BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

From the cobblestone streets of the city, the future of Filipino creativity is taking center stage in Ilocos Sur.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has officially opened the 2025 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) and National Festival of Talents (NFOT), bringing together over 5,500 young delegates from across the country. For one whole week, this UNESCO World Heritage City is the stage where the next generation of Filipino storytellers, artists, and innovators step into the spotlight.

With 3,300 campus journalists and 2,200 student creatives vying for excellence in their respective crafts, NSPC and NFOT 2025 celebrate talent in the era of AI, with the theme: “Empowering Filipino Youth: Unleashing Potentials in Journalism and Creative Industries in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.”

“Definitely, this will be a showcase of the nation’s young talents and brilliant people,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

“Gusto po ni Pangulong Marcos ay walang naiiwan po sa ating sistema ng edukasyon. Kaya’t pino-promote po natin itong events at competitions para mahasa nang husto ang ating mga kabataan.”

Award-winning broadcast journalist Jessica Soho, keynote speaker at the opening ceremony, urged students to harness technology not just to tell stories—but to tell true and necessary stories.

“I-focus niyo rin ang inyong energy at mga camera sa mga isyu at problema sa komunidad o lipunan na kailangang pagtuunan din ng pansin, lalo na kung ang nakasalalay kaligtasan at kapakanan ng marami,” she urged.

NSPC

Most NSPC contests took place yesterday, May 20, covering both individual and team events. The competition wraps up today with TV Scriptwriting and Radio Broadcasting.

An exhibition on Mobile Journalism is set for May 22, along with concurrent sessions on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) and Artificial Intelligence in Journalism. These sessions will be led by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and Assistant Professor Vengie M. Ravelo of Western Philippines University.

Last year, Region XI (Davao Region) took the crown in the NSPC, breaking CALABARZON’s nine-year winning streak. 

NFOT

Majority of the NFOT competitions and exhibitions in performing arts, especially in Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) happened yesterday, May 20.

“The NFOT is about shaping a workforce ready for the future. DepEd will continue to push for the integration of future-ready skills like AI, coding, and digital innovation into the basic education curriculum, so our learners can meet the evolving demands of the global economy head-on,” Secretary Angara said.

Region IV-A (CALABARZON) was hailed as overall champion in last year’s NFOT. 

NSPC will hold its awarding and closing ceremony on May 23, Friday, while the NFOT will be holding these on May 22, Thursday.

*All Photos from DepEd