Mindoro State Wins Grand Champion in Communications Olympiad

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The International Association of Business Communicators Philippines and the COMCO School of Communications have officially named Mindoro State University as the first-ever grand champion of The Communications Olympiad.

University of the Cordilleras placed first runner-up, while University of the Philippines Visayas secured second runner-up.

Grand Champion Mindoro State University dominated the competition with multiple Gold medals in Strategy, Hero Execution, Community Activation, Creatives, Video Storytelling, and Social Media; Silver medals in Research & Insights, Use of Multimedia, and Editorial; and a Bronze medal in Presentation Skills. University of the Cordilleras, the 1^st Runner-Up, also had an amazing performance, clinching gold for Research & Insights, Hero Execution, Editorial; silver for Presentation Skills, Strategy, Community Activation, Presentation Skills, Social Media; and bronze for Creatives. Meanwhile, 2^nd Runner-Up University of the Philippines – Visayas impressed the judges with their Gold-winning performances in Presentation Skills and Use of Multimedia, and a Bronze in Editorial.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila) was Highly Commended for their impressive performance in communication tools and strong finish giving a close fight to the final round; while Far Eastern University received the Special Jury Prize for their compelling narrative, consistently adhering to the theme of “Rewrite Climate Change.”

The Communications Olympiad is a premier communications training and competition program for collegiate students designed to empower the next generation of communicators by providing transformative knowledge and practical, real-world applications. Through a rigorous and immersive learning journey, participants sharpened their skills as emerging communications professionals. With the theme “Rewrite Climate Change,” the inaugural Communications Olympiad challenged students to reshape the narrative and practices surrounding climate change through effective communication.

The Communications Olympiad journey of the students started with the Qualifying Round where they developed and submitted their position paper in response to the theme of “Rewrite Climate Change”. The 22 qualifying teams moved to the next round where they underwent an intense training camp series with sessions on Best Practices in Communications, The Role of Communications in Environment Conservation, and Innovations in Communications, facilitated by industry renowned practitioners and experts in communications and sustainability.

The Best Practices in Communications kicked off with insights on fundamentals, breaking down the Elements of Strategic Communications Plan, Writing 101 for Business Communications, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Communication. This was followed by the session on The Role of Communications in Environment Conservation which opened a portal to communicating change with topics including Climate Change and Environmental Concerns, Sustainability Practices Among Businesses, and Environmental Communication and Education. The Training Camp closed strong for Days 3 and 4 which dove into Innovations in Communications on Digital and Social Media, Responsible Use of AI, the IABC Rubrics, and Introduction to New PR and Smart Social, equipping the students for a more advanced and professional practice to aid them in the Olympiad-level competition.

After completing the training, teams were given just over 24 hours to develop a 10-slide communications plan based on a brief from One Meralco Foundation about their “Energy for Development” programs. The brief provided the teams with an opportunity to learn more about rural development and community empowerment through renewable electrification projects with the Olympians tasked to create an integrated communications plan that is impact driven and clearly relays the call for action. They then presented their proposals virtually, which were reviewed by a distinguished panel of communications industry leaders. This intensive challenge tested their creativity, strategic thinking, and presentation skills, ultimately determining the Top 15 teams advancing to the grand finals.

The Top 15 Finalists that advanced to the Grand Finals were Ateneo de Manila University, Baliuag University, De La Salle University – Dasmariñas, De La Salle University – Manila, Far Eastern University, Laguna University, Mapúa University – Makati,  Mindoro State University, National University – Dasmariñas, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Tarlac State University, University of Antique, University of the Cordilleras, University of the Philippines – Visayas, University of Saint Anthony – Iriga City, Camarines Sur.

Here is the final medal tally:

The Top 3 Medalists Mindoro State University, University of the Cordilleras and University of the Philippines – Visayas advanced to the final round where they did a live presentation of their communication plans to determine the Grand Champion. Eighty percent (80%) of the final scores came from the 24+ hour hackathon while 20% was derived from the live pitch.

“We needed to do more. With IABC Philippines, we wanted to provide a more comprehensive training for students, something that is just beyond competition and recognition, something that starts with training and education. With COMCO, as our Camp COMCO Mentorship Program won the Global Quill Award for Communication Training and Education last year in Chicago, USA, we want to expand further our mission of Igniting Talent Growth and reach out to more students in the country so that our training program could benefit more young minds and talents. We hope that eventually, they could join us in the practice and push for initiatives that contribute to humanity and to making lives better,” shared Mr. Ferdinand L. Bondoy, Corporate Secretary and Lead for Youth and Education of IABC Philippines, and Interregional President & Group Chief Executive and Head of Global and Strategic Communications / Partner & Co-Founder of COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises.

“I look forward to seeing you shine in our industry. We need your innovative ideas, your unique perspectives, your valuable insights, and your ambitious dreams. Today marks the beginning of your journey to becoming exceptional communicators,” said Ms. Belle Tiongco, President of IABC Philippines.

“One Meralco Foundation believes that young Filipinos have a critical role in ensuring sustainable development for the country.  Through the Communications Olympiad where they crafted “Energy for Development” solutions for last mile communities in the Philippines, we provided a platform where their ideas and voices were heard, and honed their skills so that they become effective stewards of our natural resources today, and inspiring advocates of inclusive growth for generations to come,” stated Mr. Jeffrey O. Tarayao, President of One Meralco Foundation, Inc.

The Communications Olympiad is organized by IABC Philippines and the COMCO School of Communications, together with COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises and One Meralco Foundation as Platinum Sponsors; Globe Telecom Inc., Goodness Graze, Midea, Monde Nissin, and TP in the Philippines as Gold Sponsors; Jollibee Foods Corp. and Personal Collection Direct Selling Inc. as Silver Sponsors; Sony Philippines, Sustainable PH, and Uratex Monobloc as bronze sponsors.

The official media partners are Malaya Business Insight, SEA Wave Pilipinas, SEAWaveMag.com, The Philippine STAR, and WhenInManila.com while the official industry partners include Best Alternatives and Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM), Inc. The official student organization partners are the Arts and Sciences Society of English Majors from West Visayas State University, Kapunungan sa mga Mass Communicators – Silliman University, PLM Mass Communication Students’ League from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Team Communication from De La Salle University, University of the Philippines – Baguio On MIC, and the West Visayas State University Communication Student Council.