The 21st Regional Tertiary Schools Press Conference wrapped up with a high note for Budyong, the official student publication of the Bicol University College of Arts and Letters, as its staff secured numerous victories and accolades during the event.

I am immensely proud of these accomplishments as a writer-turned-adviser of the publication. Here’s how Budyong performed at the past RTSPC competitions.

Note: Currently, there is no available record of Budyong’s performance during the 14th Regional Tertiary Schools Press Conference. I will actively search for the results in the archived printed issues of the publication, and I will update this information if it becomes available.

Note 2: Thank you, Joan Marcia Navarra, for providing the list of winners during the 14th RTSPC. The post is not updated.

January 2012

I was a third year college student then. I was competing in an event I wasn’t comfortable with. Of course I wanted to compete in Newswriting or Feature Writing, but my seniors were the top priority since that was all our first chance to compete and their last chance. We competed against 35 other publications during the 12th Regional Tertiary Schools Press Conference at Calabanga, Camarines Sur. All the regional winners listed below advanced to compete at the Luzon Higher Education Press Conference (LHEPC) held in the City of Balanga, Bataan.

Andrew Garcia Gahol – 1st Place, Editorial Writing – English
Caryl Gamis – 2nd Place, Poetry Writing – Filipino
Rey Anthony Ostria – 2nd Place, Poetry Writing – English
Andrew Garcia Gahol – 3rd Place, Newswriting – English
Carlito Copada – 3rd Place, Photojournalism – English
Franco Vivi Lasay – 3rd Place, Comic Strip Drawing – English
Xyza Therese Lucido Vibar – 5th Place, Photojournalism – Filipino

December 2012

During the competitions, I was meant to be in my final semester of college; however, I wasn’t enrolled. Having submitted my leave of absence while awaiting the commencement of a scholarship in the United States, I found myself unable to participate. This marked our inaugural entry into group events, with the print issue under my editor-in-chief leadership. The 13th RTSPC took place at the Oriental Hotel in Legazpi City, Albay.

Group Competition
Best Tabloid (1st)
Best Newspage (1st)
3rd Best Editorial/Opinion Page
3rd Best Feature Page
3rd Best in Page Design
4th Best DevComm Page

Individual Competition
Andre Faye P. Lacoste – 1st Place, Copyreading Filipino
Camille Regala – 2nd Place Photojournalism English
Siera Lou Aguila Mata – 4th Place Newswriting Filipino
Jessica Rae Nolasco – 4th Place Opinion Writing English
Edda Mae Morata – 4th Place Copyreading English
Kenneth Raeneil Buella Frondoso – 5th Place Photojournalism Filipino

January 2014

The 14th RTSPC was held at the Bagasbas Light House Hotel Resort in Daet, Camarines Norte.

Individual Competition
Jessica Rae S. Nolasco – 2nd Place, Opinion Writing (English)
Seira Lou A. Mata – 3rd Place, Opinion Writing (Filipino)

January 2015

I have completed my undergrad studies by the time the 15th RTSPC took place.

Group Competition
Overall 4th Runner-Up
5th Best News Page
5th Best Feature Page

Individual Competition
Joan Marcia Navarra – 1st Place, Newswriting (English)
Abigail Tabuzo – 2nd Place, Opinion Writing (English)
Romeo Belardo Jr. – 3rd Place, Editorial Cartooning (English)
Johanna Faye Lopez – 4th Place, Feature Writing (English)
Henrick Zairy Hipos – 5th Place, Photojournalism (English)
Romeo Belardo Jr. – 5th Place, Literary Graphics (Filipino)

December 2015

The 16th Regional Tertiary Schools Press Conference held on December 3 to 5, 2015, at the Eurotel Hotel in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Group Competition (Tabloid)
3rd Best Editorial Page
3rd Best Opinion Page
4th Best News Page
5th Best Development Communication Page
5th Best in Page Design
8th Best Feature Page
9th Best Sports Page
9th Best Literary Page
6th Overall Best Campus Paper (Tabloid)

