Menu
GOVPH

Philippine Standard Time:
#CNUFeature | CNU LET Top 2 soars beyond geography
 
From the upland barangay of Valencia in Carcar City, James Brian Banag has proven that geography does not define destiny.
 
Rising from this mountain community, Banag placed second nationwide in the September 2025 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET)—a feat that brought pride not only to Barangay Valencia but to the entire City of Carcar. He is among the 44 topnotchers produced by Cebu Normal University (CNU) last year.
 
For many, growing up in a mountain barangay comes with daily challenges—limited access to resources, long travel hours, and the constant balancing of family responsibilities with academic demands. For Banag, however, these realities became stepping stones rather than barriers.
 
The mountains that shaped his discipline and grit did not hold him back, they pushed him to aim higher.
 
During CNU’s motorcade of honor at Tal-ut National High School, Banag turned his personal triumph into a message of encouragement, especially for students from geographically challenged communities.
 
“Proud ta taga bukid ta,” he said, challenging stereotypes that often underestimate learners from upland areas.
 
Dr. Margie Oacan, assistant principal of Tal-ut NHS, said Banag’s journey is a testament that no mountain is too high for those who dare to dream. His story, she noted, reminds aspiring teachers and students that while geography may shape one’s journey, it can never limit how high one can soar.
 
“Your success is a powerful reminder that excellence knows no boundaries. Coming from Tal-ut truly proves that geography does not define destiny,” she said.
 
“What truly defines success is determination, discipline, and a heart committed to excellence. You showed students that even from the mountains, dreams can rise and achievements can reach the national stage.”
 
For her part, Dr. Baronessa Varga of Tal-ut Elementary School honored Banag’s journey, describing it as one shaped by perseverance, faith, and excellence.
 
“His journey stands as a powerful affirmation that humble beginnings, when strengthened by dedication and purpose, can rise to extraordinary heights. Like a beacon, it reminds us that excellence is attainable and every dream is worth pursuing,” she said.
 
CNU President Dr. Daniel Ariaso, Sr. echoed the message that nothing is impossible.
He said that when education is rooted in quality and values, students are empowered to rise even higher.
 
“Top of the mountain, but you (Tal-ut Elementary School and National High School) produce quality and excellent students,” he said. Dr. Ariaso’s administration initiated the motorcade to honor the remarkable milestones and journeys of CNU topnotchers.
 
Following the visit to Tal-ut ES and NHS, the motorcade proceeded to Cebu Sacred Heart College in Carcar, where Banag completed his senior high school education.
 
Banag reflected on how fear once held him back from studying in the city proper after spending his elementary and high school years in the uplands. Eventually, he embraced the change.
 
“Change is constant and teaches us to adapt to new environments. We dream because we want to turn those dreams into reality, no matter how big or small. It is up to us how we make them come true,” he said.
 
Inspired by the nurturing environment at Sacred Heart, one that strengthened values and built confidence, Banag chose to pursue a Bachelor of Physical Education at CNU, a decision that would later lead him to national recognition.
 
Aside from Banag, CNU also produced two other LET topnotchers from Carcar: Brench Yasmin Canencia of Barangay Valencia and Jerald Panugaling of Barangay Buenavista, both placing Top 9 in the board examination.
 
The three topnotchers (Panugaling represented by his parents) were honored by city officials led by Mayor Mario Patricio Barcenas at Carcar City Hall.
 
“Kanang gasa ninyo wa na nangkon sa kadaghanan. Angay lamang kamo ipasigarbo,” the mayor said, urging them to give back to the community by serving Carcaranons and educating the youth to the best of their abilities.
 
Vice Mayor Perkins De Dios likewise praised the achievers, saying they proved that education and excellence are attainable.
 
“We celebrate you. Dako mo og natampo sa katilingban,” he said.
 
Through Banag’s journey and those of his fellow topnotchers, CNU once again affirms that from the mountains to the national stage, excellence knows no boundaries.
 
 
 
 
X
Cebu Normal University
PRIVACY POLICY

Policy Statement

This Privacy Policy is adopted in compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173), its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and other relevant issuances of the National Privacy Commission (NPC). The University is committed to protecting and respecting your personal data privacy. We process personal information in accordance with the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality. This Policy informs how we collect, use, disclose, store, protect, and dispose personal information of our data subjects.

Definitions

Personal information refers to any information, whether recorded in a material form or not, from which the identity of an individual is apparent or can be reasonably and directly ascertained by the entity holding the information or when put together with other information that would directly and certainly identify an individual.

Sensitive information is a type of personal information with the risk of discrimination against the Data Subject. These are about an identifiable person’s racial or ethnic origin, marital status, color, and religious, philosophical, or political affiliations. It is also, about an individual’s health, education, the genetic or sexual life of person, or any proceeding for any offense committed or alleged to have been committed by such person, the disposal of such proceedings, or the sentence of any court in such proceedings; Issued by government agencies peculiar to an individual which includes, but not limited to, social security numbers, previous or current health records, licenses or its denials, suspension or revocation, and tax returns; and specifically established by an executive order or an act of Congress to be kept classified.

Privileged information refers to any and all forms of data which under the Rules of Court and other pertinent laws constitute privileged communication.

Information We Collect

The University may collect personal information in the context of its regular functions — including but not limited to the following categories:

  1. Students: contact and enrollment details, academic records, health or medical records, accommodation records, student-activity participation, and related data.
  2. Staff and job applicants: contact details, employment history, qualifications, employee-related data.
  3. Alumni profiling: contact and demographic details.
  4. Visitors, volunteers, and other stakeholders: information collected through sign-in forms, CCTV or security monitoring, photos or recordings during official events, surveys, and feedback forms.

