It’s Academic 3rd Leg – Finale
From Left to Right: Norilyn Fogata – PMAP, Joy Tabuso – PDI, Linda Kaplan, Dean Evelyn Enejosa, PhD. – San Sebastian College – Recoletos, Donna Joy Pasion – Champion, Ged Terceno – EPLDT Ventus, Judy Bay Whisenhunt – TDS VP, Jon Kaplan – TDS President
THE 3rd IT’S ACADEMIC! ENGLISH CHALLENGE FINALE
Good things happen when we least expect them to happen. That is the message of TeleDevelopment Services Incorporated (TDS)’s president, Mr. Jon Kaplan as he welcomed the participants to the 3rd It’s Academic! English Challenge Caravan Finale. And this leg’s winner, Donna Joy Pasion did not expect that she would emerge as the over-all champion last March 18, 2010. The said activity held at the TDS Head Office Training Center in Robinsons Equitable Tower, Ortigas Center capped the caravan that ran from October 21, 2009 to March 16, 2010 with eight (8) participating colleges and universities namely, De La Salle Canlubang, Laguna University, Philippine Christian University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Bulacan State University, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Mapua Institute of Technology and Quezon City Polytechnic University.
It’s Academic! English Challenge Caravan is a TDS brainchild with the primary goal of bridging the gap between the academe and the Contact Center and BPO industry in the country through English Skills Proficiency awareness. Since TDS is committed to do its share in building a bigger and stronger Contact Center and BPO industry in the country, It’s Academic! Caravan has now reached its 3rd year encouraging schools to put more focus on the students’ English communications proficiency. Supporting this endeavor are Versant, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ePLDT Ventus, Netopia and PMAP (People Management Association of the Philippines).
The program proper began with a prayer from Miss Ivonne Marcellana of Philippine Christian University followed by the opening remarks of TDS President Jon Kaplan. Two songs where then rendered by Baliuag University Chorale, this year’s host school, after which awarding commenced. All eight participating schools where given plaques of appreciation, while the school champions received plaques and cash prizes and the top ten of each schools were given certificates for a free 2-week English Foundation Skills Training. TDS President Jon Kaplan showed a few tricks up his sleeves as he entertained the participating schools with his magic tricks.
The highlight of the culminating activity was the final debate among the participating schools’ champions and runners-up equally distributed into two sides of the house. On the affirmative side we have Ted Matthew Dela Cruz (DLSU-C), Grace Cruz (LU), Lynette Landicho (PCU), Renz Carlo Barairo (CSJL), Zyra Santos (SSCR), Rebekah Ignacio (MIT) and Rose Ann Galarosa (QCPU). For the negative side, we have Marian Kate Cuasay (DLSU-C), Maria Dolores Dalay (LU), Mark Honey Castillo (PCU), Peter Vincent Mendoza (CSJL), Donna Joy Pasion (SSCR), Joelito Bareira (QCPU) and Rickky Kibbe (MIT) who replaced their school’s first runner-up. This year’s proposition is “The Use of English- The Key to a Successful Job Hunt”. The negative side of the house won and Donna Joy Pasion of San Sebastian College-Recoletos was declared Best Debater while Renz Carlo Barairo of Colegio de San Juan de Letran from the affirmative team won as First Runner-up. It was a close fight between the two teams as well as the two debaters. The judges for the debate were TDS President Jon Kaplan and his wife Linda Kaplan, Mr. Ged Terceno of ePLDT Ventus, Ms. Norilyn Fogata of PMAP, and Ms. Joy Tabuso of PDI.
The next leg of It’s Academic will be hosted by this year’s champion school, San Sebastian College-Recoletos and everyone is looking forward to having the finale at the heart of the University Belt.
For more information about this TDS project, you may email your inquiries at academic@teledevelopment.com.
