LA TRINIDAD, Benguet- Campus journalists of Eastern La Trinidad National High School (ELTNHS), Beckel participated in the three-day Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) of the Benguet Division hosted at Benguet National High School-Main Campus, Wangal, La Trinidad last November 20-22, 2016 with the theme “Strengthening freedom of information through Campus Journalism.” The DSPC aimed at improving the journalistic skills of students in the Division of Benguet and promoting responsible and free journalism.
Twenty campus journalists represented ELTNHS among the 2,000 participants from the different elementary and secondary schools in the Division of Benguet. The ELTNHS campus journalists participated in different individual contests such as editorial cartooning, photojournalism, news, editorial, feature, sports, and science and technology writing .
Beatrice Alumno (Grade 11) competed in the science and technology writing qualifying herself for the upcoming Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC). For the group contests, both for Filipino and English, ELTNHS journalists were in the top ten for Best in Infomercial, Best in Technical Application, Best Anchor, and Best in Overall Radio Broadcasting. Beverly Dianso, Norie Padngaran, Melissa Laza and Clarita Eddio served as the mentors of the ELTNHS campus journalists.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Wilbert H. Cuidno, the school head of the host school reminded the participants of Republic Act No.7079 known as ‘An Act Providing for the Development and Promotion of Campus Journalism and for their purposes,’ otherwise known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, that aims to promote the development and growth of campus journalism as a means of strengthening ethical values, encouraging critical and creative thinking and developing moral character and personal discipline of the Filipino youth.
On the other hand, Benguet Governor Hon.Cresencio C. Pacalso, who served as the guest speaker for the event, reiterated the right to freedom of information in relation to this year’s DSPC theme. He mentioned that President Rodrigo R. Duterte had signed an executive order for the observance of freedom of information. He also stressed the importance of preparation in every competition through an example.
The lecturers for the different events are known journalism practitioners. Among the invited lecturers who also served as the judges for the different events are Atty. Delmar O. Carino for editorial writing, Dr. Cesar P. Liwanag for photojournalism, Karlston S. Lapniten for science and technology writing, Christopher Bartolo and Jordan Tablac for radio broadcasting, Dobbie de Guzman for TV broadcasting, Harley Palangchao and Ofelia Empian for news writing, Roderick Osis and MacCarthy Malanes for sports writing, Shyndy Kilakil and Jeffrey Japson for copyreading and headlining, Wreigjhan Tamayo for editorial cartooning, and for feature writing, Hannah Lacsamana and Jimmy Fong.
The top five winners in the individual event will represent the Division of Benguet in the upcoming RSPC which will be held on December 8-11, 2016, at Benguet National High School-Main Campus, Wangal La Trinidad Benguet.
By CLARITA E. EDDIO
