29/09/2026
๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐
๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ป ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐, ๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐.
Recognizing ten students who were driven to make change and stand out in their communities, Lyceum of the Philippines-Laguna named its Top 10 Outstanding Students in the 2026 Award of Excellence at FLT Conference Theater on September 4.
The recognition highlights graduating students who demonstrated leadership, participated in meaningful activities, contributed to their communities, brought recognition to the institution, and maintained good academic standing throughout their college careers.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ-๐บ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
Clark Steven S. Rebusquillo of the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management (CITHM) led the list, followed by Lyka Mae A. Olea of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Leslie Lorraine N. Legaspi of the College of Engineering and Computer Studies (COECS), Mark Joseph S. Oabel of the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA), Reina Marie C. Remoquillo of the College of Medical Laboratory Sciences (CMLS), Maureen Deliz A. Mendiola of CITHM, Andrea O. Flores of COECS, Juliana Louise D. Bondoc of CAS, Ysrhl D. Marcellana of CITHM, and Renato M. Mandigma of CBA, respectively.
Rebusquillo developed his leadership through student organizations and community projects while connecting culinary arts with sustainability through initiatives such as Cacaowow sa Luisiana and Dough to Dreams.
โWe are not just cooks confined within the four walls of a kitchen; we can drive real change for the community,โ Rebusquillo said.
Oleaโs college journey grew from her Jose P. Laurel Presidential Scholarship into involvement in student organizations, community projects, athletics, and professional training.
Oabel progressed from the CBASCo Media Committee to Vice President for Internal Affairs and eventually President while also leading โJunkyard Genius,โ a sustainability initiative under Road to Rights Philippines.
๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐-๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Service shaped the journeys of Remoquillo and Mendiola as they pursued leadership and community involvement within and beyond their respective fields.
Remoquillo held leadership positions in Medical Laboratory Science organizations while participating in health and environmental initiatives.
Mendiola served as President of the League of Tourism Students and took part in outreach programs, environmental activities, and national hospitality competitions.
โLeadership is not only about leading others, but also about serving, listening, and being willing to make a difference in any way I can,โ Mendiola said.
For Bondoc, her Psychology journey brought together academics, research, organizational involvement, and community service.
Her reflection centered on the impact students leave through their work and relationships with the people around them.
๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐
Beyond organizational work, several honorees pursued opportunities that connected their academic fields to professional and community settings.
Flores led the Lyceum Philippine Industrial Engineering Society while advocating for educational initiatives and participating in community service.
In her written essay for the Award of Excellence, Flores reflected on the people who supported her throughout her college journey.
โI did not bring myself here. I was carried by the people I moved, who have now decided to move for me,โ Flores wrote.
Marcellana represented LPU-Laguna in hospitality competitions, led The Frontliners, and took part in community outreach and professional training.
Meanwhile, Legaspi and Mandigma followed different paths as they completed their respective college journeys.
Despite coming from different disciplines and experiences, the honorees shared an emphasis on growth, service, and using their opportunities beyond personal achievement.
As Rebusquillo reflected on his own journey, he viewed leadership not as an individual accomplishment but as something sustained by the people around him.
โLeadership was never meant to be a solo flight,โ he said.
Written by Alyssa Bandin
Layout by Alyssa Bandin, Nikki Novales, Sheena De Sagun and Hannah De Vera
