By Karren Jay G. Asgar

Congratulations to Matt Jireh Tumlos and Lee Brian Pescuela on their outstanding achievements! Photo pubmat courtesy of The Central Echo.

On October 20, 2024, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – Western Visayas announced the Most Promising and Promising College Campus Journalists in the recently concluded PIA JournTalk Series (PJTS) 2024. The announcement was made via their official Facebook page.

Matt Jireh Tumlos, a 3rd-year Bachelor of Science in Chemistry student, and Lee Brian Pescuela, a 3rd-year Bachelor of Science in Biology student, both from the College of Arts and Sciences, were recognized as Promising Writers in Feature Writing (English) and Editorial Writing, respectively.

“Despite the JournTalk Series coinciding with prelims week, I’m immensely proud of Matt and Lee not just for being promising writers but for their courage and initiative in joining the workshop. As relatively new staffers, having joined the editorial board just a month ago, their decision to participate speaks volumes about their dedication to The Central Echo. I believe this experience will be invaluable in helping them develop their skills and uphold the publication’s tradition of excellence,” Ray Angelo Jagna-an, The Central Echo Editor-in-Chief shared in an online interview.

They are both student journalists from The Central Echo, the official student media of Central Philippine University (CPU). For the Academic Year 2024–2025, Tumlos serves as the Filipino Feature Writer, while Pescuela holds the position of Editorial Writer.

“Your passion and dedication to the field of campus journalism and development communication truly shine. As you continue to bear the torch of truth, we encourage you to remain steadfast in delivering timely, accurate, relevant, and truthful information within your academic communities,” PIA-Western Visayas wrote on their Facebook page.

The PIA JournTalk Series 2024 is a three-day Campus Journalism Webinar Series held via Zoom last September 25-27, 2024.