By Honorable Jejomar C. Binay
National President, Boy Scouts of the Philippines
Chairman, Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Committee

Awarding Ceremony for the 2007 Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The time has come again for me to deliver an inspirational message to the honorees today - the 24 fine young men, the finalists in the Search for the Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines for 2007.

Such a task is a difficult one for me. I have debated on almost all fronts of present-day issues, which facts I ensure to be revealing and relevant with conviction from the deepest recesses of my mind with sense of character that I pray for to be beyond reproach. But delivering this speech this inspirational speech is a difficult task for me. Finding the right word for the right mood in the right moment in this Awarding Ceremony requires an informed appreciation of the world where our honorees would play a redeeming role for humanity.

Dear Outstanding Scouts, nothing so moves me right now than the way you look at me. And by that I see a beautiful country in your eyes. I see peace advocates. I see leaders that speak of bias to the poor and the marginalized. I see trees that hold the forest. I see money traded fairly in the market. I see responsible professionals making the country proud by connecting it greatly to the rest of the world. I see leaders that are respected by the people because they are just and truthful. I see responsible fathers rearing the child in the ways of God. And for a thousand ways and more, I see Scouts, always Outstanding Scouts at any moment of your days, making the world as envisioned in yesteryears - full of hope, full of peace, full of joy. Indeed, you, Outstanding Scouts of the country, are the BSP's gift to the world! But you are a God's gift to us.

And what are my plans that will even make you worthy for the honor? I find it valuable to document further your innovative achievements for the world to know and see. As I speak to you now not just as your National President, but as the Chair as well for a significant number of other Scouts from the Asia-Pacific Region, I am duty-bound to report to the Region and the World the state of Philippine Scouting, and Quality Scouting at that. And I would be privileged and honored to report that.

I know we have the right to do that since I believe the BSP is competitive National Scout Organization in Region and World. Aside from having quality programs and leaders, we have produced Outstanding Scouts of the Region. It is my dream that in my incumbency as chair of the APR, we would witness the unfolding of Filipino and other Asian-Pacific Top Scouts of the World.

Dear honorees, kindly note that the distinction you hold from now on and onwards affirms that all of you have debated, and acted, very well to surface what the youth can do, what you have done, and what the next generation would need to do to follow you, so that, as in the words of our Great Founder, each of us may leave the world in a better condition than we have found it.

Relevant to this, I am commending the efforts of the Ten Outstanding Boy Scouts of the Philippines Association, currently headed by TOBS 1992 Winner Redempto S. Parafina of the Ateneo School of Government, for reinventing the niche for the country's Outstanding Scouts. Your force is a force to reckon with in terms of defining the platform, and the role, for Outstanding Scouts, for a more meaningful discourse and debates on telling issues of the day. I recognize TOBSPA's effort in engaging into emerging practices for sound governance and social accountability. You have made our Scouts aware that young as they are, they are already full-fledged vanguards of principles that make a good and responsible country.

In helping deliver the textbooks, guarding school building projects, and reinventing the tool to nurture integrity in government, you have led the way for Scouts to practice the norm of patriotism in its most active and dynamic sense.

And so today, as we all talk about inspiration, allow me to extend my congratulations to those who have made the Search a success through the years. May we remember the gift of time and person of the National Search Committee, headed by Mr. Maximino J. Edralin, Jr., who himself is an Outstanding Scout. For me, TOBSPA should adopt him as an honorary member! His person and time bind us closer to the Search, by being the benchmark of reputation, dignity, and friendship.

To our adult leaders and the rest of the BSP officials and staff, may you realize that a significant part of our honorees today is you-who have been part of their lives, in their fun and disappointments, in helping them survive the outside world, for being their families away from home. May all of you, all of us, find glory in the life led by your Scouts. May each of them inspire us in breaking new grounds for grassroots youth development.

To Coca-Cola, thank you for your inspiring presence. With your presence, we believe that we need only the real thing in life: a good work and a good name. You help us fulfill the mandate that we, as Scouts, are as good only as our actions.

To our Honored Guest, Manila Hotel President Joey Lina, I know this is your second time to address the Awarding Ceremony for Outstanding Scouts, the first one in 1990. I remember vividly that as a Senator, you cared much for the country's youth. And so we are glad to welcome you again on the occasion of honoring the Outstanding Scouts of the Philippines, to convey to honorees the privilege of serving a country at a young age.

To all our friends gathered here, may we take pride in the honorees of the BSP, as they take the center stage, as they make us proud, as they renew a promise to do their best for our country.

My final word to you, Outstanding Scouts of the Philippines for 2007, own this moment, and be proud of your achievement. Remember such a rare honor bestowed on you, to remind you how good a person you are for being Outstanding Scouts. And as I said earlier, in this year's search for the country's Outstanding Scouts, after a tedious process, we have found you - we have found you.

Mabuhay ang kabataang Scouts!

MARAMING SALAMAT PO.