Emir-Deogene Mendoza, a student at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, said he wanted to give his overseas working parents “something that would recognize their hard work and sacrifice.”
At the recent awarding rites for 10 outstanding expat Pinoy children sponsored by Bank of Philippine Islands, Mendoza held up his plaque and said, “This award is not for me, this is for my Daddy and Mama.”
Mendoza’s parents both work in Saudi Arabia. Growing up with his grandparents, he has excelled in his studies and hopes to graduate with a degree in public administration.
Now on its 7th year, the search recognizes expat children who excelled in academic and non-academic fields. This year’s roster of awardees includes eight “Ibang Klaseng Talino” awardees, and one each for “Ibang Klaseng Community Leader” and “Ibang Klaseng Artist” categories.
BPI President and CEO Cezar P. Consing said the Search “honors the children of overseas Filipinos for their sacrifices and hard work to excel in academic and non-academic fields despite being distant from their parents. Their achievements serve as inspiration which demonstrate that we can be successful despite distance and difficulties. This goes to show that the investment and hard work poured by their parents paid off.”
The 2013 BPI Ten Outstanding Expat Pinoy Children includes Ibang Klaseng Talino Awardees Alison D. Galian (De La Salle University-Manila), Nel Jason Haw (Ateneo De Manila University), Raoul Danniel Manuel (University of the Philippines-Visayas), Emir Deogene Mendoza (University of the Philippines-Diliman), Louise Ann Florelle Pasadilla (Lyceum of the Philippines University), Cloie Anne Rabinetas (University of Santo Tomas), Joezelle Salunga (University of the Philippines-Manila), and Joseph Kennedy Tabor Jr. (De La Salle College of Saint Benilde); Ibang Klaseng Community Leader awardee Christine Joyce Agapito (Far Eastern University); and Ibang Klaseng Artist Andrei Karoly Hernandez (University of San Carlos).