THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) will recognize the role of modern information platforms during the 2026 USTV+ Media Excellence Awards on Sept. 4 at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Carrying the theme, “Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15),” the ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be open to the entire Thomasian community.
To recognize different forms of media, the expanded students’ choice awards will now be divided into two major categories to balance scholarly relevance with mainstream reach.
The “discipline-based awards” will evaluate media works anchored in the University’s various academic clusters, while the “entertainment and popular culture awards and special citations” will honor content with significant audience engagement.
“Together, they affirm media as both a professional field and a formative influence on society,” a memorandum from the Office of the Secretary-General dated Aug. 27 read.
The change in name from “USTV” to “USTV+” signifies the award-giving body’s recognition of multimedia content creators alongside traditional broadcasters, emphasizing deeper moral and scholarly criteria on new platforms.
According to the memorandum, the “V” stands for veritas (truth), while the “+” signifies both the expansion of media platforms and the Cross of Christ.
The theme, anchored on the University’s values, “[is] one that calls communicators to seek truth with integrity, exercise freedom with responsibility, and place every platform at the service of human dignity and the common good,” the Secretary-General said.
This year’s awards will span 17 categories across nine clusters. These include humanities and social sciences, medicine and allied sciences, science and technology, accountancy, business, and management.
It will also encompass music, arts, and design, physical education and sports, sacred sciences, law, and entertainment and popular culture.
The USTV+ Media Excellence Awards was established in 2005 and relied on the voting student body under faith-driven themes.
Invited university officials and students will serve as presenters for the celebration. Attendees are required to wear formal attire and must present a valid UST ID or Alumni ID upon entry.
The event will be streamed live via the official UST social media channels. F
