15 September 2026
Three Multimedia Arts (MMA) students from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) earned top honors in the UPS Express Envelope Design Competition, using visual design to share stories about Filipino identity, cultural heritage, and progress. Their work shows how creative concepts can communicate meaningful ideas to wider audiences, a skill that Benilde’s MMA program develops through its focus on critical thinking, creativity, and visual communication.
Second-year MMA student Lauren Kerby Obaldo won the grand prize for his artwork, “Haraya sa Kalsada,” which emerged as the top entry among more than 400 submissions. He also won first place in the Clark Rising: Asia’s Center, Philippines’ Pride category, which focused on innovation and modern infrastructure connecting the Philippines to the wider region.
The awarding ceremony took place on August 25 at the Ayala Museum in Makati City, where nine finalists received recognition for their entries. Benilde also received a Partnership Appreciation Award from UPS, with Vice Chancellor for Academics Mr. Angelo Marco Lacson accepting the plaque on behalf of the College.
Lauren built his winning concept around the traditional jeepney, a familiar symbol of Filipino identity. While many of his peers associated Clark, Pampanga, with airplanes, he chose a vehicle deeply rooted in everyday Filipino life. He wanted to remind people of the importance of preserving Filipino culture as the country continues to modernize.
His artwork uses human shadows to represent movement and economic progress, an orange gradient to convey hope for a brighter future, and festival-inspired details to express Filipino heritage and unity. Through these choices, Lauren turned a concept about national progress into a visual story that connects modernization with Filipino identity, applying the critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills that Benilde’s MMA program develops in its students.
Lauren shared that he initially thought his concept was too common. He chose the jeepney because he wanted to remind people that it remains part of Filipino identity, especially as traditional jeepneys face changes brought by modernization.
Lauren’s winning design will be printed on UPS envelopes used by customers in the Philippines to send packages around the world. The opportunity gives his artwork an audience beyond the classroom and shows how visual communication can reach people through everyday objects. Benilde’s MMA program prepares students to develop multimedia projects from conceptualization to execution and exhibition, helping them apply their skills to creative work for different audiences and markets.
Two other Benildean students also won first place in their respective categories. Aleana Szobelle P. Lallamant won in Roots of Progress: Filipino Culture, Values and Heritage with her artwork, “Started From the Bottom Now We’re Here!” Her design features the Philippine Eagle, anahaw leaves, and sampaguita flowers, using familiar national symbols to express Filipino resilience, strength, and pride.
Jana Lois Oliveros won in Galaw ng Bayan, Abot ang Mundo with “Reach for the Waves.” Her design features traditional Filipino boats, waterways, and marine life to show how connections between communities can open access to opportunities around the world.
The three category winners were selected from nine finalists, with three entries recognized under each competition theme. Lauren then emerged as the overall grand prize winner. Together, the students’ entries show how designers can approach a brief from different perspectives and develop visual solutions that communicate ideas to specific audiences. This reflects the MMA program’s emphasis on critical thinking and creativity in producing visual communication outputs for different audiences and markets.
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
