2013-02-25
Out of more than 600 high school orators nationwide, 12 young voices and bright minds made it to the final face-off of the 3rd Voice of the Youth National Oratorical Competition (VOTY) on February 26, 2013 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium,RCBC Plaza in Makati City.
3rd Voice of the Youth National Champion Alexis Paula V. Montante (front, center) stands proud with fellow outstanding young orators Kaerea C. Conanan (1st runner-up, front row, third from left) and 2nd Runner-up Renee Marsha R. Babao (2nd runner-up, front row, second from right). Also in the photo are their respective coaches and the esteemed panel of judges of the 3rd VOTY.
The 12 finalists spoke up on one of the most relevant issues today when they delivered their orations with the theme Your Choice, My Future: Selecting Responsible Leaders for a Better Nation to a distinguished panel of judges composed of Undersecretary Leon G. Flores III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Youth Commission (NYC); Dr. Yolanda S. Quijano, former Undersecretary for Programs and Projects of the Department of Education (DepEd); Mr. Atom P. Araullo, broadcast journalist; Professor Giovanna V. Fontanilla, Director of Public Affairs, University of Santo Tomas; and Mr. Orlando S. Agawin, BPO Training Manager Excellence Awardee.
The championship title was bagged by Alexis Paula V. Montante of Canossa Academy in Lipa City with the guidance of her coach, Jasmin P. Biscocho. As National Champion, Alexis Paula brought home PhP100,000 in cash and PhP800,000 worth of computer laboratory package for her school.
Meanwhile, Kaera C. Conanan from St. Paul College in Pasig City finished just a notch away and won 1st runner-up with the guidance of her coach, Ana Maria U. Hernandez . Kaera received PhP50,000 in cash and PhP400,000 worth of speech laboratory equipment for her school.
Completing the list of victors is Renee Marsha R. Babao of Immaculate Heart of Mary Learning Center and School of Values in Batangas City who placed 2nd runner-up with the guidance of her coach, Ina Celo Ivane B. Gonda. Renee Marsha went home with PhP25,000 in cash and PhP200,000 worth of audio-visual equipment for her school.
The coaches of the winning students also received prizes worth PhP30,000 (Champion), PhP15,000 (1st Runner-up), and PhP10,000 (2nd Runner-up) respectively.
The Voice of the Youth is an annual oratorical competition spearheaded by the Department of Education, National Youth Commission, and STI Foundation together with the STI network of schools which aims to provide a venue for high school students to represent the voice of the Filipino youth and inspire them to motivate, influence, and inform others through public speaking.