Collection may occur by any medium, including: paper forms, electronic forms, email, website or online platforms, CCTV or video/photographic capture, surveys/questionnaires, and other lawful means.

Purposes and Uses of the Data Collected and Processed

Personal information collected may be used for:

  1. Administration of admission, enrollment, employment, alumni relations, and other official functions.
  2. Maintenance of student and employee records, including academic, health, and administrative data.
  3. Provision of University services such as counseling, scholarship administration, placement, library access, facilities use, laboratory access, security, parking, and accommodation.
  4. Internal research, quality assurance, performance monitoring, and institutional planning.
  5. Compliance with statutory obligations (e.g. reporting to government agencies when required).
  6. Security, safety, and campus management, including CCTV monitoring.

Legal Basis / Lawful Criteria for Processing

All processing of personal data is carried out in accordance with the legality, fairness, and lawfulness requirements under the Data Privacy Act and IRR.
Where applicable, processing is grounded on consent, contract, legal obligation, legitimate interest, or other lawful bases recognized under the law. The choice of lawful basis depends on the nature of data, the purpose of processing, and legal or contractual requirements.

Manner of Collection and Processing

Personal data may be collected through physical forms (paper-based), electronic forms, online or web-based platforms (e.g., registration portals, email, institutional website), CCTV or video/photo capture (for security or surveillance), event sign-in sheets or registration forms, surveys or questionnaires, or other legitimate and lawful means.

Processing may include collection, recording, sorting, storing, retrieval, use, updating, modification, blocking, destruction or other operations as allowed under the law, consistent with declared purposes.

Disclosure of Information

The University does not disclose personal information except under the following circumstances:

  1. Internal disclosure within authorized University personnel, only when necessary and appropriate for legitimate institutional purposes.
  2. External disclosure only when required or permitted by law (e.g. statutory obligations), or when the data subject has provided valid consent.
  3. Sensitive personal information or privileged information is processed and disclosed only in accordance with relevant legal provisions.

Risks, Safeguards and Security Measures

The University recognizes that processing of personal data entails certain privacy and security risks. Accordingly, we implement appropriate organizational, technical, and physical security safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data — whether in electronic or physical form. Such measures include (but are not limited to):

  1. Access controls (both digital and physical) to restrict access only to authorized personnel
  2. Use of secure storage: locked filing cabinets or secure rooms for physical records; password-protected systems, encryption, secure servers, firewalls for electronic data
  3. Secure transmission of data (when shared or transferred), secure printing and disposal protocols, and safe deletion or destruction of data when no longer needed
  4. Classification of data and periodic review of security protocols, to ensure adequacy in light of the risks presented and sensitivity of the data processed

Rights of Data Subjects

Under the Data Privacy Act and its IRR, data subjects have the following rights:

  1. Right to be informed — you have the right to know whether personal information about you will be, is being, or has been processed; the purposes of processing; the personal data to be entered; and the scope and method of processing.
  2. Right to access, correct, or update your data — you may request access to your personal information, ask for rectification of inaccuracies, or request updates.
  3. Right to object or withdraw consent — when processing is based on consent or legitimate interest, you may withdraw consent or object, subject to legal limits.
  4. Right to data portability — where applicable, you may obtain a copy of your personal data in a secure and portable format for transfer to another controller.
  5. Right to erasure or blocking — if personal data is incomplete, outdated, unlawfully obtained or processed, no longer necessary, or processing is unauthorized, you may request erasure or blocking, subject to legitimate grounds for retention (e.g. legal obligations or defense of legal claims).
  6. Right to damages — you may seek indemnification for damages resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, unlawfully obtained or unauthorized use of your personal data.
  7. Right to lodge a complaint with the NPC if you believe your data privacy rights have been violated.

Requests for access, rectification, objection, portability, erasure or complaints may be submitted in writing to the University’s designated Data Protection Officer (DPO) or Data Privacy Office.

Security, Retention, and Disposal

The University implements appropriate organizational, technical, and physical security measures to safeguard personal data — whether in paper or electronic form — against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Such measures include: secure storage (locked filing cabinets or rooms), restricted access to authorized personnel only, use of locked screens/screensavers, secure transmission (sealed envelopes or secure electronic transmission), secure printing and disposal of documents, and safe deletion or destruction of data when no longer needed.

Personal data will be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill the declared and legitimate purposes, or as required for legal obligations or defense of legal claims. When no longer needed, personal data will be disposed of securely in accordance with University policy and relevant data-protection guidelines.

Consent, Notice, and Legitimate Processing

Where required by law, consent will be obtained from data subjects prior to collection or processing of their personal or sensitive data. In other cases (e.g. CCTV monitoring, legitimate interest), the University will inform data subjects through appropriate notice mechanisms before or at the time of data collection. Privacy notice(s) will accompany data-collection forms or be posted in conspicuous campus areas, and on the University website. At all times, data processing is based on legitimate purpose and proportional to the need.

Data Subject Access and Contact

To exercise your rights or if you have any inquiry, concern, or request regarding your personal data, please contact:

Omar B. Roma

Data Protection Officer
Email: dpo@cnu.edu.ph
Phone: 09422041421

Changes to This Policy

The University reserves the right to update or amend this Privacy Policy as necessary to reflect changes in applicable laws, regulations, regulatory guidance, or its internal data-processing practices. Updated versions will be posted on the University’s official website and, where appropriate, communicated to data subjects.