Becoming one of 2026 10 Outstanding Students of CAR: How Ivan Cosidon turned student leadership into service

FEATURE

For Ivan Pales Cosidon, being named one of the 2026 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines–Cordillera Administrative Region (TOSP-CAR) is not simply a recognition of academic excellence.

It is a reflection of four years spent trying to make leadership, journalism, academics and community service work together—often under pressure, sometimes with exhaustion, but always with a sense of responsibility.

The Bachelor of Science in Biology graduate of Kalinga State University (KSU) was named one of the region’s outstanding students during the TOSP-CAR awarding ceremony on October 4, 2026, at the Supreme Mall and Events Center in Baguio City.

The recognition also qualified him for the 59th national search for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines.

TOSP is an annual awards and formation program that recognizes college graduates who demonstrate not only academic excellence but also leadership, social responsibility and strong moral values.

For Cosidon, however, the journey to the award was never about collecting titles.

“Looking back, I think these experiences eventually led me to TOSP-CAR. It was never about collecting positions or awards. Every organization, every project, and every community I served taught me something that shaped the person I am today,” he said.

More than a student leader

Cosidon graduated from KSU in May 2026 with a long list of distinctions.

He was named Most Outstanding Student of KSU and received the University Leadership Award, Campus Leadership Award, Excellence in Journalism and Publication Service Award.

He also received Presidential Recognition as Supreme Student Council President, Best Performance in Research, Outstanding Project Implementer, Outstanding Young Leader and Outstanding Community Youth Leader.

But behind those citations was a student who had to navigate the daily demands of the classroom while serving in leadership positions, working in student publications and participating in community initiatives.

“It was not easy,” Cosidon admitted in an interview with GURU Press Cordillera on October 6.

“Being a student already comes with academic responsibilities and taking on commitments as a student leader, journalist, and community volunteer meant that I had to manage my time carefully.”

His leadership went beyond the university campus.

Among the initiatives he helped pursue was a good governance forum that brought former Commission on Audit Commissioner Heidi Mendoza to KSU to speak about transparency and accountability on October 30, 2025.

He was also involved in organizing province-wide debate activities, city-wide journalism initiatives and community outreach programs benefiting schools and barangays in Kalinga.

His work extended to national youth initiatives and international programs centered on the Sustainable Development Goals, including partnerships with Van Lang University for free online learning sessions made accessible to students in Kalinga and higher education institutions across the Cordillera.

When leadership became overwhelming

Behind the accomplishments were days when everything seemed to demand his attention at the same time.

There were classes to attend, academic requirements to finish, publication materials to prepare, organizational meetings to join and community activities to organize.

“There were also moments when I felt tired and overwhelmed,” he said.

Those experiences taught him that balance does not necessarily mean giving every responsibility the same amount of time.

“Balance does not always mean giving equal time to everything, it means knowing your priorities and being responsible for the commitments you have chosen.”

He learned to plan ahead, establish personal deadlines and maximize even the small amounts of time available.

But perhaps more importantly, he learned that leadership does not mean carrying everything alone.

“I did not try to do everything alone. I trusted my fellow student leaders, publication staff, organization members, and mentors, because meaningful service is always a collective effort,” he said.

The award is not the destination

Today, Cosidon stands among the Cordillera's outstanding graduating students, but he sees the recognition less as a destination than as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with what he has learned.

For him, the value of his college years cannot be measured only through medals, certificates or positions.

It is found in the people he worked with, the communities he served and the lessons gained from every project—successful or otherwise.

And perhaps that is the clearest measure of the kind of student leader he has become.

“The greatest achievement is not being recognized as outstanding. It is becoming someone who can use what he has learned to help someone else move forward.”

For a young graduate who spent four years balancing a demanding academic life with leadership, journalism and community service, that may be the most meaningful recognition of all.