Former first Lady Imelda R. Marcos led the launching of the Doña Josefa Edralin Marcos Awards (DJEMA) at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) quadrangle, March 23.

Twenty students were recipients of this year’s DJEMA, which recognizes graduates who excel in academics, research, and leadership.

DJEMA has been institutionalized following a proposal made by the CAS to the Marcos family. President Miriam Pascua, in a message she delivered during the event, expressed hope that the awards will inspire students to further excel in their academic and co-curricular endeavors. Mrs. Marcos, for her part, exhorted the graduates to always pursue truth and justice, and to serve the nation well.

The event coincided with the graduation ball of CAS Class 2010.

Doña Josefa, mother of the late president Ferdinand E. Marcos, was a public school teacher.