By Jelena Villorente

Marked by an inimitable challenge of creativity and appeal, the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) is unlike any other — widely hailed as the “Olympics of Campus Journalism,” throughout the entirety of the Philippines. In a battle of journalistic capability, campus journalists from across the country are brought together to contest in events encompassing the many aspects of journalism, be it in the form of writing, editing, or broadcasting.

Considered the highest competition for journalism for both private and public elementary and secondary schools in the country, this annual contest has brought recognition to various competitors skilled in their respective crafts — and topping it can be considered almost every campus journalist’s hope and dream. This year, the NSPC 2025, held in Vigan City, was recently concluded last May 23 — presently inaugurating a new roster of top-tier student journalists and publications as the region of CARAGA snags its very first NSPC championship, followed by MIMAROPA, CALABARZON, Davao Region, and NCR reigning in the top five spots.

No doubt, the NSPC, as the pinnacle event for campus journalism, is one apex motivation for campus journalists to thrive in their capability, serving as a goal sought by these dedicated students. The unparalleled influence of this nationwide competition manifests itself in every contestant’s drive to sacrifice their leisure time and undergo austere training.

From the perspective of an NSPC 2025 contestant in feature writing, Megan Millan, “Reaching the NSPC has always been and will always be the topmost goal.” According to her, “Aiming to qualify for the most esteemed journalism competition in the country provides me with a strong eagerness to polish my craft and sharpen my skills. The pride that comes with competing motivates me to enhance my competence and widen my knowledge in the field of campus journalism.”

Millan’s personal take demonstrates how the NSPC has ultimately enabled her to refine her aptitude for feature writing, serving as a primary objective fuelling her motivation to work harder as a campus journalist. 

On the other hand, NSPC 2025 mobile journalism contestant Ella Rendon shared that “With Mobile Journalism (MoJo) being a new addition to the NSPC — and this being my first time joining — it has shaped me into a more competent and creative storyteller,” emphasizing the significance of ‘honest storytelling’ amidst the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

“To be honest,” Rendon added, “I didn’t receive any funding from my region and wasn’t even supposed to represent it since MoJo was just an exhibition category. But my passion for telling stories pushed me to fight for my spot at the nationals.”

Truly, on its own, the NSPC shines as a notable avenue for campus journalists to upskill themselves in the field of journalism — and on a more profound level, also encourages these young practitioners to be vigilant and critical about systematic issues that continue to permeate Philippine society, be they local or national concerns. It becomes a solid starting point for students to begin putting effort into staying educated about societal affairs.

In spite of a grassroot-level upbringing engendered by this event, however, the NSPC being a competition sparks a sense of nuance in campus journalism, especially given the coveted trophies and accolades it provides a leeway to. Despite its promising front in the breeding of campus journalists, there comes the expense of misaligned motivation — and in sifting out the genuine from the misled, a fine line is drawn in the name of journalistic passion.

Passion or Prestige?

As aforementioned, the NSPC is deemed the most prestigious competition for campus journalism in the country, with the awards and accolades beckoning each region’s representatives to battle for the pride of their respective homelands. 

Even if contestants do not end up on the podium, however, being able to merely compete in the NSPC can be considered a great feat in itself — with every contestant having had to undergo a series of press conference competitions in order to participate. From districts, to divisions, to regionals, each NSPC participant would have had to champion a winning spot in each event to contest in the nationals, only underscoring the difficulty of just getting to a country-wide level per se.

Although the NSPC is branded as a competition meant to hone journalistic skills to the fullest, it is unfortunately inevitable that the competing population consists of some who take advantage of this fact to compete for the sake of gaining personal achievement rather than of authentic practice. For these students, the NSPC becomes a leverage of sorts — perceived as a springboard for individual glory and a way to prove one’s capability for the sake of proving such.

