The University of San Carlos was among the first-ever recipients of the Cebu City Heritage Award during the First Cebu City Heritage Gala held at the National Museum of the Philippines-Cebu on May 25, 2023. 

According to the Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission, the award recognizes persons and institutions who have “contributed tremendously to the preservation and promotion of the city’s tangible and intangible heritage.” 

Upon the recommendation of the Commission, USC was chosen as one of the awardees “for being the leading academic institution that has consistently contributed to the study, preservation and promotion of Cebu City’s heritage assets and resources.” 

The Commission considers USC’s Cebuano Studies Center, Conservation of Heritage Studio and Workshop (CHERISH), and University Museum as playing important roles in heritage advocacy. 

Aside from recognizing persons and institutions, the Heritage Gala Night also paid homage to other stakeholders who went out of their way to ensure that the present and future generations will continue to advocate for the promotion of the city’s heritage assets and resources that go beyond five centuries of recorded colonial history.