Adelaide, South Australia – Filipino students were highly celebrated at the 2025 StudyAdelaide International Student Awards in Adelaide, highlighting the growing presence of the Philippines as a top source country for international students in South Australia.
Honorary Consul of the Philippines in South Australia, Carmen Garcia, who attended the ceremony, expressed her pride, stating that a key highlight of her role is witnessing the achievements of the state’s Filipino students.
The event took place on Friday, 24 October 2025, at SkyCity Adelaide.
Academic and Innovation Excellence
Jeff Keiser Siason, a Master of Nursing student at Flinders University, received a Highly Commended Award for Academic Excellence: Postgraduate (Coursework)—a rare milestone for a Filipino student in this category.
* Resilience and Academics: Despite initial career and life adjustments, Siason achieved high distinctions by leaning on his Filipino value of resilience. He credited his academic success to his community involvement, saying, “The more time I spend helping the community the better I do academically.”
* Innovation and Impact: StudyAdelaide recognised Siason not only for his strong GPA but also for developing two innovative apps to enhance the student experience. He also serves as a Mental Health Disability Support Worker, aiming to improve patient care and safety for culturally and linguistically diverse groups.
Community and Cultural Leadership
The Filipino community was also strongly represented by Patricia Angela “Pat” Mercado and Paul John “Pj” Legaspi, who received certificates for their commitment as 2025 International Student Ambassadors.
• Patricia Mercado championed the Filipino spirit, stating the experience was “very eye-opening,” and emphasised that “with hard work, resilience, and being comfortable with being uncomfortable, there is no limit to thriving as a Filipino anywhere around the world.”
• Paul John Legaspi praised the role for providing a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this beautiful city differently,” and highlighted the Australian study environment for fostering safety, curiosity, and acknowledging diversity.
The success of these students, who were honoured alongside South Australian dignitaries, including the Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, underscores that Filipino students are actively engaged in the community, embodying resilience, and forging paths as future global contributors.
