March 5, 2025 – RSPC 2025 kicked off this morning that brought together over 2,400 participants from across the region. The event, held from March 4-7 at Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School, opened with empowering messages delivered by various key officials.
Vice Mayor, PinPin Pareja, stood in for Mayor John Dalipe. Mayor Dalipe's message emphasized the importance of hope for the future. "Kayo ang pag-asa ng ating bayan," he declared. He urged students to harness their talents in areas such as intelligence, arts, justice, and meaningful contributions to society. He encouraged everyone, "sumulat ng kwento" (write stories) that would inspire and expand perspectives, to foster empathy and understanding across communities. The mayor further reminded the participants about the power of words and their potential to drive change, learn, grow, and shape the future.
District I Congressman, Khymer Adan Olaso, represented by Atty. Vladimir Jimenez, expressed, "You have the power to uncover the truth. You are not just the future, but the present," he declared. "Be compassionate, build bridges, and champion the truth," he further elaborated.
The energy was high as the event continued with the announcement of the results from the Bench Cheering competition. Pagadian City claimed first place, followed by Zamboanga del Sur, and Sibugay Division lodged third.
Dr. Ruth L. Fuentes, rallied the participants with a call to action: "Slay the giants! Don’t be complacent!" She pushed for excellence, not settling for anything less than in top three. "Maintain the gigil and passion for winning," she emphasized.
The RSPC 2025 is a highly anticipated annual event that serves as a platform for student journalists to showcase their skills in writing, storytelling, and media, while fostering camaraderie and a sense of community among the student-journos.