Originally published in GMA News Online July 22, 2016

Outstanding students from various universities were recognized by GMA Network for their leadership, academic excellence, and social responsibility during the 15th Excellence Awards on Friday.

The top GMA Network Excellence Award was presented to Ronalyn Pordan from the Far Eastern University. She received P50,000 and a plaque.  Five other finalists received P5,000 and a plaque each: Jennifer Corazon De Leon Cabildo from the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), Viktoria Jillian Santos from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Ma. Sarah Perez from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Pauline Jane Celerio from UPD.

Present during the awarding ceremony were panelists Dingdong Dantes, Benjamin Alves, and Nessa Valdellon. The students vowed to use the recognition to continue their advocacies, which range from entertainment values to women’s and children’s rights.

“Gagmitin ko itong recognition na to para makapag-inspire pa ng mga studyante na meron po kaming magagawa sa lipunan, hindi lang basta mga studyante, kung hindi mga leaders sa bawat komunidad namin,” Pordan said.

Pordan said she will take up law in FEU to protect women’s rights. She will also work with her organization, the Marikit Movement.

Finalist Vryxon Val Del Valle, of the First Asia Institute of Technology in Humanities (FAITH), said “We’re very humbled for the opportunity to represent our courses, our universities.”

Now on its 15th year, the GMA Network Excellence Award recognizes graduating students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, stellar academic performance, and proactive social responsibility.

GMA Network has so far conferred the Excellence Award to 40 students, including Pordan.

The 2016 Excellence Award was open to all bona fide Filipino graduating student for the school year 2015-2016 in mass communication, multimedia arts, advertising, electronics communication engineering or any equivalent course. The aspirant must be graduating with honors and active in socio-civic activities. — VVP, GMA News