TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – Louisians Karl Venson Yacas, a Grade 10-Mabini student and Renj Michelle Mari Ramilo, a Grade 12-St. Agnes of Rome student, were crowned as the Mr. and Ms. ASEAN-UNESCO 2023 of the Schools Division of Tuguegarao in celebration of the National Month of Indigenous People, at the Cataggaman Elementary School (CES) Gymnasium on October 27, Friday afternoon.

The search, hosted by CES, is part of the fourth edition of ‘Dayaw na Ibanag anna Itawes Festival’ themed, “Pundasyon ng Katutubong Edukasyon ay Patatagin, Katutubong Karunungan ay Patuloy na Pagyamanin,” and Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Program of the Department of Education.

Yacas, serving as the USL BES Junior High School Supreme Learner Government Auditor, and Ramilo, the Business Optimizers Student Society President, also claimed the “Mr. & Ms. Social Media” award for gaining the highest number of Facebook post reactions.

The former bagged the title “Mr. Killer Smile”, while the latter was recognized as “Ms. Photogenic.”

Ms. Ramilo is also the “Punong Tagasulat ng Lathalain” of the Kapitagang Tinta, the official Filipino school paper of the SHS unit.

The pair represented the ‘Philippines’ in the candidacy and made it on the Top 5 Finalists.

“It is a great opportunity for me to influence a lot more people, a lot more youth, because I believe that we are born for a great purpose and mission. We may not be in control of everything, but we are in control of taking a step towards positive change,” Ms. ASEAN-UNESCO 2023, Renj Ramilo, said in response to the final question: “Should you win the search, how will you use the values of ASEAN-UNESCO in your school or community?”

“I want to make projects that not only make an impact in ASEAN countries, but countries across the globe,” Mr. ASEAN-UNESCO 2023, Karl Yacas, answered to the same question.

Karol Jozef Mabazza via The GEM Herald.