ADMIN: Special thanks to Earl Victor Rosero, judge for this NSPC's News Page competition for sending us the list through E-Mail.

Due to increased traffic in our website, we decided to compile the results based on the Form No.3. by the BEE in a .zip file downloadable in our official website (nspc2010.multiply.com).

Hope this will easen and answer the questions regarding the NSPC results. We will contact the BSE for the Secondary results.

ADMIN: Special thanks to Earl Victor Rosero, judge for this NSPC's News Writing competition, for posting the results on our Facebook fan page.

These are the official results based on BEE and BSE Form No.3 results on the CY 2010 NSPC held at Tagum City.

The results are listed in order of rank; some events have no category (English, Filipino), so please guide yourselves.

Photojournalism - Elementary
Jose Paolo Boyan (CARAGA - Butuan City)
Adrian Ralph Taculod (XII - Koronadal City)
Ainsley Marielle Encabo (V - Albay)
Alessandra Mercene (IVB - Occidental Mindoro)
Christian Allen Rey Umbaña (CARAGA - Surigao del Sur)
Camille Louren Go (XI - Tagum City)
Christian Ladaga (VII - Bohol)

Editorial Writing - Elementary
Ruby Jane Bandola (V - Naga City)
Kristina Therese Catbagan (XI - Davao Oriental)
John Villanueva (CARAGA - Butuan City)
Hannah Marie Bagalan (VIII - Eastern Samar)
Leopoldo Gillamac III (X - Tangub City)
Lance Angelo Rivera (III - Bulacan)
Danielle Madriaga (NCR - Muntinlupa City)

News Writing - Elementary
Gabrielle Anne Endona (III – San Fernando City)
Owen Tito Mallapre (V – Camarines Sur)
Keilah Aleta (IVA – Lipa City)
Jeric Distor (NCR – Quezon City)
Lucinda dela Peña (VIII – Biliran)
Princess Mariel Umali (IVA – San Pablo City)
Lhianne Mae Tamondong (CAR – Baguio City)

Feature Page – Elementary English/A
The Pilot Gazette (XII – Kidapawan City – Kidapawan City Pilot ES)
Radiance in the West (IVA – Quezon – Gumaca West ES)
Palm Miners (IVB – Palawan – Sofronio Española CS)
The Kiddie Kingfisher (IVA – Quezon – Southern Luzon State University Laboratory ES)
Junior Excelsior (III – San Jose del Monte City – Village Montessori School)
The New Era (NCR – Quezon City – New Era ES)
The Palanan Pagemaker (NCR – Makati City – Palanan ES)

Feature Page – Elementary English/B
The Miter (IVA – Cavite – St. Augustine School Elem.)
Focus (XI – Tagum City – Visayan Vill. ES)
Dalluyon (I – Ilocos Norte – Davila ES)
BES Torch (IVA – Laguna – Biñan ES)
The Searchers (NCR – Mandaluyong City – Doña Pilar C. Gonzaga ES)
Kid Edge (I – Laoag City – Kid's Kollege Inc.)
The Spring (IVA – Laguna – Bubukal ES)

Editorial Page – Elementary English/A
The Junior Chronicle (IVA – Lucena City – Lucena West I ES)
Budding Scribes (III – Pampanga – Sta. Cruz ES)
The Western Glow (XII – General Santos City – Dadiangas West CES)
Spectrum (XII – General Santos City – General Santos City SPED IS)
The Pioneer (IVA – Cavite – Dasmariñas ES)
The Echo (CAR – Baguio City – San Vicente ES)
Junior Excelsior (III – San Jose del Monte City – Village Montessori School)

Editorial Page – Elementary English/B
The Westian Voice (IVA – Cavite – Milagrosa West ES)
La Inozette (IVA – Cavite – Bagong Pook ES)
The Echo (NCR – Makati City – Makati ES)
The Dawn (NCR – Manila – Aurora A. Quezon ES)
The Malibay Post (NCR – Pasay City – Timoteo Paez ES)
Sea Breezette (X – Misamis Occidental – San Roque ES)
The Bambinian Herald (IVA – Batangas City – Casa Del Bambino Emmanuel Montessori Inc.)

News Page – Elementary English/A
The Green Laurel (III – San Fernando City – San Fernando ES)
Wee Dove (IVA – Bacolod City – St. Scholastica's Academy – Bacolod Grade School Dept.)
The Morning Breeze (IX – Zamboanga del Norte – Roxas CS)
Crystal (III – Pampanga – Malino ES)
The Goldmines (IVB – Calapan City – Adriatico MS)
The Greenfields (IVB – Puerto Princesa City – F. Ubay Memorial ES)
Trailblazer (CAR – Benguet – Philex Mines ES Inc.)

