Bittersweet.
Sagradan Penpushers created waves once again in the regional scene as two of its qualifying teams captured resounding achievements in the recently-concluded 2024 Regional Schools Press Conferences held in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga last May 20-22.
MDSF’s Radio Broadcasting English team grabbed 2nd Place Overall for Best Radio Production. It was indeed historical for the radio broadcasters as this was their first time to reach the regional level afterseveral previous attempts, thus securing the silver finish. It was not an easy ride for them since the team underwent tedious elimination process in the division level before securing the right to represent Team Bulacan in the RSPC. Aside from achieving the second-best finish this year, three of the seven-member team grabbed various individual awards, namely 4th Place Best News Presenter for George Dural II; 4th Place Best Technical Application for Aldrea Castro; and 1st Place for Best Script for Keara Dannelle Pantalunan. They will be gunning for the top spot next year as the team remains intact. Other team members include Biensei Yuan Adriano, Julianne Khadka, John Jonovan David, and Carl Andolph Libunao.
On the other hand, it was a bittersweet finish for the Online Publishing team as they seized 4th Place in the event. Being last year’s regional champs, it was a heartbreak for the group as they will be missing the national trip this year. But the team comprised of Hannah Kiesha Ponsaran, Jemuel Cruz, Alexis Robert Nuesca, Anthony Khalil Bagolor, and their graduating team captain Jaeden Celest Lazaro firmly believed that the best is yet to come for them as they still have another shot of the title next season.
Aside from the two teams, MDSF’s Collaborative Publishing team also saw action into this year’s regional spectacle,serving as the final curtain call for Joelle Caitlin Peral, Rinoa Gayle Valderama, Hannah Grace David, Janina Samantha Cunanan, Elisha Jireh Abejero, and Sofia Amanda Sediarin as they move on to the next chapter of their academic lives. The lone remaining member of the team, sports writer Rency Santos, will definitely have her hands full in assembling a competitive team to follow the footsteps of their predecessors.
Completing the Penpushers regional qualifiers this year was Frances Nicole Mercado, this year’s Editor-in-Chief of The Sagradan, representing the news writing category. This will also be Mercado’s farewell walk as she also heads to her college stint.
As the Penpushers resume their quest next press conference season, they will be stepping into a new arena as MDSF and other Baliwag public and private, elementary and secondary schools will compete under the newest Schools Division of Baliwag City, thus will earn the ticket to represent the city for next year’s RSPC.
by: Vhon Joseph C. Solomon