Now on its 12th year, the annual celebration officially named ๐๐ซ. ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ง ๐. ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ as the Pinakanatatanging Mag-aaral ng Pangasinan State University. Castillo is a graduating Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies student with Academic Distinction.
Several prestigious awards have already been conferred upon Jolan at the department, college and campus levels. His passion for writing is evident through the leadership positions he held in The CAST Chronicle (official student publication of Lingayen) and the numerous medals he earned in campus journalism and publication competitions.
Beyond journalism, Jolan has also excelled in the fields of arts, music, hosting and pageantry, consistently bringing home titles from competitions both within and outside the University. He was also selected as a participant in the SEA-Teacher Program Batch 11 Exchange Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah in Indonesia.
Despite growing up with limited financial resources, Jolan successfully balanced his academic responsibilities, extracurricular engagements and efforts to help support his family. He attributes all of his achievements to his unfathomable faith in God and his active involvement in their church community.
Representing PSU Alaminos City Campus, ๐๐ซ. ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ก๐จ๐ซ ๐. ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐๐จ ๐๐ซ., a graduating Magna Cum Laude student taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics, placed second in this year’s competition.
Damasco has been widely recognized for his active participation in various competitions. Throughout his academic journey, he has received numerous outstanding awards, including the JCI Hundred Islands Leadership Excellence Award and the SAYO Outstanding Leader Award.
Beyond the University, Damasco has established a strong presence in his community through his active involvement in civic organizations and competitions, where he consistently emerged as either a champion or an effective team leader.
The tragic loss of both his parents became the foundation of Damasco’s perseverance and determination. Despite life’s hardships, he remained committed to his studies, proving that resilience and unwavering faith can transform life’s greatest challenges into meaningful achievements.
Securing the third spot was ๐๐ซ. ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐. ๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ, a graduating Magna Cum Laude student taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies from PSU Bayambang Campus.
Frias has participated in numerous local, national and international competitions, earning remarkable distinctions such as First Place in the International Assembly of Youth for UNESCO Quiz Bowl and National Overall Champion (Gold Medalist) in the Carl Balita Review Center (CBRC) National Teacher Education Quiz Bee. He has likewise received countless awards in leadership, both within the University and in the community, while spearheading various impactful projects.
He remains actively involved in organizations promoting UNESCO initiatives, Gender and Development (GAD), Artificial Intelligence, and education. In his speech, Frias emphasized that success is not merely achieved, t is fought for through perseverance, determination and resilience.
Landing in fourth place was ๐๐ซ. ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐. ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฒ๐๐ง of PSU Asingan Campus, a Municipal Scholar and graduating Magna Cum Laude student taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English. His story of consistency and perseverance demonstrated that life’s greatest challenges should not be feared but courageously confronted.
Sindayen has earned championship titles in campus journalism and research competitions, extending as far as the national level. He also actively engages in community-based initiatives while holding key leadership positions in various organizations in his municipality.
Internationally, Sindayen represented the University as a delegate to the Global Learning Outreach Week Philippines (GLOW PH) 2026 in Malaysia and received the Best Final Project Performance Award during the Virtual COMMTECH Explorations 2026 in Indonesia.
The fifth rank belonged to ๐๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐ฒ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง of PSU Infanta Campus, a graduating Cum Laude student taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies. She is a consistent Dean’s Lister and recipient of the Leadership Appreciation Award and Artist of the Year (Literary Arts) Award.
Holding several key positions in the campus publication and student organizations at both the campus and University levels, Quinacman also serves as an active officer in their church. She likewise garnered awards during the Regional Higher Education Press Conference and the 20th Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference.
For Quinacman, education is a home that will always remain with her, wherever life may lead. She believes that through perseverance, every challenge can be overcome.
Representing PSU Urdaneta City Campus, ๐๐ซ. ๐๐ก๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ง ๐. ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐, secured sixth place. A graduating Magna Cum Laude student taking up Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering major in Embedded Systems, Galera proudly represented his campus in this year’s competition.
As a DOST scholar, Galera has consistently demonstrated excellence in engineering competitions, earning distinctions such as National Finalist in the CpE Quiz Bowl during the 7th ICpEP National Convention and CpE Challenge, Top 15 Finalist in AUTOMATHIC 2024, and DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholar from 2022 to 2026.
His passion for leadership enabled him to hold key positions in student organizations while extending his academic excellence to the international stage as a research presenter and student representative during the World Engineering Day celebration in the Sultanate of Oman in 2026.
Galera shared his inspiring story of refusing to give up despite the financial challenges faced by his family. He attributed his achievements to perseverance, hard work, and the unwavering support of those who believed in him throughout his academic journey.
The seventh rank was awarded to PSU Binmaley Campus, represented by ๐๐ฌ. ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ ๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ฅ, a graduating Magna Cum Laude student taking up Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. She is an Outstanding BFAR Scholar and was also recognized as the Outstanding BS Fisheries Student of 2026.
Among her notable achievements are the Piscilogical Society Leadership Award, Piscilogical Society Service Excellence Award, Excellence in Campus Journalism Award, Journalism Service Award, SSC Outstanding Service Award, and Outstanding BFAR Scholar Award.
Burmal shared that her God-centered life became the guiding force behind her journey. She likened her life to salt, explaining that although it is often unseen, it gives meaning and value to everything it touches.
๐๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐. ๐๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ง, representing PSU San Carlos City Campus, emerged as this year’s eighth placer. She is a graduating student with Academic Distinction, taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Filipino.
Demonstrating exemplary leadership, De Leon received several Leadership Excellence Awards from various organizations. She is also a contributor to several published literary anthologies, including Kusina ng Talinghaga: Mga Katagang Naging Taludtod | When Words Become Verses, ‘Ina, Ikinararangal Kita (Mindshapers Co., Inc. and M.E. Publications), PADAYON: Stories of Life International Edition โ KAFAMPI Series, and Pagkakamali, o Pundasyonโ published by M.E. Publications.
According to De Leon, the people who continuously supported her became the reason she transformed her self-doubt into strength and motivation to pursue greater aspirations in life.
Completing the roster of the 2026 Natatanging Mag-aaral was ๐๐ฌ. ๐๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐ฒ ๐. ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐, of PSU Sta. Maria Campus, who ranked ninth. She is a graduating Cum Laude student taking up Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education.
Callorina received several distinctions, including the Proficiency Award in Technology and Livelihood Education, Student Teacher Award, Special Citation in Developmental Communication Writing, Leadership Award, and Best in Research in Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education.
Throughout her years at the University, she served in various leadership positions, including SSC Business Manager (2025โ2026), SSC Vice President for Students’ Rights and Welfare (2024โ2025), LIKHA Vice President (2024โ2025), HULT Prize Organization Documentation Head (2023โ2024), and BTLED Sentinel (2023โ2024).
In her testimony, Callorina shared the heartbreaking experience of losing her mother during the pandemic. She said the promise she made to her mother became the guiding light that inspired her to persevere, remain steadfast, and ultimately achieve success.
The awarding ceremony was held on July 21, 2026, at the Sison Auditorium. PSU President Dr. Elbert M. Galasgraced the occasion together with Mr. John Roniel “Ron” Canimo, author of Mga Tala at Tula, who served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.