News Page – Elementary English/B
The Catalyst (III – Pampanga – Sapang Biabas Resettlement ES)
The New Horizon (I – Urdaneta City – Don Amadeo Perez Sr. MCS - Main)
The Fisher (III – Pampanga – Baruya ES)
The Horn (IVA – Cavite – Tagaytay ES)
The Satellite (IVA – Batangas – Ibaan CS)
The Harvest (III – Pampanga – San Isidro ES)
Pupil's Newsette (NCR – Valenzuela City – Andres Fernando ES)

We at the CY 2010 NSPC Committee are humbly deepened by the transfer of Sec. Jesli A. Lapus from the Department of Education to his old portfolio at Department of Trade and Industry.

Sec. Lapus has been very instrumental in the success of this year's National Schools Press Conference, even though he has not been physically present, but through his efforts, we feel that he is with all of us.

Sir Jesli, good luck to your new post and thank you for your support to Philippine Campus Journalism! Your legacy will always be remembered.

Edukasyon ang Solusyon!
Sec. Jesli A. Lapus

ADMIN: This feature article was posted and published in Lorenzo E. Mendoza's Sun.Star Davao page last week.

"IT IS magical."

That was how Department of Education Undersecretary Vilma L. Labrador described the 69th National Schools Press Conference hosted by Tagum City, Davao del Norte in Davao Region in her closing message on February 25, 2010.

It was the unified effort of all concerned that paved the way for what could have been the one of the best-organized, and excellently hosted gathering of the country's best and brightest budding journalists.

Initial preparation

It should be, because the groundwork took almost a year.

Upon knowing of the possibility that Davao Region will be hosting this year's NSPC, Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy in May 2009 gathered the chiefs of the elementary and secondary divisions together with their respective campus journalism coordinators to start planning.

Her being a former regional campus journalism coordinator and experience in hosting an NSPC while she was still schools division superintendent of South Cotabato helped much in identifying the committees to be created.

The working groups were set in motion soon after the letter of acceptance was signed by DepEd Secretary Jesli A. Lapus of Tagum's bid as submitted by Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy with the concurrence of Governor Rodolfo P. Del Rosario of Davao del Norte.

Thus a series of National and Regional Technical Working Group meetings were held. Dr. Lolita M. Andrada and Dr. Yolanda S. Quijano, Bureau Director of the Secondary and Elementary education respectively and the chair and co-chair of this year's NSPC were in the region to preside during those meetings.

The homestretch

It was the so-called homestretch of the preparation. Everything was being ironed out so as to give the best and only the best to the delegates. The plans included even the accommodations of the extra participants, mostly parents and relatives of delegates and DepEd officials who were eager to reach Davao Region.

But as always is the case especially among those who know nothing of and have never been to Mindanao, parents of some children were urging the DepEd to move the venue to some "safer" place outside Mindanao. The rumblings became worse in November 2009 after the Ampatuan massacre.

One parent group even tried to write to the Secretary of Education to request for the transfer to anywhere in Luzon and Visayas.

But city and provincial officials of Tagum and Davao del Norte allayed these unfounded fears.

The City Government of Tagum in a meeting presided by Vice Mayor Allan L. Rellon during the City's Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting on January 8, 2010 agreed that they would ensure security measures will not be taken lightly.

What followed was a press release in local dailies and the DepEd Central Office official website based in Pasig City, emphasizing Tagum City's reputation as a peaceful and child-friendly city as conferred by the Office of the President and later recognized again by the DILG Regional Office 11 under Director Quirino M. Libunao.

DepEd Tagum City Division Superintendent Nenita Lumaad also asked the AFP and PNP to make a security statement to ensure the safety of the public particularly the delegates on the upcoming nationwide event.

Supporting her were her two campus journalism coordinators, Mrs. Mayumi M. Pinzon and Mrs. Janette G. Veloso.

Thus, Tagum Chief of Police PCI Guisseppe Geralde assured that the city is indeed the safest place to live while Army Captain Eddie Valde of 1003rd Brigade also assured the Council that their Battalion has continuously monitored the areas for the students' guided tour in the eco-tourism park of Davao del Norte. Army Reservists from 1102 RCDG Command Center have also expressed their commitment in rendering their services to protect the reputation of Davao Province as a peaceful community.

