Communicators' Club

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Thank you, 4th Year COMM Bloc Chairs of Batch 2025–2026, for your exemplary service, dedication, and leadership. Your unwavering commitment to your respective blocs has greatly contributed to strengthening unity, communication, and student engagement throughout the academic year.

May your journey ahead continue to reflect the same excellence and dedication you have shown as student leaders. The Communicators’ community is proud and grateful for all that you have done.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿.

Today, the graduating students of Communication and Media Studies step into the spotlight as they officially turn the page from students to graduates.

For years, these communicators have been the creative force behind every story told—powering through sleepless nights, chasing deadlines, capturing moments, and giving meaning to every frame, script, and narrative.

Now, the cameras are finally on them. As they take their final walk as students, we celebrate not only their achievements, but also the passion, resilience, and stories they carry beyond the university walls.

Lights on. Cameras rolling. A new chapter begins.
COMMGRATULATIONS, CNU Communication Graduates!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺
𝘣𝘺 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘢

As a child, Reynan Monleon believed that becoming magical was less a dream and more a matter of destiny.

He firmly held tight to that idea of becoming a fairy, a sorcerer, or whatever whimsical being – each capable of transforming lives with a mere spark. How exactly that would happen seemed irrelevant. In his mind, magic would simply find him eventually.

Years later, he found himself hunching over his phone at a crowded food court, panic-scrolling through university curricula minutes before the Cebu Normal University (CNU) deadline, trying to decide what kind of future he actually wanted beyond magic.

After all, CNU stood alone on his application list; no backups, no alternatives. Yet at the time, Journalism was never the plan.

At one point, science felt right for Reynan. Over time he moved through interests in Psychology, Literature, Biology, Social Work, Philosophy, and Political Science, but ultimately chose Bachelor of Arts in Communication major in Journalism on a whim.

“People often assume choosing a degree program is some grand revelation moment,” he joked. “Mine felt more like an identity crisis with a deadline.”

What began as a rushed decision eventually became something he enjoyed. Now graduating summa cm laude and emerging as the top graduate of CNU College of Culture, Arts, and Sports, Reynan looks back on how he grew to love this choice.
“Frankly speaking, though, I also thought of it as my placeholder program,” he admitted. “In my mind, I just needed to pass CNU first before figuring things out.”
But to his surprise, Journalism seemed to hold pieces of the things he already loved. Journalism blended Literature’s storytelling, Social Work’s concern for people, Political Science’s attention to policy, and even Biology’s research-oriented thinking.

Yet beyond expectations, the actual learning experience slowly reshaped him.

Right away, Reynan said his professors began dismantling the glamorous myths surrounding journalism. Fame played little role in the profession. What mattered instead was accountability — delivering facts that hold weight when confusion spreads quickly.

Over time, those lessons settled deeply into him.

“Pursuing stories from the margins reminded me how critical it is to echo their struggles,” said Reynan. “And stories, no matter how much you want it to be compelling, must be written in a careful language that honors and empowers people.”

Oddly enough, journalism also forced him to confront something he had long struggled with: his quiet nature. Covering stories meant approaching strangers, asking questions on record, and entering unfamiliar spaces — all things he admitted once intimidated him.

Still, the work demanded participation. Each assignment became more than information gathering.
“Interviewing many people from almost all walks of life widened my understanding of social issues and how it affects different people from the lens of their circumstances,” he shared.
Most days, however, surviving journalism meant following routine.

Behind awards and good grades were sleepless nights, overlapping deadlines, revisions piling up, and mental exhaustion. To manage everything, Reynan relied heavily on systems.

His college life, he joked, could practically be traced back to two apps: Notion and Google Calendar.
Using planners, task chunking, and time blocking, he organized deadlines, publication work, exams, and personal commitments into what he described as his “second brain.”
Still, joy remained important.

Amid crowded schedules, Reynan spoke fondly of his “signature” ribbons tied to his school uniform, trinkets hanging from his bags, posting performative studying selfies with ILLIT’s Lucky Girl Syndrome song blasted all over, and whimsical habits because he believes he is “lucky and it’s his anthem.”

