By Elyssa Jimenez & Elyka Jimenez | The Paulinian
Photos by Reinhard Carls | The Paulinian
St. Paul University Manila — The 2026 Service Awards held on January 24, 2026, at the Fleur-de-lis Auditorium, followed by a Mass in celebration of the conversion of St. Paul, gathered SPC Sisters, faculty, students, staff, and administrators in a meaningful event.
The SPU Manila Chorale rendered the Philippine National Anthem and the Opening Prayer, after which Sr. Maria Vicenta Estrella, SPC, Vice President for Administrative and Finance Services, gave the Opening Remarks, which emphasized the value of shared service, stewardship, and gratitude.
The Human Resource Management Office presented awardees who have rendered services for five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years, with the University President, Sr. Ma. Evangeline Anastacio, SPC, presiding over the awarding. The honorees were Mr. Melvin Macuha for five years, Ms. Rowena Cayanan, Mr. Jonathan Dacera, and Mr. Roland Guibincan for ten years, Ms. Maria Cecilia Antonio for fifteen years, and Ms. Aneen Andrada for twenty years.
A highlight of the event was the recognition of 30-year service awardees, Ms. Amelia Callos and Ms. Ma. Pia Fe Perillo, who will also be retiring, together with Ms. Judith Alderete and Ms. Teresita Traqueña.
Following the award ceremony, Ms. Carla Mallari, Ms. Cristy Bojocan, and Ms. Marilou Bonion performed an intermission song honoring the awardees’ years of devoted commitment to St. Paul University Manila.
After that, in a historic first, SPU Manila also conferred service awards on SPC Sisters who have served the university: Sr. Nicole de Marie Dabalus, SPC for five years of service, Sr. Maria Vicenta Estrella, SPC for eight years, Sr. Felicitas Bernardo, SPC for nine years, Sr. Ma. Evangeline Anastacio, SPC for twelve years, Sr. Leonora Matias, SPC for fifteen years, and Sr. Flordeliza Dezo, SPC for twenty years. Their dedication and leadership continue to strengthen the Paulinian mission and values within the university.
After the SPC Sisters were acknowledged, the St. Paul University Manila Chorale performed an intermission piece, which heightened attendees’ appreciation and joy.
The celebration continued with Ms. Amelia Callos, a retiree and 30-year service awardee, delivering the Message of Thanks. She stated in her touching message that St. Paul University Manila has become her second home and has shaped her identity, values, and character. “As I go on this journey, I realize that every challenge, every trial, and every moment of service has been guided by love for God, love for family, and love for community,” she said, expressing her sincere gratitude to the university. Her words, reflecting a lifetime of meaningful service, resonated strongly with the audience.
Following her speech, all awardees were honored with a video tribute highlighting their achievements, special moments, and service to the university.
The service award program concluded with Closing Remarks delivered by Sr. Ma. Evangeline Anastacio, SPC, University President, who thanked the awardees for their enduring commitment and encouraged the community to continue living out the Paulinian mission. The event formally ended with the singing of the Paulinian Hymn, marking a meaningful and celebratory close to the 2026 Service Awards.
After the service award program, the event continued with a Mass in celebration of the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, presided over by Rev. Fr. Jude Genovia, SSC.
In his homily, Fr. Genovia spoke about the life and conversion of St. Paul, highlighting how his encounter with Christ transformed him from a persecutor of the Church into a zealous apostle. Fr. Jude reminded everyone that the mission of Christ is not reserved only for priests, religious sisters, and missionaries but is given to everyone who encounters Him: students and their studies, teachers in their vocation, and all members of the community in their daily lives.
Fr. Jude also highlighted how every space, whether inside a classroom, office, laboratory, or corridor, can become a place of mission when approached with dedication and faith. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate this meaningful feast. He reminded the awardees and community that it is not the number of years of service that matters; it is the commitment to grow to know, to love, and to serve.
Fr. Jude also exhorted the awardees to keep on inspiring others, to continue their faithfulness, and to serve the Paulinian mission.
Before the Mass ended, gratitude was expressed to Fr. Jude for presiding over the Eucharistic Celebration, along with Sr. Maria Evangeline Anastacio, SPC and her council, the SPC Sisters, the Christian Formation and Student Services and Student Affairs Offices, Paulinian Liturgical Animators, the SPU Chorale, Canteen Staff, Sr. Agnes, SPC, the Human Resource Management Office, General Services and Maintenance Personnel, ICT, and the College and Senior High School students, faculty, staff and employees who contributed to the success of the event. The Mass concluded with singing of the Paulinian Mission Song, reflecting the community’s commitment to live out the Paulinian mission.
