MANILA, PHILIPPINES – In a remarkable showcase of talent and innovation in strategic communication, Mindoro State University has been hailed as the Grand Champion of the inaugural Communications Olympiad, organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines and the COMCO School of Communications. The University of the Cordilleras secured 1st Runner-Up, while the University of the Philippines Visayas claimed 2nd Runner-Up honors, rounding out the top three in a competition that challenged the brightest collegiate minds in the country to “Rewrite Climate Change.”
The Communications Olympiad marks a significant milestone in the landscape of professional development for aspiring communicators, merging rigorous training with an intensive competition format that prioritizes real-world application and social relevance. The event is a flagship initiative of IABC Philippines and COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises.
Mindoro State University dominated the field with an impressive medal tally: Golds in Strategy, Hero Execution, Community Activation, Creatives, Video Storytelling, and Social Media; Silvers in Research & Insights, Use of Multimedia, and Editorial; and a Bronze in Presentation Skills. The University of the Cordilleras followed closely with Golds in Research & Insights, Hero Execution, and Editorial; Silvers in Strategy, Community Activation, Social Media, and Presentation Skills; and Bronze in Creatives. Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines Visayas earned distinction with Golds in Presentation Skills and Use of Multimedia, and a Bronze in Editorial.
In addition to the top three, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila) received a Highly Commended citation for its compelling use of communication tools and strong performance in the final round. Far Eastern University was honored with the Special Jury Prize for its moving and consistent narrative anchored on the event’s central theme.
The Communications Olympiad was conceived not only as a competition but also as a transformative educational journey. With the theme “Rewrite Climate Change,” the program challenged participants to communicate climate action with impact, creativity, and strategy. The Olympiad began with a qualifying round where students submitted position papers addressing the climate crisis. Out of numerous entries, 22 teams advanced to the next phase, entering an intensive four day training camp designed to elevate their professional capabilities. This was followed by a selection process to narrow it down to 15 teams.
The Top 15 included teams from:
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.
From this pool, the top three contenders advanced to the final showdown, where they delivered live presentations before a distinguished jury, with scores weighted 80% on the hackathon and 20% on the pitch.
