The 29th Equatorial Rites held online on March 5 awarded five students—three of whom from the 6-Year Integrated University Program (6YP)—for their excellent performance in academic and extracurricular activities.
Catherine Beatrize Salazar, a candidate for Master of Science in Industrial Economics (MSIE) under 6YP, received the Leadership and Service Award and was recognized as Most Outstanding Student. The Leadership and Service Award is given to students who exemplified leadership qualities, as well as an outstanding spirit of service outside the classroom through participation in extracurricular activities, organizations, clubs, teams, and/or the student government. The student must have a cumulative GWA of not lower than 2.00 and should have garnered the most number (or one of the highest number) of votes from his/her batchmates. Those considered for this award and has a cumulative GWA of 1.75 or higher qualifies for the Most Outstanding Student Award. Salazar is currently the Internal Vice President of the University Student Government.
Dana Marie Ashley A. Castillo, a 6YP student and candidate for Master of Science in Management, is the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award, which is given to students who have obtained the highest general weighted average (GWA) among all the students in the batch. Castillo has a running GWA of 1.08.
Scott Gabriel D. Tiamson, a candidate for MSIE and a 6YP student also, received the Civics Award for his contribution and involvement in socio-civic activities both inside and outside the University. He is the founding president of the UA&P debate society FORUM and the founding captain of the UA&P case competition pool Aureum, which has won against teams from Harvard, MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, and over 70 other universities from around the world. He is also a consistent President’s and Dean’s Lister.
The Dragon Award for Achievement in Sports was given to Genesis S. Esmama, a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication student, for his substantial contribution to the development of the University’s sports program. A scholar-athlete, Genesis has been the team captain and leader of the Men’s Volleyball team for two consecutive school years. Despite the challenges that the past year has brought the collegiate sports world, he has managed to keep his team together and remain active by recruiting key players and implementing the training program of the Sports Development Office.
The Kultura Award for Achievement in the Arts was handed to Marianne Janelle Marcelo, a BS Early Childhood Education student. She exhibited exemplary leadership in assisting displaced student artists and performers by prioritizing them as beneficiaries of the student organization ViARE where she serves as president.
The Equatorial Rites is a University tradition that officially acknowledges students who have successfully completed the first half of their course of studies at UA&P. Students are given their academic sash or beca with the color of their chosen field of specialization. This year’s online Equatorial Rites honored the students from Entry Batch 2018 (4-year and 5-year programs) and Entry Batch 2017 (6-year programs).
Mr. Ramon Cabrera (History department) and Ms. Christina Alexandra Morales (Philosophy department) were voted as this year’s batch ninong and ninang—faculty members who have had the most significant positive impact on the batch.