A Tale of a Campus Journalist’s NSPC Journey
It’s every campus journalist’s dream to reach the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC), more so to become the champion of their category. However, ironically enough, my trip to the NSPC began with me, bleary-eyed and deprived of my sweet dreams, at the airport with my luggage in tow at 2:30 in the morning.
The NSPC brought me to the historic city of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, for an unforgettable five-day trip last May 19 to 23, giving me a chance to compete alongside top campus journalists from all over the country and appreciate the city’s Spanish colonial architecture and Filipino culture and history. Along with my adviser, Mrs. Richelle Kho, and my aunt, I visited museums of notable historical figures, got a taste of turo-turo, and bombarded my phone’s storage with hundreds of photos of tourist spots. And little did I know that it would be yet another opportunity to witness how amazing God’s grace is.
When I stepped into the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at an unreasonably early hour of the day, I felt dazed that I was really heading to the NSPC. As a first-time participant in the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC), Regional Schools Press Conference, and the NSPC, it escaped me to fathom how the Lord had brought me to the national stage to represent the National Capital Region (NCR) in an intense competition against campus journalists from 16 other regions.
The surrealness of it kindled my excitement and nervousness, and soon I was wide awake, feeling none of the lethargy I should have after only a few hours of sleep. With a flight scheduled to take off two hours later, only later did I realize how close I had come to missing my flight—after the airport staff cut the unbelievably long line to the check-in counter for us. Looking back, even at the very beginning of the trip, God comforted me with the assurance that He had my back.
Upon arriving in Laoag and traveling to Vigan, I tried my hand at the traditional craft of pottery (and realized the tremendous skill it requires to master), then rode a kalesa down the cobblestone street Calle Crisologo before the ceremonies in the afternoon. But admittedly, the day went downhill from there. At 4 p.m., the parade began an hour late, and we trekked around the city in the sweltering afternoon heat for an hour and a half before proceeding to the opening ceremony venue. Following countless performances, videos, and speeches, by 8:30 p.m., we were only at the welcome remarks. Fully aware of the rest I needed before the competition the next morning, I left the opening ceremony without waiting for Jessica Soho’s message and went to bed.
Despite the exhausting first day and the disappointment of missing the highlight of the program, my decision paid off. The day of the contest dawned with me refreshed after a good night’s sleep and strengthened with prayers and God’s Word. However, I ended up waiting at the venue for three hours before the contest began, and it was during that time that the pressure started to sink in. As I’d been a mathlete for most of my life, the competition and time pressure were nothing new to me. However, participating in a competition—and a journalism competition, at that—at the national level felt foreign. There would be no one right answer this time; everything would be subjective: subject to the judge’s preferences, the topic, and the style of the contest. And this time, so many more people expected me to win.
As I had these concerns in mind, my stomach refused to stop churning, and I questioned whether I stood a chance against contestants who were more experienced, well-trained, and determined to win than I was. But amid my fears and worries, I felt calmer after offering many silent prayers to the Lord and entrusting the one-hour competition to Him. Later, as I walked out of the classroom, my insecurities about my performance during the NSPC lingered, but my steps felt lighter with the knowledge that I had done my best and God would handle the rest.
For that afternoon and the next two days, I resolved not to dwell on the competition and instead enjoyed touring Vigan’s many attractions. Our group spent time at the Baluarte Resort and Mini Zoo, watched the enchanting dancing fountain show at Plaza Salcedo, visited the National Museum of the Philippines Ilocos, snapped trick shots at the Bantay Belltower, and explored the Hidden Garden. Aside from the tourist sites we visited, we sampled the rich Ilocano cuisine, tasting dishes like the Vigan longganisa, pinakbet, and poqui poqui.
All too soon, my last day in Vigan arrived—and along with it, the awarding. I woke up too early for my liking, unable to go back to sleep with the butterflies in my stomach having never felt so real before. Knowing it would be unwise to harbor high expectations, I hoped to at least place among the top five, but I trusted whatever outcome God would give me. However, as each awardee was called onstage from fifth to second place, my heart couldn’t help but sink a little.
At last came the moment we were all waiting for—the announcement of the champion for my category. I subconsciously held my breath, praying, hoping, and praying some more, but at the same time suppressed the dangerous feeling bubbling in my chest. To my shock and amazement, the host called, “Region… NCR!” At that moment, I was immediately overwhelmed with incredulity and gratitude for God’s grace. Despite my insecurities, God had still chosen to bless me with a victory. After coming down from the stage, I took photos with the equally overjoyed officials from the Department of Education-NCR and Taguig-Pateros divisions. As we pointed a finger up to represent the slogan “One NCR,” I recalled the One who was truly responsible for this victory.
That afternoon turned out to be the perfect conclusion to my five days in Vigan, as we went sightseeing around Laoag before our flight back to Manila. After experiencing a bumpy yet exhilarating ride to the Paoay sand dunes, there it was, arcing across the sky: a stunningly clear rainbow and a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness.
From the beginning of my NSPC journey all the way to the end, God was with me every single step of the way, through all the ups and downs, the midnight flights, and early mornings. More than the unexpected victory, the new friends and memories, the tasty food, and the much-needed vacation, I’ll forever cherish the reminder that His love and grace will never stop overflowing, especially during the moments when we least expect it.
