An inspiring feature on the journey of an underprivileged girl earned recognition at the 21st Lasallian Scholarum Awards (LSA), held on March 17, 2026, at Henry Sy Sr. Hall of De La Salle University in Taft.
Titled “Life Story of Wenna Joy Culibra: From Kasambahay to Cum Laude,” the article took home the Outstanding Online Feature on Youth and Education award.
It was published by Philippine Entertainment Portal last October 2, 2025, and written by Bernie V. Franco, the site's deputy non-celebrity editor.
Against the odds, Wenna Joy Culibra finished Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in Mathematics, at Caraga State University in June 2025.
Growing up in poverty, she faced countless challenges, but her determination and resilience carried her through each one.
By her second year in college, she became a scholar of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation—a turning point that helped keep her dreams within reach.
In the end, all her sacrifices paid off: she graduated cum laude.
Read: Life story of Wenna Joy Culibra: From kasambahay to cum laude
PEP'S WINNING FEATURE, OTHER NOMINATED STORIES
During the awarding ceremony, a member of the Board of Judges, National Youth Commission Commissioner-at-Large Michelle Mae Gonzales, read a brief description of the winning online feature before announcing it.
“This is not merely a story of resilience amidst obstacles, but also of finding meaning and value in one’s goals.
“Highlighting—more than the belief—in the power of education, this article also exhibits the power of one’s determination and perseverance.
“For its ability to speak about an individual journey into a broader commentary on aspiration, endurance, and the transformative power of opportunity.”
Also among the finalists in this category was another PEP.ph article, "Young Pinoy Inventor of Helmet-Cleaning Machines, Now a Millionaire," which was also written by Franco.
In the Outstanding Feature Story on De La Salle University category, Franco’s story, "Japonz Dacumos: Student with Autism Graduates Summa Cum Laude," was selected as a finalist.
The ceremony was hosted by Paolo del Rosario.
WINNERS AND FINALISTS AT 21st Lasallian Scholarum Awards
The LSA is De La Salle University’s flagship program for recognizing outstanding media coverage of youth and education stories.
Established in 2004, it is a merit-based awards program that highlights the most pressing, innovative, and inspirational news—from print and online to television and film—that champions the Filipino youth and the continued advancement of the country’s education system.
In 2023, three of PEP’s articles were nominated at the 18th Lasallian Scholarum Awards.
For this year’s 21st LSA, here is the complete list of winners and finalists in each category:
Category: Outstanding Media Personality
- Lian Buan, Rappler (Recipient)
Category: Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education in a School Organ
- Why Denying Sex Education is Pushing Girls Into Motherhood Too Soon, By Giullana David, Philippine Collegian, University of the Philippines (Winner)
- For Some Students, Part-Time Jobs Fill the Gaps Left by Insufficient Scholarships By Alex Lauricio, Philippine Collegian, University of the Philippines
- Ink and imagination: Scenes from local children’s book authors By Bea Bundang and Alexandrea Kate Noble, The Guidon, Ateneo de Manila University
- Kung bakit mas malalim ang pighati ng estudyante kaysa sa baha By Eryl Cabiles and Jasmien Ivy Sanchez, FEU Advocate, Far Eastern University
- KWF: Komisyon o Krisis sa Wikang Filipino? By Jasmien Ivy Sanchez, FEU Advocate, Far Eastern University
- Logged in, burned out: Inside the student freelance grind By Daphne Bayona and Carelle Samson, The LaSallian, De La Salle University
- Pabrika ng makina ang Pamantasang kinikitil ang kaluluwa sa kolehiyo By Jasmien Ivy Sanchez, FEU Advocate, Far Eastern University
- Pag-alis sa ‘mother tongue education,’ banta sa katutubong wika By Diana May B. Cabalo, Frenchshield Shayne G. Delovieres, and Sofia Gabrielle G. Rosario, The Varsitarian, University of Santo Tomas
- Sa Kakulangan ng Pondo sa Mga Rehiyonal na Pamantasan, Maraming Estudyante Ang Nalalayo sa Tahanan By KC Nulada, Philippine Collegian, University of the Philippines
