“Forging forward, we remember to appreciate, but to never rest on, our laurels. While we were able to achieve so much the past Academic Year, we vow to steadfastly launch more advocacies that ensure our commitment to excellence despite the ever- changing educational landscape.” – Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, SLU President
Excellence, synergy, and the Louisian spirit were celebrated at the Saint Louis University (SLU) Academic Session on 8 August 2025 at the Prince Bernhard Gym, SLU Main Campus. As the event unfolded, an atmosphere of triumph and gratitude filled the air with the warm welcome of Louisian employees, marking the end of another successful academic year.
With the theme, “Missio et Excellentia: Championing Sustainability, Promoting Inclusive Education, Pioneering Innovation,” the session acknowledged the milestones reached, challenges hurdled, and the unwavering commitment to fulfilling the shared vision and Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) mission.
“This 2024-2025, we have held stronger and have pursued further our Missio et Excellentia as we championed sustainability, promoted inclusive education, and pioneered innovation— all these we attained as one Louisian community propelled by our ever-beautiful mission. May this presentation remind us of the heart and purpose behind everything we do—the core of our distinct, modest seal, our Louisian Brand of Excellence,” began University President Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, as he presented the year-end review with the President’s Report, showcasing the institution’s accomplishments for the AY 2024-2025.
“Throughout our journey, we have ensured our commitment to our Congregation’s values, to excellent education, and to our resolute social responsibility. My dear Lousians, Saint Louis University has made significant progress since its humble beginnings in 1911. As stewards of its legacy— as one family, with each of us driven by a shared passion and purpose, let us all be determined and carry on with our faith as we further build on our Louisian Brand of Excellence. Agyamanak kadakayo amin! God bless us all,” Fr. Gilbert concluded.
Prior to the Report, the SLU Dance Troupe opened the event with a riveting performance of “Bagani,” capturing the beauty of Filipino pride, as well as the strength and unity of the Louisian community. Thereafter, the SLU Glee Club refreshed the stage with a lively musical performance of “Don’t Stop Me Now,” showcasing vibrant voices that earned smiles from the audience.
Promoting Inclusive and Competent Education
“Owing to the University mantra that lets wisdom build purposeful greatness, we ensured that pursuing competent and inclusive education remains at the cornerstone of our objectives,” Fr. Gilbert mentioned as he reported on the milestones of the University manifesting the promotion of inclusive and competent education such as local, national, and international citations and commendations.
Meanwhile, the Gawad San Luis For Employees awarding ceremony commenced, acknowledging the Louisian employees for their hard work, service, and dedication to their professional growth and the university’s success. Recognizing the employees’ achievements allows them to celebrate their achievements with the community. This means, as Fr. Gilbert once said, “seeing, recognizing, and celebrating the achievements of our faculty and staff and creating a culture of continuous improvement.”
The first category, the Academic Achievement Award, was presented by the SLU Vice President for Academic Affairs, Felina P. Espique, PhD. This award was given to employees who upgraded their professional qualifications by achieving a higher academic degree. Seven teaching employees were awarded for obtaining a doctorate degree. Among the schools represented were the Basic Education School (BEdS), School of Nursing, Allied Health and Biological Sciences (SONAHBS), and the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA). Meanwhile, five employees from the School of Medicine (SOM) were also rewarded for obtaining the status of Diplomate.
On the other hand, among the non-teaching employees, one received an award for obtaining a Doctorate Degree while eight were awarded for completing their Master’s degrees.
Recognition was also given to 16 teaching employees who had earned their Master’s degree.
Following this was the Special Institutional Award, which is an award given to schools, departments, offices, units that are recipients of citations, awards, recognitions given by national or international agencies, professional organizations and accrediting bodies.
The SLU Sacred Heart Medical Center (SLU-SHMC) was recognized by the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPi) while the Patient Experience Office of the SLU-SHMC for ensuring their healthcare workers’ well-being. In addition, the Chief Justice Manuel V. Moran Community Legal Assistance Office (CJMM CLAO) was awarded for being recognized by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UN-OPS) for the implementation and completion of the European Union-Governance in Justice Programme Phase II or GOJUSTII project.
The Presidential Award for Professional Excellence followed, with an honoree from the Technology Management and Development Department (now the Information Systems and Technology Services Department) and three awardees from SONAHBS. The awardees were recognized for their exemplary performance in the field of profession from a national and/or international professional organization.
An intermission performance by the SLU Rondalla followed, showcasing the richness of Filipino cultural heritage and honoring traditional Philippine music.
Pioneering Innovation and Internationalization
In reflecting on the milestones of AY 2024-2025, Fr. Gilbert affirmed that “SLU has consistently maintained its locally and globally-acclaimed reputation—one that celebrates diversity and innovation anchored in the UN SDGs and the encyclicals of Pope Francis, always in the light of our mission as a Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae institution.”
In SLU, research innovation are the cornerstones of the institution, driving progress and fostering breakthroughs that impact society. Thus, the exceptional contributions of the employees were honored through the Presidential Award for Excellence in Research and Innovation.
Presented by the SLU Vice President for Administration, Atty. Shella Yzanne P. Merced, a total of 30 employees were awarded for their Scopus-Indexed journals, truly embodying the Louisian spirit for their excellence and innovation.
Further, SLU Vice President for Finance, Roberto M. Arguelles, PhD presented 26 honorees either for having their research peer reviewed or published in esteemed journals.
SLU Vice President for Mission and Identity, Rev. Fr. Emery Ebumea Mwako, CICM, presented the third batch of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Research and Innovation, where 16 employees also received recognition for their peer-reviewed journals. One was awarded the Innovation Award for copyrighted creative and literary works.
Nominations were also acknowledged for their meaningful engagement with scholarly inquiry or musical creativity, as well as their potential to inspire further academic or creative work.
This recognition flowed into the emotional and touching dance number of Johnoy Danao’s “Ikaw at Ako” by the SLU Dance Troupe and the SLU Glee Club’s inspiring performance of “The Climb.”
Championing Sustainability, Christian Spirit, and Compassion
The forward-looking leadership of Fr. Gilbert SLU affirms its commitment to promoting social equity, environmental health, and economic vitality — the pillars of what we know as “sustainability”. As evidenced by the accomplishments of the last academic year, SLU’s promotion of sustainability was ushered by the Louisian’s Christian spirit and compassion.
Through the Presidential Award for CICM Missionary Spirit, SLU honors employees who exhibit integrity and highly meritorious conduct or performed an exemplary and selfless act inspired by the CICM charism, whether in or out of campus that has generously benefited another individual, group, or institution, including the University.
Fr. Sales and Fr. Mwako presented this award to a Louisian employee from the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) for living out her faith in action for the community.
In celebration and to officially close the Gawad San Luis for Employees, the SLU Dance Troupe and SLU Glee Club gave a vibrant and dynamic performance of “Pinoy Ako.” Thereafter, the SLU Hymn echoed through the gym as the faculty and staff, altogether, reaffirmed their commitment to uphold pride, honor, and recognition of the university.
The 2025 Academic Session served as an avenue for the Louisian community to reflect on the past academic year and encouraged the Louisian community to continue working together towards new directions in a journey to success.
In the words of Fr. Sales, “All our victories were made possible because we all shared in the work, in the enthusiasm, in our ever-beautiful mission. Onwards, let us all recognize that to be relevant in the generations to come, we have to do even better and to notch up further. More significantly, let us remember that our collaboration and synergy turn our aspirations into reality.” (Article by UIO and Ydelvess Faith Morales, UIO Volunteer | Photos by UIO and Kyla Moreno, UIO Volunteer)
