Muertegui National High School (MNHS) secured third place among the top-performing secondary schools in Leyte’s Third District during the 2026 Area 3 Schools Press Conference (ASPC), earning recognition for its campus journalists’ outstanding performances in individual and group competitions.
The school celebrated the achievements of its student journalists after the ASPC awarding and closing program, where 14 students were recognized in individual categories and 12 in group competitions. The school’s successful campaign also earned its qualifiers the opportunity to represent MNHS at the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC), scheduled for December 2026 in Burauen, Leyte.
In the English individual category, Ma. Katniss Czarmantha B. Abayon clinched first place in photojournalism. Jonnah Mae S. Castorico secured sixth place in sports writing, while Jirah Omas placed sixth in mobile journalism. Rhea Mae C. Lozada finished seventh in editorial writing, Kate M. Frias ranked eighth in news writing, and Lenard Ian Sanico placed tenth in copy reading and headline writing.
The school also delivered strong results in the Filipino individual category. Ashley Q. Brigole won first place in news writing, while Jayda Marie P. Pagalan secured first place in photojournalism. Warren Paul M. Sanico placed second in science and technology writing, followed by Ana Marie F. Gerondio, who finished third in feature writing, and Elishia Meyr B. Villarente, who earned third place in copyreading and headline writing.
Other Filipino category winners included Necha Jean Catarig, who placed seventh in sports writing; Cherry Lyn Sanico, who finished sixth in mobile journalism; and Richly F. Palomer, who secured tenth place in editorial cartooning.
In the English group competitions, MNHS earned second place in collaborative online publishing through the team composed of Tyrill John B. Cabalquinto, Nice Jean D. Castillon, Ellies Cassandra Agarao, Monica Lee S. Danatil, and Reb ian Jean A. Yuzon.
The school also placed third in collaborative desktop publishing. The team consisted of Kourtney Ann B. Cabalquinto, Danica Rosa D. Castillon, Audrey R. Dy, Febb Amethyst Monares, Reian Jean A. Yuzon, Larra Mae I. Lauron, and Princess Lovely Sanico.
Behind these achievements were the dedicated coaches who guided the students in developing their journalistic skills, including Ruthea Mae B. Flores, Bryan Joshua C. Velasco, Teomar James A. Rosas, Jonathan M. Baco, Cristina S. Mercader, Monalyn R. Obayan, Jozel V. Villarente, and Jerwen B. Abayon.
The results reflect the students’ preparation, perseverance, and commitment to campus journalism, as well as the guidance and support of their coaches and school advisers. Their performance at the area-level competition has strengthened the school’s standing in campus journalism and set the stage for the next level of competition.
As the qualified student journalists prepare for the Division Schools Press Conference in Burauen this December, the MNHS community looks forward to seeing them carry their skills, discipline, and passion for responsible journalism into the division-level contest.
Muertegui National High School congratulated all its student winners, coaches, and advisers for bringing pride and honor to the institution, emphasizing the collective effort behind its strong performance at ASPC 2026.
To God be the highest glory.
3rd Place – Overall Ranking Top-Performing Secondary Schools of the Third District of Leyte
14 Student-Winners of Individual Category 12 Student-Winners of Group Category1st Place Photojournalism 
Ma. Katniss Czarmantha B. Abayon Coach: Ruthea Mae B. Flores6th Place Sports Writing Jonnah Mae S. CastoricoCoach: Bryan Joshua C. Velasco6th Place Mobile JournalismJirah OmasCoach: Teomar James A. Rosas7th Place Editorial WritingRhea Mae C. LozadaCoach: Jonathan M. Baco8th Place News Writing Kate M. FriasCoach: Jonathan M. Baco10th Place Copy Reading and Headline WritingLenard Ian SanicoCoach: Ruthea Mae B. Flores1st Place - Pagsulat ng BalitaAshley Q. BrigoleCoach: Cristina S. Mercader1st Place - Pagkuha ng LarawanJayda Marie P. PagalanCoach: Bryan Joshua C. Velasco2nd Place - Pagsulat ng Agham at TeknolohiyaWarren Paul M. SanicoCoach: Monalyn R. Obayan3rd Place - Pagsulat ng LathalainAna Marie F. GerondioCoach: Cristina S. Mercader3rd Place - Pagwawasto at Pag-uulo ng BalitaElishia Meyr B. VillarenteCoach: Jozel V. Villarente7th Place - Pagsulat ng Balitang IsportsNecha Jean CatarigCoach: Bryan Joshua C. Velasco6th Place - Mobile JournalismCherry Lyn SanicoCoach: Cristina S. Mercader10th Place - Pagguhit ng Kartong EditorialRichly F. PalomerCoach: Jerwen B. Abayon2nd Place Collaborative Online PublishingTyrill John B. CabalquintoNice Jean D. CastillonEllies Cassandra AgaraoMonica Lee S. DanatilRebian Jean A. YuzonCoach: Jonathan M. Baco3rd Place Collaborative Desktop PublishingKourtney Ann B. CabalquintoDanica Rosa D. CastillonAudrey R. DyFebb Amethyst MonaresReian Jean A. YuzonLarra Mae I. LauronPrincess Lovely SanicoCoach: Jonathan M. Baco