- School told to pay ₱6.45-M over fatal 2006 pageant fire
THE SUPREME Court En Banc has ordered the state-run University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) to pay ₱6.45 million in damages to the parents of Cheryl Sarate, a 16-year-old freshman who died in a tragic fire during a campus beauty pageant two decades ago.
In a 46-page decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, promulgated on Nov. 25, 2025, and uploaded to the high court’s website on May 14, 2026, the Supreme Court denied the university’s petition for certiorari.
The ruling affirmed an August 2018 Court of Appeals decision finding the institution liable for the student’s death.
Finding the university negligent for “its lack of preparedness for foreseeable emergencies,” the Court held the school solidarily liable, with its former executives, president Dr. Romulo Dequito, Dr. Marie Rose Escalada, Dr. Gilbert Gordo, Professor Catherine Roble, and Emma Gobantes, to pay indemnity to the victim’s parents, Antonio and Rosita Sarate.
“This Court does not mean to put a price to a person’s life. The value of a human being is immeasurable. It is priceless. Yet the law, in all of its justice, deems it necessary that every injury – more so the loss of life – be compensated in the form of damages. Life is precious. No amount of damages can ever hope to replace it. Regrettably, this is the utmost extent to which the Court can intervene,” the ruling read.
The Guild of English Students (Guild), a recognized student organization in the University, organized a tragic beauty pageant in the USeP’s social hall on July 20, 2006.
Cheryl Sarate, 16, of Calinan district, was a first year student of Bachelor of Arts major in English who joined the search for the Lady and Lord of Utopia, an annual beauty pageant organized by the Guild of English Students.
The victim suffered severe burns and died three days later due to “cardiac arrest due to septic shock, the antecedent cause is secondary to flame burn 80% total body surface area, involving face, neck, anterior chest, back, both upper and lower extremities.”
“The organizers installed a T-shaped ramp lined with 12 small, lit candles in brown paper bags filled with damp soil. Each paper bag was tied with crepe paper, and the opening of the bags were structured like crowns to resemble a lantern. Some of the social hall’s lights were switched off to highlight the candlelight,” it said.
When it was the victim’s turn to walk, her gown made of highly flammable materials was immediately engulfed in flames.Her gown was made of cotton balls glued to plastic cellophane, typically used to cover books; the lower skirt was on a tie-wire to create a petticoat design; its hem was covered with small feathers; and her tube blouse was covered with rolled cotton flattened to her chest.
“Cheryl was standing on the leftmost side of the T-shaped ramp when her gown caught fire as she turned to pose. When she turned right to walk to the center ramp, she used her bare hands to ward off the small flames that started to engulf her,” the Court said.
The Court added that “the flames blazed, causing Cheryl to jump over the right side of the hall where the audience sat.”“She tripped as she screamed for help. Some students tried to help, and the fires were eventually put out.
After the fire, Cheryl was seen topless, wearing only denim short pants. People tried to hug and console her. The ambulance arrived 30 minutes later and brought Cheryl to the hospital. Despite this, the pageant resumed,” the Court noted
USeP statement
Meanwhile, the University of Southeastern Philippines released a statement on Monday, May 18, acknowledging and respecting the Supreme Court ruling.
As a state university, USeP is represented by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), the principal law office and legal defender of government agencies and instrumentalities, including state universities and colleges.
The Office of the Solicitor General has received a copy of the decision and is currently reviewing the matter.The university assured the public that the decision will be appropriately discussed and addressed by its governing authorities, including the Board of Regents, in coordination with the Office of the Solicitor General and the concerned offices of the University.
USeP asked for the public’s patience and understanding while the necessary discussions and internal processes are being undertaken.
The university remained committed to upholding accountability, institutional responsibility, and the welfare of the academic community.
