2nd consecutive Malacañang award cites countryside learning applications of a 4-year UC student grassroots initiative

The National Youth Commission (NYC) staff in charge of protocol at Malacañang had briefed the finalists in the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) 2012 search on what to do when the winning group's names are called.

University of the Cordilleras (UC) business administration student Godofredo B. Martin Jr. thought he took the protocol officer's instructions to heart. But when UC's name was the first to be called during the awarding rites last December 6 at the Malacañang Heroes Hall, the youth leader who was part of UC's College of Business Administration's (CBA) group in the 2012 TAYO search was simply stunned.

Assistant Secretary Georgina P. Nava, National Organizing Committee Chairperson on the 2012 TAYO search read the citation: "They ensure that farmers in Tublay, Benguet earned hefty profit by being able to plant and harvest organic produce all year round even in adverse weather conditions by the greenhouses they provide - from Baguio City, the College of Business Administration Kalipunan and Marketing Junior Executives in the University of the Cordilleras."

"For a moment I couldn't move," said Martin who was the UC group's presentor of the "Greenhouse Project for Association of Tublay Organic Practitioners (ATOP)." The moment recalls a similar feat by the UC Hapiyoh Mi Cultural Group when it was also chosen in the 2011 TAYO search, for their project "Summer Cultural Workshop."

Martin said he simply stood up from his chair but could not remember what to do or where to go. "It took some prodding from the rest of the group before I mustered enough courage to walk up to the podium to receive UC's trophy from the President," he said.

A youthful tendency to be overwhelmed by new and exciting experiences can unwittingly make light of efforts that took the UC CBA group a cumulative four years of implementation and development before the project culminated in the 2012 TAYO recognition. Martin says he is only pleased that out of their efforts, he and his group were able to "set foot in Malacanang for the first time and eyeball the President."

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