Villareal, one of the Philippines' top political science students for 2013

Mark Arvill Villareal,the lone nominee from West Visayas State University to the 2013 Ten Outstanding Political Science Students (TOPSS) of the Philippines, placed 5th in the awarding ceremony held last February 9 at Vigan City Convention Center during the Annual National Convention of the Political Science Students Association of the Philippines (PSSAP, Inc.).

Supported by the Commission on Higher Education as an active partner of the program, the TOPSS-Philippines award is given to honor the graduating political science students who had exhibited an outstanding performance in both academic and co-curricular activities.

The 2013 PSSAP Annual Convention was hosted by the University of Northern Philippines and the Politically-Inclined Students (POLIS)with the theme “Heritage and Politics: Advancing Synergistic Actions towards Cultural Heritage Preservation, through Political Mobilization”, from 07 to 10 February 2013.

The summit aimed to mobilize and galvanize Political Science students, by giving them an avenue to discuss strategic ways for sustainable preservation of cultural heritage, for a more effective, efficient and accountable governance.

Through the exposition of long-term and new political and governmental perspectives, this endeavor was also envisioned to expand the roles of the students as active and responsible citizens of the political society.