By Mikee Natinga Norico
Lois Ituriaga Senegocio proudly represents Central Philippine University as the first-ever Centralian to qualify for the MarkProf Marketing Leadership Bootcamp Top 25.
Lois Ituriaga Senegocio, a third-year BS Psychology student at Central Philippine University (CPU), has made university history by becoming the first Centralian ever to qualify for the prestigious MarkProf Marketing Leadership Bootcamp Top 25—considered the most competitive and sought-after marketing training program in the Philippines.
MarkProf, founded in 2003 by industry leaders Diosdado Salvador, Jr. and Josiah Go, screens thousands of applicants nationwide each year, selecting only 25 young leaders for an intensive eight-week boot camp in Manila. Participation is 100% free, offering unparalleled mentorship from over 100 top marketing practitioners, executives, and industry trailblazers. For 20 years, the program has served as a gateway for young Filipinos—regardless of school background—to gain high-level corporate skills and access to a powerful alumni network.
For Senegocio, being named part of the Top 25 is more than a personal milestone—it is a historic moment for CPU.
“It is an incredible honor to have represented Central Philippine University (CPU) in MarkProf for the very first time. I definitely feel a sense of Centralian pride,” she said. “It feels good to show future Centralian applicants that it is possible and that they can certainly achieve it.”
Senegocio first learned about MarkProf through a friend she met during the L’Oréal Brandstorm competition—a MarkProf alumna who encouraged her to apply. Despite initial hesitation due to the program’s demanding schedule, she submitted her application barely two hours before the deadline.
“I really wanted to venture beyond my Psychology field, and where better to do that than in one of the most prestigious boot camps in the nation?” she shared.
When the results were released earlier than expected, she found out through a group chat—and was stunned.
“I was genuinely shocked. The applicant pool goes from about a thousand down to 100 and then to 25. And I didn’t have a formal marketing background, so I felt behind many applicants.”
The road to the Top 25 was not easy. The process involved a comprehensive application detailing credentials and leadership, followed by a qualification round for the Top 100. From there, applicants underwent a full-day online screening session, culminating in performance evaluations by industry practitioners.
The biggest challenge for Senegocio was balancing the screening with her academic deadlines, major projects, and final exams.
“That entire week, I had two major projects and academic requirements. I felt extremely unprepared,” she said. “Eventually, I decided I couldn’t take the opportunity for granted. I went DND the day before, fully focused, and prepared for the screening.”
As she attends weekly sessions in Manila, Senegocio is committed to finishing all her CPU academic responsibilities before traveling so she can focus solely on the program. She hopes to enhance her skills in corporate and marketing work—areas she believes she still needs to strengthen.
“I really want to improve my capabilities in working with corporations. Based on my previous competitions, that’s the aspect I want to grow in,” she explained. “I also want to network and meet more people.”
Senegocio credits her involvement in competitions like L’Oréal Brandstorm and various organizations—both inside and outside the university—for preparing her for MarkProf. These experiences helped her build a basic marketing foundation, practice time management, and develop a resilient growth mindset.
“In MarkProf, we are here to learn. There is so much we don’t know, and we go through constructive criticism. Having a growth mindset helps me take everything as a learning opportunity.”
As the first Centralian MarkProf Top 25 qualifier, Senegocio hopes her achievement inspires others to break new ground:
“Don’t let the reality of not having a precedent stop you from believing you can be the first. Sometimes, the most rewarding achievements are those where you must pave the path yourself. Be the trailblazer that future applicants will look back on.”
Senegocio expressed deep appreciation for friends and mentors who guided and encouraged her throughout the rigorous process.
“There were moments when I felt discouraged, but their belief and support kept me going.”
Her advice to students aiming for competitive opportunities is clear:
“Don’t think of ambition as negative. Be a big dreamer and be unapologetically ambitious. But ambition demands action—dream big, but work harder. That turns possibility into reality.”
Senegocio’s breakthrough sets a new benchmark for the CPU community, proving that passion, resilience, and courage can open doors even in the most competitive arenas. As she continues her MarkProf journey, she carries with her not only personal determination but also the pride of being the first to place Central Philippine University on the MarkProf map.
For more information about MarkProf Foundation, kindly visit their website at https://markprof.org/about-us/.