Written by: Andrei Francis Pascual, Khiel Hardey Lachica, & Maxine Ivan Mhea Aratan
Photos by The Mediatrix Society ||
The Star Awards is an annual event of BA Communication students of University of Baguio that recognizes and highlights the talents of its students who have demonstrated exceptional skills for their outstanding work, as well as to inspire and uplift aspiring UB BA Communication by showcasing the accomplishments of their more experienced peers.
This year’s Star Awards embraces the dazzling Golden Oscars Night theme; touches of gold adorned the venue, symbolizing prestige, achievement, and brilliance. “Since there were so many awards this year, a very formal and golden Oscars Night theme felt the most appropriate.” said Steve Coyugan, President of The Mediatrix Society, still feels delighted by the successful event. This year featured a total of 75 awards, both major and minor awards.
With the atmosphere set, the ceremony shifted to honoring the perseverance and creativity of the students, beginning with the 2nd Years, followed by the 3rd Years, and most especially the graduating batch. Awardees for the 4th Year stepped onto the stage with a mix of excitement and nervous pride. Among the first recognitions were Eugenriq for Best in Multimedia Storytelling Video, Deja Loop for Best in Theatrical Production, CroisTil and BrowMada by HyBread Co. for Most Innovative Product in Advertising, Ligaya Gala-mour for Overall Best Travel Vlog, and La Luna Studios’ Hatinggabi for Best Overall Game Proposal.
The night culminated with the film 30, awarded Best Picture, directed by Rayjan Ebba, who also won the Best Director. He shared a message for the lower years believing that art should be a tool for a change: “For the lower years, please create a film for the purpose of creating change. Films, or art in general, are meant to highlight underrepresented issues and offer alternative perspectives on our society’s social structures. Let us use our platform as people learned in the ways of communication to bring about change for the better. Above all, in creating your films, include your heart and good purpose so that it may also touch the heart of your viewers.” 30 is a film about a group of student activists seeking justice over a multiple case of human rights violations in their home, Pueblo de Alba; it is included on the films screened during the first ever mobile-filmmaking festival of BA Comm’s Sineranyag 2025.
The event is unforgettable to each and every BA Comm students; an impressive event organized by the official student organization of UB BA Communication – The Mediatrix Society. Ms. Sophia Joyce Pagaduan, a BA Comm faculty and the newly appointed TMS Adviser, shared her experiences for the first time organizing Star Awards. “I was thrilled to finally spearhead the Star Awards 2025 as the TMS Adviser—an event we couldn’t execute when I was an officer myself. While there were certainly some initial setbacks in the execution, the true highlight was
witnessing the sheer dedication of my officers. Their impressive passion and tireless commitment to bringing the Star Awards 2025 to fruition filled me with incredible pride. I am genuinely honored to work alongside such a devoted team.” said Ms. Pagaduan, feels inspired and grateful for working with TMS officers along with excellence. Ms. Pagaduan is also a BA Communication graduate from the University of Baguio, Batch 2022.
For Star Awards 2025, it is not just the students that receive an award from their creative works, but also for the unwavering commitment of BA Comm alumni on giving back to the community that helped shape them. Among the prominent featured graduates who continue to make a lasting impact on our institution – Adrian Paul Andiso (Batch 2024), Raymond Sakiwat (Batch 2013), Reign Keryao (Batch 2019), Rayah Jahziel Tayag (Batch 2023), Katrine Dumling (Batch 2024), Thea Sherina Rillera (Batch 2023), Jerico Cayabyab (Batch 2023), and Glenn Marc Dulay (Batch 2025). Also it has been a tradition to invite an alumnus of the BA Communication program to be the host for Star Awards annually.
For this year’s event, a multi-talented alumnus has been chosen by the organizers – Mr. Jerico Cayabyab.
“As an alumnus of UB BA Communication, sobrang fulfilling and surreal yung feeling na makabalik sa Star Awards, not just as a former student, but now as a host. Back then, I was one of the participants and audience members na humahanga sa bawat performance and recognition. Ngayon, I get to be on stage, guiding the flow of the event and celebrating the achievements of the students who are continuing the legacy of the program. It feels like a full-circle moment for me. UB shaped a huge part of who I am, my confidence, my creativity, and my passion for events. So to return and contribute in this way, dala-dala ko yung pride and gratitude bilang isang BA Comm graduate. It feels like coming home, but with a bigger purpose.”
– Mr. Cayabyab, still having flashbacks to nostalgic moments as a former student of UB BA Communication.
They have shown a distinctive dedication to giving back by consistently participating in school initiatives, mentorship events, and numerous outreach programs. Collectively, they represent the power of our BA Communication alumni network – leaders who elevate subsequent generations by preserving the principles of their class.
Beyond individual and group achievements, STAR Awards 2025 highlighted the collective spirit of the BA Communication community. The ceremony celebrated perseverance, dedication, and a love for the craft, while also emphasizing that creating work with heart and purpose can make a meaningful difference. In the end, it became a shared celebration, showing that excellence is most meaningful when supported by others. This may be the last major event of the BA Communication program for the first semester; may also be the last for our graduating BA Comm students–but the accomplishments will continue holding the excellency and commitment of serving the people through different forms of communication media inside and outside the university.
Till next Star Awards… the journey continues.
Magsikhay, COMMkada!
