Two young journalists from Calapan City have brought national recognition to their schools and region after being named Most Outstanding Campus Journalists at the 2024 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) held in Carcar City, Cebu from July 8-12.

Lastlie Hyacinth Myrrah A. De Guzman of Adriatico Memorial School was awarded Most Outstanding Campus Journalist at the elementary level for Region IV-B, while Linus Miguel Mataya of Oriental Mindoro National High School received the same honor for the secondary level in the same region.

The Department of Education (DepEd) Calapan City, led by Schools Division Superintendent Susana M. Bautista and Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Marites P. Perez, celebrated the students’ achievements as a testament to the quality of journalism education in the city.

“These awards highlight the dedication of our students and teachers to excellence in campus journalism,” Bautista said. “Their success brings pride not only to Calapan City but to the entire MIMAROPA region.”

The NSPC, an annual gathering of student journalists from across the Philippines, saw outstanding performers from various regions.

The awards were distributed as follows:

Region I: Jose M. Reloza III (Elementary) and Robin B. Abad (Secondary)
Region II: Leo Nicholas O. De Leon (Elementary) and Hajkeem M. Lintao (Secondary)
Region III: Arianne Kate M. Correa (Elementary) and Maria Deena P. Otchengco (Secondary)
Region IV-A: Liliana SM Mecaydor (Elementary) and Caryl Angela C. Opulencia (Secondary)
Region V: Mary Bernadeth P. Dato (Elementary) and Jascyl Jee H. Sayson (Secondary)
Region VI: Cryle Finesse G. Azufra (Elementary) and Ellen Faye Ann P. Yabut (Secondary)

De Guzman and Mataya competed against these talented young journalists, showcasing their writing, editing, and critical thinking skills throughout the conference.

“This recognition motivates us to further improve our craft and inspire other aspiring journalists in our schools,” Mataya said in a statement.

The success of the Calapan City students reflects the growing emphasis on media literacy and journalism education in Philippine schools, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the digital age and the spread of misinformation.

Education officials hope that nurturing young talent in journalism will contribute to a more informed and critically thinking society in the future.

As the Philippines continues to grapple with issues of press freedom and the evolving media landscape, the achievements of these young journalists serve as a bright spot, demonstrating the potential of the next generation of Filipino media practitioners.

The DepEd Calapan City office plans to organize a welcome ceremony for the returning students, recognizing their hard work and the honor they have brought to the community.

“Their success is a reminder of the importance of supporting and encouraging young talents in all fields, including journalism,” Perez, in a Cebu news report, added. “We hope their achievement will inspire more students to pursue excellence in campus journalism and beyond.”