7 Cebu students hailed for excellence

CEBU, Philippines — Seven Cebuano education students were awarded this year’s Medal of Excellence (MoE) by the Coalition for Better Education (CBE).

The MoE is awarded to outstanding education majors who have shown academic and non-academic excellence and contributed to attaining CBE’s mission of “creating empowered learning communities,” according to Philippine Information Agency website.

The awardees were Anne Marion Judilla and Kennedy Genon, both of the Cebu Normal University, Kylle Pulmones and Al Janree Bayucot of the University of San Jose - Recoletos, Adrian Edward Aniñon of the University of the Visayas, Keith Pearl Joy Primor of the Cebu Technological University - Moalboal, and Rex Andre Angtud of the University of Cebu -Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue Campus.

Pulmones expressed his happiness with their achievement.

"The awarding ceremony had an ambiance of salutations and of happiness. As my dean, Dr. Babia, pinned the CBE pin on my shirt, my thoughts were about challenges – a challenge to improve, improve, improve! Upon leaving the venue, our stomach was full, our feelings were calm, and our hearts fulfilled," he said.

He added that fear within himself is what he believes to be his biggest challenge.

'When others doubt you, it can be your motivation; but when you doubt your own self, that is already 50 percent saying that you're giving up. So I lead others by believing in them even if they don't believe in themselves. I grew in a culture where you are left do to things on your own.  If you commit a mistake, learn from it; if you succeed, take the next level higher. That is how I facilitate my teammates, I allow my team to commit errors, to learn from it, and always, to do it on their own," he said.

Genon, for his part, told The FREEMAN that he was motivated when he learned about the CBE so he added it to his bucket list.

Angtud spoke about his leadership experiences which helped him to get a spot in the roster of Medal of Excellence award.

The seven awardees stood out as they embody good academic performance, excellent leadership, and genuine service.

Aniñon also gave his message to those who aspire to be next year's MOE awardees.

The awardees received certificate of recognition, a CBE gold medal, free one-year CBE membership training and development grants, free licensure examination (LET) review at the Edu Studio Review and Training Center and certification or endorsements. — Noreen Rose C. Vilchez, CNU Intern, GAN (FREEMAN)