Individual Competition
Suzene T. Cajegas – 1st Place, Newswriting (Filipino)
Suzene T. Cajegas – 1st Place, Sports Writing (English)
Romeo G. Belardo Jr. – 1st Place, Editorial Cartooning (English)
Karol Josef O. Lucena – 1st Place, Poetry Writing (English)
Romeo G. Belardo Jr. – 5th Place, Comics Strip (Filipino)
Shane Irish H. Pelonia – 5th Place, News Writing (English)
Christian Carl C. Quides – 5th Place, Comics Strip (English)
Suzene T. Cajegas – 6th Place, Opinion Writing (Filipino)
John Cyril L. Yee – 8th Place, DevComm (Filipino)
Ranelle Anne M. Sertan – 9th Place, Copy Reading and Headline Writing (English)
Romeo G. Belardo Jr. – 10th Place, Literary Graphics (Filipino)

Special Award
Suzene T. Cajegas – 2nd Highest Pointer (Individual Competition)

November 2016

The 17th RTSPC was held at Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial College of Agriculture and Technology, Mandaon, Masbate, from Nov. 16 to 18, 2016.

Group Competition (Tabloid)
2nd Best Opinion Page
4th Best News Page
4th Best Editorial Page
4th Best in Page Design
4th Best Development Communication Page
5th Best Feature Page
5th Best Literary Page
7th Best Sports Page

Individual Competition
Jun Dave Nocido – 1st Place, Photojournalism (Filipino)
Romeo Belardo Jr. – 3rd Place, Editorial Cartooning (English)
Kenneth Lustre – 4th Place, Poetry Writing (English)
Romeo Belardo Jr. – 5th Place, Comics Strip Drawing (English)
Shane Irish Pelonia – 5th Place, Newswriting (English)
Shane Irish Pelonia – 6th Place, Copyreading (English)
Monique Astillero – 4th Place, Poetry Writing (Filipino)
Monique Astillero – Development Communication Writing (Filipino)

December 2017

The 18th RTSPC was held at Sorsogon State College, Sorsogon City on December 11 and 12, 2017. I have to double check why record shows “3.5th Place.” This shouldn’t be right, right?

Group Competition (Tabloid)
2nd Best Development Communication Page
3rd Best Opinion Page
3.5th Best News Page
3.5th Best Editorial Page
3.5th Best Features Page
5th Best Sports Page
5th Best Page Design
5th Best Literary Page
4th Overall Best Tabloid

Individual Competition
Leother Alec Quiles – 5th Place, Comic Strip Drawing (Filipino)
Kreizel Bojero – 6th Place, Feature Writing (English)
Yodel Berdin – 7th Place, Layouting
Yodel Berdin – 9th Place Development Communication Writing (Filipino)

January 2019

At this point, I had assumed the role of Budyong’s adviser. However, in adherence to tradition, the adviser’s responsibilities are not all-encompassing. My role is specifically confined to addressing their inquiries, if and only if they have concerns, such as potential issues related to libel. It is crucial not to overstep this boundary to safeguard their freedom of the press. The 19th Regional Tertiary Schools Press Conference took place at Macagang Hotel in Nabua, Camarines Sur.

Individual Competition
Mark Francis Banay – 2nd Place, Layouting
Diane Pitallano – 2nd Place, Copyreading and Headline Writing (Filipino)
Yvinn Borondia – 2nd Place, Copyreading and Headline Writing (English)
Yvinn Borondia – 3rd Place, Newswriting (Filipino)
Jan Jaime Delos Santos – 3rd Place, Sports Writing (English)
Arnold Noda – 4th Place, Poetry Writing (Filipino)
Kreizel Mae Bojero – 4th Place, Development Communication Writing (Filipino)
Gabriela Alexandra Olaño – 4th Place, Opinion Writing (Filipino)
Kreizel Mae Bojero – 5th Place, Feature Writing (English)
Jomari Castigador – 6th Place, Feature Writing (Filipino)
Jose Adrian Fernandez – 10th Place, Poetry Writing (English)
Neil Erin Joy Fajut – 10th Place, Photojournalism (Filipino)

Special Award
Kreizel Mae Bojero – 3rd Place, Outstanding Campus Journalist 2019

February 2020

During the 20th Regional Tertiary Schools Press Conference, people were already aware of what was then called the novel coronavirus (n-Cov). None of us even imagined what was going to happen the next month. The RTSPC was held at Bagasbas Lighthouse Hotel and Resort, Daet, Camarines Norte from February 5 to 7, 2020.