Mayor Uy established five Police sub-stations constructed in strategic places in the entry and exit points of the city and also purchased a couple of bomb sniffing dogs under the care of Tagum's Swat Team. In guarding terminal areas, monitoring devices like CCTV cameras have been installed all over the transport vicinity.

During the final NTWG meeting on January 12-13, NSPC Chair Andrada assured the City of Tagum and the DepEd officials of DepEd-Davao Region that indeed, NSPC 2010 would be in Tagum City.

Opening program

Undersecretary Bacani set the tone for the competitions that were participated in by 3,787 student journalists and school paper advisers during the Opening Ceremonies at the New City Hall Open Arena along JV Ayala Avenue in the evening of February 22. Program hosts were Jose Aquino, Dr. Christine C. Bagacay with Louie Bryan Lapat and Krista Porlares as segment hosts.

Giving their messages too were BSE Bureau Director, Dr. Lolita M. Andrada, NSPC 2010 Overall Chairman; Tagum City Mayor Uy; Davao del Norte Governor del Rosario; and 1st District Congressman Arrel R. Olaño, and Senator Loren Legarda.

The Tagum City National High School Dance Theater Guild and the La Filipina National High School Jazz Chanters, the Grand Champion of last years' National English Jazz Chants Festival pepped up the crowd for the Keynote Speaker.

Conference proper started with a Press Conference with the Usec Bacani at TCNHS Audio-Visual Room followed by a mass at the Parish of Christ the Eucharistic King Cathedral and then the Grand Parade from the Rotary Park that ended with a fireworks display sponsored by the City Tourism Council and the Council of Women, accompanied by the Division Teachers' Choir. A Governor's Night for the guests and Deped officials and Welcome Socials and Fellowship for all the delegates followed.

New features of NSPC 2010

In line with the so-called "Journalism 2.0", or web-based journalism, the NSPC Publicity Committee, headed by Dr. Christine Bagacay, launched the official online websites of this year's NSPC with the help of this writer, Tagum City blogger Louie Bryan Lapat, The Mover Editor-in-Chief Samuelle Marionne Sanchez, and students from Tagum City National High School and Tagum City National Comprehensive High School.

In addition to the Facebook, Twitter and Blogger websites of this year's NSPC in Tagum City, it was also the first time for NSPC to have its own website, sponsored by social networking website Multiply (http://nspc2010.multiply.com), and a Posterous account for live blogging, (www.nspc2010.posterous.com).

Through these interactive sites, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was harnessed to provide relevant information to all delegates. The websites now hosts memorabilias, from articles and photos from the participants themselves to comments aside from the official statements and stories.

Even the evaluation was made online, a porposal welcomed by the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) headed by Dr. Ma. Elsie Esmer and her counterpart in the Division Office, Mrs. Antonia Bugna and Ronald Maata, Tagum City ICT and MIS Coordinator. Random surveys were done on accommodation, food, water supply and other concerns to address the concerns of each participating regions.

(The IT components of the NSPC were pet projects of this writer. – The editors).

This year also carried on last year's new contest, the Online Writing competition sponsored by Philippine Online Chronicles (POC).

Competition proper

The contests in the individual categories both in English and Filipino were conducted in Assumpta School of Tagum and St. Mary's College for elementary and secondary levels on February 23-24.

Region 3 (Central Luzon) emerged as the Over-all Champion in both elementary and secondary level. DepEd-Davao Region, the host region improved with a third runner-up finish, when it wasn't even in the top seven before. It was also first runner-up in combined individual contests in both English and Filipino. Its elementary counterpart was in the top seven.

Ray Emmaneds Pamulino of La Filipina NHS trained by Mary Jane M. Mejorada won first place during the NSPC Talent Search, secondary level, in the competition for non-contestants set up by the national organization of paper advisers in elementary and secondary level.

The following are the individual winners: (Secondary Level) Mary Jill Ira Banta – Davao City NHS, 1st in Newswriting (F); Quennie Sandra Nonesa – Tagum City NHS, 2nd in Newswriting (F); John Kevin Amador – Carmen NHS, 1st in Sports Writing (F); Rafdi Saniel – Holy Cross of Kiblawan, 6th in Feature Writing (E); Junessa Bianca Libarnes – Daniel R. Aguinaldo NHS, 7th in Feature Writing (E), April Ann Sillada – Sta. Ana NHS, 2nd in Newswriting (E); Anlorenze Mae Conde – Tagum City NHS, 3rd in Newswriting (E); Nelson Lorenzo Cuevas – Emar Learning Center, 6th in Sportswriting (E) and Janine C. Castro – Daniel R. Aguinaldo NHS, 5th in Copyreading and Headline Writing.