- When the mother tongue is cut, Filipino teachers mend the threads of local languages By Elijah Duanan and Julian Rias, The LaSallian, De La Salle University
Category: Outstanding Online Feature Story on Youth and Education
- Life story of Wenna Joy Culibra: From kasambahay to cum laude By Bernie V. Franco, PEP.PH (Winner)
- AI use in PH classrooms must fit students’ needs —solon By Vince Angelo Ferreras, GMA News Online
- Classroom backlog means dawn classes for kindergarten students —EDCOM II By Sherylin Untalan, GMA News Online
- DepEd seeks to recover up to P100M ‘ghost student’ claims By Sherylin Untalan, GMA News Online
- DepEd Targets K-3 Learners To Fix Crisis By Bella Cariaso, One News
- EDCOM 2: Only 1 in 4 Grade 3 students can perform division correctly By Sherylin Untalan, GMA News Online
- School bullies may be victims of abuse at home: psychologist By Anjo Bagaoisan, ABS-CBN News
- Teens ‘really need help,’ say supporters of adolescent pregnancy prevention bill By Michelle Abad, Rappler
- What is bullying? ‘Outdated’ definition in Philippines poses problems By Bonz Magsambol, Rappler
- What is Comprehensive Sexuality Education? By Giselle Ombay, GMA News Online
- Where is PH now in terms of learning recovery? By Giselle Ombay and Sherylin Untalan, GMA News Online
- Young Pinoy inventor of helmet-cleaning machines, now a millionaire By Bernie V. Franco, PEP.PH
Category: Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education in a Nationally Circulated Publication
- Is homeschooling for you and your child? By Jocelyn Valle, Philippine Daily Inquirer (Winner)
- A deaf graduate’s journey to servant leadership By Iza Iglesias, Manila Times
- DepEd bares 1.2 M enrollment drop for SY 2025-2026 By Bella Cariaso, The Philippine Star
- DepEd: 26 school days lost to recent cyclones, calamities By Elizabeth Marcelo, The Philippine Star
- Educate Girls breaks resistance to learning By Jane Bautista, Philippine Daily Inquirer
- PBED: Education crisis persists, jobs gap widens By Zacarian Sarao, Philippine Daily Inquirer
- Youth push for stronger HIV response as infections rise among Filipinos aged 15 to 24 By Kenneth M. del Rosario, Business Mirror
Category: Outstanding Video Feature Story on Youth and Education
- Pamilya Tubig by Maki Pulido and Jun Veneracion, Reporter’s Notebook, GMA Public Affairs (Winner)
- Hamon sa Kandidato: Lubog sa Gutom by Maki Pulido and Jun Veneracion, Reporter’s Notebook, GMA Public Affairs
- Kampeon ng Alon by Atom Araullo, I-witness, GMA Public Affairs
- Pamilya Liwanag by Kara David, I-witness, GMA Public Affairs
- Pangarap kong Sapatos by Atom Araullo, I-witness, GMA Public Affairs
- POGO Babies by John Consulta, I-witness, GMA Public Affairs
- Walang Maputik, Walang Matarik by Kara David, I-witness, GMA Public Affairs
Category: Outstanding Feature Story on De La Salle University
- This project by DLSU students hopes to turn food waste in cafeterias to biogas for cooking By Josiah Eleazar Antonio, ABS-CBN News (Winner)
- Ace on and off the court: Julia Coronel bags her IT degree from DLSU By Inna Mina, One News
- DLSU to lure industry players on-campus By John Eiron R. Francisco, Business Mirror
- FDCP, DLSU study reveals insights into Filipino film viewership By Iza Iglesias, Manila Times
- Japonz Dacumos: student with autism graduates summa cum laude By Bernie V. Franco, PEP.PH
- Metro Manila Is Walkable? These DLSU Students Say Yes! By Gelene Peñalosa, The Beat
- Org Spotlight: DLSU PUSA Goes Above And Beyond For Beloved Campus Kitties By Nica Glorioso, Nylon Manila
- Philippine economy, exports to stand firm despite US tariff threat—DLSU economists By Dexter Barro II, Manila Bulletin
- This DLSU graduate, who’s on the autism spectrum, achieves summa cum laude By John Patrick Magno Ranara, The Philippine Star
- Wawi Navarroza’s self in surrounding By Lala Singian-Serzo, Inquirer.net
Category: Outstanding Youth and Education Feature Film
- Song of the fireflies By Culturtain Musicat Productions (Winner)
- The Delivery Rider By Studio Three Sixty
- Magkapatid: Dreamers in tandem By JPhlix Films and Entertainment
- Sunshine By PROJECT 8 PROJECTS
