SIXTEEN ARTLETS students and the Asian Studies Society took center stage for their notable achievements in academics and extracurricular activities during the UST Student Awards Day 2025 on Friday, May 23.
Creative writing senior Kazzandra Ysabel Baysa was given the Rector’s Award for Academic Excellence after obtaining a general weighted average of 1.109, the highest academic score among Artlets for the academic year 2024-2025.
AB Dean Prof. Melanie Turingan said the Artlets’ performance is a “testament” to the faculty’s commitment to achieve excellence, quality education and service to humanity.
“Continue to strive to be excellent, but never forget to be humble and to be grateful and to look back because, of course, we will never be able to achieve the success without the assistance and help of our family [and] of our professors,” Turingan told The Flame.
Four Artlets students were conferred the Quezon Leadership Award for displaying profound leadership skills in serving communities inside and outside the University.
Political Science student Jehoshaphat Caluma was recognized for his exemplary performance as chief corporate officer of the Association of Political Science Organizations of the Philippines. He served as editor-in-chief of the organization’s handbook.
Asian Studies student Brent Kyzer Quijano was also honored for heading the staff at the 33rd Harvard World Model United Nations Manila 2025. Journalism seniors Logan Kal-el Zapanta and Karis Tsang were given the same award for their stints as The Varsitarian editor-in-chief and UST Journalism Society president, respectively.
The Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award, which recognizes those who participated in international broadcasting competitions during this academic year, was conferred to Communication students Colleen Jeanelle Hufanda and Joshua Isaac Galvez.
Hufanda secured a runner-up post as best program/content director at the 2024 International Student Broadcasting Championship (ISBC) 2024, while Galvez won best promotions director for Television at the 2025 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Media Awards.
Several Artlets were also given the Pope John Paul II Outstanding Achievement Award for their feats in sports and art contests, including Communication students George Matthew Medallon and Karl Isaac Alvero, who placed first runner-up in the best talk presenter and people’s choice talent categories, respectively, at the ISBC.
Also recognized was UST Lady Judokas Mariah Albert Lua, who recieved two gold medals at the 2024 Philippine Ultimate Judo Championship and the Korea Open SAMBO Championship and a silver medal at the 2025 Dutch Open SAMBO Championship.
Artlets students Lois Margaret Cayetano, Chrisna Granil, Carlo Yvez Cristobal, Joseph Earl Quintana, Romayne Humiwat, and Florian Jose Dilagan, alongside College of Commerce and Business Administration student Franell Mauricio, also received the award for winning best variety program at the 85th IBS College Media Awards.
Meanwhile, the St. Dominic De Guzman Award was conferred to the UST Asian Studies Society for its outstanding teamwork at the 11th UST Model United Nations. The award is given to student organizations that promote activities that are significant to the University.
Pharmacy student Francis Kenneth Araya was recognized as the university-wide valedictorian after garnering the highest general weighted average of 1.081 among members of the class of 2025.
The Student Awards Day annually honors Thomasians’ exemplary performance in various activities like sports, arts, community development, leadership and teamwork. It was held on a hybrid setup for the fourth consecutive year. F
