- July 13, 2026
Mapúa MCL Joins the International English Public Speaking Competition in Universitas Esa Unggul, Indonesia
By: Cinderella Manalang
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) proudly celebrates the outstanding achievement of Bachelor of Science in Nursing student Jenna Moselle Gloriana, who secured Second Place at the International English Public Speaking Competition during the Esa Unggul International Events 2026. The competition was conducted in a hybrid format on June 10–11, 2026, with the onsite program held at the Kemala Ballroom of Universitas Esa Unggul in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Bringing together student speakers from various institutions, the international competition provided a platform for participants to demonstrate their public speaking skills, critical thinking, and confidence in addressing contemporary global issues. Jenna’s remarkable performance showcased not only her eloquence and composure but also the excellence and global competitiveness of Mapúa MCL students.
IN PHOTO: Jenna Moselle during the Final Round
For Jenna, joining the competition was already a victory in itself.
“Registering for the competition was already a huge step for me since I don’t usually join contests. It was also my first time participating in an international competition, so I felt overwhelmed and intimidated by the other participants,” she shared.
Balancing the demands of academics and competition preparation proved to be one of her biggest challenges.
“Preparing for the preliminary rounds was challenging because the deadline coincided with my major exams, and I didn’t have much time to prepare. That’s why I was genuinely surprised when I qualified for the finals. Representing the school made the pressure even greater, but I chose to push through despite my doubts.”
Despite the pressure, Jenna persevered and ultimately earned international recognition. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasized that courage was the true reward.
“This experience taught me that courage is already an achievement in itself. It reminded me that opportunities like this often begin with a simple decision to try, even when the outcome is uncertain. Looking back, I realized that I had already won the moment I found the courage to register.”
IN PHOTO: Julleanne Angel Torralba delivering her speech during the Final Round
The competition also saw another commendable performance from Julleanne Angel Torralba, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication student, who finished Fifth Place among the international finalists.
Like Jenna, Julleanne entered unfamiliar territory as a first-time competitor. Although initially intimidated, she chose to focus on creating a speech that genuinely reflected her thoughts and convictions.
“It was intimidating joining the competition. I had never joined competitions before, so joining an international competition definitely felt big for me. But I didn’t let that get to me; I wrote my heart out and made a speech I like and meant every word.”
She admitted that preparing her speech involved plenty of cramming and countless revisions, but the support of her professors and friends helped her persevere.
“Not everything comes easy, and that’s how you know you’re trying something that can potentially make you grow.”
Encouraging fellow students to embrace opportunities beyond their comfort zones, Julleanne shared that participating in the competition strengthened her confidence and broadened her perspective.
“Competitions will challenge you in ways that you may or may not expect, and I implore you to embrace that, for doing so will reward you. Joining that competition made me a better public speaker, and it gave me a more nuanced perspective on AI. If I can do it, you can do it, too.”
The achievements of Jenna and Julleanne reflect Mapúa MCL’s commitment to nurturing globally competitive learners who are willing to challenge themselves, embrace international opportunities, and represent the institution with excellence. Their success serves as an inspiration to the entire Mapúan community, demonstrating that growth begins with the courage to take the first step.
