By Atasha Gabrielle P. Vito, BA-ELS 4, The Centralian Link Intern
The Rose Memorial Auditorium stage as viewed from the audience seats as the College of Arts and Sciences celebrate the PAGHIMACAS: Tribute to Excellence.
The College of Arts and Sciences held a tribute to their Dean’s Listers and awardees in the PAGHIMACAS: Tribute to Excellence on March 9, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM, in the Central Philippine University Rose Memorial Auditorium. Dean’s Listers and awardees – whether they are regular students, GAWAD CASIMANWA, persons with disabilities (PWDs), or working students – receive the fruit of their labour and hard work in the academic year of 2024 – 2025. Learners from all courses and departments attended the program.
The dean of College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Stella G. Fernandez delivered the opening remarks as the program started with motivating the awardees. Iloilo City Councilor – Attorney Sedfrey Gabaluna – made an appearance in the program to deliver a motivational message to the Dean’s Listers. The awardees listened as they took these messages to heart as they went further into their college journey.
Learners with the highest GWAs (General Weighted Averages) were given awards for their hard work and resilience during the previous academic year. Some awardees were given awards for being Dean’s listers in first and second semesters. The awards included a medal, a certificate, and a pin.
The awardees were given awards for their hard work in the academic year of 2024 – 2025 – the clear fruits of their labour. Learners were called to come up on stage to receive their awards, facing the audience with confidence. From first year to fourth year, students received their awards with chins up. The cameras flashed as they took pictures of the awardees and the CAS department heads. Students took pictures of their awards as they posted in their social media about their achievements – a milestone in their lives as they progress further into their academics.
In a plot twist, Senator Kiko Pangilinan appeared in a recorded video message during the program. He congratulated the awardees for their achievements, motivating them to pursue even higher heights. He gave them advice as the awardees grew every moment shown. In the end, the students were enlightened by his advice, now motivated to do better for the future.
In the end, students learned a rough lesson about excellence; It is not just about the brilliance that made them remarkable, but also their persistence and resilience as they spent sleepless nights and cramming days to reach perfection. Recognition does not end in one moment of excellence. However, recognition can go beyond the excellence they made in the moment. It’s one way to say to soar beyond their limits as they grow.