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| (Image Source: University Of Batangas) |
University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC) celebrates a moment of pride as its College Student Government President Anne Marjorie M. Caringal brought home the jackpot prize of ₱500,000 after an impressive win in the Laro-Laro Pick segment of ABS-CBN’s long-running noontime variety show It’s Showtime. The segment, aired last October 23, 2025, featured 20 student leaders from various universities and colleges across the country, competing in a series of elimination games testing their wit, knowledge, and quick decision-making.
During the first round – Illuminate or Eliminate, Caringal successfully advanced after her chosen tile lit up green, securing her place in the next stage. In the second round titled It’s Giving, contestants were tasked to name Filipino heroes included in The Great Filipino Heroes, a 1997 publication compiled and edited by Rheno A. Velasco. Caringal confidently answered “Gregorio del Pilar”, earning another point to move forward among the eight remaining players. Her journey continued in the You Gotta Lyrics challenge where she correctly filled in missing lyrics to the song Palagi by TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan, solidifying her spot in the Pilimination Round. Out of seven cakes, only one contained the It’s Showtime logo and Caringal’s lucky pick earned her the coveted position in the final jackpot round. Faced with the choice between “pot” worth ₱500,000 and “li-pot” worth ₱25,000, Caringal took a calculated risk by rejecting the final offer of ₱40,000. The jackpot question asked: “Ano ang popular full name ng kauna-unahang Filipinang magkakaroon ng star sa Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2026? (What is the popular full name of the first Filipina who will have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Class of 2026?)” With both courage and composure, Caringal answered Lea Salonga which turned out to be the correct response, securing her the jackpot prize.
More than luck, the win carried heartfelt timing. The episode aired on the birthday of her mother Mary Ann Mendoza Caringal to whom she dedicated her victory. In an emotional message during the broadcast, she said, “Ma, I made it. Hindi ka man nandito personally, I know na ‘yung presence mo gustong-gusto mo talaga nandidito ka… Ngayon ma, hindi lang ako ang uuwi, I have money with me bringing home. Thank you and happy birthday, ma!” Before her national television appearance, Anne Marjorie Caringal had long exemplified leadership and service. A graduate of The Mabini Academy Senior High School Class of 2023, she began her journey as a student leader in Grade 7 and consistently pursued opportunities to represent and serve the student body. At UBLC, she is a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy student and a student assistant under the Student Affairs and External Programs Division – Health Services Office. Her leadership roles expanded across several student organizations, culminating in her election as President of the College Student Government, the highest student body position in the university. Caringal’s recent achievement showcased her intelligence and composure under pressure and reflected UBLC’s culture of excellence and student empowerment. Her triumph on national television serves as an inspiration to many UBians – proving that dedication, perseverance, and faith can lead to extraordinary success.
