A media practitioner and lawyer said on Sunday, November 23, the copyreading and headline writing category in the schools press conference is considered the most challenging category and urged the school paper advisers (SPAs) to send their โsmartestโ representative in the competition.
โSa tinud-anay lang ang nahitabo jud in the real world, before ka mahimong copyreader or copyeditor, before ka mahimong editor, dapat writer sa ka. Mao jud na imong entry level nga designation as a news writer,โ said Atty. John Destacamento of The Freeman, emphasizing the importance of an editorโs knowledge on the basics of news writing.
Destacamento was the resource speaker and judge of the copyreading and headline writing category of the recently concluded Division Schools Press Conference (DSCPC) of the Department of Education Toledo City Division held on November 21-23, 2025.
Destacamento also advised SPAs to provide their schoolโs representatives activities on news writing as part of their training. โIโm just trying to point out para sad sa mga coaches and SPAs nga kung magpili sad ta og mga bata para sa copyreading, part sa atoang pagbansay-bansay sa ilaha is hatagan nato silaโg activity in news writing.โ
This yearโs DSPC was participated by 73 public and private schools. In the copyreading and headline writing competition, the English category drew 39 contestants from the elementary level and 19 from the secondary level, while the Filipino category saw 38 elementary participants and 16 for the secondary level.
The top three contenders for the individual categories and top one contender for group categories will represent the division in the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) on March 2026 in Danao City.
The winners will be announced on December 5 at the Toledo City Sports Center.
Niel Fujil B. Eguna
Teacher III, Talavera Elementary School
SWP