipino kids possess in going beyond their realm of abilities, extending themselves and going that extra mile to nurture their talents and we are proud to recognize them."

Since the awards program is in close coordination with the Department of Education, DepEd-NCR director Dr. Teresita Domalanta also acknowledged the significant contribution of the awardees to their local communities. "This awards program truly exemplifies the dynamic scheme of recognizing the outstanding work and accomplishments manifested by the youth in the various aspects of school and community living," she says. "May this awards program inspire other young Filipinos to strive for excellence in their lives."

To judge the finalists in each respective category, CNAE have chosen Executive director and co-founder of Pathways to Higher Education Harvey Keh and Museo Pambata Foundation Inc., President and CEO Dr. Nina Lim Yuson in the Leadership Category, multi-awarded children’s literature fictionist, essayist, and storyteller Dr. Luis Gatmaitan and Far East Broadcasting Company and 702 DZAS station manager, Pastor Eric Maliwat in the Arts Category, basketball player Vince Hizon and Philippine Sports Commission deputy executive director Cesar Pradas in the Sports Category.

Each of the awardees received a specially-designed trophy from Cartoon Network, individual on-air spots to be aired on the channel, R15,000.00 education scholarship, R5,000.00 cash prize for their respective schools, premium items from Cartoon Network and a brand new mobile phone.

Awards of Excellence in Leadership

REAL LIFE SUPER LEADER

Like her favorite Cartoon Network cartoon character Blossom, 15-year-old Nellie Margaret Chua is a "super leader" to her schoolmates in Chiang Kai Shek College.

Aside from being a consistent outstanding student and a recipient of 70 leadership, conduct, and academic awards both national and international, Nellie holds the vice presidency in her school’s Youth Choir and Math Society not to mention being the officer-in-charge of the Student Council and the Patrol Leader of the Girl Scouts.

Since a good leader is also a good follower, Nellie participates in various extra curricular activities to contribute something to her school and to her community. She is an active volunteer dedicated to servicing the community in maintaining peace and order while working with her fellow peers on developing interest in Mathematics. Aside from being a super leader, Nellie is also a bright mathematician and has represented the country in numerous international Mathematics competition held in different parts of the world.

On being a leader, Nellie says that leaders need not be afraid. "They just have to do what they like and what they think is best for everyone." As a student awardee, she shares: "I am very encouraged to continue what I’m doing and maybe someday, after I graduate, I could also convince more people to be good leaders as well."

WONDER WHIZ KID

"They just have to strive hard and have the courage to express of all their talents and show to the world they have," says 16-year-old Almeric Jay Lim when asked for an advice to his fellow youth.

Like Nellie, Almeric is also from Chiang Kai Shek College. A consistent honor student, a distinguished member of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and a math whiz kid, he is the son almost every parent would die to have as a son.

He has received numerous national and international awards for his contribution to the community as an active and dedicated Crew Leader. Being a whiz kid also took him to different places of the world like Australia, Malaysia, and USA and has garnered him various awards and medals in those competitions.

Inspired by the intelligence of Dexter, Almeric would want to pursue Medicine someday.

Awards of Excellence in Arts

"DON" OF ALL TRADES

"You don’t really need to be outgoing because when you make a mark, that mark is really indelible," says Don Michael De Leon of Makati Science High School when asked to describe his favorite Cartoon Network cartoon character Weazel.

Gifted in the Arts, Don is a singer, an actor, a guitarist, a percussionist, a xylophonist, and a scribe all rolled into one. His exceptional musical talents garnered him performing opportunities and awards in various national and international organizations like the International Thespian Society while his passion for literary arts made him a recipient of the Best Feature and Literary Page Award at the 2003 National Schools Press Conference.

At 16 years old, he was also able to publish his first anthology of Filipino literary works entitled, "Kuwerdas: Isang Pagkalabit sa Musika ng Buhay", which was nominated and selected as finalist for the Best Literary Publication for High School Level in 2002 Catholic Mass Media Awards.

Don says: "If you really love what you are doing, then you just have to go for it because that’s what I do."

MULTI-TALENTED VISUAL ARTIST

A talented visual artist from Ramon Magsaysay High School, 15-year-old Chiela Anne Maye Solis has been involved in many national and international projects and competitions.

"I love it [painting] because it leads me to another world," she says. Because of exceptional painting skills and active involvement in art competitions, she was able to garner awards and acknowledgments given by CMS Indira Nagar India, U.S. Congress, Foundation for Global Peace and Environment, Youth for Human Rights International and Shanker’s International Children’s Competition.

Chiela loves to share her talent with the community through participating in various community school projects like Barangay Wall painting. To top it all, she acts as an art instructor for the OTSAA-Manila project in the country.

Awards of Excellence in Sports

A-1 FIGURE SKATER

Performing on ice is what 10-year-old Katherine Louise Miller from Manresa School does best. The youngest among the awardees, she is ranked as a Freestyle Level 5 skater because of her artistic and technical figure skating skills.

Also because of her passion in her chosen sport, Katherine became a consistent gold and silver medalist at the SMI-ISI Skating Officials, at the 2005 ISI World Recreational Team Officials and of numerous national and international contests.

Besides her sports achievements, Katherine is also considered as an outstanding student of her school because she is an active participant of various school activities and competitions. For those kids who would want to get the same award that she has, Katherine says: "Just follow your heart and it will lead you there."

To further her figure skating career, the skater actively participates at the Milo Summerskate Program and is currently enrolled in the Freestyle Level VI training program.

BRILLIANT MIND

From Cornerstone Academy hails 11-year-old Marc Christian Nazario. This naturally gifted chess player is known for his exceptional abilities and keen determination to excel in the sports he loves: chess.

"I’m very happy that I won this award," he shares. At such a young age, Marc is named as a FIDE Candidate Master—one of only seven in the world by the World Chess Federation. He has also brought honor and glory to the country by reaping medals and awards both in the national and international level.

Under his belt are various recognitions from JCC Scholastic Chess, Coastside Scholastics Chess, Providian Scholastic Competitions, US National Junior Open and Global Chess Challenge. He is also a member of the National Chess Federation, United States Chess Federation, Philippine Association for the Gifted (PAG) and the prestigious Philippine Chess Artists.