Filipino Centre Toronto Now Accepting Candidates for its 2023 Outstanding Students Awards

Purposefully committed to challenging and encouraging Filipino Canadian students in Ontario to achieve student success and excel in school performance, the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) is now accepting candidates for its annual competition for the “2023 FCT- RCJ Outstanding Students Awards.” This year’s FCT Outstanding Students Awards event started in 2005, is an annual program of selecting and recognizing outstanding and exemplary elementary, high school, and post-secondary graduates from Public, Catholic, and other government-supported educational institutions in Ontario. To date, FCT has honored 146 elementary, high school, and post-secondary outstanding Filipino-Canadian graduates in the province.

Through its Outstanding Students Awards Committee (OSA), the Centre will present awards to chosen outstanding student graduates who have completed their elementary or high school or post-secondary studies(baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral). The selection criteria for top elementary and high school graduates include scholastic achievement/academic marks – 50%, community involvement-15%, extra-curricular activities – 15%, and interview performance – 20%.

All applicants, who have been screened and approved by the Outstanding Student Awards Committee, will be recognized and honored appropriately in a ceremony. Monetary awards, trophies, plaques, and certificates will be presented to the winners of each category. The Awards Rites will take place tentatively on November 26, 2023 (Sunday) at 2:00 p.m. at the FCT Social Hall, Toronto.

The overall requirements for the 2018 FCT Outstanding Student Award Competition are as follows:

A. General Requirements for All Categories:
Any applicant or candidate for an FCT Award must be a

1. Natural-born Filipino or of Filipino descent (either parent is Filipino);
2. a Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada;
3. Of good moral and exemplary character, i.e. has no pending charge involving sexual or child abuse or criminal case.

B. Specific Requirements for Elementary and High School Graduates.
To qualify:

1. The applicant should be currently registered in the elementary or secondary school in Ontario, under one of the following categories: The elementary school applicant should have completed the last year of elementary school and be going into high school (Grade 9); The high school applicant should be accepted and going into university or community college or apprenticeship program.
2. The student should have a minimum academic average of 85% (or equivalent) during the last two (2) school years and must be involved in extra-curricular and community activities.
3. The applicant must submit the following documents: For the elementary school graduate – Original copies of final report cards for the last two years. For the high school graduate – A current and original transcript bearing the school’s official seal. Also, two (2) original letters of character reference (one from the school, excluding immediate family); two (2) passport-size photos, and A completed FCT application form.

C. Qualification Requirements for Post-Secondary Honour Candidates:

1.  For Undergraduate or Baccalaureate Degree candidates: Must have achieved Academic Honours, with Notation printed in the candidate’s degree diploma, such as any of the following: “Summa Cum Laude” or “Magna Cum Laude” or “Cum Laude” or “With Highest Distinction” (GPA 3.8 or higher) or “With Distinction” (3.5 to 3.79); or university/ college equivalent academic honours distinctive awards.
2. For Graduate Masteral or Doctoral Degree candidates: Must have achieved Graduate Average Grade of Letter Grades of A+, A, A- only; or Numerical Marks of 90-100%, 85-89%, 80 -84% only; or High Pass-Clear Excellence or acceptable equivalent marking scale.
3. Documents (Photocopies only) to be submitted: a) Undergraduate program: Bachelor’s Diploma with Academic Honours Notation; b) Graduate program: Transcript of Academic Record and Thesis or Dissertation Paper, and
4. Passport-size Photo; 5) Completed FCT Application Form. Academic awards received must not be more than 5 years old, from the date of application.

The members of the FCT Outstanding Students Awards Committee (OSA) include notable Filipino-Canadian professionals and educators. OSA is composed of Tony A. San Juan, as Chairman and the members are Jodelyn Huang, Steve Pagao, Nitz Redjik, Mary Ann San Juan, Fermer Santos, and Garry Tanuan.

Application forms for the FCT’s Outstanding Students Awards are now available via Filipinocentreinfo@gmail.com, The deadline for submission of completed forms and documents is November 3, 2023(Friday). Personal interviews for elementary and secondary candidates will begin on November 11, 2018(Saturday). Completed forms and requirements are to be submitted by hand or mailed to: The Filipino Centre Toronto, RCJ OSA Committee, c/o Tony A. San Juan, Chairman, 4395 Sheppard Ave. East, Toronto, ON M1S 1T9 or call: 416-335-0485. — Tony A. San Juan, OCT.