UPS Takes Filipino Art Around the World
Filipino student’s artwork to travel the world on UPS envelopes.
Words Art+ Magazine Team
Photos courtesy of UPS Express Envelopes
September 11, 2026
(L-R) Russell Reed, Liza Araneta-Marcos, Lauren Kerby Obaldo, and Jose Paolo Delgado
What started with an art competition could soon take a Filipino student’s artwork around the world.
Lauren Kerby Obaldo, a second-year Multimedia Arts student at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), has been named the grand prize winner of the UPS Express Envelope Design Competition, earning him the chance to see his work featured on official UPS Express Envelopes.
Obaldo’s winning design, Haraya sa Kalsada, was selected from nearly 400 entries submitted by DLS-CSB Multimedia Arts students following the competition’s launch in June. He received the award during a ceremony at Ayala Museum on August 26, presented by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
“Started From the Bottom Now We’re Here!” by Aleana Szobelle P. Lallamant
For Obaldo, the design brought together familiar Filipino imagery with a look toward the country’s changing landscape. Drawing inspiration from the jeepney and Filipino festival designs, Haraya sa Kalsada also reflects Clark’s growing role in transportation, logistics and international connectivity.
His work was chosen as the overall winner after several rounds of public voting and judging. Nine finalists made it to the final stage, where contemporary artists Jigger Cruz, Demi Padua, Olivia d’Aboville, Isha Naguiat, and Art Fair Philippines co-founder Lisa Ongpin-Periquet evaluated the entries and selected the top winners.
Three themes guided the competition: Roots of Progress, which focused on Filipino resilience and heritage; Galaw ng Bayan, Abot ang Mundo, which explored connectivity and access to global opportunities; and Clark Rising: Asia’s Center, Philippines’ Pride, which looked at innovation and the Philippines’ growing role in the region.
“Reach for the Waves” by Jana Lois D. Oliveros
The winners of each category were:
Roots of Progress: Aleana Szobelle P. Lallamant, Started From the Bottom Now We're Here!
Galaw ng Bayan, Abot ang Mundo: Jana Lois D. Oliveros, Reach for the Waves
Clark Rising: Asia’s Center, Philippines’ Pride: Lauren Kerby Obaldo, Haraya sa Kalsada
The competition also gave the public a chance to see the students’ work firsthand. The top 30 entries were exhibited at Ayala Museum alongside the awards ceremony.
Angelo Marco Lacson, Vice Chancellor for Academics at DLS-CSB, said the partnership gave students an opportunity to take their work beyond an academic setting.
“For our students, seeing their ideas move from the classroom into the real world is incredibly meaningful. It affirms that their creativity has a place, and an audience, beyond De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.”
Lauren Kerby Obaldo - “Haraya sa Kalsada”
For UPS Philippines Managing Director Russell Reed, the students’ interpretations of Filipino identity were among the highlights of the competition.
“One of the most rewarding parts of this competition has been seeing how students expressed Filipino identity, ambition and pride through original designs.”
Obaldo’s design will now have a life beyond the exhibition walls, appearing on UPS Express Envelopes that will be used for international shipments.
The competition is part of UPS’s broader preparations for the opening of its new hub in Clark later this year. The facility is expected to expand the company’s logistics network in the Philippines and strengthen connections between local businesses and markets across Asia.
