THE traditional Filipino jeepney, in all its rugged vibrancy, is set to travel across the world on an envelope.
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) student Lauren Kerby Obaldo and his jeepney artwork won the 2026 Philippine edition of the UPS Express Envelope Design Competition, besting more than 400 submissions. Obaldo’s grand prize-winning entry, titled Haraya sa Kalsada, will be reproduced on an official UPS Express Envelope used by customers in the Philippines for international shipments under the shipping and logistics company’s massive network of 220 destinations worldwide.
‘I thought that the jeepney is important to our culture, especially na nakakalimutan na ‘to ng iba dahil sa modernization. Gusto ko lang i-imply na part ‘yung jeepney ng life and culture natin as Filipinos,’ the incoming sophomore Multimedia Arts student said last week at the Ayala Museum, where the top entries were recognized and showcased in an exhibit.
Obaldo’s design shows a textured depiction of the cultural icon skipping on the road beneath festive banderitas. Meanwhile, its driver in barong Tagalog peeks out of the vehicle with a smile and a wave, as the orange gradient background represents hope and a brighter future for the country.
This year’s competition featured UPS’ partnership with DLS-CSB, inviting students to reimagine the UPS Express Envelope. The initiative was launched in Japan in 2023 and expanded to Singapore in 2025.
‘Through this competition, we wanted to create a platform for young creatives to showcase their talent and bring fresh perspectives to one of the most recognizable symbols of our company,’ said Russell Reed, managing director for UPS Philippines and Indonesia. ‘What impressed us most wasn’t just the artistic talent on display, but the originality and thoughtfulness behind every submission.’
For this year’s contest, the students worked with three themes. The list included ‘Roots of Progress,’ which center on Filipino culture, values and heritage, and resilience as the ability to adapt and move forward.
There’s also ‘Galaw ng Bayan, Abot ang Mundo,’ which focuses on connectivity, and how stronger connections open access to global opportunities. Lastly, ‘Clark Rising: Asia’s Center, Philippines’ Pride’ showcase innovation and modern infrastructure that place the Philippines within Asia’s network. The theme draws inspiration from UPS’s upcoming Clark Hub, which will open later in 2026, envisioned to strengthen connections between local businesses and the global marketplace.
Each submission was scored based on creativity and originality, visual appeal and design, design message and thought, and applicability of the design to logistics. From the 400+ submissions, DLS-CSB shortlisted 69 entries, or 23 per theme. It was trimmed down to half through public voting via the school’s official Facebook page, and then through another round of voting, this time by UPS employees in the Philippines. Finally, Filipino contemporary artists Jigger Cruz, Demi Padua, and Olivia d’Aboville, along with art patron Lisa Ongpin-Periquet, ranked the top three winners in each category and selected the overall grand prize winner.
Aside from the grand winner’s design being printed on the official UPS Express Envelope and distributed across Asia Pacific, there was also an additional P18,000 in shopping vouchers as a prize for first-placers per theme. Second placers got P12,000 in shopping vouchers, and third-placers P6,000 in the same value. The first-placers for each theme were Aleana Szobelle P. Lallamant’s Started From the Bottom Now We’re Here! for ‘Roots of Progress,’ Jana Lois D. Oliveros’ Reach for the Waves for ‘Galaw ng Bayan, Abot ang Mundo,’ and Obaldo’s Haraya sa Kalsada for ‘Clark Rising.’ From these three, Obaldo was chosen the grand winner.
‘What makes each edition [of the UPS Express Envelope Design Competition] special is seeing how local students interpret the challenge through their own culture and experience,’ said Benedict Wu, Vice President of Marketing for UPS Asia Pacific. ‘I can honestly say that the DLS-CSB students made this chapter a very memorable one.’
According to Angelo Marco Lacson, vice chancellor for academics, DLS-CSB, they value partnerships like this with UPS, as they bring learning beyond the classroom and allow students to create for a real-world, global platform.
‘For our students, seeing their ideas move from the classroom into the real world is incredibly meaningful,’ he said. ‘It affirms that their creativity has a place, and an audience, beyond De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.’