Over 1,500 pupils and students from various districts in Cauayan City gathered at the Cauayan City National High School (CCNHS) Main for the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) 2025 with the theme “Media Literacy in the Age of Misinformation: The Role of Student Journalists,” October 25–26.

Despite the staggering number of participants in each event, Junior High School teen PillariCANs excelled and were recognized especially two students – Maria Caryna Sherby V. De Luna, a grade 7 student, who clinched the top rank in Editorial cartooning Filipino category and Nicole C. Andal, a grade 10 student, who bagged the second place in Editorial writing English category, will represent the City in the upcoming Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) 2025.

Aside from the RSPC qualifiers, seven other campus journalists coveted awards in different events such as Nathaniel Angelo P. Quebec who placed 5^th in Editorial writing English category and Quielle Rose O. Canaoay who ranked 8^th in Editorial writing Filipino category; Mannyson Johan D. Reyes also brought home the 8^th place in Column writing English category: Aiana Khristin D. Par bagged 8^th place and Laxmi Concepcion Foronda placed 10th in Feature writing English category; Cyda Andrea U. Parcasio coveted the 8^th place in Science and Technology writing English category while Jared Ross Laman was hailed as 2^nd best reporter and his team brought home the 2^nd best script for radio broadcasting English category.

Judging the contenders are esteemed journalists in the country including Prof. Ben Domingo Jr., Melvin Gascon, Mia Baquiran, and Jeffry Rasote, graced the two-day event as they shared their expertise and experiences in journalism, emphasizing the importance of responsible reporting and the power of the press in shaping informed communities.

The Division Schools Press Conference served as a training ground for aspiring journalists to enhance their writing and reporting skills which also provided an avenue for collaboration and camaraderie among students from different schools and districts, strengthening their passion for campus journalism as the speakers finished their lectures that inspired the young writers to pursue excellence and uphold ethical standards in their craft.