University of Rizal System (URS) campus journalists from Antipolo City, Angono, Binangonan, Pililla, Morong, Rodriguez, and Tanay campuses win big at the Regional Higher Education Press Conference (RHEPC), held February 14-16, 2026, at Batis Aramin in Lucban, Quezon. Top 5 finishers in individual categories qualified for the Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, on March 17-19, 2026, showcasing URS as a unified force in campus journalism.
URS delegations beam with pride after the Regional Higher Education Press Conference Awarding Rites in Batis Aramin, Lucban, Quezon, securing multiple awards across various journalism categories. Their outstanding achievements highlight the dedication and talent of URS student journalists.
URS Antipolo City-Tipolo Student Publication’s Gan Louis Grencio earned 6th place in Feature Writing (English Category).
Meanwhile, Angono (The Petroglyphs) has pocketed multiple individual awards. Aaron Joseph Pulan took 2nd place in News Writing (Filipino Category); Jesse Israel Francisco secured 2nd place in Traditional Literary Graphics Illustration (English Category); Ma. Regine Andres claimed 5th place in Mobile Journalism and 6th place in Feature Writing (Filipino Category); Giann Grafel Matawaran placed 5th in News Writing (English Category), and John Kenneth Letrodo got 10th in Traditional Literary Graphics Illustration (Filipino Category).
URS Binangonan’s The Pillar attained numerous individual awards. Kent David Tan won 1st place in Comic Strip (English) and 4th place in Editorial Cartooning (English); Jubail De Lumen earned 2nd place in News Writing (English) and 4th place in Copyreading and Headline Writing (English); Kurt Anonical took 2nd place in Sports Writing (Filipino); Sharmiel Albito placed 5th in Digital Comics Strip (Filipino); Eloisa Prudente secured 8th place in Feature Writing (Filipino) and 10th place in News Writing (Filipino); Alexis Jhon Dequiña got 8th place in Copyreading and Headline Writing (Filipino), and Johna Victoria Beluso earned 9th place in Digital Editorial Cartooning (English). Meanwhile, the publication placed 10th in Best Page Design for Magazine.
URS Pililla’s Dampol Dyorno has multiple individual qualifiers, including Jhon Christian Rebueno (4th place, Traditional Comics Strip-Filipino); Rossan Castelo (5th place, Traditional Editorial Cartooning-English; 3rd place, Traditional Comics Strip-English); Angela Arancis (3rd place, News Writing-English); Ryzza Abygaile Valencia (1st place, Digital Editorial Cartooning-Filipino; 8th place, Digital Literary Graphics Illustration-Filipino); Danielle Joy Espiritu (4th place, Feature Writing-English). Other winners were Janelle Benitez (10th, Development Communication-Filipino); Marc Gienel Jalimbawa (6th, Photojournalism-Filipino); Ma. Micael Cerbito (9th, News Writing-Filipino; 8th, Editorial Writing-Filipino); Tom Christian Gondra (9th, Copyreading and Headline Writing-English; 6th, Sports Writing-English); Jaime Simon Quintos (Mr. RHEPC: Best Production Number). Group wins: 3rd Best Cover Design (Dulang); 9th Best Cover Design-Magazine (Afterglow Eclat); 10th Best News Page (Afterglow Eclat).
On important note, URS Morong’s The Legacy Publication marked both group and individual standouts: John Raymart Nieva (1st, News Writing-English); Leonard Renzo Estrabo (highest individual pointer-Filipino; 2nd, Pagsulat ng Lathalain; 6th, Pagsulat ng Opinyon/Kolum; 3rd, Digital Comics Strip); Maria Kristel Santos (2nd, Digital Comic Strip; 8th, Digital Editorial Cartooning; 4th, Digital Literary Graphics); others like Katherine Faith Legatub, Jian Saira Añonuevo, Harley Pacoli, and Precious Avril Gonzales in top placements. Observers: Nazarene Kevin Jay Tiratira (4th, News-English); Marielle Faith Granale and Cassandra Kate San Diego (top Photojournalism-English). Group: 10th Best Literary Content; 3rd Best Page Design; 2nd Best Feature-Literary Page; 5th Best Newsletter; others top 10. Special: Ibhraime Ammed Paz (Mr. RHEPC 2026); 5th Opening Billboard team.
URS Rodriguez’s Pamitinan bagged individual and group awards: Jhoanna Marie Badong (1st, Sports Writing-English; 10th, Column Writing-English); Emelyn Villamin (9th, Feature Writing-English); King James Vilaroya (8th, Literary Illustration-Filipino). Group: 8th Best Editorial Page; 9th Best News Page and Sports Page (Magazine/Newsletter).
Significantly, URS Tanay’s The Hilltop Chronicle attained various awards in different Individual categories. Nimfa Mae Monge (3rd, Poetry-English, LHEPC qualifier; 8th, Column Writing-English); Eduardo Detablan III (6th, Sports Writing-Filipino; 9th, Column Writing-Filipino); Chloe Rich Moleta (7th, Traditional Comic Strip-Filipino; 7th, Literary Graphic Illustration-Filipino); Carl Edward Lague (8th, Digital Comic Strip-English; 7th, Digital Editorial Cartooning-English); Jarence Pedida (9th, Sports Writing-English); Mikko Dee (4th, Photojournalism-Filipino, LHEPC qualifier). Special Category: Aerone Zelle Torcuator (Ms. RHEPC Finalist, Top 6).
As one University, these passionate journalists ignited the stage, earning URS widespread pride and positioning the system for Luzonwide glory. Their achievements reflect dedication, creativity, and skill in journalism.
