The theme of the night was “Celebrating Tradition, Embracing Transformation”.
Indeed it was a fitting focus for the Corps d’ Elite, the annual awards program of the University of St. La Salle to honor outstanding students and organizations for their achievements in their respective fields of discipline.
The awarding rites were held at L’ Fisher Hotel on May 3.
Making the celebration of accomplishments and achievements more monumental was the fact that the 2024 edition is the 25th year of the annual event initiated by the USLS Office for Student Affairs under Dr. Rowela Chiu.
CDE honored 12 individuals and groups who were adjudged most outstanding following a rigorous evaluation process which was capped by a panel interview late in April.
I was again invited – as a member of the panel of interviewers for one of the 12 categories – by my former USLS colleague, MinMin Ponteras, OSA senior administrative assistant for student activities.
Among those who attended the awards program were members of the De La Salle Brothers Bacolod Community led by Br Normandy Dujunco, FSC, community director and vice chancellor for Mission and Development, and Dr. Anabelle Balor, vice chancellor for academic affairs.
The awardees drew inspiration from the message shared by Nimrod Diaz, former University Student Government president.
The Silver Anniversary CDE awardees were Immalie Rose Cafifge – AB Communication (Print Arts), Glennis Steffan – Bachelor of Secondary Education (Performing Arts), Carlos Miguel Valderrama – BS Computer Science (Visual Arts), Yuval Adera – AB Political Science (Catholic Spiritual Service as Young Lasallian Animator);
Jose Thaddeus Dy – BSE (Community Involvement for Environment/Social Development Advocacy), Jansen Carl Usi – BS Management Accounting (Student Service as a Member);
Alexandra Jean Billote – BS Accounting Information System (Special Interest Club President); Google Developer Student Clubs (Special Interest Clubs), Jed Emmanuel Reysoma – BS Biology (Academic Club President);
Pre-Med Society (Academic Club), Denise Gaille Leonoras – BSE (College Governor) and College of Education (College Council).
Also recognized were key student leaders, college councils and the 32 campus clubs.
USG leaders cited were Ken Paolo Gilo, president; Mitchel Mariano, vice president; Angela Grace Diamartin, treasurer; Ashley Nicole Torrefranca, secretary;
Genivie Magsico, Senate president; Franz Juls Alojado, chief judge; Ali Valente and Betty Mae Dela Banda, heads of COMELEC and Commission on Audit, respectively.
The citations for long service – the Corps d’ Elite Servieture Exemplaire – were presented to Andre Tagamolila, former Dean of Student Affairs and director of Balayan, the USLS Social Development Office, and Shirley Servano, former OSA administrative assistant who served for more than 30 years.
Our sincere congratulations to the recipients of the 25th CDE awards and our hopes for continued excellence in their various pursuits beyond university life.
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Sharing this thought from Dayspring, an online platform offering inspirational messages and cards, for Father’s Day based on Proverbs 20:7 “Blessed is the father who shares his heart, lives his faith, gives his time, and loves his family.” | NWI