Small, almost childlike rituals—yet to him, they carried a familiar feeling, reminiscent of the tiny, enchanted details he once believed gave the world its wonder.

“Productivity is a state of mind,” he expressed, “and doing these either set the tone for my day or helped me reach the ‘flow state’ more easily.”

Even then, difficult periods came quietly.

During his third year in college, Reynan says taking a leave of absence crossed his mind more than once. Financial strain, exhaustion, self-doubt, and the pressure to keep going accumulated beneath achievements people often celebrated publicly.
He recalled that “pausing was an expensive option that we cannot afford.”
“But if my circumstances had been different, I would have willingly taken a break, even at the expense of disqualifying myself from latin honors,” he admitted.
Still, journalism remained a choice he did not regret.

“Consistency,” he realized, “is not fueled by motivation, but by grit.”

Yet what stayed with him most was not recognition, but responsibility — the lesson his professors quietly repeated throughout his education: truth matters, especially when confusion spreads.

Layout | Rab Mosqueda
CNU Admin Building Element | JC Payawal

𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
𝘣𝘺 𝘖𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰

Not every tale begins exactly the way we planned it. Sometimes, our story redirects us toward something greater than we first imagined.

For one aspiring marketing student, Marie Amanda Pernito, her journey toward becoming successful was never straightforward, yet every setback, pause, and unexpected turn eventually led her to her happily ever after.

Initially, her degree program today, Integrated Marketing Communication and Press Relations was not her first choice. During her senior high school years, she pursued Computer Programming and Hardware Servicing, believing it was the path she wanted to take. However, as time passed, she realized that it did not fully align with who she was and what she genuinely desired for her chapters. Seeking clarity, she took a personality test and discovered that she belonged to the INFJ personality type. The result pointed her toward digital communication, a field that resonated deeply with her interests, creativity, and personality.

At that moment, she began searching for communication-related programs in Cebu, only to realize that opportunities were limited. Eventually, she stumbled upon Cebu Normal University and became interested in the Online Media program. Determined to pursue it, she made a bold decision to take a gap year solely to wait for the opportunity she believed was meant for her.

What seemed like a pause in her academic journey soon became one of the most meaningful periods of her life. During her gap year, she devoted her time to taking care of her father. Sadly, he later passed away, but instead of viewing the delay as wasted time, she saw it as a sign that the gap year happened for a reason. It gave her the priceless opportunity to spend valuable moments with him before his time.

A year later, she took the university entrance examination with grit and courage. Although she was unable to secure a slot in Online Media, fate redirected her toward her journey through reconsideration. What initially felt unexpected soon became one of the greatest blessings of her life.

Instead of regret, she found purpose and opportunity.

Through collaborations with brands such as Rock On and Thirsty for academic requirements, she experienced firsthand how communication strategies work beyond lectures and textbooks. These opportunities prepared her for the realities of the industry and strengthened her confidence as an aspiring professional.

Her excellence was reflected not only in her work but also in her academic standing, as she consistently earned a place on the Dean’s List. Beyond academic achievements, she also found fulfillment in leadership and service. During her third year in college, she became the Mayor of the Normalite Marketing Communications’ Association (NMCA) and later continued serving as chairwoman in her fourth year.

Balancing organization responsibilities and academics became one of her healthiest challenges, which played a major role in shaping who she became. Through organization work, she developed skills in layouting, copywriting, leadership, and networking, allowing her to connect with people beyond the academic environment. While her mother constantly reminded her to prioritize her studies, she never allowed herself to underestimate the value of organizational work because for her, some of the most important skills in life could never be fully taught inside the four corners of a classroom.

Interestingly, despite graduating with one of the highest honors in the university, she admitted that becoming a Summa Cum Laude was never her original goal. She simply focused on doing her best consistently and stayed humble throughout her journey.

When the official announcement confirmed her Latin honor, she was grateful more than anything else. She took pride not only in her personal achievement, but also in the success of her blockmates. Most importantly, she became the first Summa Cum Laude in her family—a milestone that symbolized years of sacrifice, consistency, and perseverance in her own strategies.

