Established in 2004, the Lasallian Scholarum Awards (LSA) is the University’s flagship program for recognizing outstanding media coverage of youth and education stories.

The Lasallian Scholarum Awards is a merit-based awards program with the purpose of highlighting the most pressing, innovative, and inspirational news, from print, to online, and television media, that champion both our nation’s youth and the continued advancement of our education system.

The 2026 edition LSA carries the theme EmpowerED, honoring the unwavering, bold spirit of Filipino journalists and truth-seekers, who continue to uphold truth, excellence, and compassion in their work as they bring light to the world and inspire our people, especially the youth who are empowered to bring about positive change.

THE LASALLIAN SCHOLARUM AWARDS 2026 FINALISTS

Outstanding published feature article on youth and education in a school organ

Title	Author	Publication	University
For Some Students, Part-Time Jobs Fill the Gaps Left by Insufficient Scholarships	Alex Lauricio	Philippine Collegian	University of the Philippines
Ink and imagination: Scenes from local children’s book authors	Bea Bundang and Alexandrea Kate Noble	The Guidon	Ateneo de Manila University
Kung bakit mas malalim ang pighati ng estudyante kaysa sa baha	Eryl Cabiles and Jasmien Ivy Sanchez	FEU Advocate	Far Eastern University
KWF: Komisyon o Krisis sa Wikang Filipino?	Jasmien Ivy Sanchez	FEU Advocate	Far Eastern University
Logged in, burned out: Inside the student freelance grind	Daphne Bayona and Carelle Samson	The LaSallian	De La Salle University
Pabrika ng makina ang Pamantasang kinikitil ang kaluluwa sa kolehiyo	Jasmien Ivy Sanchez	FEU Advocate	Far Eastern University
Pag-alis sa ‘mother tongue education,’ banta sa katutubong wika	Diana May B. Cabalo, Frenchshield Shayne G. Delovieres and Sofia Gabrielle G. Rosario	The Varsitarian	University of Santo Tomas
Sa Kakulangan ng Pondo sa Mga Rehiyonal na Pamantasan, Maraming Estudyante Ang  Nalalayo sa Tahanan	KC Nulada	Philippine Collegian	University of the Philippines
When the mother tongue is cut, Filipino teachers mend the threads of local languages	Elijah Duanan and Julian Rias	The LaSallian	De La Salle University
Why Denying Sex Education Is Pushing Girls Into Motherhood Too Soon	Giullana David	Philippine Collegian	University of the Philippines

Outstanding online feature article on youth and education

Title	Author	Publishers
AI use in PH classrooms must fit students’ needs —solon	Vince Angelo Ferreras	GMA News Online
Classroom backlog means dawn classes for kindergarten students —EDCOM II	Sherylin Untalan	GMA News Online
DepEd seeks to recover up to P100M ‘ghost student’ claims	Sherylin Untalan	GMA News Online
DepEd Targets K-3 Learners To Fix Crisis	Bella Cariaso	One News
EDCOM 2: Only 1 in 4 Grade 3 students can perform division correctly	Sherylin Untalan	GMA News Online
Life story of Wenna Joy Culibra: From kasambahay to cum laude	Bernie V. Franco	PEP.PH
School bullies may be victims of abuse at home: psychologist	Anjo Bagaoisan	ABS-CBN News
Teens ‘really need help,’ say supporters of adolescent pregnancy prevention bill	Michelle Abad	Rappler
What is bullying? ‘Outdated’ definition in Philippines poses problems	Bonz Magsambol	Rappler
What is Comprehensive Sexuality Education?	Giselle Ombay	GMA News Online
Where is PH now in terms of learning recovery?	Giselle Ombay and Sherylin Untalan	GMA News Online
Young Pinoy inventor of helmet-cleaning machines, now a millionaire	Bernie V. Franco	PEP.PH

Outstanding published feature article on youth and education in a nationally circulated publication

