THE Cebu Technological University (CTU) has awarded P200,000 cash to its graduate who landed Top 1 in the March 2025 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) and P80,000 each to nine other topnotchers.
In an event honoring the achievements of its topnotchers at Bai Hotel Cebu on Friday, June 27, 2025, the university recognized the hard work of its graduates who excelled in the recent board examinations, highlighting their role in bringing pride to the CTU and inspiring current students to pursue excellence.
Led by University president Joseph Pepito, CTU held its first-ever “Testimonial Night of Triumph and Excellence” to honor its 10 topnotchers and underscore the school’s commitment to academic excellence and integrity.
The topnotchers were honored with presidential medallions, certificates of recognition and cash incentives.
Among those honored was Jeanlyn Colipano from CTU-Danao, who ranked Top 1 in the March 2025 LET.
“Many people ask me how I feel and if being a topnotcher and ranking first in the LET was my expectation. Truth be told, I never expected it. The life I led all these years taught me that failures are most painful when you expect success,” Colipano said in her message that was greeted by applause from fellow awardees and their parents.
Colipano was raised by a single parent and grew up in a life of poverty. However, she has proven that poverty is not a hindrance to success.
Driven by passion and a determination to succeed, she persevered and overcame the challenges she faced.
For Colipano, scholarships were her only ticket to achieve a better future and CTU was the gateway that made it possible.
“With CTU’s years of training and guidance, I’m finally a duly licensed professional teacher, a dream come true,” she said.
The event celebrated the 10 topnotchers from different campuses together with their proud parents and distinguished university heads.
During the event, each topnotcher shared their journey to success, proving that despite growing up in poverty and being challenged by circumstances, with hard work and determination, topping the board exam is possible.
Colipano garnered a rating of 93.80 percent, landing first in the March 2025 LET secondary level, followed by Marie Jessa Montemayor of the CTU main campus, who placed eighth with a rating of 92.40 percent.
Nelia Gutierez of the main campus and Sheen Sarsaba Montezon of the Argao campus both placed 10th with a 92 percent rating.
In the Elementary Level, Juliana Mae Magtagad of CTU-Main grabbed the Top 7 with a 93.20 percent rating. Ricamae de los Reyes of CTU-Carmen and Jean Rose Lamela of the main campus both ranked Top 8 with a rating of 93 percent.
Louiss Arc Degamo of CTU main campus took the ninth place with a rating of 92.8 percent. Mary Angeli del Mar of CTU-Moalboal and Rhea Nicole Hoyo-a of CTU main campus both placed 10th with a 92.6 percent rating.
The cash incentives varied depending on the rank: the Top 1 (P200,000), Top 2 (P180,000), Top 3 (P160,000), Top 4 (P140,000), Top 5 (P120,000) and Top 6 to 10 (P80,000).
According to Pepito, CTU has been giving incentives to the topnotchers, but it is only this 2025 that they doubled the incentive, from P100,000 to P200,000 for the Top 1, and held an event to honor the topnotchers.
“My dear topnotchers, each one of you represents the best of the Cebu Technological University. You were a leading testament that excellence is not simply about individual brilliance but about embracing discipline and rising above challenges with integrity and, of course, your humility,” Pepito said in his speech.
“Let me emphasize that your success is not yours alone. It is the result of thousands of silent sacrifices, including the prayers of our families, our teachers, even us,” he added.
Pepito assured that the event will be a regular activity that the university intends to have to honor the achievers. / Divine Grace Bendanillo, CNU Intern and Hilary Natalie Berongoy, HNU Intern