Tuguegarao City, CagayanโAfter three days of fierce competition at the 21st Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference (LHEPC), Queenie Hope F. Kabfilan, Editor-in-Chief of the Universityโs official student publication Tala: The Mocking Bird, earned a coveted spot in the Top 9 for the Copyreading and Headline Writing category (Filipino). She stood out among more than 100 participating student journalists in the category.
The event drew 1,189 student journalists representing 167 Higher Education Institutions from seven regions, making it one of the most competitive gatherings for campus press in Luzon. Beyond her individual success, Kabfilan secured re-election to the Board of Directors of the Association of College Editors (ACE) Luzonwide while serving as president of the Cordillera Administrative Region chapter.
She was joined by fellow Tala staffers who also delivered strong performances across various categories: Zoren Grijaldo, Neil Ford Dumanas, Emmanuel Maingag, Trishia Antoniano, Asel Gwynn Chavez, Novelyn Yawan, and Zanerex Shamin Miranda.
Further, among the 76 literary folios submitted, the Official Literary Folio of Tala, Day-day-eng ya Dat-dat-at (Rhymes and Rhythms), clinched the 10th Place for Best Page Design. A job well done to the editorial board, especially to Zemira Changat, for the page design.
Supporting the team were their adviser, Ms. Janice Sagandoy, and mentor, Ms. Mirasol F. Sumerbang, whose support proved invaluable throughout the competition.
Looking ahead, the next conference will now be the first National Higher Education Press Conference, which will be hosted by Region I in Vigan City next year.
The Tala: The Mocking Bird staff extends heartfelt gratitude to the University administration, led by University President Dr. Edgar G. Cue, for their unwavering support of the campus press. Gratitude is also due to the drivers whose patience and understanding ensured smooth logistics throughout the conference.
In the spirit of campus journalism, Tala continues to uphold the highest standards, proving time and again that student voices remain vital, resilient, and influential.
