MANGARAP, MANIWALA, AT MAGTIWALA. This is the heartfelt message of the Lingayen bet in the recently concluded Gawad Parangal para sa Pinakanatatanging Mag-aaral ng Pangasinan State University (PSU), Danny Boy Francis G. Flores, to all PSUnians who are like him before— afraid to dream big.
“Sa aking kapwa mag-aaral, huwag niyong susukuan at ipagdamot sa sarili ang karapatang mangarap, maniwala at magtiwala,” said by the Binalonan-blooded awardee.
Flores, the sixth Lingayen Campus representative to the prestigious recognition, said that he is not expecting to receive such award, given that his only dream for himself and for his family is to graduate and provide upkeeps in return to the sacrifices of his mother who solely raised him for years.
“Maraming salamat sa bawat sakripisyo mo [mother] maitawid lang ang yugto ng buhay kong ito sa kolehiyo. Sa huli hindi kita binigo, may anak na kayong Bachelor degree holder,” he expressively uttered.
Warm and high emotions were transpired to the audiences at the Don Telesforo N. Boquiren Convention Hall especially at the moment when the awardee shed tears while sharing his struggles for four years— from being a student on weekdays to being a part-time caterer on weekends.
The 22-year-old Flores also said that these life scuffles serve as his strength in reaching his dream in life, “subalit sa lahat ng hamon na aking nalagpasan, hindi maaring sa huli ay wala akong aral na natutunan at dunong na niyakap.”
KONTISERONG KUSINERO
Flores, a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management graduate is a champion to various national and regional cooking competitions like COHREP National Skills Competition and Uong-Balat Festival.
In his video entitled “Kontiserong Kusinero” which was presented before awarding him as Gawad Parangal Awardee second placer, he said, “magmula unang taon sa kolehiyo, sinabak ko agad ang mundo ng kompetisyon.”
He cited that these competitions give him boost and courage to start dreaming bigger.
“Ginawa kong puhunan ang pakikipagcontest ko sa campus para makaabot sa regional hanggang national level,” he added.
Moreover, the awardee who is also a part of the Supreme Student Council (SSC), the foremost student organization in the campus, is very active to social and community-driven advocacy as to being a student-leader in the campus.
In his four years, he also showed an excellent performance in his academics being one of the topnotched students of Hospitality Management program.
PROUD MENTORS
Aside from his parents, Flores also acknowledged his mentors in the College of Hospitality Management (CHM) for bringing out the best in him.
“Sa aking mga guro sa Kolehiyo ng Pamamahala ng Mabuting Pakikitungo, maraming-maraming salamat po sa paghubog sa aking totalidad na potensyal,” he said.
In addition, the College of Hospitality Management took pride in producing two golden lion awardees after Hon. Je-ann de Vera, Student Regent and President of SSC, bagged the Gawad Parangal sa Pamumuno (Leadership Award).
Dr. Rricky Tim S. Sison, Associate College Dean, shared the pride and honor to all CHM students in making Hospitality Management as one of the sought-after programs in the campus because of the recognitions they bring.
“We are very proud that we produced high-caliber students for this year. This is just a testament that the college is very committed in providing relevant experience through instruction,” Dr. Sison said.
He added that this feather in the cap will add confidence to other students, not just to HM program, to always be driven by stronger motivation—struggles or even successes, in order to reach a vision. Flores also thanked the University President, Dr. Dexter R. Buted and Campus Executive Director, Dr. Lorna G. Urbiztondo, for the support given to the students to be the ‘natatanging mag-aaral’ on their own version. /mmpd