City College of Cagayan de Oro (CCCDO) President Dr. Jestoni P. Babia has been honored with the Trailblazer Award in Education by the Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators (PAFTE-National) during its national convention held at St. Louis University, Baguio City, last October 9, 2025.
The award includes a ₱10,000 cash grant-in-aid, which will be given to a City College of Cagayan de Oro student of Dr. Babia’s choice, a meaningful gesture that transforms recognition into opportunity, symbolizing how leadership in education always returns to serve the learners.
“Today, I stand deeply humbled to be recognized by the Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators (PAFTE-National) as one of this year’s Trailblazers in Education for being a College President, an honor I dedicate to every teacher, mentor, and learner who believes that education can truly change lives and communities,” Dr. Babia shared in his message of gratitude.
He expressed heartfelt thanks to Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy, Former City Councilor Suzette Magtajas-Daba, his former professor, Ms. Ma. Victoria Trinidad, and the entire City College of Cagayan de Oro family for their unwavering support and shared vision for accessible, transformative, and globally competitive education.
“This award is not just about titles or positions. It’s about service, transformation, and the collective hope we build through education. In just a short time, we’ve proven that a young college can dream big, rise strong, and make an impact from classrooms to communities, from local to global stages,” Dr. Babia remarked.
The Trailblazer Award affirms Dr. Babia’s dedication to purpose-driven leadership and transformative education, highlighting the growing impact of the City College of Cagayan de Oro as a young yet visionary institution shaping a brighter, more inclusive future in Philippine higher education.