FLORA, Apayao – Student-journalists from Flora Central School (FCS) in Apayao are now up against the country’s best as they represent the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in the 2025 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC).
The team competes in both English and Filipino categories of Radio Broadcasting and Scriptwriting—one of the most anticipated events in the country’s annual gathering of campus journalists. They face off with teams from 17 other regions, each hoping to bring home recognition from the national stage.
Behind the scenes, a small group of dedicated mentors guided the team through months of training. Estrella C. Denna and Julie May U. Agtunong led the Filipino team, while Denna also teamed up with Mary Grace I. Baliwag for the English category.
“We started the selection process in the first quarter of the school year. The training continued through the District Contest and all the way to the higher levels,” said Denna, who has long mentored students in campus journalism.
The team even rehearsed at Radyo Kasaranay, a real radio station housed at Apayao State College – Luna Campus, to simulate an authentic broadcast environment. “This is a national contest, and of course, we want to give our very best, not just for our school, but also for our municipality, division, and the entire Cordillera region,” Denna added.
Their trip to Ilocos Sur came with strong backing from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Flora. Mayor Rodolfo B. Juan, Vice Mayor Jeofrey T. Blas, and the Sangguniang Bayan of Flora provided each participant with a ₱3,000 allowance, to make sure that their needs are met during the competition.
Education Program Supervisors in English and Filipino, Fredalyn Abulencia and Florida Valenzuela, credited the tight-knit support system that has grown around the young broadcasters. “We are happy because we have seen the collaborative efforts and support of the coaches, parents, and other stakeholders in our participants,” they said.
With discipline built from grassroots training and the entire community behind them, the FCS team carries the weight and pride of Apayao and the Cordilleras on the national airwaves. By Ruby A. Palacay