Behind her success was not an impossible routine or overly complicated study method. In fact, she openly admitted that she did not have a strict study habit. Whenever stress overwhelmed her, she found comfort in reading romance books instead of forcing herself to study endlessly.

More importantly, she believed in resting. Pernito said, “The more you put water into a full cup, how will it ever find room to fill?”

For her, rest was never laziness. It was necessary for growth.

Whenever burnout and pressure became too heavy for her, she held on to one mantra given by her mother:

“Everything will come to pass.”

Those words reminded her that difficult moments are temporary and that brighter days always lie ahead. Thinking about the future gave her hope and motivation to continue moving forward even during the hardest chapters of her college life.

As advice to the next generation of IMCPR students, she strongly encourages them to explore opportunities beyond their comfort zones. She especially recommends joining NMCA, describing it as one of the best organizations for students who aspire to enter the marketing and communication industry.

Now that she has achieved the university’s highest academic honor, her tale to tell is only the beginning. Remarkably, work opportunities came looking for her like a knight in a romance book because of the skills and experiences she had built throughout her college journey.

She advised to “pick one skill and hone it to the best of your abilities and the right company will see and value that.”

Just like the romance books she once found comfort in, Pernito eventually discovered her own happy ending not in fiction, but in reality. Because success is never built in one snap of a finger. It is shaped by patience, consistency, courage, willingness, and a little bit of magic to grow beyond the limits we once placed upon ourselves.

Layout | Rab Mosqueda
CNU Admin Building Element | JC Payawal

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗹𝘆
𝘉𝘺 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘝𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳

Not all success arrives with noise. Some of it unfolds quietly, stitched together by ordinary days, missed expectations, and choices made without any promise of certainty.

For many, a Summa Cum Laude graduate is imagined as someone who always strives their best, driven by sleepless nights, rigid goals, and an unyielding hunger to be the best. But for Lou Ivhar Peruda, success was never something he constantly chased. He entered college without a clear image of what achievement should look like, carrying only a willingness to grow, to meet people, and to see where life might lead if he stayed open long enough.

From the beginning, he refused to measure college by titles alone. Instead, he treated it as a space for expansion like learning skills that were never taught inside the classroom, absorbing ideas through conversations, and slowly shaping himself into someone more grounded. He joined organizations not to expand his credentials, but to further hone himself. While they did little to change his academic standing, they made his college life more exciting, he formed friendships that brought color to long weeks and kept him afloat when coursework grew heavy or repetitive. The struggle never disappeared, as someone who worked best alone, collaboration tested his patience, especially in a system that is constantly shifting between online, blended, and face-to-face learning.

And when he felt lost and unsure, he did not search outward for answers. Instead, he imagined a future version of himself—older, calmer, already past the confusion and borrowed clarity from that version of himself to be fine. Friends, meanwhile, offered something quieter but just as necessary. They did not fix anything. They listened. And sometimes, that was enough. And when his name finally appeared among the Latin honorees, there was no rush of triumph—only a quiet recognition of a persistence that had long been at work. Not perfection, not spectacle, but balance held steadily over time.

College, he believes, should never be taken for granted. “Live college as much as you can,” he says—not only in academics, but in organizations, parties, and moments that build community. Knowledge, he knows, can be found anywhere. But experiences cannot be reclaimed once time has passed. In the end, it is not the title that lingers longest, but the memories carried forward—proof that quiet effort, lived fully, can endure far beyond recognition.

Layout | Rab Mosqueda
CNU Admin Building Element | JC Payawal

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱
𝘉𝘺 𝘑𝘢𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘺

The view from the top always felt like it was just a few inches out of reach. For years, in the crowded halls of her childhood schools, Jasmille was the girl who played a constant game of almost, standing close enough to touch the medal, but never being the one to take it home. Though she was a consistent honor student, the top spot remained an unreachable dream. She eventually made a quiet deal with herself, maybe being “just okay” was her destiny.

This doubt followed her even to the gates of Cebu Normal University. When she applied, the air was thick with the disbelief of others who questioned if she could even pass the entrance exam. But she did. She didn't enter CNU carrying dreams of a Summa Cum Laude title, she entered with a bag full of survival instincts and the heavy pride of being an Iskolar ng Bayan.

