Published February 15, 2025 by The CSU Lal-lo Innovator
Continuing their streak of journalistic excellence, nine student journalists from The Innovator, the official student publication of CSU Lal-lo, clinched awards in the 21st Regional Higher Education Press Conference (RHEPC) held at the Isabela Convention Center, Cauayan City, Isabela this February 11-13, 2025.
Among the nine RHEPC winners, six student journalists will advance to the Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference (LHEPC) in Lucban, Quezon this April after earning a spot in the Top 5 of the regular events and Top 3 in special events, including this year's pilot events in digital categories of Editorial Cartooning, Comic Strip Drawing, Literary Graphics Illustration, and Infographics.
Editor-in-Chief Ivan Howard B. Sumauang, third-year Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) Major in English student, remains his spot as a LHEPC qualifier for the third time after securing a silver medal in Development Communication Writing (Filipino).
Sumauang also placed ninth and tenth in Copyreading and Headline Writing (English) and Feature Writing (Filipino), respectively.
In his last year of joining RHEPC, Managing and Stills Editor Jeremy S. Rigon, fourth-year BSEd Major in Filipino student, bounced back from last year’s unplacement as he claimed second place in Photojournalism (Filipino) and finally secured a spot for LHEPC.
Meanwhile, Jasmine Jay B. Delos Trinos, fourth-year Bachelor of Elementary Education, made a strong showing on her first participation in Editorial Cartooning after bagging third place in Digital (Filipino) category and fourth in Traditional (Filipino) category, giving her two tickets for LHEPC.
Delos Trinos also landed at seventh in Traditional Comics Strip Drawing (Filipino), and ninth in Digital Literary Graphics Illustration (Filipino).
Associate Editor Marife C. Menor, third-year BSEd Major in Engish student, is also on her second year as a LHEPC qualifier after being adjudged as fourth place in Sports Writing (Filipino). She also placed ninth in News Writing (Filipino).
After a year-long hiatus, Staff Writer Aldrin G. Callena, third-year BSEd Major in Filipino student, returned with vengeance when he finished fifth in Traditional Literary Graphics Illustration (Filipino) and sixth in Editorial Writing (Filipino), earning him one spot for LHEPC.
Rounding out the list of LHEPC qualifiers is Junior Staff Writer Trish G. Valdez, third-year BSEd Major in English, who made a stellar debut with a fifth-place finish in Poetry Writing (Filipino).
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While they narrowly missed LHEPC qualification, other Innov journalists still brought home notable accolades.
From a convincing debut in last year's LHEPC and RHEPC, Head Illustrator Derick S. Amarles, second-year BSEd Major in Social Studies student, missed a spot for LHEPC after finishing fourth in Digital Literary Graphics Illustration (English) and ninth in Traditional and Digital Comics Strip Drawing (English).
Circulations Editor Knjie A. Umayam, fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, last year’s Layouting champion and LHEPC 5th placer, ended his presscon journey and the publication's three-year winning streak in Layouting after landing at sixth place, just one place away to being a LHEPC qualifier. He also won eighth in his debut in Infographics, one of the special events this year.
Meanwhile, in his first-ever participation in press conference, Multimedia Editor Renier L. Castillo, second-year BSEd Major in Social Studies student, took home eighth place in Photojournalism (English).
Literary Editor Micah B. Tungol, third-year BSEd English student and Features Editor Joan S. Nicolas, fourth-year BSEd English student, also participated for the first time in this year’s competition.
This year’s RHEPC gathered over 300 student journalists from across the region, each vying for top placements in various categories.