CEC celebrates historic success of 3 topnotchers

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Eastern College officially recognized its three outstanding graduates who secured their place among the Top 10 in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT)-Elementary Level.

In a formal ceremony dubbed "PaCECgarbo sa LET topnotchers" on Friday, August 14, at the CEC Gymnasium, the school administration led by CEC President and Chairman of the Board Frederick Ong III and Vice President Dwight Choachuy commended Jessa Candol Junio, Jenny Rose Aparre Daro, and Eurica Econas Labapiez for their monumental feat that brought immense pride and joy to the entire Easternian community.

"To our dear Cebu City Government Scholars, your achievements are a powerful reminder that talent knows no economic status. Intelligence is not measured by one's financial capacity, and greatness is never limited by the challenges of life," said Choachuy, giving credit to Cebu City's scholarship program for poor bur deserving students as the backbone of their success.

"You are a living proof that when opportunity meets determination, extraordinary things happen," Choachuy added.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival also graced the momentous occasion, challenging the Easternians to make improvements and produce more topnotchers in the future.

This marks the first time in CEC's 111-year history that it has produced three topnotchers in a single board exam.

Junio ranked third nationwide with a rating of 94.40 percent, while Daro and Labapiez placed fifth and 10th with a rating of 93.80 and 92.80 percent, respectively.

Their record-setting achievements came a year after Julie Marcojos Pañares etched her name in stone as the school's first-ever board topnotcher. The trail-blazing CEC alumnus landed in the Top 5 of the June 2025 Special Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (Elementary Level) with a rating of 85.40 percent.

Aside from plaques of recognition, the institution also awarded the achievers with a financial incentive of P100,000 each.

"Today, we celebrate not only academic excellence but the triumph of hope over hardship, opportunity over limitation, and perseverance over adversity," said Choachuy.

"To our Cebu City Government Scholars and our topnotchers, congratulations. You have made your families proud. You have honored this institution. You have justified the trust placed in you by your community. Above all, you have shown that education remains the most powerful instrument for changing lives," Choachuy continued.

"May your success never end with personal achievement. May it become a blessing to your families, your communities, and our nation." — (FREEMAN)