However, the “Normalite” life is a forge, and Jasmille was the steel. Her journey wasn't powered by expensive reviewers or a comfortable desk, it was fueled by the grit of a girl who knew exactly how many centavos were left in her coin purse. There were mornings when the choice was simple but brutal, eat a full meal or save the fare to get to class. She chose her education every single time, often skipping meals just to make sure she could afford the jeepney ride to school.

In those lean moments, she found grace in the people around her. While she fought her silent financial battles, her friends and her boyfriend became her anchors, offering meals and support when her own resources ran dry. Their kindness became the fuel that kept her going when the “backup plan” she never had felt further away than ever.

But her growth wasn't just about surviving, it was about evolving. A self-proclaimed introvert, Jasmille pushed herself into the light. She faced her fears by joining organizations, eventually serving as the Vice Mayor External for the Communicators’ Club and the Chief Finance Officer for the NMCA. Behind the chill student leader persona was a girl battling procrastination and self-doubt, proving that leadership isn't about the absence of fear, but the courage to show up despite it.

Beyond the academic rigor, Jasmille had to fight the echoes of those who tried to shrink her future. She still remembers the sting of relatives claiming CNU was only for the “smart”. She didn't argue. Instead, she let her silence and her work do the talking. She turned every “you can't” into a reason to stay in the library an hour longer. She proved that achievement is not about where you rank among others, but about how far you’ve grown as a person.

Today, Jasmille isn't just graduating, she is rewriting the definition of success. The gold medal pinned to her chest isn't just for her grades, it’s for the meals she skipped, the “almost” she outran, and the doubters she left in the dust. Her story is a love letter to every student who feels they aren't “smart enough”. It is proof that at Cebu Normal University, the highest honors don't go to those who never fail, but to those who refuse to stay down. Jasmille didn't just reach the top, she built her own mountain, and today, the view is finally hers.

Layout | Rab Mosqueda
CNU Admin Building Element | JC Payawal

𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬, 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗗.

The Padayun ’26: DCMS Internship Send-Off Ceremony marked the official beginning of the internship journey of the Communication Interns Batch 2026. Wearing their internship vests with pride, together with their nameplates and internship IDs, these aspiring communicators are now ready to step beyond the four corners of the classroom and into the professional field.

More than the uniforms they wear, they now carry the passion, knowledge, and dedication to create stories worth telling and experiences worth remembering.

Google Drive Folders for Documentation is in the comment section below.

Padayun, Communication Interns Batch 2026!

Photographed by | Kim Villamor, Hannah Dee Arazan and Hazel Mae Tejano

𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹’𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝘆𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝘉𝘺 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘢

At dawn, songbirds fill the air with sounds far bigger than their small bodies. Even in crowded cities and restless mornings, they continue to perch on windowsills and electric wires, carrying melodies that soften the noise below them.

Much like his story, Raphael Veloso’s journey mirrors these birds; gentle yet persistent, choosing to be heard in a world that often values louder things.

In a world pre-dominated by science and technology fields, Raphael chose a different rhythm; he found his calling not in algorithms or equations, but in the raw pulse of human stories.

He proves that this passion is not just viable; it is vital. For him, the humanities pulse as society’s lifeblood, a defiant reminder of what makes people human.

As a Humanities and Social Sciences graduate back in senior high school, his applications spread across fields like psychology, political science, fine arts, and communication.

At Cebu Normal University, though psychology initially topped his list, the moment he was given the chance to choose another program, he grabbed the opportunity to pursue BA Communication major in Journalism.

What drew him most was its power to amplify the unheard, writing stories that make people feel heard. He felt that journalism, especially today, is a vehicle that gives the voiceless a chance to speak up.

This love flared during their third-year investigative journalism project on a land grabbing issue in a farmland somewhere in Cebu.

Early in the morning, the sheer dry soil greeted Raphael and his groupmates when they first witnessed the damage at the farmland. By then, the fields once worked by families for decades lay torn apart before their eyes.

Farmers spoke quietly, not because they lacked words, but because power had taught them silence. Though tired from hours of walking, something inside him sharpened at their stories.

