By Charlene L. Arendaying
| Kin F. Sabala (second from right) alongside fellow winners,
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| and TRAC President Mr. Rodel John Q. Damian.
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Just a month after clinching two gold medals at the Regional Culture and the Arts Festival and Conference 2026, Kin F. Sabala added another achievement to his growing list of accolades after winning gold in Feature Writing (Filipino) at the 4th National Campus Journalism Convention held at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel from March 6–8.
The convention gathered campus journalists and advisers from colleges and universities across the country. Organized by Transforming Advocates and Champions (TRAC), Inc., this year’s event drew 386 delegates representing 60 academic institutions.
Participants also gained valuable insights from various speakers, highlighted by keynote addresses from Hon. Leila de Lima, Mamayang Liberal Partylist representative; and Ms. Cheche Lazaro, founder of Probe Productions Inc. and Probe Media Foundation, Inc.
Competitions in news writing, editorial writing, feature writing, sports writing, editorial cartooning, photojournalism, pitching, and other categories were among the major highlights of the convention.
Sabala, editor-in-chief of The Courier publication, competed in Feature Writing (Filipino), while associate editor Rigel Kent D. Delfin participated in Sports Writing (English).
Sabala outperformed fellow competitors to claim the championship title—marking his first-ever national-level victory in a campus journalism competition.
After finally winning his first championship title at the national level in campus journalism, he felt ‘overwhelmed in the best way’ since CAPSU Mambusao is once again recognized in the national level. He is also thankful to The Courier Publication adviser, Prof. Freden S. Delgado, and the publication staff for being behind his back in every competition.
“I am especially grateful for the guidance and support of my publication adviser, Sir Freden. More than the medal, what I will always cherish is The Courier Publication, my pubmily. It is where I grew, learned, and found my voice as a writer. This achievement is a reminder that our small campus can stand proudly on the national stage, and that our stories deserve to be heard,” Sabala shared.
Publication adviser Prof. Freden S. Delgado admitted he was surprised when Sabala’s name was announced as the winner, as he initially thought the student had competed in a different category.
“In our pre-registration, Kin chose to join editorial writing in Filipino. So I thought he did not place because when the top three winners in that category were announced, his name was not called,” Prof. Delgado revealed.
“I no longer paid attention to the results of the other categories. When the top winner in Feature Writing in Filipino was about to be announced, I heard Capiz State University. At first, I thought it was from another campus. But then I heard Mambusao Satellite College and I was surprised. Kin won a gold medal,” he added.
Prof. Delgado accompanied Sabala to the stage to receive his award. It was only afterward that Sabala revealed he had switched categories during the onsite registration.
“When we returned to our table, that was when he told me that during the onsite registration for the contest, he changed his category to Feature Writing in Filipino,” Prof. Delgado said, beaming with pride at his editor-in-chief’s accomplishment.
Meanwhile, Delfin did not place in the competition but expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the national convention and connect with fellow campus journalists from across the country.
But, this experience inspired him to further hone his writing skills after seeing his fellow peers during the convention.
“From the convention, I have understood the level of competition and diversity in campus journalism. I was motivated by the students who wore their game faces as they attended the convention. I am inspired to enhance my skills as I realized the significance of being a campus journalist,” Delfin said.
Sabala shared that the competition was both challenging and fulfilling, as it brought together some of the best campus journalists from different parts of the country. Despite the pressure, he remained focused on crafting a compelling and well-researched feature article within the allotted time.
He also acknowledged that the experience taught him valuable lessons about adaptability and confidence, especially after deciding to switch categories during the onsite registration. According to Sabala, trusting his instincts and writing strengths played a significant role in his success.
The victory also served as a proud moment for the student publication and the entire academic community of Capiz State University–Mambusao Satellite College. Sabala’s achievement highlighted the institution’s continued commitment to developing skilled and competitive campus journalists.
For Prof. Delgado, the win reflects the dedication and hard work of student journalists who strive to hone their craft beyond the campus level. He expressed hope that Sabala’s achievement would inspire other members of The Courier staff to pursue excellence in campus journalism and participate in more regional and national competitions.
The participation of Sabala and Delfin in the national convention also provided them with opportunities to learn from seasoned journalists, exchange ideas with peers from different institutions, and gain deeper insights into the evolving landscape of campus journalism in the country.