10/09/2026
๐ฆ๐ ๐จ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐
In keeping with its tradition of recognizing dedication and service, Saint Maryโs University held the Gawad Maria for Employees on 9 September 2026 at the Fr. Cornelius Tonus, CICM Gymnasium. The awards recognized employees whose loyalty, academic excellence, professional achievement, leadership, creativity, innovation, and teamwork advance the Universityโs mission.
This year, SMU paid tribute to six retirees who devoted significant chapters of their lives to educating the young and carrying forward the vision of Msgr. Constant Jurgens, one of the earliest CICM missionaries in the Philippines. The honorees were Dr. John Tayaban, Mr. Louie Burgos, Dr. Susan Galamay, Mrs. Ruby Lyn Nuestro, Mrs. Rodora Tipay, and Mrs. Crisanta Valdez.
The University also recognized employees who reached service milestones: six with 30 years, three with 25 years, eight with 20 years, three with 15 years, and nine with 10 years of dedicated service.
In his message, Dr. John Octavious Palina, University President, expressed his appreciation to the honorees for their contributions to SMUโs growth and success. โOur longevity awardees, together with individuals and teams receiving awards for achievements in academics, professional work, leadership, service, and innovation, embody the spirit of excellence at SMU. To our dear retirees, the entire Marian community extends its deepest gratitude for your hard work and devotion. Your contributions paved the way for our many departmental and institutional successes, particularly during the 2025-2026 academic year.โ
Responding on behalf of the honorees, Dr. Tayaban, Vice President for Administration Emeritus, reflected on the decades of service and experiences that shaped their journey at SMU. He spoke of the gratitude, perseverance, faith, and family support that sustained them, as well as the sense of belonging that gave meaning to their work. โWhy did we stay here at SMU? SMU, it gave us the mission of education. We found meaning and fulfillment in our everyday tasks. And with all the outcomes, in the achievements of our students, our workmates, in our own achievements, in our graduate degrees, in appointments to positions of responsibility, the awards we just had this afternoon are things that warm and strengthen our desire to continue working at Saint Mary's University.
โThe sense of the Marian family was likewise a bond that kept us rooted in this institution. In this communion, we strive to always maintain good working relationships with everyone. We experience stewardship, shepherding, mentorship, fellowship, synergistic collaboration.โ
Held twice a year, the Gawad Maria Awards affirm SMUโs commitment to recognizing dedicated service and achievement. The awards celebrate contributions that continue to strengthen the University and advance its mission.
