06/10/2025
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ | EIC Badajos sees leadership award as โa call to serve moreโ
After being named as one of the Outstanding Student Leaders of the Philippines (OSLP), May Ann Badajos, editor in chief of The Blaze, said the recognition inspires her to give back to the community.
โFor me, this is a call to serve more, to amplify more voices, and to give back to the community that has shaped me,โ said Badajos, who ranked third among 200 applicants for the 2025 Outstanding Student Leaders of the Philippines (OSLP) award, conferred during the 1st Outstanding Student Leaders and 5th International Student Affairs and Services Convention (SASCON) held on October 1โ3, 2025, at Venus Parkview Hotel, Baguio City.
The Blaze EIC rose to the top after the ten-month-long process of OSLP application which included submission of documents, initial interviews, formation, immersion outreach program, and final interview.
โUntil now, it still feels surreal, but more than anything, this is for the advocacies weโve been fighting for, and for the people who continue to believe in them,โ EIC Badajos said. โIโm deeply grateful for the chance to stand beside some of the countryโs most inspiring student leaders, to listen to their stories, and to learn from their passion.โ
The fifth-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture student said that she is โproud and humbled to carry the banner of NEUST on the national stage.โ
โHindi ko inakala na makakarating ako rito. Galing sa isang probinsyal na unibersidad, madalas kong tanungin ang sarili ko kung sapat ba ako, kung kaya ko bang makipagsabayan sa malalaking paaralan at pangalan ng bansa,โ she added.
โFrom the bottom of my heart, maraming salamat po sa lahat ng nagpaabot ng panalangin at suporta. At higit sa lahat, salamat, Ama, for never failing to guide me and for the blessings that never run out,โ she continued.
Badajos also dedicated the recognition to her family, especially her late father, โwho may no longer be with us but whom I know is watching proudly from heaven,โ she said.
She also shared the honor with her organizations and communities as the Board of Director for Region III, Luzonwide Association of Campus Editors (LACE), Vice President of Young Journalists Association of Region III (YJAR III), Lobbying and Local Policy Head at Kaya Natin! Youth Cabanatuan, Deputy Director for Internal Affairs of DOST Scholarsโ Empowered Nationalistic and Tactical Regional Organization (SENTRO), Young Adult Representative for Girl Scouts of the PhilippinesโCabanatuan City Council, Spiritual Head of BPC Youth Pastoral Council, and Lector at Mother of Perpetual Help Parish Dambana.
๐ฅ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐
NEUST, represented by the three (3) major student publications of the University, joined 45 other universities across the country in the convention organized by Transforming Advocates and Champions (TRAC Philippines), Inc.
A total of 15 delegates from The Blaze, Anihan (San Isidro Campus), and The Boulders (Gabaldon Campus) attended the 5th International SASCON that featured keynote speakers Teodoro โTeddyโ Baguilat Jr. and Renecio โLukeโ Espiritu Jr. who highlighted Indigenous Peoplesโ rights and economic reforms, respectively.
They also participated in the panel discussions from experts that included Dr. Janice Kaylyn Lonogan, Dr. Rhodora A. Ngolob, Dean Sherwin Punla, Assistant Prof. Jeno Rey R. Pagaduan, and Dr. Romano M. Bulatao who tackled pressing concerns, from student welfare and gender inclusivity to climate change and employment security.
Gracing the event online, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong urged participants to commit to โsmall, consistent acts of service,โ while Senator Bam Aquino emphasized coupling advocacy with action.
Aside from Badajos, NEUST student delegates also included Kiana Deborah Bautista, Nelmark Santiago, John Albert Domingo, Jubelle Salvador, Angela Jewel Garcia, Geraldine Sulit, Angela Binuya, Samantha Nicole Roldan, Cryshel Jorduela, and Nash Respicio. They were accompanied by Dr. Alfredo Esteban Jr., Jennifer Flores, and Dr. John Louie Galang.
๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ก ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐๐
Santiago, a first-time SASCON participant and The Blaze Associate Editor for External Affairs, , landed second place in Digital Poster Making and third place in Photography.
His poster design incorporated the 17 Sustainable Development Goals within the eventโs color scheme, while he described his winning photograph as a tribute to the main agents of change, the student leaders, quoting his subject, Espiritu, โMay nakikita akong pag-asa dahil nandito kayo.โ
Santiago expressed gratitude for the recognition but valued the experience more saying, โIโm happy to see leaders across the nation, to compete, to connect, and to empower the hope this country needs.โ
---
โ๏ธ Jubelle Salvador
๐ท Nelmark Santiago, John Albert Domingo and Kiana Bautista