Title	Author	Publisher
A deaf graduate’s journey to servant leadership	Iza Iglesias	Manila Times
DepEd bares 1.2 M enrollment drop for SY 2025-2026	Bella Cariaso	The Philippine Star
DepEd: 26 school days lost to recent cyclones, calamities	Elizabeth Marcelo	The Philippine Star
Educate Girls breaks resistance to learning	Jane Bautista	Philippine Daily Inquirer
Is homeschooling for you and your child?	Jocelyn Valle	Philippine Daily Inquirer
PBED: Education crisis persists, jobs gap widens	Zacarian Sarao	Philippine Daily Inquirer
Youth push for stronger HIV response as infections rise among Filipinos aged 15 to 24	Kenneth M . del Rosario	Business Mirror

Outstanding video feature story on youth and education

Title	Author	Program	Publisher
Hamon sa Kandidato: Lubog sa Gutom	Maki Pulido and Jun Veneracion	Reporter’s Notebook	GMA Public Affairs
Kampeon ng Alon	Atom Araullo	I-witness	GMA Public Affairs
Pamilya Liwanag	Kara David	I-witness	GMA Public Affairs
Pamilya Tubig	Maki Pulido and Jun Veneracion	Reporter’s Notebook	GMA Public Affairs
Pangarap kong Sapatos	Atom Araullo	I-witness	GMA Public Affairs
POGO Babies	John Consulta	I-witness	GMA Public Affairs
Walang Maputik, Walang Matarik	Kara David	I-witness	GMA Public Affairs

Outstanding feature story on De La Salle University

Title	Author	Publisher
Ace on and off the court: Julia Coronel bags her IT degree from DLSU	Inna Mina	One News
DLSU to lure industry players on-campus	John Eiron R. Francisco	Business Mirror
FDCP, DLSU study reveals insights into Filipino film viewership	Iza Iglesias	Manila Times
Japonz Dacumos: student with autism graduates summa cum laude	Bernie V. Franco	PEP.PH
Metro Manila Is Walkable? These DLSU Students Say Yes!	Gelene Peñalosa	The Beat
Org Spotlight: DLSU PUSA Goes Above And Beyond For Beloved Campus Kitties	Nica Glorioso	Nylon Manila
Philippine economy, exports to stand firm despite US tariff threat—DLSU economists	Dexter Barro II	Manila Bulletin
This DLSU graduate, who’s on the autism spectrum, achieves summa cum laude	John Patrick Magno Ranara	The Philippine Star
This project by DLSU students hopes to turn food waste in cafeterias to biogas for cooking	Josiah Eleazar Antonio	ABS-CBN News
Wawi Navarroza’s self in surrounding	Lala Singian-Serzo	Inquirer.net

Outstanding youth and education feature film

Title	Producer
The Delivery Rider	Studio Three Sixty
Magkapatid: Dreamers in tandem	JPhlix Films and Entertainment
Song of the fireflies	Culturtain Musicat Productions
Sunshine	PROJECT 8 PROJECTS

LSA introduces The Verdant Visionary, a new sculpture for its winners

Entering its third decade, LSA presents a new sculpture for the winners in the professional categories.  Titled The Verdant Visionary, this unique artwork was created by visual artist Jomike Tejido.

Jomike Tejido is a visual artist carrying the roots of architecture by formal education. He has brought geometric and colorful concepts into his art by playing with pictorial plan through abstraction. He uses various media, from canvas to sculpture, as far as illustrating for children’s books. Tejido describes his work as child-like, vibrant, and spirited, just like a curious kid experimenting with colors and textures. With his great sense of wonder, it reflects on his pieces by making it come alive through its elements and story. 

His works have been shown in various local art scenes, as well as in galleries in France and Japan. His creative mind has also wandered into writing and illustrating over 100 children’s books, locally and globally, including Scholastic NYC and Little & Brown Books USA. 

The LSA bas-relief sculpture represents elements encapsulating the essence and meaning of receiving this award – for nation-building.  

The two main regions are day and night, representing media organizations’ constant vigilance to search for relevant stories. The earth tones show the media’s groundedness and having a firm connection with reality and truth. The network symbol translates the power of media and their message as it is passed on exponentially. The dark green zone dotted with golden gems depicts  stories that are always out there waiting to be found.

On the bottom are six icons on squares which symbolize the 6 categories of the Lasallian Scholarum Awards.