In the elementary level, these are the winners in the individual writing contests: Kristine Therese Catbagan – IHMA, 2nd in Editorial Writing (E), Camille Lauren Go – Magugpo Pilot CES, 6th in Photojournalism (E), Kim Joseph Malicse – Marcos Estoque ES, 4th in Sports Writing (F), Joe Faith Bernardino – Sta. Cruz CES, 5th in Newswriting (F), Sheila Mae Castro – Carmen CES, 5th in Feature Writing (F), Roselle Mae Silawan – Anonang ES, 5th in Editorial Writing (F) and Kevin John Morales – San Vicente ES, 7th in Sports Writing.

In Scriptwriting and Radio Broadcasting, the secondary level got 3rd place in Infomercial, while in the elementary level, they won 2nd place in Infomercial and 3rd place in Best anchor, respectively.

Secondary Education Chief Luzminda O. Onor attributed the region's good showing to the preparations made.

"Being the host region made us more determined to fare well in the contests. We cannot afford to be complacent. It is good that our writers with the help of their advisers delivered," Dr. Onor said.

Text: Lorenzo Mendoza
Photos: Sam Sanchez, Francis Abrenica, Edwin Lasquite
Edit: Sam Sanchez

Download the attachment file below to view the list.

Elementary

English

1^st Place: People’s Need: Education by Kyna Larissa M. Penafel (Region IV-B Mimaropa)

2^nd Place: Education Makes a Difference by John P. Villanueva (CARAGA Region)

3^rd Place: Nothing Can Stop Us and Nothing Can Go Wrong by Mary Beatrice Bagaforo (Region IV)

Filipino

1^st Place: Kabataan, Pag-asa ng Bayan by Angelica Dedace (Region VI)

2^nd Place: Pangkalawakang Pangunahing Edukasyon: Paano nga ba Makakamit? by Kimberly Jimeno (Cordillera Administrative Region)

3^rd Place: Edukasyon: Buhay ng Kabataan by Cesar Adrian Panganiban (Region IV- B Mimaropa)

 

Secondary

English

1^st Place: A Drop of Blood in a Bowl of Milk: Reshaping the figure of women in this century by Kaisa Aquino (Region II)

2^nd Place: When the Records Speak by Arianne Patricia Onte (Region IV-A Calabarzon)

3^rd Place: The Dichotomy of Gender Equality in the Philippines by Dean Lozarie (CARAGA Region)

Filipino

1^st Place: Si Adan, si Eba, Atbp by Keysie M. Gomez (Region XII)

2^nd Place: Lakbay Karapatan by Redbert Chris Maines (Region IV-A Calabarzon)

3^rd Place: Hindi iisa ang araw by Marianne Beatrix S. Nicolas (Region II)

Credits to our friends from the Philippine Online Chronicles in posting the results on their website (www.thepoc.net).

And to those in a hurry, the winners for the individual, group and Radio Broadcasting winners will be posted soon. We are finalizing the list from the CentCom.

PS: What's your Best Top 3 NSPC experiences? Have your say at http://bit.ly/deeCPI.

Admin's Note: This blog was written by Sam Sanchez (http://www.smsanch.posteorus.com/), photographer for the Palm Gazette newsletter, website administrator of the NSPC official website, Live! blog, Facebook and Twitter pages and Senior Student Correspondent of Tagum City National High School, as part of his NSPC 2010 experience in Tagum City.

Such is enough. But not when you have a 18-55 and an 18-135 at your disposal.

So I became the official photographer of the Palm Gazette newsletter for the NSPC 2010 and for the Department of Education in general. That means I bear the grunt of three people bringing point-and-shoots.

Anyway it had improved my skills, both in photography and socializing. Utilizing a short and not-so fast lens made me use any way possible to avoid camera shake and to nail the best photo for the NSPC website (www.nspc2010.multiply.com). The other aspect, cleaned my portfolio. Being with the topdog shutterbugs of Tagum City is so much tense for me, but it made me feel much lucky to be with a group bringing heavy magnesium (or in my case, plastic) camera bodies.

