Fueled by passion and journalistic excellence, the student publications of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) bagged 23 awards at the 20th Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference (LHEPC) held at Batis Aramin Hotel and Resort, April 2-4, 2025.
The Blaze, the official student publication of NEUST, and Anihan, the official student publication of San Isidro Campus, prevailed over 152 other higher education institutions across Luzon and Region VII, with a total of 1,075 delegates, to bring home 15 individual awards, six (6) awards in group contests, and two (2) in search for Mr. LHEPC 2025.
With these awards, NEUST student publications played a key role in the overall performance of Central Luzon, contributing to its recognition as the Top 2 Performing Region in this year’s competition, next to CALABARZON, the host region.
According to Dr. Alfredo Esteban Jr., Head of the Office of Student Publications, the performance of NEUST serves as proof of how student journalists use their platforms in shaping meaningful discourse and promoting responsible journalism.
“Our student publications stood tall and made NEUST a formidable presence in the national scene. I commend every campus journalist of The Blaze and Anihan behind this victory. At NEUST, we don’t just write stories, we become part of the story that transforms lives and communities,” said Esteban. “To all the campus journalists of NEUST, may you continue to wield your pens with courage, compassion, and conviction.”
The Blaze: Fueling the Flame of Victory
The Blaze brought home 20 awards, with John Darwin Arenas and Lorenz Luiz Jimenez clinching the 1st Place in the Sports Writing English and Filipino categories, respectively.
Arriane Grace Villasana added another 1st Place finish in Feature Writing (Filipino), while Ram Hanniel Bajacan earned 2nd Place in Digital Literary Graphics (English).
Edward Sta Maria bagged two 3rd Place finishes in Photojournalism (Filipino) and Traditional Comic Strip Drawing (English), landing him as the 6th Individual Highest Pointer.
The Blaze Editor-in-Chief, May Ann Badajos, won 3rd Place in News Writing (Filipino) and 5th Place in Developmental Communication Writing (English), earning recognition as the 5th Individual Highest Pointer. In addition to her individual achievements, May Ann Badajos was appointed as a Board of Director for Region III under the Luzonwide Association of Campus Editors (LACE).
Meanwhile, Carl Calara placed 5th in Digital Infographics, while Russel John Guibani secured 10th Place in Digital Literary Graphics (Filipino).
Prince Jeric Fermin was also recognized in the special awards category, bringing home the titles of Mr. LHEPC 2025 2nd Runner-Up and Mr. Photogenic.
The Blaze also excelled in group competitions as it ranked 1st Best Sports Page for its magazine, 3rd Best Sports Page and 6th Best Page Design for its tabloid, 4th Best Sports Page for its newsletter, 10th Best Tabloid overall, and 7th Best Page Design for its literary folio.
Anihan: Reaping Triumphs
Not to be outdone, Anihan also contributed three (3) individual awards to the university’s medal tally.
Development Communication Editor Raymond Castro secured 4th Place in Developmental Communication Writing (English) and 9th Place in Sports Writing (English).
Meanwhile, Literary Editor Maria Juweyn S. Liwag earned 4th Place in Poetry Writing (Filipino) and Opinion Editor Nathaniel P. Manabat placed 7th in Developmental Communication Writing (Filipino).
In addition, the Anihan adviser, Jennifer Flores, received a Service Award for more than a decade of dedicated involvement in LHEPC.
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