Northwesternians bagged awards in the LiNKS 2021
The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office (INYDO) and the Sanguniang Kabataan (SK) Federated of Ilocos Norte held a virtual awarding ceremony for the Lingo ng Kabataang Sirib (LiNKS) 2021 and the Sirib Awards 2021 on October 18, 2021. Northwestern University won awards in a variety of contests.
The program began with a prayer and was followed by welcome remarks from Hon. Rafael Salvador Chua-Medina, President of the SK Federated of Ilocos Norte. He emphasized the province’s agricultural importance and urged the youth to work together to eradicate the COVID-19 virus and put an end to the pandemic. He also assured the youth that the PGIN would assist them throughout their education despite the pandemic.
A glimpse of video clips featuring the Junior Officials 2021 was included, followed by inspirational messages imparted by Gov. Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc and Vice Gov. Cecillia Araneta-Marcos. Gov. Manotoc extended his warm greetings to the Sirib awardees, junior officials, and young volunteers. “Please continue to be active and helpful in your communities and we will continue to support you,” he assured.
Vice Gov. Araneta-Marcos also expressed her gratitude to the young volunteers and the INYDO. “I was so proud to see that they were able to mobilize a lot of the agtutubo in our province to help out our community,” she said.
After the inspirational messages, the most awaited awarding ceremony took place. Northwestern University (NWU) bagged awards in different contests: LiNKS Debate Cup Honorary Mention; The Review, Sirib Awards (National Group Awardee), ICON Campus Press Awards 2020 3rd place; and Stanlee Jay D. Arquero and Jessie G. Felipe Jr., ICON Campus Press Awards (National Individual Awardees) Champions with the supervision of Prof. Joan Jesusa B. Velasco. Aside from these, JC Finale Siazon, a Juris Doctor student from the NWU College of Law, was also awarded a Sirib Award for being the Most Outstanding COVID-19 Volunteer by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA).
Mark Moneda, the winner of the QCShort shorts competition during the QCinema International Film Festival 2020, delivered his message, “Never stop doing what you love, big or small, work hard for it. Never stop dreaming; chase that dream, and do not let anyone take that away from you. Do not just dream for yourself; dream for your family, for your community, and your country.”
In conclusion, JC Finale Siazon, gave his closing remarks, “This is just the beginning of being a Sirib. Your recognition could be your platform to open your eyes, especially to some issues that need to address. Because in every problem, there is a solution. Our society needs your help. Being excellent in some field could also mean that you can be great in serving our community.”
