UST Alumni Association gives Mocha Uson ‘Thomasian Award for Government Service’

Mocha Uson accepts the Thomasian Award for Government Service. PHOTO: Leandro Jose Tesorero via CNN Philippines/Facebook
Mocha Uson accepts the Thomasian Award for Government Service. PHOTO: Leandro Jose Tesorero via CNN Philippines/Facebook

‘Controversial’ is perhaps a major understatement for Mocha Uson’s latest award.

Uson, a blogger-slash-entertainer turned government official, was awarded the “Thomasian Award for Government Service” by the Alumni Association of the University of Santo Tomas (UST-AAI), one of the most prominent universities in the country.

According to a report by CNN Philippines, UST-AAI President Henry Tenedero said that they gave Uson the award “to serve as an inspiration to other government workers, regardless of political affiliation.”

Aside from the university being staunchly Catholic, the award came as a surprise to the public after Uson was called out numerous times for sharing fake news and launching attacks on critics of the current administration.

The UST Central Student Council (UST-CSC) released a statement hours after Uson was given the award, calling her “the main purveyor of politically-motivated propaganda.”

Part of the statement reads, “Mocha Uson, who is widely known as the main purveyor of politically-motivated propaganda against known members of the government’s opposition, an avid spreader and citer of fake news, Uson is also known to utilize her following to initiate blatant personal attacks against her critics and the government’s, including students and members of the press, all under the guise of fake nationalism and freedom of speech.”

“We express our dismay over this event as Mocha Uson does not, in any way, embody the ideals of a real Thomasian. And with all due respect, Mocha Uson does not deserve an award that was supposed to be meant solely for outstanding Thomasian Alumni.”

Uson, who graduated from UST with a degree in medical technology, said she considers the award “a great honor.”

“It is a great honor for me that my Alma Mater recognizes my efforts to fight for change in our country. If my stay in UST has taught me something, it is to fight for what I believe in, regardless of the difficult obstacles ahead,” she said in the same CNN report.

Uson — a former sex blogger, dancer, and entertainer — is one of the strongest supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte before being appointed as the assistant secretary of communications in 2017.



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