A total of 11 graduates whose achievements in business, government, hospitality, and the creative industries and have translated into meaningful contributions to their communities, were honored by STI College, at the same time highlighting how education can open doors to careers with lasting impact.
The honorees received the STI Distinguished Alumni Awards during ceremonies held recently. The annual awards recognize graduates who have excelled in their professions while creating positive change in their respective fields.
Among this year’s awardees was Wilfred Mogado of STI College Novaliches, now chief of the Department of Agriculture’s Network Operations and Management Division. Once a working student who spent long hours in the school’s computer laboratory, Mogado went on to help develop the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), the government’s database used to identify beneficiaries of agricultural assistance and subsidy programs.
“Education became my passport to achieve something that contributes to the nation,” Mogado said.
Entrepreneur Mayette Bagaforo, an alumna of STI College Koronadal, was also recognized for building Samgyupsaab Korean BBQ from a startup launched during the pandemic into a business with seven branches across Mindanao. The company now employs more than 150 workers while supporting organizations serving persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
Bagaforo credited her college education for helping develop the discipline, confidence and communication skills that proved essential in growing her business.
The awards also celebrated Filipino talent making its mark overseas. Erica Beatrece De Leon, an alumna of STI College Las Piñas, has built a culinary career in leading hotels in the Philippines, the United States and Australia. She currently serves as Chef de Partie at Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, where she said the resilience and work ethic she developed in school have helped her navigate the demands of the profession.
In the creative industry, Filmstrip Pictures founder Leiser Bautista, also from STI College Novaliches, was honored for his work as director of photography on a Netflix documentary series filmed in Malaysia. Bautista recalled how the encouragement of his college mentors helped build his confidence and inspired him to pursue a career in filmmaking.
Addressing students and fellow graduates, Bautista urged them to persevere in pursuing their ambitions, saying every person’s journey has a story worth telling.
STI Alumni Association President Hernan Alar said they encourage their alumni to use their success to inspire future graduates facing an increasingly uncertain world.
“As alumni, we have a responsibility to open doors for the next generation,” Alar said. “Through your stories and achievements, we are telling them, ‘Kaya niyo rin.'”
STI College Vice President for Academics Karen Tabije, on the other hand, said the institution measures its success not only by its longevity but by the accomplishments of its graduates and the impact they continue to make in their professions and communities.
This year’s recipients came from a wide range of industries, reflecting the diverse career paths pursued by STI graduates in the Philippines and overseas.