Ruth Cenas, BS Architecture student, was welcomed and given recognition at the December 15, 2025, Flag Ceremony for winning a prize in one of the most prestigious and long-running art competitions in the Philippines.
“It is with great pride and honor that we recognize one of our own from the University of the Philippines Mindanao who has brought distinction and inspiration to the UP community,” read Student Affairs’ Senior Psychosocial Counselor Pontini Coloscos.
“Ruth Cenas of BS Architecture won First Place in the Oil/Acrylic Category of the 58th Shell National Students’ Art Competition for `Usok na Nagiging Buhay.’ Ms. Cenas’s 1st Place-winning entry is a powerful and moving work that captures the resilience of the human spirit. The painting portrays a young girl drawing under the glow of a single candle, symbolizing hope, perseverance, and the quiet courage to dream even in the absence of electricity.
Through the candle’s light and the fire within her, the young girl continues to pursue her craft, reminding us that creativity thrives not because conditions are perfect, but because passion refuses to be extinguished. This achievement is not only a testament to Ruth’s exceptional artistic talent, but also to the values of grit, imagination, and hope that we proudly
uphold as a UP community,” he stated.