Individual Competition
Gabriela Alexandra Olaño – 1st Place, Editorial Writing (English)
Warren Bernard Loma – 1st Place, Comics Strip Drawing (Filipino)
Gabriela Alexandra Olaño – 3rd Place, Opinion Writing (English)
Maria Leonor Euna Regaspi – 4th Place, Development Communication Writing (English)
Christian Berjuega – 4th Place, Editorial Cartooning (English)
Job Baeza – 5th Place, Layouting
Kristhel Joy Dalanon – 6th Place, Development Communication Writing (Filipino)
Warren Bernard Loma – 7th Place, Literary Graphics (Filipino)
Kristhel Joy Dalanon – 7th Place, Opinion Writing (Filipino)
Gabriela Alexandra Olaño – 8th Place, Sports Writing (English)
Maria Leonor Euna Regaspi – 9th Place, Poetry Writing (English)
Job Baeza – 9th Place, Photojournalism
Kristhel Joy Dalanon – 9th Place, Feature Writing (Filipino)

1st RTSPC Broadcast Script Competition
Best Informercial
Ivan Kyle Asiado – 3rd Best News Anchor

Group Competition (Tabloid)
2nd Best Editorial Place
2nd Best Opinion Page
4th Best Feature Page
5th Best Developmental Communication Page
7th Best News Page
9th Best Literary Page
8th Best Sports Page
8th Best in Page Design
7th Overall Best Tabloid

Group Competition (Newsletter)
3rd Best Opinion Page
4th Best Editorial Page
6th Best News Page
7th Best Feature Page
8th Best Developmental Communication Page
8th Best Literary Page
8th Best Sports Page
8th Best in Page Design
7th Overall Best Newsletter

Group Competition (Literary Folio)
4th Best Cover Photo
7th Best in Page Design
8th Best in Concept
8th Best Literary Page
9th Best in Visual Arts
7th Overall Best Literary Folio

January 2024

Bicol University served as host of the 21st RTSPC, so Budyong and The Bicol Universitarian were busy with the preparations and invitations while also trying to prepare for the individual competitions. This was also the first time that an RTSPC Got Talent was held. Joshua Onsay and Michael Morales were the masters of ceremony during the opening and closing programs, and the RTSPC Got Talen. They were also able to secure cash donations from Albay Governor Grex Lagman, who donated P5,000 for the first prize, P3,000 for the second prize, and P2,000 for the third prize. I told the staff that it is to be expected that most entries will be songs or dance numbers, so we came up with a skit. I gave them something to work on (a skit I remember from way back in college—during a National Schools Press Conference with the College Editors Guild of the Philippines in Mindanao).

RTSPC Got Talent
1st Place (teamed up with campus journalists from The Vital Signs of Bicol University College of Nursing)

Individual Competition
Clarence Roi G. Gillego – 1st Place, Newswriting (English)
Patrick Fabe R. Togano – 1st Place, Development Communication Writing (English)
Karl Ian Morissey C. Ramos – 1st Place, Opinion Writing (Filipino)
Mary Grace B. Lucila – 1st Place, Poetry Writing (Filipino)
Krishelle Faith Bael – 1st Place – Literary Graphics (English)
Karl Ian Morissey C. Ramos – 2nd Place, Newswriting (Filipino)
Krishelle Faith G. Bael – 2nd Place, Feature Writing (English)
Clarence Roi G. Gillego – 2nd Place, Sports Writing (English)
Mary Grace B. Lucila – 3rd Place, Feature Writing (Filipino)
Maida V. Boragay – 4th Place, Editorial Writing (Filipino)
Maida V. Boragay – 4th Place, Development Communication Writing (Filipino)
Geromae Hope A. de la Fuente – 5th Place, Editorial Writing (English)
Dave Andrei B. Benig – 5th Place, Literary Graphics (Filipino)
Patrick Fabe R. Togano – 6th Place, Layouting
Krishelle Faith G. Bael – 8th Place, Comic Strip Drawing (English)
Geromae Hope A. de la Fuente – 8th Place, Opinion Writing (English)
Regina B. Dioneda – 9th Place, Comic Strip Drawing (Filipino)