So to cut the experience short, I've met lots of handsome of beautiful journalists and advisers, got a not-so deep gash in my thigh due to excessive running caused by a (funny yet impatient) boss, borrowing a flash body from Sir Chao, an 18-135 from Kuya Norman Adlawan, lots of sleepness nights due to post-processing photos and uploading them, lots of money, lots of friends, lots of new acquaintances (especially newbie writers to the NSPC), new connections to the DepEd and City Info, meeting my (girl)friend with her parents and not daring to ambush-interview them (for I am too busy to do that at the moment!) and lots more.

Finally, I won't be speaking long. My last NSPC is the most memorable in my life, not because I won or I lost, but because I served for the fulfillment of the MDGs in my own little way.

You too, can live my NSPC experience, even though you're not a journalist, or attended NSPC or even a young 16 year-old.

You just need God, knowledge and any dSLR of your own preferrance.

Sam

PS: Credits to Francis Abrenica, Edwin Lasquite, Norman Adlawan, Sir Chao, John Paul Seniel, Edwin Oscar Gutierrez Jr., Dr. Christine Bagacay, Ronald Maala, Ariel Amora, the Palm Gazette team, Louie Bryan Lapat and the people of CT Publishing. They are the people who were my colleagues for the success of the NSPC coverage.

PS2: To the girl in the photo (yung from NCR), can I be your friend? Haha. Just to know you, kasi I do really like the photo (and you in general). Contact me via the NSPC 2010 website, NSPC 2010 Facebook or my personal Facebook account. UPDATE: I got her Multiply and Facebook na. Hehe. Thanks for the comment sa photo. ü

UPDATE: The girl is the photo is Reina Medina, Photojournalist from NCR.

Admin's Note: This blog was written by Dean Lozarie (http://www.deantastic.com/), an online writing and feature writing contestant, as part of his NSPC 2010 experience in Tagum City. Palm Gazette Online chose his article for its wittiness and firsthand opinion and ideas from the contestants.

The 2010 National Schools Press Conference in Tagum City ended yesterday, but I’ve been unable to get you out of my head.

Hi, I’m Dean. I don’t know if you remember, but we “met” in a souvenir stall in Tagum City National High School. I was wearing a red-and-yellow Caraga shirt and an unbelievably stupid face, and you were wearing a simple shirt, a nice pair of shorts, and one of the sweetest smiles I’ve ever seen.

I was waiting for my shirt to get printed and you were looking at the designs they had put on display on one side of the booth. I vaguely remember  us stealing sidelong glances at one another, but that could have been just me. At any rate, there I was, standing stupidly, secretly admiring your presence, while you leisurely looked for a shirt design you liked.

Then you made the exclamation that made me squeal on the inside: “Uy, yun oh, cute ‘yun!” (or something to that effect) while pointing to a design. Right after you said that you looked sheepishly at me, giggling to reveal that smile and those dimples that made me melt. I don’t know if you were making pacute or if you’re just that adorable by nature.

All I could say in reply was, “ok lang ‘yan, ate *giggle*.” I barely even got the words to leave my lips, and I highly doubt that you heard what I said. The reply might have been obfuscated by the corny laugh and the one hell of a f—face I said it with.

We didn’t speak any further, and soon you moved to the other end of the stall—whether to look for more shirt designs or to escape from my weirdness, I’m not sure. I wanted to make conversation so I could get your phone number (or at least your name so I could add you up on Facebook). I even moved to your end of the stall, pretending to sift through the piles of shirts on the table while thinking of ways to start talking to you. I wanted to strike up a chat, but you seemed to busy and I was too shy.

Before I cold utter a word, you got the shirt you wanted, haggled all you could, and left the stall and my life as quickly as you came—possibly forever.

I spent the rest of the night thinking about you, about the brief exchange of giggles in the stall, about how I was too shy to say a word, about what would have happened had I been brave enough to try to strike up a conversation. I spent the wee hours of the next morning writing this, forgoing sleep I needed much for the homeward journey I made a few hours later.

I learned many things from my NSPC 2010 experience, the chief of which I learned from you: the window of opportunity can stay open for as briefly as a few seconds, and if that window isn’t seized, many what ifs can come to mind, which is bad since life isn’t supposed to be lived in regret and thinking “what if?”

I know the chances of you reading this are slimmer than Heidi Klum, but I’m a guy who’s grown accustomed to hoping against hope, so here goes:

If you are the girl who stood next to a silly-looking guy in a brightly colored CARAGA shirt in a souvenir stall in Tagum City National High School on the night of February 25, 2010, and if you made a remark to the effect of what was described in the fourth paragraph of this piece, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get in touch via Facebook or by using this page. Please please please. I really want to be friends. =)

With warm regards,

(sgd) Dean.

