To honor outstanding college seniors who exemplify the ideals of learning, leading and serving for life, the RFM Foundation, National Bookstore and the Rotary Club Makati Central in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education recently concluded phase one of an annual Search for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) by releasing the shortlist of finalists.

Now in its 35th year, the 30 finalists will vie for the final 10 slots after undergoing a formation session and an interview by a distinguished board or judges on the week leading to the awarding at the Malacañang Palace on July 14. President Arroyo will lead the awarding.

The annual search was initiated by civic leader and industrialist Jose Concepcion in 1961. Every year since then, young students with outstanding scholastic and extracurricular record are nominated by their respective schools. Finalists are selected from various disciplines in the pure sciences and social sciences.

The finalists are: Abellanosa, Frances Louie C., from the Cebu Institute of Technology; Abriam, Christopher Joseph, from Saint Mary’s University- Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; Aceña, Raymund V., from Notre Dame of Marbel University-Koronadal City, South Cotabato; Alpon, Ma. Kristin, from the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos-Bacolod City; Bandoy, DJ Darwin, from the University of the Philippines — Los Baños, Laguna; Bicera, Genesis from Saint Mary’s University- Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya;

Carpio, Gian Carlo A. from the University of the Philippines — Manila; Catedral, Richard J., from the Western Visayas College of Science & Technology – Iloilo City; Centeno, Karina Kellda M., from the Ateneo de Manila University-Quezon City; Chua, Sheryll S., from the University of San Carlos-Cebu City Cosmod, Dennis G., from Samar State University-Catbalogan, Western Samar; Cristobal, Mary Joie O., from the University of La Salette — Santiago City, Isabela; Dayao, Jerome M., from Wesleyan University – Philippines- Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; Defante, Allan Jane, from the Central Philippine University-Iloilo City; Fabros, Jennifer C., from Far Eastern University (Manila); Germino, Sandy P., from Notre Dame of Marbel University- Koronadal City, South Cotabato;

Inong, Philip Albert Francis V., from the Maritime Academy of Asian and the Pacific- Mariveles, Bataan; Jimenez, Fritzie Anne S. from Concordia College- Manila; Kierulf, Phonexiematte, from the University of Baguio, Baguio City; Kwan, Micaella Ruth P., from San Pedro College Davao City; Lim, Brian T., from the University of Saint La Salle.- Bacolod City; Mamaclay, Arnold R., from the University of La Salette- Santiago City, Isabela; Palacios, Michael Vincent A., from West Visayas State University- Iloilo City; Sales, Erika M., from Miriam College Foundation — Quezon City;

Sanchez, Alma Sonia Quiero, from Leyte Normal UniversityTacloban City; Sumaya, Nanette Hope N., from the University of Southern Mindanao-Kabacan, North Cotabato; Toh, Cindy Stephanie C., from De La Salle University-Manila; Uy, Michael Vincent R., from the University of Sto. Tomas-Manila; Valencia, Maureen Emerald H., from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City; Villegas, Prince Cassidy R., from Mindanao Polytechnic State College-Cagayan de Oro City.

Together with Columbia International, Anak TV will host for all interested public school teachers and their families and pupils the 3 p.m. matinee of the Unpublished Dances Of The Philippines (Series 5) of newly proclaimed National Artist for Dance, Ramon Obusan at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on July 9

The program will allow audiences to understand Philippine ritual roots and witness indigenous practices from the Ilocos, Cordillera, Muslim and Ivatan communities. Dance and PE teachers will benefit greatly from this experience. With this unique program, Columbia’s and Anak TV not only pay tribute to Obusan, the national artist but also to the unsung heroes of education, the teachers.

Tickets courtesy of Columbia’s are available to bona fide public school teachers if they will call early to reserve (as long as tickets last) with Ms. Aida Pasion at office number 242 1929 and mobile number 0918 9303898.

To help school heads become more effective team leaders and mentors, Ahead Professional Network (AHEADPro) has organized the first ever "Leadership Strategies for School Managers" (LESSM) seminar-workshop, which will be held on July 7 and 8, at the La Salle Green Hills Lecture Hall in Mandaluyong City. This two-day seminar will cover topics such as school management, supervision, and school leadership.

LESSM includes 7 power-packed sessions by seasoned academicians, Mrs. Lilia Vengco (former principal of La Salle Green Hills; and PAASCU chair); Dr. Leticia Penaano-Ho (President of the Philippine Association of the Gifted and former Dean of the U.P. College of Education); and Dr. Cornelia Soto (veteran teacher trainer, former Assistant Headmaster of the Ateneo de Manila Grade School, and former PAASCU chair).

Call Saireen Jardiolin at 426-0036 or 0917-8911187, e-mail info@aheadph.com, or visit www.aheadphcom.

Individuals with a passion for the culinary arts or wish to pursue a career in the food service industry are enjoined to enroll in the Associate Degree in Culinary Arts (ADICA) offered by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management (SHRIM).

Enrollees must be at least high school graduates, who wish to learn everything about cooking, kitchen structure and administration to menu planning and costing.

Offered in consortium with the Center for Asian Culinary Studies, the ADICA program can be finished in 12 to 15 months. Enrollment is ongoing for the July term. For details, call 400-7407 or e-mail shrim@dls-csb.edu.ph.

Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) in Las Piñas City has received another six-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the highest level of accreditation granted for Basic Education. WASC is a regional accrediting association based in the United States that affirms the institutional quality of public and private schools in California, Hawaii, and the Pacific Rim countries.

The Accrediting Commission based its decision on the report of a Visiting Committee, comprised of leading educators, who visited SISC’s Luxembourg, Elizalde, and Munich campuses and observed classroom learning, and interviewed teachers, students and parents.

The Center for Human Research and Development Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the Association of Booksellers for the Academe and the Professions will hold a national seminar-workshop on "Teaching Techniques for Social Studies and Social Sciences’’ on July 10-11, at the Philippine Business for Social Progress Building, Real corner Magallanes Sts., Intramuros, Manila.

Resource speaker of the two-day seminar/workshop is Richard Field, history tutor and researcher on 16th Century Philippine History and author of a book on "Making the Teaching and Learning of History Interesting for Everyone.’’

Field studied Social Sciences and the world-famous London School of Economics where he obtained his bachelors and masters degrees. He has taught Social Studies, History, Economics and Geography at schools in the United Kingdom and Australia. For inquiries, call 9279858.