Nero places 5th in RSPC 2015

Jenika Nero placed fifth in the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) 2015, under Feature Writing- English category, last December 10, 2015.

In the final day of the RSPC 2015, Nero, ninth grader, won fifth out of an estimated 95 participants from 19 divisions in the secondary level.

“I was very surprised and very thankful because after many years of joining the press conference, I finally won,” Nero said. This year was her fourth time joining the RSPC since 2012.

Nero mentioned that the given topic in feature writing: The Overcommercialization of Christmas, and the pressure of the new rule stating that drafts were no longer allowed in the competition made this year’s RSPC a big challenge.

“The feature writers of Talisay had this quote: ‘Patience is a virtue’ and we kept on repeating it, telling ourselves that it’s okay if we do not win because there will always be a next time,” she also said.

Names were called in every category’s top five, but none of them were from the Division of Talisay City, until Nero’s name was called. Her division erupted in cheers.

The school’s representatives were shouting in joy from the balcony when she headed for the stage.

“She made a name for the school and that’s a big inspiration, giving us hope for the next years to come,” Khylle Cabusas, a fellow RSPC participant of ACT-ISD, said. He also mentioned that Nero was teary-eyed in her victory.

Nero walked up the stage and received a medal in honor of her achievement. The medal was her first symbol of recognition for her hardwork from the press conference since four years of actively participating.

“It’s like an answered prayer,” Jeanille Cogtas, Journo’s coach, mentioned in an interview. “I’m proud because Jenika’s been working for it for years, so the moral of the story: don’t stop trying," she also added.

The closing and awarding ceremony was conducted in Don Celestino Martinez Sports and Cultural Center in Saint Joseph Village, Cogon, Bogo City, Cebu.

The RSPC 2015 in Region VII was held in a period of four days: December 7, 8, 9 and 10, hosted by the Division of City of Bogo.