ORMOC CITY, Leyte — The 2026 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) concluded in Ormoc City this Friday, April 17, with Region IV-A (CALABARZON) triumphantly reclaiming the overall championship title. The victory marks a historic full circle for the region, returning to the very city where its legendary nine-year winning streak first began in 2013. After a brief two-year hiatus from the top spot, the “Home of the Champions” bested 17 other regions to secure the gold, while the National Capital Region (NCR) and Cagayan Valley finished in second and third place, respectively.
Gathering the nation’s most talented elementary and secondary student journalists from April 13 to 17, the annual event featured intense competition across print, broadcast, and online platforms. The conference focused on the theme “Mapanuri, Mapanindigan, at Mapanagutang Pamamahayag,” which translates to Discerning, Assertive, and Responsible Journalism. The Department of Education (DepEd) organized the week-long summit to reinforce the standards of truth-telling and ethical reporting among the youth, as mandated by the Campus Journalism Act of 1991.
In a message addressed to the thousands of delegates, Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the role of a student journalist extends far beyond the competition. “Sa bawat balitang isinulat ninyo, sa bawat katotohanang pinili ninyong ipaglaban, hinuhubog ninyo hindi lamang ang inyong sarili kundi ang kinabukasan ng ating bayan,” Secretary Angara said. “Sa panahon ng ingay at impormasyon, ang pinakamahalaga ay ang kakayahang pumili ng tama at ipaglaban ang katotohanan.”
The Secretary further expressed his hope that participants would carry the core values of the conference back to their respective communities. “I hope that participants carry on their learning from the NSPC: That a journalist has principles, accountability and compassion for the nation,” he added. The event served as the final stage for student writers who had advanced through rigorous division and regional eliminations over the past months.
With this latest victory, CALABARZON has reaffirmed its standing as a powerhouse in Philippine campus journalism. Regional officials noted that the win is a testament to the tireless preparation of student-journalists and the dedicated support of their school paper advisers. As the curtains close on NSPC 2026, the triumph in Ormoc City serves as a milestone in the region’s storied history of journalistic excellence.|
