Defending champion Gav Andrei De Belen of Montessori De Sagrada Familia, Inc. surged back to the national stage after cresting over 63 contenders in Copyediting and Headline Writing at the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) held March 18–20.
De Belen, Editor-in-Chief of The Sagradan Jr. and bet of the Schools Division Office of Baliwag City, secured the school’s lone individual ticket to the National Schools Press Conference, sustaining the crown he first seized last school year.
“I came back stronger, with one clear goal: to improve and to enjoy every step of the journey,” De Belen said.
The victory carried forward a pursuit that began in childhood, when he watched his brother compete and imagined carving a path of his own.
“I could do that too,” he recalled telling himself as a young boy, drawn to awarding moments he once only witnessed from the sidelines.
Moreover, De Belen placed fifth in the search for the Most Outstanding Campus Journalist of Region III, reinforcing his standing among the region’s top writers as well as his advocacy for journalism that goes beyond contests.
“I learned to revise without fear and grow from mistakes,” he added.
Despite ruling last year’s RSPC, De Belen fell short of a podium finish at nationals in Vigan City, a minor setback that reshaped his approach and fueled his return bid.
“At the 2026 RSPC in Baler, Aurora, I found myself surrounded by crashing waves, beaches, beautiful skies as clouds formed, and new memories,” he said.
“But more than that, I heard something I will never forget—my name being called once again,” he added. “As if it were deja vu — but was the present.”
MDSF fielded 21 junior journalists in the coastal meet, but only De Belen broke through, carrying the Sagradan banner past the pounding surf of competition.
Five other Sagradan journalists also made waves in the group contest, placing eighth overall in Collaborative Desktop Publishing (English), with Samantha Venice Alejandria, Alyssa Mikaela Panganiban, Stella Diana Deticio, Julian Joaquin Bernal, and Richmond Reyes forming the team.
“Beyond the beaches and the victories, what truly matters are the people who stood by me—their support turned a childhood dream into a reality I now get to fulfill again,” Andrei said.
With the berth secured, De Belen now sets his sights on the national stage in Ormoc City, Leyte.
“This journey is far from over,” he said.