Written by Gillana Angela Angeles
Aligned with the vibrant celebration of the 54th Panagdadapun Festival that celebrated the province’s founding, a new legacy was born as Mr. Aaron Nathaniel Tuzon, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Financial Management alumnus from the University of Baguio who graduated as a Cum Laude, earned a spotlight that marked the first for the Quirinian Students’ Organization-University of Baguio Chapter.
Honed through his years of experience as an exceptional student-leader in the University of Baguio, Mr. Tuzon’s efforts obtained a well-deserved recognition as he was acknowledged as the first recipient of the Dakilang Pamana Award, under the “Pagkilala sa Kagalingan ng Kabataang Quirinian” program, from the entire history of Quirinian Students’ Organization-University of Baguio Chapter. The award-taking ceremony took place on the opening day of the Panagdadapun Festival, carrying the theme “Honoring 54 Years of Heritage, Advancing Together as a First Class Province,” last September 6, 2025, in the Capitol Gymnasium, Cabarroguis, Quirino. It was conferred by the Provincial Government of Quirino, under Governor Dakila Carlo Cua, as they recognized youth members who exhibited exceptional leadership, academic excellence, and strong commitment to social responsibility. In this regard, Mr. Tuzon cited that his success was born from years of dedication and consistency as he tried to fulfill his service and leadership responsibilities while uplifting his fellow students along the way.
The power of showing up
Centered on academic excellence and youth service, Mr. Tuzon stood as an emblem of young leaders who corroborated the value of dedication and passion in leadership and academic roles. Aside from finishing his undergraduate degree with flying colors, Mr. Tuzon also received a “Notable Leadership Award” as he showcased exemplary service in the School of Business Administration and Accountancy (SBAA) Student Body Organization as the 4th Year Councilor.
Being a full-time student with a pledge to social responsibility is not an easy endeavor. Nevertheless, Mr. Tuzon narrated that he was fueled by his ability to create initiatives to support the academic and personal development of his fellow students. It was a tedious process, yet he consistently showed up through consistent hard work, service-orientation, and commitment to achieving his university’s collective goals. In return, one of his esteemed achievements working as a councilor included the development of organizational projects that catered to students’ needs.
His active participation in his designated community during his academic years allowed the embodiment of the principles of excellence, humility, and reliability in leadership and service— facets aligned with the values promoted by the Dakilang Pamana Award. Eventually, his efforts paid off as this engagement opened further opportunities that assisted him in being selected as one of the fifteen recipients of the Dakilang Pamana Award.
Born yet nurtured to grow
Mr. Tuzon stated that Quirino and Baguio equally acted as the cornerstone to his achievements; one of origin that promoted foundational blocks for his path, and one of growth that nurtured his skills and equipped him with relevant experiences. According to Mr. Tuzon, his leadership success is directly attributed to Quirino’s shared heritage for cultivating youth achievers and the University of Baguio’s opportunities that equipped him with the relevant experiences he needed for growth.
On the other hand, Quirino has always prided itself on their outstanding and triumphant students. Hence, “Pagkilala sa Kagalingan ng Kabataang Quirinian” became one of Panagdadapun Festival’s annual highlights to celebrate and acknowledge their young achievers who showcased exemplary performance that contributed to their school and community’s development initiatives while empowering fellow youth to strive harder for the betterment of their society.
Meanwhile, Baguio, specifically the University of Baguio, permitted Mr. Tuzon to surpass his limits and develop his passion for service. He shared that as the 4th Year Councilor at SBAA, he was able to initiate feasible and material changes that enhanced his fellow students’ campus welfare. This decision allowed him to realize his passion for service, thereafter cultivating his innate talent for leadership.
Mr. Aaron Nathaniel Tuzon perfectly embodies what it means to be a Quirinian student who honors his roots and continues to strive for excellence. His journey also echoes the ideals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, showing that learning extends far beyond academic success as it molds individuals into responsible, community-driven citizens.
Through the well-rounded education he gained from the University of Baguio and the nurturing environment of Quirino, he was able to develop not only his knowledge but also his empathy and sense of purpose. His story reminds us that when education is grounded in service and integrity, it shapes leaders who uplift others and create lasting impact. Moreover, his story contributed massively to the growth of the Quirinian Students’ Organization–University of Baguio Chapter as he paved the way to the unlocking of a new milestone in the organization’s history. This can serve as motivation for fellow and aspiring student-leaders to integrate the pertinent pride and values of excellence, leadership, and social responsibility to follow his footsteps to a newfound legacy.
