TEN ARTLETS students and the student organization of the communication program were recognized for their academic and non-academic achievements during the 2024 Student Awards Day on Friday, May 24.
English language studies senior Kyla Jane Purcil received the Rector’s Award for Academic Excellence for obtaining a general weighted average of 1.083, the highest academic rating among Artlets for the academic year 2023-2024.
Three students received the Quezon Leadership Award for Exceptional Leadership, which is given to members of recognized UST organizations who displayed great leadership skills in serving the community.
Journalism senior John Ezekiel Hirro, editor-in-chief of UST’s official student publication The Varsitarian, was conferred the award for the campus media entity’s extensive coverage of national events.
Fourth-year communication student Paolo Alejandrino was recognized for being an exchange scholar and cultural ambassador for the global undergraduate exchange scholarship of Fulbright Philippines and the US Department of State. Trixie Ann Bautista of legal management was honored for helping pursue the goals of UNESCO.
Six Artlets received the Pope John Paul II Outstanding Achievement Award for winning in national or international competitions in the field of sports and arts.
Alejandrino reaped the award for securing the Lean Mailloux Management Award for Best Promotions Director at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) in New York City last March, alongside communication students Marie Angela Lamsen, Jerome Elijah Racela, Adrian Clemence Molina and George Matthew Medallon.
Lamsen was given the award for winning the Lean Mailloux Management Award for Best Social Media Director for Television at the IBS last March, while Racela, Molina, and Medallon were honored for their achievements at the International Student Broadcasting Championship 2023.
Behavioral science senior Julia Francesca Snyder, who served as president of the Thomasian Debaters Council for the academic year 2023-2024, earned the Pope John Paul II award for winning Overall Best Judge during the Philippine Debate Open 2023.
Some Artlets were given the Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award for participating in prestigious national or international competitions aligned with their respective disciplines.
Asian studies senior Prince Ernest Eugene Ronson Sabado, also the deputy secretary-general of the UST Model United Nations, was given the Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award for being named Best Delegate at the 6th China-ASEAN Youth Summit in Beijing, China in May 2023.
The UST-Communication Arts Students’ Association (CASA) received the Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award for securing an Award of Merit for Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication at the Philippine Quill Awards 2023. UST-CASA was a consistent recipient of the Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award since 2017 before its streak was broken in 2023.
AB Dean Prof. Melanie Turingan described the Artlets’ achievements as “overwhelming proof” of Artlets’ ability to perfect their craft despite their busy schedules.
“The administration will really strive hard to provide quality education and a safe space for students, so that they will be able to be themselves, excel in their chosen craft, and at the same time, enjoy their academic journey while they are in the Faculty of Arts and Letters,” she told The Flame.
The Student Awards Day is an annual event where Thomasian groups and individuals are recognized for their excellence in their respective fields. It was held on a hybrid setup for the third consecutive year, with the onsite awarding broadcasted through UST’s official Facebook page. F