For the participants of this year's NSPC 2010, the Palm Gazette Online admin is holding a mini-contest.

Send your articles about your NSPC experience at smsanch@ymail.com. The best articles will be posted at the Official NSPC website and NSPC 2010 Live! blog at www.nspc2010.posterous.com.

Instructions:

• Write about your NSPC 2010 experience, either good or bad, in an article no longer than eight paragraphs.
  
• Please include your name, region, school, school paper and event in the first line of the body,
  
• The subject line will be the title of the article.
  
• Please do include a photo of yours with dimensions no larger than 300 pixels in the long side.
• There will be a daily review of all articles and the best article will be posted to the said articles, with a reply from the NSPC 2010 admin confirming your article is posted.

So start typing and reminiscing your NSPC 2010 experiences and have a chance to be seen by all the contestants and the world!

In the line of the so-called “Journalism 2.0,” or web-based journalism, the NSPC Publicity Committee, headed by Dr. Christine Bagacay, launched the official online websites of this year’s NSPC with the help of RO XI Information Officer and Journalism Supervisor Mr. Lorenzo Mendoza, Tagum City blogger Louie Bryan Lapat and students from Tagum City National High School and Tagum City National Comprehensive High School.

In addition to the Facebook, Twitter and Blogger websites of this year’s NSPC at Tagum City, it is also the first time for an NSPC competition to have its own website, sponsored by Filipino-owned social website Multiply, which has its URL as www.nspc2010.multiply.com, and a Posterous account for live blogging, (URL is www.nspc2010.posterous.com), managed by the students from the said schools.

The NSPC official website, recognized by both the Department of Educaion and City of Tagum LGU in their respective websites, hosts photos, videos and important news about the NSPC, while the Posterous account holds all online news and press releases also read on the Palm Gazette.

With these innovations, this year’s NSPC marks the beginning of the new era of journalism that adopts with the changing situations and is flexible for the general public to utilize.

 

Samuelle Marionne Sanchez
Senior Student Correspondent
Tagum City National High School

“This year’s National Schools Press Conference teaches our student journalists free but responsible journalism for the fulfillment of the 2015 Goals.”

Those were the words of Usec. Ramon C. Bacani, DepEd Regional Operations and Keynote Speaker, which inspired the 3,800 student journalists and school paper advisers during the Opening Ceremonies of this year’s National Schools Press Conference held at the New City Hall Open Arena, JV Ayala Avenue, Tagum City in  the evening of February 21.

Bacani, speaking in lieu of DepEd Secretary Jesli A. Lapus, who is in Spain for a foreign mission, stressed the importance of campus journalism as an instrument in the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which is the theme of this years’ national gathering.

“You campus journalists are advocates of change in your own schools. You can use your newspapers to advocate the Millennium Development Goals, most especially to encourage school-age children to enter school,” the Undersecretary said, referring to the importance of the fulfillment of the second MDG.

Also giving their words of encouragement to the student writers were Dr. Lolita Andrada, NSPC Overall Chairman; Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy; Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario; and First District Congressman Arrel R. Olaño.  Senator Loren Legarda, who paid visit to the on-going Musikahan Festival, also gave a message.

Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy presented the 17 participating regions and their respective Regional Directors with an audio-visual presentation, showcasing the best of each region.

Showing their cultural prowess in a symbolic presentation were the Tagum City National High School Dance Theater Guild and the La Filipina National High School Jazz Chanters, the Grand Champion of last years’ National English Jazz Chants Festival for the introduction of the Keynote Speaker.

The first day of competitions started with a Press Conference with the Undersecretary at TCNHS Audio-Visual Room. This was followed by a celebrated mass at the Parish of Christ the Eucharistic King Cathedral before the participants gathered at the Rotary Park for the Grand Parade.

The Opening Ceremonies was closed with a fireworks displayed sponsored by the City Tourism Council and the Council of Women, accompanied by the Division Teachers' Choir. Welcome Socials and Fellowship immediately followed at the respective billeting centers.



Sam Sanchez
Senior Student Correspondent
Tagum City National High School

This is our quarterly publication for updates in DepEd Region XI

A. BY PLANE

The best of both worlds
By Lorenzo E. Mendoza
(Published in the Sun.Star Davao Newspaper on August 23, 2009.)

