Some of the country’s brightest student communicators are heading to Pasig City as the Communication Olympiad Grand Championship takes place on 27 July at the Meralco headquarters. The culminating event brings together student finalists from schools across the Philippines to compete in a strategic communications showdown designed to empower the next generation of public relations and marketing professionals.

The event is co-organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines and COMCO School of Communications, with the support of One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the social development arm of Meralco under the leadership of Manuel V. Pangilinan. The initiative is part of OMF’s commitment to youth development and aligns with its advocacy for inclusive platforms that allow Filipino students to engage with real-world issues.

During the formal partnership signing, IABC Philippines Chairman Joe R. Zaldarriaga, OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao, COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises Co-founder Ferdinand L. Bondoy, and IABC President Belle Tiongco reaffirmed their organizations’ support for the competition. Tarayao, who will also serve as a jury member for the final round, praised the participating students for their communication skills and strategic thinking, noting that they tackled complex issues with depth and insight throughout the competition.

Tarayao emphasized the importance of nurturing awareness among the youth, particularly on sustainability and national development. He said the students will be focusing on the theme “Energy for Development” in the grand finals—an issue that OMF considers vital to the country’s future. “OMF is committed to enabling platforms like this where students can share their ideas and solutions,” he added.

The finalists, who qualified after a series of rigorous training sessions and elimination rounds, come from regions as diverse as Metro Manila, CALABARZON, the Cordilleras, Tarlac, Bicol, Antique, and Iloilo. Their participation reflects the broad reach of the Olympiad and the growing enthusiasm for communication-related fields among the Filipino youth.

The event not only celebrates excellence in strategic communication but also serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between academic institutions, private sector leaders, and development advocates. With the finals just days away, the spotlight is now on these young communicators as they aim to make their mark on the industry — one pitch at a time.