Search for TOP heroes/Pearl principle as school guide

Do you know a person who works for the well-being of others above himself? That he/she to your understanding and that of a board of judges should be considered a “hero,” or “angel,” should be given an award? Then you should recommend him/her to Rotary International District 3450, which recently launched the search for nominees for The One Philippines Humanitarian Award (referred to as TOP). 

The TOP is an annual award the first of which will be given in May next year. The TOP is a subsidiary project of THE ONE International Humanitarian Award (known as THE ONE), which seeks to find and honor unsung heroes or “angels” in the Philippines who are doing good for and within the community. Recognition of the unsung heroes aims “to further (their) good work with a monetary reward and at the same time aims to boost the spirit and morale of Philippine residents to serve and to encourage more selfless good work.”

THE ONE was conceptualized and founded by Past District Governor 2011-2012 David Harilela, and is the first International Humanitarian Award launched by Rotary International District 3450. THE ONE has held six awards events in different countries. One of the finalists in a THE ONE award held in Hong Kong in 2013 is a Filipina, Cecilia Oebanda who has devoted her time and energy to helping victims and potential victims of human trafficking.

The theory behind THE ONE Award and, it follows, The TOP award, is the Rotary’s motto – “Service Above Self.” This, according to Rotary leaders, is “the binding glue and spirit that brings each and every Rotarian together to work towards making the word a better place for humanity. It is the central characteristic that each Rotarian possesses and should convey.”

Dr. Harilela belongs to the well-known and respected Indian families in Hong Kong. He holds business interest in various industries such as real estate, hotels, trading, manufacturing and licensing.

He comes from a Rotary family; all his five uncles and his father were past presidents of Rotary. His late uncle, Dr. Hari Harilela was a past district governor of District 3450 and the first Arch Klumph society (which is the highest Donor level of Rotary International). His Gift of Life project has been saving children in China who were born with a hole in their hearts. That a check of US3,500 for an operation allowed a child to live, left an everlasting impression and made David Harilela committed to serve Rotary. He thus established THE ONE-HK in 2015 to honor individuals who live that others may live. After THE ONE in the Philippines he is planning to launch THE ONE in India and China.

Committed to giving back to the community, David became the chair of Rotary International Global Rewards Program in 2015. This program provides benefits and discounts to over 1.2 million Rotarians in the world in the fields of travel, entertainment, and ITT and services for free. His many projects include the Cleft Lip and Palate Project in the Philippines, and the District Hepatitis B Fund-raising project.

He received the honorary degree of doctor of business administration from the City University of Hong Kong. In 2017 he was further honored by Rotary International for his contributions to society, when he was bestowed with Rotary’s highest award, “The Service Above Self” award.

In 2011, Dr. Harilela initiated THE ONE, an international humanitarian award that seeks to acknowledge unsung heroes by means of a handsome monetary prize. Since its inception, THE ONE has honored and awarded over $1,300,000 to more than 21 heroes. 

Clearly excited about the launching of TOP are its officers Raffy Garcia, chair, and Oyan Villanueva, Jess Cifra and Chit Lijauco, vice-chair.

Nominees must be aged 18 or above, of any nationality, sex and race; not a Rotarian or an employee or relative of a Rotary organization. Nominees should be 18 years old and above. Nominations must be accompanied by a 1000 word essay in English describing candidate’s achievements, if possible with pictures, videos or web links of related projects.

For nominations, contact Rolando Villanueva ([email protected]); +63917-502-6926; Isidro Garcia ([email protected]); +63917-502-6926.

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“The Pearl Principle,” a small volume authored by teacher Nelia Cruz Sarcol, revolves around the cycle of life of the oyster giving birth to the pearl. It recounts how the teredo microorganisms invade the oyster and make it secrete nacre to protect itself. Out of this unique natural event, the beautiful, precious pearl emerges. This, Nelia likens to adversities which constantly challenge Filipinos to face and which they can transform into opportunities to improve themselves as a people and a nation.

Nelia Cruz Sarcol to this day espouses the Pearl Principle as a guiding post for herself, her school, and the people around her. She founded and runs an international school, the CIE British School, which is recognized by the University of Cambridge International Examinations, UK. Nelia calls it “The School for Leaders.”

Established in 1207, the University of Cambridge is one of the oldest and most distinguished universities in the world. Its International Examinations is the world’s largest provider of high-quality, leading edge qualifications that meet the ongoing demands of employers and educators around the world.

The CIE British School awards British IGCSE and GCE A level qualifications to its high school and pre-university students. There are now three campuses: Makati, Cebu and Tacloban, where college bachelor degrees and a master’s degree in management are now offered. Their non-academic programs to complement the rigors of academics are art, violin, swimming, Aikido, fencing, golf and travel.

A handsome structure that houses the CIE British School campus on President Magsaysay Avenue in Cebu symbolizes the vision and dedication built into the school by Teacher Nelia. Nelia is a college magna cum laude graduate and recipient of two awards from prestigious international honor societies of the United States. Unpretentious that she is, she provides an insight into her accomplishments and which keeps her on the go through her book, “The Pearl Principle.” 

Her international and local academic titles and recognition are like the pearl’s nacre, continuing to build up and endow her with a rare and unique luster and which she in turn, shares with her school, the CIE British School.

Her school’s description is self-evident: “It is a center of excellence that develops creative people who are imbued and equipped with outstanding academic skills, innovative thinking, pioneering spirit, entrepreneurial mindset and strength of character to make a lasting contribution to improve the quality of life as enlightened generative leaders and channels in social transformation.”

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Email: [email protected]