MAXIMIZING UNLIMITED CALLS /TEXTS OFFERED BY TELCOS (Globe, Smart and Sun)

If you are confused on what number is the prefix of every telecommunications in the Philippines here is a good guide for you. Take note that TM or Touch Mobile is under Globe. About TnT / Addict / Red is under Smart. This is a good guide for those who are having unlimited call and text not to get charged with extra penny.

We all know that the country code of the Philippines is 63, International Prefix for + (plus) (Taken from: http://www.daycody.com/)

                      Number Equivalent/Sample
GLOBE | +63905    - 09054236771
GLOBE | +63906    - 09064236771
GLOBE | +63915    - 09154236771
GLOBE | +63916    - 09164236771
GLOBE | +63917    - 09174236771
GLOBE | +63926    - 09264236771
GLOBE | +63927    - 09274236771
GLOBE | +63935    - 09354236771

SMART | +63907    - 09074236771
SMART | +63908    - 09084236771
SMART | +63909    - 09094236771
SMART | +63910    - 09104236771
SMART | +63912    - 09124236771
SMART | +63918    - 09184236771
SMART | +63919    - 09194236771
SMART | +63920    - 09204236771
SMART | +63921    - 09214236771
SMART | +63928    - 09284236771
SMART | +63929    - 09294236771
SMART | +63939    - 09394236771

SUN | +63922        - 09224236771
SUN | +63923        - 09234236771
SUN | +63932        - 09324236771

---- From the Information and Communications Unit, Regional Director’s  Office, Region XI
LORENZO E. MENDOZA, Regional PIO & JENIELITO S. ATILLO, Regional Media Officer

Inspirational Stories
He believes, he achieves
By Lorenzo E. Mendoza
(Cover Story of Sunstar Weekend on Sunday, June 22, 2008)

Inspirational Stories
Dreams do come true
By Lorenzo E. Mendoza
(Cover Story of Sunstar Weekend on Sunday, May 18, 2008)

The National Schools Press Conference brings together young campus journalists from schools all over the country to compete for accolades in print and broadcast media. It also has competitions in online journalism.

It is the most prestigious competition for campus journalists and school paper advisers in the Philippines. In this annual event, all winners of Regional Schools Press Conferences all over the Philippines participate in individual and group competitions.

History

In November 1931, the Public Secondary Schools Press Association (PSSPA) had its first convention in what was then Pasig, Rizal. The PSSPA was founded by a high school principal, Ricardo Castro, and had 17 original member schools. During this first convention, writing competitions for the different sections of a school paper were held. The tradition continued year after year, as the number of member-schools increased, with different parts of Luzon as venues. After World War II, the PSSPA was reorganized and 49 member-schools participated in the National Convention held in Manila.

By 1955, the PSSPA Convention had become the National Secondary Schools Press Conference. On January 10 and 11 of that year, 70 member-schools attended the conference atBacolod City. The individual competitions were open to all members, while the group competitions were held according to category. Group A for the group competitions was composed of those member-schools with populations of 1,500 and above, while Group B was composed of those member-schools with populations below 1,500. At that same conference, the National Secondary Schools Press Advisers Association was organized and it then passed a resolution calling for the authorization of staff members to handle school paper funds, subject to accounting. The resolution was subsequently approved by the Bureau of Public Schools.

In 1957, a third group classification was added. Group A members were schools with over 3,000 population; Group B members had populations ranging from 1,500 to below 3,000; while Group C members had below 1,500 population. During this year, the conference was held for a longer time, enabling the delegates to take part in longer educational tours of the host locality. A year later, the group classifications were again reorganized, placing schools with over 2,000 population in Group A, those with 1,000 to 2,000 population in Group B, and those with less than 1,000 in Group C. During this year, a Public School Circular was passed authorizing the solicitations of advertisements for school papers, under certain conditions.^[1]

In 1991, Republic Act No. 7079, or the Campus Journalism Act, aiming to promote campus journalism, was passed by Congress. The 50th National Secondary Schools Press Conference was held in early 1993 at Rizal High School in Pasig, the same locality that hosted the first PSSPA Convention. The next school year, 1993-1994, elementary schools were included in the convention, causing the word "secondary" to be dropped and the convention to be called the "National Schools Press Conference".