It was not just about reporting facts. For Raphael, it became clear that he now carried a duty beyond schoolwork. The soil held memory; so did every scarred face standing near it.

“That moment made me realize journalism is a benevolent profession. It is an instrument that continues to shape our society, and serves as a relentless voice for the truth,” he expressed.

From that point forward, writing felt less like an assignment and more like a response to need. Truth, he realized, could move slowly, but still reshape what stood broken.

Thinking about what it means to be human, Raphael finds that this is where the humanities matter most, especially in the increasingly digitalized era we live in today.

Though obstacles arrived as expected, with overlapping deadlines that wore him down, it never reached a point where he wanted to walk away.

The people closest to him remained present when pressure built, shaping much of who he became, piece by piece.

Like songbirds that continue to sing despite storms and changing seasons, Raphael learned how to persist without demanding to be the loudest voice in the room.

Back then, Raphael simply wanted to stay afloat; now, he leads. From day one at Cebu Normal University, he pushed forward, refusing to sink in deeper waters.

“I knew then that I was going to be a fish in a bigger pond, and I promised myself that I would keep swimming no matter how strong the current got,” he said.

“And I did swim. I dove into spaces that helped me turn into the person I am today,” he added.

Today, that same fire lights paths for others. Raphael urges his juniors who are lost in unfamiliar waters to dive into the depths of their limitless potential. He encourages them to take a leap of faith.

His story proves it. Like songbirds that continue to fill the morning air no matter how noisy the world becomes, Raphael chose to keep pursuing stories that matter.

And in celebrating what makes us human, he did not just graduate with honors; he embodied them.

Layout | Rab Mosqueda
CNU Admin Building Element | JC Payawal

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝟭𝟭:𝟭𝟭
𝘉𝘺 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘢 𝘔𝘢𝘦 𝘊𝘶𝘪𝘻𝘰𝘯

“Nagbunga na jud imong sige’g wish kada 11:11.”

Some people believe in the quiet magic of 11:11. In the middle of a busy hour, they pause—mid-step, mid-thought—just to catch that fleeting moment when the clock aligns. To them, it’s more than numbers; it’s a doorway. A whisper in time that says, “Make a wish.”

They believe that if you hold a desire close enough to your heart at exactly 11:11, the universe listens—that somehow, in that brief, symmetrical second, dreams become a little more possible, a little more real.

For 23-year-old Erika Faith Labares, a summa cm laude graduate student of Integrated Marketing Communication and Press Relations at Cebu Normal University, that moment once felt like her only doorway to possibility. She was not much of the typical high school achiever, nor someone others would readily expect to graduate with the highest academic honor. The title of Summa Cum Laude seemed distant—almost unreal. And yet, somewhere between quiet wishes, the impossible began to take shape.

But was it ever just about the wish?

Behind the quiet ritual of 11:11 was a story marked by uncertainty. Erika faced moments that tested not only her abilities but her sense of self. She often found herself caught in the exhausting cycle of comparison, questioning whether she was truly capable or simply trying to keep up. There were days when her efforts felt insufficient, when no amount of hard work seemed enough to silence the voice of doubt. Even her achievements were not spared—celebrations felt muted, overshadowed by the belief that success was not something to be proud of, but something expected.

In time, she came to understand that self-doubt was not a sign of weakness, but a reflection of how deeply she cared. It was not proof that she was incapable—it was evidence that she was stepping beyond the boundaries of comfort, into spaces where growth demanded courage.

Despite the obstacles she encountered, the answer was always clear. She wanted to graduate without regrets—to look back on her journey knowing she had given it everything she could. Even on days when progress felt small, she chose to hold on. For her, showing up, doing the work, and offering her best—despite the weight of everything—was already a quiet victory.

Failure, too, became a teacher. It humbled her, reminding her that she was never meant to have all the answers at once. Some setbacks pushed her to work harder; others urged her to pause, reflect, and reassess. There were moments when things fell apart, when plans unraveled without warning. But over time, she learned not to see these as endings. Instead, they became part of the journey—proof that growth is rarely linear, often shaped by detours, missteps, and unexpected turns.

