ILOILO CITY — Twenty‑four of Iloilo's most accomplished students were honored at the 17th The Outstanding Students of Iloilo Awards on May 30, 2026, at Robinsons Place Pavia. The recognition went beyond grades, celebrating their commitment to community service, leadership, faith, and advocacy. JCI Regatta and its partners organized the event, which drew more than 100 applicants from across the province.
JCI Regatta President Steve Navigar Jr. said the winners emerged from a highly competitive field. Candidates underwent rigorous screening of their accomplishments, interviews, and essay writing. The judging panel evaluated nominees on four pillars: academics, leadership, social responsibility, and faith. Because of the exceptional quality of applicants, organizers increased the number of awardees from the traditional 20 to 24 this year.
A Circle of Five and a Hall of Fame Award
Among the standout honorees was Elaisha L. Pomida of Central Philippine University, who graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She garnered five special awards—TOSIA Writer, TOSIA Speaker, TOSIA Worker, TOSIA Leader, and the TOSIA Hall of Fame Award. Pomida was also named among the prestigious TOSIA Circle of Five, reserved for the highest‑performing awardees.
All 24 recipients received medals, with special recognitions conferred for leadership, community work, scholarship, advocacy, and artistry. The keynote speaker was Atty. Erika May I. Draper, a distinguished Shari'ah lawyer and former TOSIA awardee herself. The awards were held in partnership with the Department of Education's Schools Divisions of Iloilo Province, Iloilo City, and Passi City.
A Platform That Empowers Young Leaders
Navigar said TOSIA has evolved from a simple recognition program into a platform that empowers young people to champion causes and advocate for positive change. "Despite of everything that is happening sa aton nga community, there's hope, especially sa sining mga kabataan," he said. The awardees represented a broad cross‑section of schools, from Philippine Science High School to St. Paul University Iloilo.
The event, dubbed "Salute to Excellence," underscored Iloilo's commitment to nurturing well‑rounded youth. The awardees' achievements in academics, community work, and faith‑based activities serve as inspiration for their peers and a reminder that excellence extends far beyond the classroom. The 17th TOSIA awards reaffirmed that Iloilo's future is in capable hands.
