In 1996, I began a tradition of recognizing the best among students in public elementary and high schools in Las Piñas and Muntinlupa.

Since then, the Manny Villar Excellence Award has been given annually to the valedictorian of each graduating class—both to honor academic achievement and to encourage Filipino students to pursue excellence.

In 2001, we expanded this initiative into a nationwide search for outstanding graduates of public high schools, as well as state colleges and universities.

We often describe the youth as “the future of the country,” a phrase so frequently repeated that it risks becoming hollow. Yet, its significance is not diminished by its truism. Each time we confer the Villar Excellence Award on an outstanding student, we quietly affirm that the next generation is capable, prepared, and willing to rise.

One such young Filipino is Andrew James Gasingan, a graduate of Holy Child Catholic School (HCCS), my alma mater. Andrew completed his academic journey with Highest Honors, earning him this year’s Manny Villar Excellence Award.

Achievements like these are often reduced to certificates and medals. In reality, they are built on something far more enduring: discipline, curiosity, and the quiet courage to persevere when it would be easier to give up. In honoring Andrew and others like him—young people who embody hard work and perseverance—we are not merely applauding individual success; we are witnessing the transformative power of education.

My own life experiences have led me to an unshakable belief: education, at its best, is not merely about instruction or compliance. It is about awakening. It sharpens one’s sense of responsibility, deepens one’s understanding of the world, and equips individuals not only to succeed, but to contribute meaningfully to society.

In institutions like HCCS, where I spent my formative years until graduating in 1962, education is grounded not only in academic rigor but also in values—faith, service, and a commitment to something greater than oneself.

HCCS, a parochial school in Tondo, has provided quality Catholic education since 1945. While it serves as an arm of the Church, its philosophy of education goes beyond religious instruction. It calls for responsiveness to the needs of the poor and underprivileged, the fostering of nationalism, the preservation of Filipino cultural heritage, and the building of a society rooted in justice, peace, and respect. Ultimately, education is not measured solely by what one knows, but by what one chooses to do with that knowledge.

Our nation’s history has long been shaped by the resilience and idealism of its youth. From classrooms to communities, from student councils to social movements, from resisting colonial rule to building a nation, young Filipinos have continually found ways to engage with the challenges of their time. But resilience alone is not enough. What we must cultivate is informed, educated resilience—the kind that not only endures, but questions, innovates, and leads.

This is why stories like Andrew’s matter.

They remind us that excellence remains attainable, that diligence is still rewarded, and that education continues to be one of the most powerful tools for social transformation.

In an age increasingly drawn to shortcuts and instant gratification, the discipline required to achieve highest honors stands as a quiet but firm rebuttal: meaningful success still demands “sipag at tiyaga.” More importantly, it shows that young people are not passively waiting for the future—they are actively preparing to shape it.

Easter invites us to reflect, to renew, and to believe again in possibilities that often feel distant amid the noise of daily life. It reminds us that renewal is not abstract; it is lived, embodied, and, most importantly, passed on.

In this spirit of renewal—and at a time when both our nation and the world face crisis after crisis—we must confront difficult but necessary questions: What kind of country are we preparing for our youth? And just as importantly, what kind of Filipinos are we preparing for our country?

The answers lie in the choices we make today: how we support our schools, how we mentor the young, and how we recognize not only achievement, but character.

For every Andrew Gasingan who rises to distinction, there are many others with the same potential, waiting for opportunity. Sadly, not all will receive the support and encouragement they need. To truly believe in the youth, then, is not a passive sentiment—it is an active commitment.

Saying “the youth is our future” is not enough. It must go beyond congratulatory messages and empty rhetoric. It requires investment—through schools that challenge, communities that nurture, and a culture that values both excellence and integrity.

For comments, please send email to: [email protected] and/ or mannyvillar.com.