12 Young Orators' Final Face-off

February 24, 2012

After sifting through over 600 fellow high school students nationwide, 12 young orators made it to the grand finals of the 2nd Voice of the Youth (VOTY) National Oratorical Competition to be held on February 27, 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Spearheaded by the Department of Education, National Youth Commission, and STI Foundation together with the STI network of schools, the VOTY is an advocacy aimed to develop critical thinking and English communication skills among the youth today.

The 12 finalists will deliver their prepared orations themed “Rediscovering Filipino Values: I See. I Act. I Advocate.” to a distinct panel of judges composed of Mr. Leon Flores III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Youth Commission (NYC); Mr. Teddyboy Locsin, Jr., broadcast journalist, ANC; Dr. Francisco Benitez, President, Philippine Women’s University (PWU); Dr. Patricio Lazaro, a former Speech and Drama professor, University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP); and Ms. Yasmin Rodriguez-Nuguid, Literature Coordinator and Assistant Principal, St. Scholastica’s College, High School Department.

Over 1.5 million worth of prizes will be given away to the top three finalists, their respective coaches, and schools. The National Champion will win PhP100,000 in cash and get an PhP800,000-worth of computer laboratory for his/her school. The 1st runner-up will go home with cash worth PhP50,000 and his/her school will receive a PhP400,000-worth of speech laboratory. The 2nd runner-up will get PhP25,000 for himself/herself and a PhP200,000 audio-visual equipment package for his/her school. Coaches of the winning students will also receive prizes worth PhP30,000 (Champion), PhP15,000 (First Runner-up), and PhP10,000 (Second Runner-up) respectively.