CEBU CITY–Three graduates of the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) were recently feted after making it to the Top 10 in the  2026 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT).

Jessa Junio, Jenny Rose Daro, and Eurica Labapiez each received P100,000 during last week’s 2026 PACECGARBO at the CEC Gym here.

Junio ranked third, Daro landed in fifth place while Labapiez was 10th in the licensure examinations.

The achievement of the CEC graduates marked the second consecutive year that school produced topnotchers in the licensure examination for professional teachers.

The three topnotchers were recognized not only for their outstanding examination results but also as examples of perseverance, determination, and the transformative power of accessible education.

CEC Board of Trustees and Vice President Dwight Choachuy emphasized that academic excellence is not determined by a student’s financial circumstances.

“Talent knows no economic status. Intelligence is not measured by one's financial capacity. And greatness is never limited by the challenge of life,” Choachuy said.

He described the awardees as living proof that when opportunity meets determination, exceptional achievements become possible.

Choachuy also highlighted the role of the Cebu City Government Scholarship Program in making quality education accessible to students who might otherwise struggle to pursue college.

He said scholarships do more than provide financial assistance, noting that they give students the opportunity to change not only their own lives but also the future of their families.

For the three awardees, the recognition from CEC comes with both financial support and a greater responsibility to serve as examples to aspiring teachers.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Jr. attended the awarding ceremony. He challenged the awardees and the institution to pursue continuous improvement and inspire more students to aim for excellence.

Archival cited the principle of making small, consistent improvements, saying that even modest changes can eventually lead to significant achievements.

He also encouraged CEC students and faculty to continue producing top-performing graduates and contributing to the development of Cebu.

For the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the achievement underscores CEC’s contribution to accessible and quality higher education.

Dr. Carlyn Dela Peña of CHED congratulated the entire CEC community for producing multiple national topnotchers in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers.

She said the achievement demonstrates that CEC is providing accessible, high-quality education capable of producing globally competitive graduates.

“Cebu Eastern College has perfectly actualized these goals by providing accessible, high-quality education that can yield world-class graduates, globally competitive graduates,” Dela Peña said.

She also commended CEC’s Board of Trustees for its long-term commitment to quality tertiary education and urged the institution to continue pursuing higher standards and future achievements.

The CHED official further reminded the three topnotchers that their national recognition carries a responsibility to use their achievements to inspire future generations of teachers.

“Carry this prestige with humility, guard your integrity, and use your platform to ignite the minds of the next generation,” Dela Peña said.