In a gathering that showcased the budding talents of young journalists from across Region 9, nearly 2000 student journalists and their mentors convened in Dipolog City for the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) 2024. Organized by the Department of Education, the event not only served as a platform for showcasing journalistic prowess but also as a beacon for fostering camaraderie and healthy competition among participants.
Students representing eight divisions across Region 9, including Zamboanga City, Pagadian City, Dapitan City, Dipolog City, Isabela City Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay Division, Zamboanga del Sur Division, and Zamboanga del Norte Division, competed in various categories such as editorial writing, news writing, and photojournalism among others.
One standout participant from 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 (WMSU) emerged victorious amidst the fierce competition. 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐒. 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞 emerged as the 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝑬𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑾𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈-𝑭𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒐, showcasing exemplary talent and dedication to the craft. Latorre’s achievement not only brings pride to WMSU but also secures his spot as a qualifier for the National Schools Press Conference to be held in Cebu City.
Leading Latorre to this remarkable victory is none other than 𝐃𝐫. 𝐀𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐁. 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐨, a dedicated faculty member of the WMSU ILS Elementary Department, who served as his coach throughout the competition. Dr. Casimiro’s guidance and mentorship undoubtedly played a pivotal role in shaping Latorre’s success.
The triumph of Amir Nathan S. Latorre exemplifies the commitment of WMSU to empower and recognize the invaluable contributions of young voices in the field of journalism. As Latorre prepares to compete at the national level, he carries with him not only the hopes of his university but also the aspirations of aspiring journalists across Region 9.
