#ProudViscans dominate Campus Idol 2025 with grand champion and first runner-up finishes

(Photo Caption) Anthea Laroya (left) and Nathanie Jade Estrera (right) pose for the camera after being hailed as the grand winner and first runner-up of Campus Idol 2025 (Photo courtesy of Anthea Laroya and Nathanie Jade Estrera).

Two Viscan voices ruled the stage as Anthea D. Laroya and Nathanie Jade Estrera of Visayas State University Main Campus emerged as top winners in the Campus Idol 2025 Grand Finals held at Robinsons Ormoc on September 13, 2025.

Campus Idol 2025 was one of the most anticipated student competitions in Ormoc, drawing vocalists from across the region. Laroya and Estrera both advanced as Group A qualifiers in the elimination round on August 30, 2025.

For Laroya, a 4th-year Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education (BCAEd) student, joining the contest was not entirely her own idea.

“It was my supportive friends and family who encouraged me to go for it. So I decided to audition and fortunately, I qualified to advance in the elimination round,” she recalled.

Laroya’s first song was “Nakapagtataka”, arranged by Mr. Geno P. Valmores. Interestingly, this arrangement was originally made for her opponent Kriesha Jane P. Aliviado as her competition piece for the Ormoc Music Pop Grand Finals.

For her final piece, Laroya chose “Shine”, a fitting anthem that highlighted both her vocal range and emotional depth.

When her name was announced as the grand winner, she described the moment as pure joy. 

“I felt overwhelming joy when I was announced as the Grand winner. I felt the validation of all the hard work I had put in after I heard my name and the university’s name called out as the Campus Idol 2025 Grand Champion. I felt proud to represent VSU,” she recalled.

Laroya’s victory is more than just a personal achievement—it is a proud moment for the entire VSU community.

She also expressed her gratitude to her VSU family–especially to her classmates, friends, dorm mates, and ADARNA family. 

She believes this triumph is a product of faith, perseverance, and timing. She also left a message to fellow Viscans who share the same dreams. 

“To my fellow proud Viscans, whatever dreams or goals you have, fight for them. Follow your passion, practice, and believe in yourself.”

Meanwhile, Estrera, a third-year student of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program, also carried the VSU banner high by finishing as the first runner-up of Campus Idol 2025. 

She is no stranger to the big stage, having previously won the #TawagNgTanghalan School Showdown of ABS-CBN’s noontime variety show It’s Showtime on June 7, 2024.

Indeed, both Laroya and Estrera embody the #ProudViscan spirit of excellence, confidence, and passion, showing that VSU students are not only academically capable but also rich in culture and artistic talent.

Their success in Campus Idol 2025 is a reminder that VSU nurtures well-rounded students who shine not just in classrooms and laboratories, but also on the biggest stages.

This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.