Kenneth Isaiah I. Abante is
High School 2008 Class Valedictorian and Pillars Awardee
By: Honesto S. Bermudo III

He ranked 1st in academics when he was a Freshman. He did it again when he was a Sophomore. He retained it when he was a Junior. In his senior year, he embraced the top spot. No wonder, Kenneth Isaiah I. Abante will receive the Pillars Award, the first to be awarded to a graduating student since 1991, in the 63rd Commencement Exercises on Saturday, March 15, 2008.

The Pillars Award is conferred only to the graduating student who has consistently ranked first in academics in all fours years of study in the Ateneo de Naga high School.

Abante, the son of alumnus Joel Abante and the former Ofelia Ibasco, hails from Canaman, Camarines Sur. He is a debater, a writer, a singer and sometimes, a dancer. In summer 2007, he participated in the highly selective Ateneo de Manila Junior Summer Seminar (AJSS) where he received the Distinction in Physics Award.

Aside from the Pillars Award, Kenneth will also receive the First Honors Medal, the Departmental Awards for Religion, English, Science, Math, Social Studies, Filipino and Computer, the Outstanding Achievement Award for Debate, the Rev. Raul J. Bonoan Service Award, the Mercury Drug Corporation Award for Excellence in Math and Science, and the Mayoral Award for Academic Excellence.

Kim C. Araya, son of Pedro Araya and the former Dulce Calleja, and Carlo P. Capucao, son of Dean Capucao and the former Marilou Perez,  are this year’s Class Salutatorians- Ex Aequo. They will also receive the Second Honors and First Honors medals respectively.  

For his exemplary achievement in the field of Mathematics in and off campus, Araya will be conferred the Outstanding Achievement Award, the Departmental Awardand the Mercury Drug Corporation Excellence in Mathematics Award. Since 1st year, he has participated in international Math Competitions in China, and in the Unites States of America.

Capucao, on the other hand, will be conferred the Bro. Sergio Adriatico SJ  Memorial Award for exemplifying selfless service to others, devotion to Ateneo de Naga, and simplicity in lifestyle. He will also receive the AY Foundation National Discipline Award. Last year, Carlo and his parents migrated to Canada, but Carlo promptly returned to the Philippines to complete his secondary education here in Ateneo. 

Completing the list of the top awardees are Mercemarie F. Atian, Ludel Maiello F. Mier, and Ronald C. Testa, all Academic Distinction Awardees. Testa will also receive First Honors Medal while Atian and Mier will receive Second Honors Medals.

Debaters Glenn Russel Cayonte and Ryan Fidel Rojo are both recipients of the Second Honors Medals and Outstanding Achievement Awards for Debate.

Nina Beltran and Marco Villaraza, both Second Honors awardees, will also be conferred the Rev. Raul Bonoan SJ Service Award and the St. John the Evangelist Parish Service Award respectively.  

The other recipients of the Second Honors Medals are Hubert James Abergos, Myk Gregory Albao, Raven John Albis, Edmund Alexander Avila, Raymar Bron, Katerina Mae Fernando, Jan Cullen Jacob, Raymond Vicente Juan, Avegail Marie Lasac, John Gerard Lim, Ronel Andrew Morano, Joy Nash, Dan Paolo Obal, Christine Kate Panis, Mark Benjamine Primavera, Kathleen Ravago, Clint Valen Ros, Ease Steven Severo, Paolo Enrico Siasoco, Melissa Althea Tolentino, and Danilo Villarey III.

Gymnast Robyn John Reyes and Soccer player Dino Escobiñas, who is also a recipient of the St. John the Evangelist Parish Service Award, are this year’s Excellence in Sports Awardees. 

Student Government Officer and singer Raphael Martin Magno will be conferred the St. John Evangelist Parish Service, the Mayoral Leadership, the Gerry Roxas Leadership and the Ateneo Leadership Awards. 

Jerome Jose Fernandez completes the list of the distinguished Rev. Raul Bonoan Service Awardees while altar servers Francis Lanuzga, Jusan Misolas, Rey Noel Natividad, Louis Allen Rasco, Lanoo Teoxon and Maricris Vallente complete the list St. John the Evangelist Parish Service Awardees.

Mr. Gegorio Re Abonal, Principal, broke the good news to these deserving students when they were all presented to the High School community  during the regular Monday Assembly on March 10.    

Commencement Speaker in this year’s graduation ceremonies is Ateneo de Naga University Alumni Association (ADNUAA) immediate past president  Jesus Carlos “Charles” Villaseñor of HS Class 1982.