By: Matthieu Oliver S Casolocan, Francis Christian J Ebarle, and Hilary Duff T Silleza
The Young Economists Honors Society (YEHS) seeks to recognize the outstanding achievements by young economics graduates and scholars. Established in 2017 by the Philippine Economics Society (PES), the annual program is an initiative to create a society of young achievers and continues to this day–-providing opportunities for graduates in the field of economics to be recognized for their achievements and significant feats. The recipients of this recognition are the top graduates of economics and economic-related programs that are offered by higher education institutions in the Philippines. The honorees of this recognition receive a large accompaniment of benefits which ranges from membership to an exclusive group of young economists that have rights to vote in the PES elections to having eligibility to apply for the PSSC International Conference Assistance.
This year’s annual YEHS recognition awards recipients from nine schools: Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of San Carlos, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, Visayas State University, and Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan which includes four honorees. In recognition of their achievements, the Philippine Economics Society awards Ms Alexandra Ysabel B Cagas, Ms Kiet Gwyneth Mahinay, Ms Owennheart P Gimpayan, and Mr Joshua S Juarez graduates of the Xavier University Economics program, with membership in the Young Economists Honors Society. The honorees were formally awarded at Shangri-la Makati, Makati City during the Philippine Economics Society 63rd Annual Meeting and Conference on 7 November 2025. Through this recognition, the honorees have attained a goal of YEHS that pertains to forging stronger ties across experienced and promising young economists, fostering continued scholastic and professional achievements of economists in the country.
The Xavier University Economics Department proudly celebrates its honorees. The achievements of these young and aspiring economists stand as a testament to Xavier Ateneo’s commitment to leadership formation, academic excellence, and service. As new members of the YEHS, the honorees exemplify the vital role that young professionals play in shaping and developing the Philippines’ economic future. Their achievements serve as a source of inspiration to future graduates and aspiring economists of their generation–further emphasizing to the Xavier Atenean community that excellence, when pursued with integrity and purpose, paves the way for meaningful impact in the world.
Photo by: Xavier University Department of Economics