University News

Employees, faculty members, offices honored at 2025 PRAISE Awards

Jasmine Joson, News, College of Arts and Letters

In honor of lifelong commitment and civic duty to the University, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) celebrated its dedicated employees, faculty members, and staff at the 2025 Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Awards as part of its 121st Founding Anniversary celebration, held on October 24, 2025, at the University Gymnasium.

With the theme “PUP@121: Inspiring. Uplifting. Transforming,” the awarding ceremony has brought together more than 300 awardees and the following executive committee members: University President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi; Executive Vice President Prof. Alberto C. Guillo; Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Tomas O. Testor; Vice President for Research, Extension and Development Anna Ruby D. Gapasin; and Vice President for Administration Adam V. Ramilo.

The event highlighted the impactful triumphs made by the awardees in multiple areas: Philippine Quality Award (PQA), Internationalization Awards, PUP PRAISE Program, and Loyalty or Service Awards.

In his welcoming remarks, Executive Vice President Prof. Alberto C. Guillo recognized the perseverance and meaningful efforts that the awardees have shown, whose contributions mark the excellence of the Sintang Paaralan.

Whereas Pres. Manuel Muhi also shared similar gratitude towards the awardees in his inspiring speech as he paid tribute to the working force that served as the pillars of the University.

“I will say it again and again that if it weren’t for all of you, we would not have achieved these successes. No amount of money can equal the honor and legacy you offer to PUP. With every document handled, with every student guided, with every service provided, you are shaping a future of unity and caring for others.”

PUP’s Historic Philippine Quality Award
Proving its commitment to quality education, the ceremony featured the University’s historic feat as it won its first Philippine Quality Award (PQA)—the highest award bestowed to exemplary organizational performance for both public and private sectors in the country.

This triumph is made possible by the members of Core Quality Champions, Quality Management Task Force, as well as PQA Consultants and Partners, who went above and beyond throughout the process of attaining such recognition.

Global Recognition for Sinta
As PUP continuously strives for global presence, the event also commended the Internationalization Awardees for their invaluable contributions that elevated the institution beyond borders. The Office of International Affairs facilitated this segment of the program.

The College of Arts and Letters (CAL), Laboratory High School (LHS), and College of Social Sciences and Development (CSSD) were recognized in the Internationalization Awards; after placing first, second, and third respectively, and were each granted monetary prizes in recognition of their global collaborations. CAL was also recognized as a Hall of Fame Awardee for consistently pursuing global projects through its different program offerings.

The Pillars of the University
In every milestone of Sintang Paaralan, there are employees and faculty members whose collective efforts and ambitions propel the University to its fullest potential. Thus, the 2024 Professional Enhancement and Skills Development Incentive (PESDI) Awards acknowledged the committed working force in both academic and non-academic excellence in seven distinct categories.

Along with 2024 PESDI Awards, the event also recognized teaching and non-teaching personnel who have contributed years of service to the University from 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years, as well as retirees and posthumous during the Loyalty Awards.

After a fulfilling career at Sintang Paaralan, Engr. Marcelo B. Narvaez of PUP Maragondon shared that his retirement ended on a joyful note, as his former students immediately visited him after his retirement day—a reminder of the lasting impact of his service as an educator.

After a fulfilling career at Sintang Paaralan, in a separate interview, Engr. Marcelo B. Narvaez of PUP Maragondon shared that his retirement ended on a joyful note, as his former students immediately visited him after his retirement day—a reminder of the lasting impact of his service as an educator.

Prof. Julieta Fonte, former Dean of the College of Accountancy and Finance (CAF) in her acceptance speech on behalf of the retirees and service awardees noted how Sintang Paaralan served as her home. She is grateful for the years spent in its hallways as an educator and leader, and much similar to her fellow awardees, she is looking forward to a fulfilling and enjoyable retirement.

More than the awards, the ceremony is a celebration of the working force behind Sintang Paaralan. With its dedicated employees, faculty members, and staff, the University embodies the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), further advancing itself and its stakeholders to be a leading comprehensive polytechnic university in Asia.