The Saint Louis University (SLU) community gathered on 27 July 2026 for Panangdayaw 2026, a tribute honoring the institution’s retirees and service awardees, unfolding a meaningful and moving portrait of steadfast dedication and a renewed courage for new beginnings.
Held at the Cordillera Convention Hall, Baguio Country Club in Baguio City, the celebration transformed the space into a chamber of thanksgiving and honor for the cherished employees whose commitment shaped the institution’s mission, culture, and legacy rooted in Missio et Excellentia.
The tribute opened with a Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. Emery Ebumea Mwako, CICM along with the CICM Fathers. The homily became a light to live by, especially with the words, “Beyond every award is a person who chose, day after day, to remain faithful to a mission larger one’s self. And so, today’s celebration proclaims a simple but heartfelt message, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”
Fr. Mwako said that faithfulness is doing ordinary things with extraordinary love and commitment, “That is what we celebrate: faithfulness, not only success. Success is measured by numbers, promotions, awards. But faithfulness is measured by love, responsibility and perseverance. While success depends on many external factors, faithfulness is always a choice. So we are here today to honor that choice — the choice of being a faithful servant,” he remarked.
The Eucharistic Celebration was followed by the singing of “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” led by the SLU Glee Club and the opening performance titled “Magsasaka” by the SLU Dance Troupe.
Thereafter, the words of University President Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD framed the occasion as more than a recognition program and underscored the enduring value of the people that sustains the University’s identity. He began, “Allow me to add a personal note. Like many of you gathered here today, I, too, have been blessed with the privilege of serving our dear University for at least a decade. To be counted among this year’s service awardees is a humbling honor. It reminds me that no matter the role we hold, whether as faculty member, staff, administrator, or University President, we are first and foremost fellow Louisians, united by one mission and one commitment: to serve with excellence.”
Fr. Sales reminded the community, especially the 24 retirees and 251 service awardees, that the genuine strength of Saint Louis University lies in the faithful, often unseen acts of service carried out by every Louisian.
“To all our honorees, remember that our University looks to the future with confidence because of the strong foundation that all of us have helped build. And as one who has had the privilege of walking this journey with you, I can say with deep conviction that the greatest strength of Saint Louis University has always been its people. Buildings can be constructed, technologies can evolve, and programs can expand, but it is our people who breathe life to our mission,” the University President highlighted.
Tribute to Service Awardees
True to the heart of “Panangdayaw”, the Ilokano term of honor, praise, and tribute, the awarding ceremonies officially commenced placing special emphasis on the gift of loyalty and service, beginning with the 10-year (68 employees) and 15-year (66 employees) service awardees presented by Vice President for Mission and Identity Fr. Mwako and Vice President for Academic Affairs Felina P. Espique, PhD.
The applause for the awardees continued on with the SLU Glee Club’s performance of “Come Alive.”
Following this, SLU President Fr. Sales and Vice President for Administration Atty. Shellah Yzanne P. Merced presented the 20-year (46 employees) service awardees.
Fr. Sales and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, member of the SLU Board of Trustees, presented the 25-year (41 employees) service awardees.
In the spirit of appreciation, the SLU Dance Troupe gave a heartfelt performance of “Sabel” that was reflective of the day’s celebration.
The presentation of 30-year (22 employees) and 35-year (eight employees) service awardees followed with Fr. Sales and the Vice President for Finance Roberto M. Arguelles, PhD.
In response, 35-year service awardee Mr. Sandy R. Selga, SLU Basic Education School classroom teacher, shared his inspiring words saying, “When we think of a typical workday we think of an eight-hour shift… but there is one job where the clock is irrelevant and the job description expands every single day – that job belongs to teachers. When I first stepped into the classroom of SLU as an elementary teacher, my mission was simple: to help young minds see the beauty in the world and find the courage to express it… My mission never changed, it only grew larger and bigger.”
