Top 15 Schools Named for Communications Olympiad Finals

The International Association of Business Communicators Philippines, in partnership with COMCO School of Communications, proudly announced the top 15 schools advancing to the Grand Championship of the Communications Olympiad.

The Olympiad is a premier training and competition program for college students designed to develop the next generation of communicators through real-world applications and hands-on learning.

After a rigorous selection process, the following schools advanced to the Grand Championship, listed alphabetically: 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, and University of Saint Anthony in Iriga City, Camarines Sur.

Before qualifying, the teams underwent a multi-day training camp covering Best Practices in Communications, the Role of Communications in Environmental Conservation, and Innovations in Communications.

Day 1 covered fundamentals including strategic communication planning, Writing 101 for business communications, and CSR communication.

Day 2 focused on environmental messaging through topics such as climate change, sustainability in business, and education for conservation.

Days 3 and 4 tackled digital and social media, responsible AI use, the IABC rubrics, and the emerging concepts of new PR and smart social.

After the training, teams had just over 24 hours to craft a 10-slide communications plan based on a brief from One Meralco Foundation’s “Energy for Development” program.

The brief challenged participants to promote rural development and electrification through an integrated, impact-driven communications plan.

Each team presented their proposals virtually to a panel of communications industry leaders, testing their strategy, creativity, and presentation skills.

The Grand Championship will be held June 27 at the Meralco Center in Pasig City, where the finalists will compete for medals in different categories.

The top three medalists will move on to a final round to determine the first-ever Grand Champion of the Communications Olympiad.

“Congratulations to our top 15,” said Ferdinand L. Bondoy, corporate secretary and youth and education lead at IABC Philippines and group chief executive at COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises.

“Being part of this Olympiad is not just about skills and creativity—it’s a way for youth to engage with real-world issues and contribute solutions,” he added.

“Even those who didn’t reach the finals have already gained so much from the experience.”

“It’s an honor to witness this initiative,” said Belle Tiongco, IABC Philippines president and vice president of Football for Humanity.

“Environmental sustainability isn’t just a theme—it’s a call to action, and I hope these Olympians find their purpose in shaping a better world through communication,” she said.

The event is organized by IABC Philippines and COMCO School of Communications with platinum sponsorship from One Meralco Foundation.

Gold sponsors include Globe Telecom, Goodness Graze, Midea, Monde Nissin, and TP Philippines.

Silver sponsors are Jollibee Foods Corp. and Personal Collection Direct Selling Inc., while bronze sponsors include Sony Philippines, Sustainability PH, and Uratex Monobloc.

Official media partners are Malaya Business Insight, SEA Wave Pilipinas, SEAWaveMag.com, the Philippine STAR, and WhenInManila.com.

Student organization partners include West Visayas State University’s Arts and Sciences Society of English Majors, Silliman University’s Kapunungan sa mga Mass Communicators, PLM Mass Communication Students’ League, Team Communication from De La Salle University, UP Baguio On MIC, and the West Visayas State University Communication Student Council.

For updates, follow the Communications Olympiad on Facebook at facebook.com/communicationsolympiad, Instagram @communicationsolympiad, or visit comcomundo.com/the-communications-olympiad.