UST Varsitarian bags 8 finalist spots in US college media tilt, in first for Asia, PH

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The Varsitarian, the official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas, made history as the first Asian and Philippine campus publication to be a multi-category finalist in the US College Media Association (CMA) Pinnacle Awards.

The 97-year-old student paper secured finalist spots in eight categories in one of the most competitive and respected contests for student media.

The Varsitarian is competing with top campus US publications such as the University of Texas at Austin’s The Daily Texan, the University of California Los Angeles’ The Daily Bruin, and the University of Michigan’s The Michigan Daily.

The CMA Pinnacle Awards recognize student-produced media across seven divisions: Creative Pinnacles, Features Pinnacles, General Pinnacles, News Pinnacles, Opinion Pinnacles, Promotion or Advertising Pinnacles, and Sports Pinnacles.

The competition covered works published from June 18, 2024, to June 17, 2025, and featured entries from student newspapers, magazines, yearbooks, websites, and broadcast outlets.

The Varsitarian’s Coverage of Faith entry, “Papal Coverage: Francis’s Death and Leo XIV’s Election,” and the Special Section, “‘The People’s Pope’: Pope Francis, 1936–2025,” earned spots in the finals under the general pinnacles.

The coverage was spearheaded by former Varsitarian editor in chief Logan Kal-El Zapanta during Publication Year 2024-2025.

For opinion and news pinnacles, the editorial cartoon entry, “Surviving Without Sara, the ‘Designated Survivor,’” by former layout editor Jan Esguerra, and the general news photo, “Welcome Rites at UST GenSan,” by former photo editor Jeremy Edera, were recognized.

Under promotion and advertising, the ad campaign entry, “26th Inkblots Promotional Campaign,” and the video advertisement, “Pautakan 2025 Teaser,” were named finalists.

Rounding out the Varsitarian’s eight finalist entries were its sports pinnacles entries, the sports feature (A/V), “‘Superstar’ – UAAP 87 Second Semester Primer,” produced by incumbent Varsitarian editor in chief Chalssea Kate Echegoyen, and the sports photo, “Golden Tigresses Outlast DLSU in 5 Sets,” by the now Varsitarian photo editor James Magboo.

Winners will be announced in October 2025 in Washington, with top awardees receiving certificates and trophies.

Founded in 1954, the CMA is the leading organization for collegiate media and their advisers in the United States.

With over 600 members, the organization supports student journalists by providing education and resources through collaboration with media and education groups.