Emerging as the winner from nearly 400 entries submitted by Multimedia Arts students in a competition that launched last June.
Lauren Kerby Obaldo, a second-year Multimedia Arts student from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), will soon have his work travel and seen around the world.
This, as he was named the grand prize winner of the UPS Express Envelope Design Competition that was held in partnership with his university and is part of the broader celebration of UPS’s upcoming hub in Clark, which will open later in 2026.
During which, students were told to reimagine the UPS Express Envelope through original artwork inspired by three themes.
These were Roots of Progress, which highlights resilience and the ability to adapt and move forward; Galaw ng Bayan, Abot ang Mundo, which explores connectivity and how stronger connections create access to global opportunities; and Clark Rising: Asia’s Center, Philippines’ Pride, which celebrates innovation and the modern infrastructure that positions the Philippines within Asia’s global network.
Through multiple rounds of public voting and judging, nine finalists advanced to the final stage.
Part of the jury were Filipino contemporary artists Jigger Cruz, Demi Padua, Olivia d’Aboville, and Lisa Ongpin-Periquet, who ranked the top three winners in each category and selected the overall grand prize winner.
Obaldo’s work, entitled “Haraya sa Kalsada,” emerged as the winner for the Clark Rising: Asia’s Center, Philippines’ Pride category.
His work was inspired by the Filipino jeepney and festival design, and by Clark’s growing role as a center for transportation, logistics and global connections, the design stood out for its originality and visual storytelling.
As grand prize winner, the artwork will be featured on official UPS Express Envelopes that will carry international shipments across the world.
Meanwhile, Aleana Szobelle Lallamant and her work entitled Started From the Bottom Now We’re Here! won in Roots of Progress. Jana Lois Oliveros, who is behind Reach for the Waves, was the theme winner of Galaw ng Bayan, Abot ang Mundo.
The top 30 entries were then showcased in a public exhibit during the recent awarding ceremony at the Ayala Museum in Makati City, which highlights the students’ interpretations of Filipino resilience, connectivity and innovation.
The award was presented by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, who was present during the ceremony.
Angelo Marco Lacson, Vice Chancellor for Academics at DLS-CSB, noted: “We value partnerships like this with UPS because they bring learning beyond the classroom and give our students the opportunity to create for a real-world, global platform.“
For him, seeing the ideas of students move from the classroom into the real world is “incredibly meaningful” and added, “It affirms that their creativity has a place, and an audience, beyond De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.”
Meanwhile, Russell Reed, the Managing Director of UPS Philippines, said: “One of the most rewarding parts of this competition has been seeing how students expressed Filipino identity, ambition and pride through original designs. The creativity and thoughtfulness behind their work were truly impressive.“
UPS is one of the world’s largest companies, with 2025 revenue of USD88.7 billion, and provides a broad range of integrated logistics solutions for customers in more than 200 countries and territories and employs 460,000 workers.
Its upcoming hub in Clark, Pampanga is designed to enhance connectivity for businesses in the Philippines and across Asia, the facility will further strengthen access to international markets.
