University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Commerce and Business Administration and Faculty of Arts and Letters alumna, and IPM Group of Companies President and CEO Ms. Isabelita “Eisa” Paredes-Mercado graced the 2025 Student Awards Day with a keynote speech during the ceremony on May 23, 2025 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.
Deemed “a woman in a man’s world,” Paredes-Mercado shared that her education in UST gave her “a moral compass, a desire to serve, and the courage to build something meaningful” despite facing the challenge of uncertainty as a college student. Her courage has led her to where she currently is, insofar that she has also been recognized as one of the “Women building the country,” those who choose to lead the construction industry, a field dominated by men. Paredes-Mercado has contributed to the construction of schools, hospitals, railways, and dam rehabilitations, among others.
The conglomerate CEO reminded the Thomasian awardees of three things as they graduate and continue their journeys: “Let your excellence serve others… stand firm in your values… and live with integrity always.”
Paredes-Mercado concluded her piece, saying, “Wear your medals and honor with pride; but more importantly, carry your mission with humility and courage… May God bless your journey.”
For this year’s Student Awards, UST granted over 150 awards to its student achievers during the ceremony. UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D., congratulated the awardees, saying, “Today is… a reminder that every recognition you receive carries with it a responsibility to continue striving to inspire others and to use your gifts with integrity and in accordance with God’s plan. The road ahead may test you in new ways, but I encourage you to face them with the same courage that brought you here.”
16 graduating students were conferred the Rector’s Academic Award for their outstanding academic performance.
In recognition of their contributions in the field of community development, Ms. Meckia Mari L. Villanueva of the Central Student Council and Mr. Christian Gradymil V. Benedicto of the Faculty of Pharmacy, alongside seven groups, were awarded the Pope Leo XIII Community Development Award.
The Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award, given to those who excel in local or international academic and scientific activities, was conferred to 18 individuals and 13 groups.
Five student organizations were also recognized for their contributions in conducting University-relevant activities over the past academic year. In relation, 26 student leaders were recognized for their excellence in leadership and service with the Quezon Leadership Award.
41 individuals and 27 groups were recognized for their contribution in the field of research, having been conferred the St. Albertus Magnus Award for Outstanding Research Work.
The St. John Paul II Tradition of Excellence Award was also given to the UST Men’s Beach Volleyball Teams in recognition of their consistent exemplary performance in the field of volleyball over the last five years.
Mr. Francis Kenneth Araya, a biochemistry student from the Faculty of Pharmacy, was named the valedictorian of the Class of 2025. Araya, in a response on behalf of the Thomasian awardees, said, “The medals and certificates we received today may glimmer with recognition, but what truly shines are the stories behind them – the setbacks we endured, the sacrifices we made, and the courage we summoned when things didn’t go as planned.”
Araya emphasized the importance of celebrating the journey to reach one’s achievement alongside their actual accomplishments. He also added that their work should not end after this year’s awarding ceremony, because “greatness is not born from ease, but from effort.”
The Student Awards Day is annually celebrated to recognize the excellence of Thomasians in different fields. It also marks the beginning of the University’s “graduation season,” with the Baccalaureate Mass following days after the event.