Kalinga student turns experience to winning speech, earns 3rd place in CSC national oratorical tilt

FEATURE

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A simple encounter with a school employee who chose to help despite being on his lunch break became the inspiration behind a speech that brought Grade 11 student Jemar L. Awing to the national spotlight.

Representing the Cordillera, Awing of Kalinga National High School won third place in the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Tinig at Panulat: National Essay Writing and Oratorical Competition, taking home a P50,000 cash prize during the awarding ceremony on November 12, 2026, at the National Library of the Philippines in Manila.

His winning piece, titled “Kawaning may Dangal, Puso’t Galing,” reflected his vision of an exemplary public servant—someone who does not merely perform assigned duties but also serves people with compassion, patience and genuine concern.

For Awing, this understanding of public service was shaped by an experience he had with his school's registrar, Arjay Gulod.

He recalled how Gulod accommodated him and his mother when they requested a copy of his Form 137, even though it was already lunchtime. Rather than making them wait, the registrar took the time to prepare the document despite his own need for a meal.

The experience became a central example in Awing's speech, illustrating how even an ordinary act of kindness can leave a lasting impression.

“Gamitin ang puso sa pagharap sa tao. Pairalin ang pusong mamon na babalot sa mahusay na takbo ng transaksyon o pakikisalamuha. Kitang-kita ko sa aking karanasan ang mahusay na pagtanggap nang isang empleyado ng aming paaralang Kalinga NationaL High School. Si ginoong Arjay Gulod, registrar ng aming paaralan, ng lumapit kami ng aking ina upang humingi ng kopya form 137. Hindi alintana ang gutom upang tapusin ang dokumento. Oras ng pananghaliaan pero inatupag paring gawin ang papel upang maibigay sa aming nag-ina. Hindi kami pinaghintay dahil puso ni sir Arjay ang napairal,” Awing said in part of his speech.

Beyond this personal experience, Awing also drew inspiration from the life and contributions of national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal and Filipino scientist Dr. Fe del Mundo, incorporating their examples into his vision of a public servant with dignity, heart and competence.

His achievement at the national level came after placing second in the Luzon Cluster competition, earning him one of the eight slots in the national contest, according to the CSC-CAR announcement on November 12.

Awing finished behind national champion Jherickson B. Peñaranda of Sacred Heart College of Lucena, Inc. in Region IV, who received P75,000, and second-place winner Aianne Arabela D. Estudillo of Sultan Kudarat State University–Laboratory High School in Region XII, who received P60,000.

The oratorical competition was one of two activities under Tinig at Panulat, organized as part of the CSC’s 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary. The other was the National Essay Writing Competition, which invited high school and college students to envision themselves as future public servants through the theme “Kung Ako ay Lingkod Bayani.”

The program provides young Filipinos with a platform to express their aspirations for the country and their understanding of the role and responsibilities of civil servants.

For Awing, the recognition is more than a national competition finish. It is an opportunity to share a message he believes should guide those who choose to serve: that public service is not measured only by the work completed, but also by the compassion shown to the people who need it.