Gattaran, Cagayan – In classrooms where stories are written, deadlines are met, and ideas are sharpened, two young campus journalists from a public high school in Gattaran have written a story of their own—one that will soon take them beyond the Philippines and onto the international stage.
Adienn Chrislouh E. Ong and Michelle Marizze B. Salvador of Calaoagan Dackel National High School (CDNHS) have earned the honor of representing the Philippine Team in the international round of the ASIAROPE Olympiad, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 4 to 8, 2026.
For the two student writers, the journey began with countless hours spent learning the craft of journalism. Today, that dedication has opened the door to compete alongside some of the brightest young minds from Asia and Europe.
Earning a place on the Philippine team
Organized by the Global League of Winners Inc., the ASIAROPE Olympiad is an international academic competition that brings together outstanding students from across Asia and Europe to promote academic excellence, critical thinking, global collaboration, and intellectual growth.
Participants compete in various disciplines, including Mathematics, Science, English, and Journalism.
Ong and Salvador secured their places on the Philippine delegation after winning medals in the ASIAROPE Olympiad–Journalism Philippine National Round 2.
Ong captured the silver medal in Editorial Writing, while Salvador earned the gold medal in Sports Writing, qualifying both students for the international competition.
Their success reflects not only their writing skills but also their ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and tell meaningful stories—qualities that campus journalism seeks to develop among young learners.
A family's pride, a community's inspiration
For Adienn's family, the achievement represents years of perseverance and unwavering support.
Her father, Von Bryan Ong, said watching his daughter reach the international stage has become one of the family's proudest moments, especially since editorial writing was never considered her strongest event.
"As parents, we are simply grateful to witness her hard work, perseverance, and dedication bear fruit, especially since editorial writing is not her forte. We have always encouraged her to do her best, remain humble, and value education. We share this recognition with everyone who has helped her along the way," he said.
He believes the achievement belongs not only to their family but also to the teachers, mentors, classmates, and everyone who helped shape his daughter's journey.
More importantly, he hopes the accomplishment will inspire other young people from Gattaran and across Cagayan to dream beyond their classrooms.
"This achievement is a blessing and a reminder that perseverance, faith, and consistent support at home can help children reach their dreams. We hope her journey will inspire other students in Gattaran and Cagayan to believe that they, too, can compete on the international stage through hard work and dedication," he added.
As they prepare to compete in Bangkok, Ong and Salvador carry with them more than notebooks, pens, and journalistic skills.
They carry the hopes of their school, the pride of Gattaran, and the aspirations of young Filipino campus journalists who dream of proving that talent knows no boundaries.
Their journey is a reminder that great stories do not always begin in the country's biggest cities. Sometimes, they begin in a classroom in a quiet town—where passion, discipline, and determination are enough to take two young writers from Gattaran to the world stage.
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