Former Rappler intern bags U.P.’s highest student award

Former Rappler intern and journalism major Angelica Yang is one of three students set to receive this year’s Gawad Tsanselor Para sa Natatanging Mag-aaral, the highest and most prestigious student award of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.

Yang, who is set to graduate with honors this June, will receive the award along with molecular biology student Joseph Neos Cruz and business administration student Carissa Lim. They hold exemplary academic and student leadership records that embody UP’s motto of honor and excellence.

“It is a huge honor to win an award from UP. Getting into UP was my ultimate dream, and I was just so happy to be able to study here. But I did not expect to win such a prestigious award from UP. It truly is a dream come true,” shared Yang.

Asked what the award meant to her, Yang said that even without receiving any recognition, people like her who are dedicated to their craft will continue to make a difference in their respective communities.

“[People who show dedication] are genuine about making society a better place. Even without the award, they will still continue with their work, because it is what they are most passionate about,” she said.

Yang has written over a hundred stories as a freelance journalist for media outlets like Rappler, and is a firm advocate of campus journalism, press freedom, and science communication.

Read some of her articles here:

• Local dance foundation shines spotlight on people with special needs
• U.P. NOAH merges science, humanities in disaster risk reduction
• Advice for young tech entrepreneurs from young tech entrepreneurs
• LOOK: Public school teacher uses technology to check class attendance
• Filipino-Chinese millennials speak up vs China harassment of PH fishermen
• PH still far from becoming PWD-inclusive, says UP study
• Which is UP Diliman’s student paper: ‘Philippine Collegian’ or ‘Rebel Kule’?

“I did not expect to win the [Gawad Tsanselor] award. I am not a student officer. I am not part of any org. I got a failing grade in my previous course. I guess this comes to show that one does not need to be a student officer, org member, or academic achiever to serve the Filipino people,” Yang said

“I hope that winning this award will inspire those who have failed and struggled…. There is always hope. No matter how many times they fall and stumble, what matters most is getting back up and trying again,” she added. – Rappler.com

Nicolas Czar Antonio is a Rappler intern and a Psychology major at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He tweets at @Nicolas_Czar.