Daily Tribune

SOCIAL SET

Signed, sealed, delivered: Local creativity goes global

A premier regional initiative that elevates classroom brilliance into an internationally recognized canvas, the competition made its stellar Philippine debut following successful launches in Japan and Singapore.

Luis Espiritu · Aug 31, 2026, 2:10 AM

FIRST Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (middle) with student winners and judges. — photographs courtesy of UPS Philippines/De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
UPS Philippines managing director Russell Reed, the First Lady, Lauren Kerby Obaldo, Delgado Brothers Group president and CEO Jose Paolo Delgado.

Filipino creativity officially took flight onto the global stage at the recently concluded UPS Express Envelope Design Competition awarding ceremony held at the Ayala Museum.

A premier regional initiative that elevates classroom brilliance into an internationally recognized canvas, the competition made its stellar Philippine debut following successful launches in Japan and Singapore.

Gracielle Margaret Rigor, top 10 finalist, posing with her exhibited artwork.

For this milestone third iteration, logistics giant UPS exclusively partnered with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), inviting nearly 400 visionary Multimedia Arts students to boldly reimagine the iconic UPS Express Envelope.

UPS Philippines Vibhav Varshney giving guests a tour of the student artwork exhibit.
Anika Alde, top three finalist, with her artwork for the theme ‘Clark Rising: Asia’s Center, Philippines’ Pride.’

The high-profile evening was underscored by the distinguished presence of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, who personally graced the event to champion the country’s burgeoning artistic sector alongside an esteemed panel of judges including renowned contemporary artists Jigger Cruz, Demi Padua, Olivia d’Aboville, Lisa Ongpin-Periquet and Isha Naguiat.

Roots of Progress theme winner Aleana Szobelle P. Lallamant posing alongside her exhibited work.
Judges Olivia d’Aboville and Isha Naguiat evaluating the artworks on display.

Out of hundreds of exceptional entries mapping out local heritage and identity, second-year student Lauren Kerby Obaldo emerged as the grand winner for his masterful piece, “Haraya sa Kalsada,” which intricately fused the vibrant spirit of the Filipino jeepney with a forward-looking salute to the rising logistics hub of Clark. Obaldo shared the evening’s highest accolades with category winners Aleana Szobelle P. Lallamant, who conquered the Roots of Progress theme with her Philippine Eagle motif, and Jana Lois D. Oliveros, who topped the Galaw ng Bayan, Abot ang Mundo category.

Top 10 finalist Glynnis Jenithe Pambid (left) posing with her artwork.

As the grand prize-winning masterpiece, Obaldo’s design will be directly reproduced on official UPS Express Envelopes utilized for international shipments across the Philippines. By seamlessly traveling through the company’s vast global network, this localized artwork transcends traditional exhibition walls, ensuring that the sheer ingenuity and storytelling of the contemporary Filipino soul effortlessly reach global audiences well beyond our shores.