City College of Cagayan de Oro proudly participated in the 2025 Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC), held on April 1–4, 2025, in the vibrant province of Lanao del Norte. The event, organized by the Department of Education Regional Office X, brought together over a thousand young journalists, campus writers, and talented learners from across the region to showcase their creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Representing City College as judges were Dr. Kurt Candilas, Dr. Jean Loquillano, and Dr. Ray Butch Mahinay—three distinguished faculty members whose presence underscored the institution’s strong commitment to regional education initiatives.
They served alongside fellow judges from other higher education institutions, including Dr. Crisanto Avila (De La Salle University), Dr. Rogelio Gawahan (Xavier University), Dr. Camilo Ranoa (Capitol University), and Dr. Sol Dalonos (University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines). Also present were respected practitioners from the media industry, including newspaper writers and radio broadcasters, who brought with them a wealth of real-world experience and insight into the evolving landscape of communication.
The opening ceremony featured keynote speaker Dir. Jason Lacbayan, Director III of the Bureau of Learning Resources of the DepEd Central Office. In his message, he emphasized the critical role of communication in a rapidly changing world. “In today’s fast-moving digital era,” he said, “the ability to communicate effectively is not only essential for personal development but also for nation-building.”
Dr. Kurt Candilas, a communication expert and faculty member of the BA Communication program at City College, noted that the RSPC serves as a meaningful platform for students to sharpen their media skills. “This event provides young learners with the opportunity to explore new media tools and practices,” he said. “It strongly complements the mission of our BA Communication program, which aims to prepare students to become future-ready media professionals.”
This gathering is also a promising avenue for aspiring campus journalists and young communicators to turn their passion into a profession. With City College offering the BA Communication program, students from the region who discover their interest in media, broadcasting, and digital storytelling through events like the RSPC now have a clear pathway to pursue higher education in the field. The City College continues to open its doors to learners who seek to transform their talents into meaningful careers in communication and the media industry.
Through this participation, City College reaffirms its role not only as an academic institution but also as a key stakeholder in shaping the region’s young talents and future communicators. The collaboration between DepEd, HEIs, and industry professionals showcases the power of partnership in nurturing excellence, innovation, and social impact through communication.