Mr. Selga thanked his students whom he considers his “greatest masterpieces” and the “color” of his canvas. He then went on and acknowledged the University, he said, “SLU made me a jack of all trades. If they need a teacher, I teach. If they need a mentor, I listen. If they need a colleague, I show up. If they need a performance, I dance, I groove… To the SLU administration and my colleagues, thank you for trusting my vision, supporting my craft, and giving me a space to create, teach and lead…May we all continue to live our lives in full color and full harmony because in excellence, God will be praised.”
Echoing this encouraging affirmation, the SLU Concert Orchestra gave a musical interlude — a solo saxophone rendition of “Beautiful” by Crush.
Tribute to Retirees
From celebrating years of dedicated service, the program gracefully transitioned to honoring the lives devoted to SLU’s mission and vision. The SLU community paid tribute to its 24 retirees, whose years of faithful service became part of the legacy woven into the story of the University.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Maria Concepcion B. Clemente, Assistant Data Protection Officer and Faculty, expressed the shared sentiment of reflecting on a journey shaped by purpose, perseverance, and meaning.
“Looking back at our service here, we have given our share in terms of service to SLU. We have dedicated so many hours of our lives at work…I must have found my place here because here I am – 35 years, one pandemic and four university presidents later – giving a retirement speech,” Ms. Clemente began.
As the first full‑time female faculty for SLU’s pioneering BS Computer Science and BS Information Technology programs, she shared how she always felt invested in her job and found joy in teaching and learning while watching graduates succeed in industry, business, and the academe. “Yes, I reaped what I have sown. We should have some sense of fulfillment in our legacy here in SLU, no matter how big or how small. I am quite sure that after an academic year, there would be a handful of people who are going to be grateful to you because of something good that you did or because of some nice words or inspiring words you have said or maybe just doing your job right. We should take value in that and actually feel a sense of accomplishment even if we belong to whatever department and no matter what type of job we did,” she said.
On behalf of her fellow retirees, she expressed immense gratitude to her colleagues who have shared their friendship, support and concern. She also thanked the SLU administration both past and present: “Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to work, the opportunity to earn a living…the opportunity to grow professionally, socially, spiritually; the chance to put our family members to school, the chance to have further studies, occasions like this and many more.”
Addressing her fellow retirees, she said, “For some like me, there is that sense of anxiety about having to get used to a new routine, losing a sense of purpose and a little fear about facing the inevitability of growing old. But here we are. We can only embrace this new phase in our lives. Let us trust that God will continue to sustain us and that we can still do service in other ways. So, to my fellow retirees, have a joyful, stress-free, healthy life ahead.”
The celebration drew to a fitting close with the SLU Glee Club’s stirring performance of “Tumataginting”.
A toast to the retirees, led by Fr. Mwako, then honored the journeys of the University’s service awardees and retirees as well as the legacy of service they leave behind.
United further in singing the SLU Hymn, the Louisian community reaffirmed its shared identity and mission before Rev. Fr. Emanuel Enjang Pranatal, CICM, Assistant Parish Priest, offered the closing prayer, bringing Panangdayaw 2026 to a hope-filled conclusion.
Panangdayaw 2026 was a celebration of dedicated service and serene joy of enduring journeys of the Louisian service awardees and retirees. It honored those who kept faith with their calling and affirmed that a life well lived is measured not by years alone but by the lives touched, the mission deepened, and the legacy sown.
Highlighted by the official Audio-Visual Production by the SLU University Information Office (UIO), Panangdayaw also marked the passage into a new chapter of life graced with renewed purpose, courage, and hope made more meaningful with the bonds forged with and within Saint Louis University.
The official event photos of Panangdayaw 2026 may be accessed here.
Here’s to not being afraid of the quiet turning of the page…
“Huwag kang matakot
‘Di mo ba alam, nandito lang ako
Sa iyong tabi?
‘Di kita pababayaan kailanman.
Huwag kang matakot
Dahil ang buhay mo’y
Walang katapusan
Makapangyarihan
Ang pag-ibig na hawak mo
Sa iyong kamay…”
– Eraserheads, 1999 –