It soon became clear that her achievements were not built on 11:11 wishes alone. Behind them was a system she carefully created for herself. Organization became her anchor. A self-confessed perfectionist, she found comfort in structure—writing things down, keeping notes on her phone, and mapping out her days through checklists and calendars. These small habits helped quiet the chaos and made overwhelming tasks feel more manageable.

“Lawas ang puhunan”

Just as important, she learned the value of rest. She would remind herself—her body is her greatest investment. To her, productivity was never about constant motion or exhaustion. It meant knowing when to pause, when to step back, and when to allow herself to recharge. Rest was not a reward; it was part of the process. It gave her the strength to continue.

Looking back, if she could meet her younger self again, she knows exactly what she would do. She would pull her into the tightest embrace, smile through everything she had overcome, and say—

“Nagbunga na jud imong sige’g wish kada 11:11.”

In the end, Erika’s journey is not merely a story of wishes made at 11:11. It is a testament to something far more enduring: commitment, discipline, and quiet resilience. Beyond the fleeting magic of a moment lies the steady, often unseen work of showing up until dreams are no longer wished for, but lived.

Layout | Rab Mosqueda
CNU Admin Building Element | JC Payawal

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺
𝘉𝘺 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘢 𝘔𝘢𝘦 𝘊𝘶𝘪𝘻𝘰𝘯

Spending almost her entire life immersed in journalism, she has already built a name long before stepping onto the university stage. In senior high school, she was recognized as “Journalist of the Year,” a testament to her early passion and unwavering dedication to the craft. From there, her journey only grew brighter as she emerged as one of the University’s most outstanding journalists and eventually graduated as a summa cm laude.

Mikee Lastimoso, one of the highest awardees in the Department of Communication and Media Studies, is widely known for her consistent excellence as a journalist and her remarkable discipline as a student. Her commitment to storytelling began in her junior high school years and carried through until college, where she continued to refine her voice and sharpen her craft.

But who would've thought that this outstanding journalism student is also a science geek?

Growing up, Mikee’s curiosity for science was already evident at a young age. She found herself reaching for books on astronomy and other science-related topics.

Her deep love for science also shaped her early dreams. She once aspired to become a nurse, inspired by her aunt who embodied care and dedication in the medical field. It was a dream she held close to her heart, rooted in both admiration and a desire to help others.

Yet dreams are not always shaped by passion alone.

Faced with financial challenges, she had to let go of that dream she once nurtured so dearly. Still, she did not walk away from her passion for understanding people and science entirely. Instead, she redirected it into a path that still resonated with her values and interests leading her to choose psychology.

However, it seemed that life had a different direction written for her. Her long-held passion for science did not unfold the way she once imagined, but she eventually found herself successfully admitted to her second-choice program at Cebu Normal University—Broadcast Journalism.

Even with her strong foundation in her field, Mikee could not fully escape self-doubt. In everything she did, a quiet question often lingered in her mind: “Kaya ba kaha ni nako?” a constant uncertainty that followed her through deadlines, performances, and expectations.

She often compared herself to her younger self—the version she believed was more fearless, more academically driven, and more certain of her abilities.

But even during moments when she doubted herself, she was never truly alone.

Mikee found strength in the people who continuously believed in her. Her family became her foundation, especially her older sister who never stopped supporting her dreams and celebrating her victories. Her aunties and uncles were always willing to help whenever life became difficult. Alongside them were her friends and classmates who constantly reminded her of the potential she sometimes failed to see in herself.

Little by little, the doubts that once overshadowed her began to fade.

Through years of sacrifice, hard work, and perseverance, Mikee slowly transformed into the person she once questioned she could become. She excelled not only in academics but also in organizations, proving herself to be one of the university’s finest journalists.

For someone who once feared she was no longer the fighter she used to be, life eventually gave her the answer she had been searching for all along.

Standing at the culmination of her journey, surrounded by the achievements she worked so hard for, Mikee finally realized that the girl filled with doubts had become a woman capable of overcoming them.

And after years of asking herself “kaya ba kaha ni nako?”, she can now finally say with certainty:

“Kaya man diay nako.”

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