By Karren Jay G. Asgar
The Central Echo Editorial Board for Academic Year 2025-2026, with their adviser Assoc. Prof. Rea Angelica Faulan Villeza, posed for a photo opportunity after the 49th PIA Western Visayas College Press Conference and Awards (COPRE) at the Iloilo Grand Hotel.
The Central Echo (CE), the official student publication of Central Philippine University, showcased its achievements at the Philippine Information Agency – Western Visayas College Press Conference and Awards (COPRE) held at the Iloilo Grand Hotel on November 27, 2025.
According to PIA Western Visayas, the 49th year of COPRE, together with the 2nd High Schools Press Conference, highlighted the vital role of campus journalists during times of disasters. Guided by the theme “Climate of Change: Writing the Future of Resiliency,” the event gathered 82 publications across Western Visayas, with 783 campus journalists participating in on-the-spot writing competitions and publication contests aimed at enhancing journalistic skills in disaster communication.
Editor-in-Chief Orfa May Farrol reflected on the months-long preparations leading up to COPRE, saying, “Our preparation for COPRE was never easy. We spent months with all the preparation, conceptualization, and actual development of our editorial releases. We are even more challenged because of the constant cancellation of classes due to various reasons, like typhoons, bomb threats, and such. Still, we persevered. Despite all the challenges, we pushed boundaries, strengthened our newsroom, and delivered outputs that reflect our commitment to student journalism. Our achievements are a testament to the dedication, late nights, and teamwork each of us has poured into this publication.”
Individual awardees from CE included Seana Christel Tura, 1st Place in Editorial Writing (English); Rhemme Jeane Keith Enojas, 2nd Place in Photojournalism (English); Niel Benedict Alba, 3rd Place in Copyreading (English); Orfa May Farrol, 5th Place in Sports Writing (English); Matt Jireh Tumlos, 5th Place in Editorial Writing (Filipino); and Sheenah Pendilla, 5th Place in Copyreading (Filipino). The publication also secured 2nd Place for Best Literary Folio. In the minor categories, CE won 1st Place for Best Magazine Cover Design, 1st Place for Best Editorial Page, and 2nd Place for Best Feature Page. Major recognitions included 1st Place for Best Magazine and 3rd Place for Best Online Newsletter.
“We offer our achievements to our alumni who walked this path before us for allowing us to continue echoing stories that matter, and to the Centralian community that stood behind us—All for Him, All for Central,” Farrol added.
Adding to CE’s achievements, representatives Nel Angelo Hablado and Shanice Shane Demontaño also secured podium finishes in the Mr. and Ms. COPRE ‘25 pageant. Hablado, a News Writer, was named 1st runner-up, while Demontaño, a Layout Artist, finished as 2nd runner-up and additionally earned the minor award for Best in Interview.
With its strong performance at COPRE 2025, The Central Echo’s recognitions serve as a testament to the team’s unwavering commitment to telling stories that empower, inform, and uplift the Centralian community.