In this light, a fine line is then drawn between passion and personal desire. Even though participation in this contest requires rigorous training and skill acquisition, there is also the unspoken need for each campus journalist to enter with the right motivation — to seek and express nothing but the truth. Students participating for personal gain and experience rather than the drive for true journalism overshadow those who authentically value school press conferences as an opportunity to grow in their passion for truth-seeking. 

With this unfortunate reality, campus journalism as a whole is then reduced to a mere battle of wit and wording, a competition of retention and capability, and a challenge motivating contestants to “stand out,” the most. It strips off campus journalism’s culminating role of blossoming potential amidst the contemporary society’s struggle with telling reality as it is.

Most especially in pertinence to a country like the Philippines, where travesty often reigns over truth, many do not seem to acknowledge how campus journalism perpetuates a ground that goes against this unethical reality. Issues manifest themselves through restricted press freedom, misinformation, artificial intelligence, media cessation, and many others that threaten the freedom of speech — and amidst this, campus journalists undoubtedly carry the power to challenge these obstinate issues, even if many do not realize it.

In Millan’s words, “As campus journalists, our responsibilities go well beyond the competition. Being part of the technologically-savvy generation, we spearhead the fight in ensuring that factual information prevails in the height of fake news, especially with the rise of AI and with the easy-access, inclusive characteristics of social media.” She added that these responsibilities encapsulate accentuating the significance of source verification as contemporary times struggle to think critically with the rise of false information.

From Rendon’s perspective, “Campus journalists should stay aware of what’s happening around them. We should continue reading the news and informing others, even outside competitions. With so much fake news circulating today, our responsibility doesn’t end in the contest venue—we must use our skills to address real issues in our communities.”

Perhaps the truth is a tad bit too much to bear, that journalism itself starts paying the price. Perhaps the gaining of prestige is deemed more significant than the honing of passion. Overlooking the passionate torch-bearers who would willingly amplify the stories of those unheard and remain vigilant about social matters outside a competitive means is only one facet of this problem — yet it would take an unparalleled conviction to surmount this persistent misrepresentation.

Greater than Gold

In the midst of those choosing to perceive journalism as a pedestal of glory and proof of capability, one must be able to really see it for what it truly is — an unapologetic, unequivocal expression of truth. 

To Millan, journalism is “the practice of converting news, stories, and opinions anchored on accuracy, accountability, and relevance.” To Rendon, it is “about amplifying voices and telling stories that would otherwise go unheard.” To all those seeking to chip away at the competitive bark of journalism — a truthful, grounded shift in perception makes all the difference.

In the case of school press conferences, stories and issues being augmented against the background of Philippine society are not alien to each competition, yet there must also lie the authentic motivation of pursuing the truth and being willing to give a voice to those unheard — instead of the thirst for achievement and pride.

That is, in essence, the very nature of journalism — especially in its proliferation throughout the grassroots level. With the maturing youth involved in purposeful advocacy amidst the threats that continue to abscond and evade society’s noble grips, hope seeps through the cracks in the form of honest narratives and honed passions that linger for the voices that yearn to be heard.

“Campus journalism empowers the youth to be front-liners in advocating for factuality and accuracy in the current times where fake news is rampant,” shared Millan. “Campus journalism highlights the vital role of press freedom in broadcasting the stories of the masses and strengthening the overall structure of society.”

“Here in the Philippines, being a journalist can sometimes feel like holding a ticking bomb,” narrated Rendon. “But despite the risks, we continue to pursue and deliver the truth without bias. Campus journalists are often the first to step up, to shed light on community issues, and to search for clarity amidst confusion.”

Ultimately, campus journalism is not the forefront of a mere competition. Campus journalism is an instrumental agent in fortifying the youth’s engagement in societal affairs, an avenue to dabble in critical evaluation of social systems, and a propellant towards widespread vigilance. 

To step out of the podium and go beyond the confines of competitive expectations is to acknowledge an opportunity greater than bronze, silver, or gold medals — one that calls for the pursuit of passionate truth and freedom of expression amidst an ever-burgeoning society.