19/03/2026
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ | 2 TS staff place 3rd, 4th in their first LHEPC bid
Despite joining the competition as first-time qualifiers, two student journalists from Cagayan State University-Sanchez Mira bested other campus journalists to place in the Top 5 at the 21st Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference (LHEPC) held at NGN Gran Hotel on March 17-19.
The Touchstoneโs Jabar S. Canapia, chief layout artist, earned third place in Photojournalism (English), while Jessa Mae I. Bacud, associate editor in online, finished fourth in News Writing (Filipino), standing out among campus journalists from across Luzon.
Canapia said his interest in photography began out of curiosity, admitting that he used to secretly take the publicationโs camera without expecting it would lead him to join competitions.
โDati tinatakas ko lang yung camera ng Touchstone dahil curious ako dito at parang nakakapogi kasi kapag humahawak ka ng camera. Pero hindi ko akalain na aabot ako sa point na sumasali na ako sa patimpalak,โ he said.
He added that the mishaps he often experiences during contests, such as being late or getting disqualified, now feel more like a lucky charm than a curse.
Meanwhile, Bacud said, โIโm just very grateful for this award kasi unang sabak ko 'to sa LHEPC, at ang maging qualifier pa lang ay malaking karangalan na, especially as someone na ngayon na lang muling sumubok ng ibang kategorya."
Along with Canapia and Bacud, Victor Arda Moises, chief editorial cartoonist, and Rommel Jacinto, chief graphics artist, both two-time LHEPC qualifiers, represented the region and were coached and accompanied by their publication adviser, Dr. Gleann R. Corpuz.
โThe competition was especially tight this year, considering that LHEPC recorded its highest number of participants in history. Winning a place was already a difficult feat, which makes Touchstoneโs Top 10 finish even more meaningful. I am so proud of them because they are truly making history for the publication,โ Dr. Corpuz said.
This yearโs LHEPC, with the theme โVOICES ABLAZE: Campus Journalists as Vigilant Truthtellers,โ was attended by 1,189 student journalists and publication advisers of 167 state colleges and universities from Luzon regions, including Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, and the Cordillera Administrative Region, with Central Visayas participating as the guest region.
Moreover, as formalized by the Association of Tertiary Press Advisers, the Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference will expand into a nationwide press conference, with the inaugural National Higher Education Press Conference (NHEPC) set to be held next year in Vigan City.
The publication extends its gratitude to the continued support of Campus Executive Officer Dr. Rodel Francisco T. Alegado and the consultants Mrs. Joanna Rose U. Panergo , Dr. Allan O. de la Cruz, and Dr. Verlino D. Baddu.
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โArticle by Lee Shane Pablo
โPhotos and Layout by Jabar Canapia
