The long road to the finals

Muntinlupa delegates

The long and arduous journey leading to my initial participation as a school paper adviser in this year’s National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) was dotted with challenges and had its own highs and lows.

As moderator of the school paper, I had to face the challenging task of tapping the right talents to match the requirements of each job. Considering that the staffers and I met only once a week, I had to trust my instincts and see the potential in their limited output.

This year’s NSPC, hosted by the friendly and hospitable people of Subic, was held at Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Olongapo City. It had the theme “Campus Journalism and Transformational Leadership.”

The four-day event provided a suitable venue for student writers to enhance their skills in rigorous competition and, hopefully, become responsible, competent and ethical future journalists.

Touted as the most prestigious journalism contest in the country, the opening  at SBEX Convention Center was attended by Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Secretary Joel Villanueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and other high-ranking Department of Education (DepEd) officials from all regions.

The best campus journalists from elementary and high school from the 17 regions of the Philippines competed in such categories as feature writing, photojournalism, collaborative writing, copy reading, science writing, etc.

Contests, both in English and Filipino, had individual and group categories.

I was proud that for the first time in many years, our school had three representatives in the National Capital Region (NCR) delegation, as only the Top 3  in each category were selected

FAICOL

in every region.

NCR delegates underwent a three-weekend training sponsored by the DepEd regional office to prepare them for the competition.

Although most of the young writers were studying for examinations and completing requirements in various subjects, I did not hear any complaints, even if it meant giving up their precious weekends.  They read up on relevant articles and current events to get a more balanced perspective on important issues.

In Subic, where we stayed in hotels, not a few old-timers said this year’s participants were luckier because in previous years, teachers and students had to stay in public school classrooms.

I heard stories of how advisers worked extra hours for free, reporting to school even on Saturdays to train their pupils. In some public schools, teachers had to rely on the generosity of some people for supplies and printing needs.

My first foray into the NSPC finals will always hold beautiful memories for me—the friendships forged and the warm camaraderie among students and teachers, plus the thrill of

clinching an award in editorial writing.

A debt of gratitude goes to our colleagues from Paref Southridge School, headed by grade school principal Luden Salamat and English area chair Jason Parado, for generously sharing their resources in providing valuable training for all finalists of Muntinlupa City.

The budding writers were visibly inspired by the messages and insights shared by the excellent lineup of resource speakers, which included columnist and sports analyst Bill Velasco and Catholic Mass Media Awardee and Hall of Famer Mann Rentoy.

We look forward to next year’s conference when NCR hosts the country’s budding journalists.

The author is an English faculty member of the grade school department of San Beda College Alabang.  She is also the moderator of the Junior Bedan.