AN IP student from Mapua-ran Malayan Colleges Mindanao emerged winner in the overseas and online category of the 2020 ASEAN Youth Speech Contest last month.

Rex Michael Ugpay, a third year Chemical Engineering student, won for his seven-minute speech on the theme ‘ASEAN as One is ASEAN Way’, beating 93 other contestants from the 10-member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The meet was hosted by Thailand and conducted virtually.

Ugpay said he was motivated to win despite facing challenges such as short preparation time, lack of equipment, limited internet connectivity, recording troubles, among others.

“My motivation was my goal because I’m a much focused ‘Eye-on-the-Prize’ type of person. I also pressured myself to win or at least place since I’d said to myself that I don’t just represent myself, but I represent our school and the country,” Ugpay said.

The engineering student also shared his sentiments on the overall experience as a stepping stone for qualifying in more international diplomatic youth events, and the pride he felt as a student and an IP Youth of the Bagobo Klata tribe.

“This made me become more proud of my roots as an IP youth. I know there are a lot of issues that are faced by my community, and as a fortunate one to have more opportunities than my fellow IP youth, I want to represent them with a good mark,” Ugpay expressed.

“When I finally have the chance, I can go back to my community and share with them what I’ve learned. These are my goals, and winning this particular event cemented my future into achieving these particular goals,” he added.

Ugpay received a P5,000 cash prize, a certificate, and the chance to have his recorded speech shown to a panel of prestigious international diplomats at an International Diplomats Gala dinner in Bangkok, Thailand.