In December 1993, the National Schools Press Conference was to be held in Koronadal, South Cotabato for the first time. However, a week before the convention, when all preparations had been made and the host schools and municipalities were awaiting the arrival of the delegates, there was a bombing incident at Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. The Secretary of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports at that time, Armand Fabella, declared this sufficient grounds to move the convention to Baguio City, prompting a storm of protest from then South Cotabato Governor Hilario de Pedro III, who had been one of the sponsors of the Campus Journalism Act when he was Representative of the 2nd District of South Cotabato, and thenRepresentative Daisy Avance-Fuentes. This controversy caused the Southern Mindanao delegation to boycott the Baguio conference. Shortly afterwards, Ricardo Gloria replaced Fabella as Education Secretary, and in December 1994 the 52nd National Schools Press Conference was held at Koronadal National Comprehensive High School. In its 65th year, the annual NSPC was held at Koronadal City in South Cotabato.

NSPC 2010

From 22 to 25 February 2010, the DepEd division of Tagum City and the City Government of Tagum will be hosting the 67th National Schools Press Conference. The four-day conference is themed "Campus Journalism as a Catalyst for Change: Achieving the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) by 2015."

This year's competition includes an online writing contest, which was launched by Vibal Foundation in 2009, following a memorandum issued by DepEd Secretary Jesli A. Lapus. ^[2] The contest now includes Filipino-category participants since it was initially exclusive to secondary and elementary English-category contestants.

Calendar of activities

All delegates are expected to arrive in Tagum City on 21 February. The orientation and the welcome ceremony are scheduled on 22 February. The contest proper begins on 23 February and ends on 24 February. The MDG educational tour, the editors' guild meeting, and the awarding ceremonies are slated on 25 February.

Rules and Mechanics

Preparation for the NSPC starts at the Division Level with the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC). The editorial members of campus papers in a division compete in English or Filipino in different categories. The top three winners for each category in each language medium are then qualified for the Regional Level. The same rules apply at the Regional Schools Press Conference.

The categories, for both English and Filipino, are:

Individual:

• Editorial Writing (Pagsulat ng Pangulong Tudling)
• Feature Writing (Pagsulat ng Lathalain)
• News Writing (Pagsulat ng Balita)
• Sports Writing (Pagsulat ng Balitang Isports)
• Copyreading and Headline Writing (Pagwawasto at Pag-uulo)
• Photojournalism (Pagkuha ng Larawang Pampahayagan)
• Editorial Cartooning (Kartung Pang-Editoryal)
• Outstanding Campus Journalist
• Outstanding School Paper Adviser

This category was included in past NSPC conferences, but was not included among the 2009 competitions^[3]:

• News Reporting (Pagbabalita)

Group:

• Best Editorial Page (Pahinang Editoryal)
• Best Feature/Literary Page (Pahinang Lathalain)
• Best News Page (Pahinang Balita)
• Best Sports Page (Pahinang Pampalakasan)
• Best Layout/Page Design (Pag-aanyo)
• Radio Broadcasting and Scriptwriting (Ulat Panradyo)

These categories were included in past NSPC conferences, but were not included among the 2009 competitions^[3]:

• Best Developmental Journalism Reporting Page (Pahinang Dev. Com.)
• Best Science Reporting Page (Pahinang Pang-agham)

Formerly, each division sent to the RSPC ten contestants per category for both English and Filipino languages. The region then sent its top five winners per category for both mediums to the NSPC. An individual contestant could participate in a maximum of three individual competitions provided that the schedules for these competitions did not conflict with one another. The awards garnered by these contestants who participated in multiple events were then given equivalent points and added up to determine who would receive the award for the highest individual pointer in each language medium.

On October 6, 1999, however, Education Secretary Andrew Gonzales issued DECS Memorandum No. 437, Series of 1999, which stated that a contestant could participate in only two events and in only one medium provided that the two events did not conflict with each other. ^[4] This was amended in 2002 with the issuance of Department of Education Memorandum No. 4, Series of 2002, on January 11, 2002, by Education Secretary Raul Roco. DM No. 4 provided that a pupil or student could participate in a maximum of four events but in only one medium, and that there should be seven winners for every category from every region.^[5]

The News Reporting and Desktop Publishing categories were first introduced in 2003, with a demonstration having been held at the previous year's NSPC. The DepEd memorandum for this same year states that a student may opt to participate in as many categories as he is able within the same medium provided there are no conflicts in the schedule. ^[6] However, in 2004, only the News Reporting category was retained.

Source: WikiPilipinas, The Hip 'n Free Encyclopedia.

URL: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=National_Schools_Press_Conference

Now it can be told, the annual National Schools Press Conference will be conducted at Tagum City, Davao del Norte with DepEd Region 11 headed by Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy as the main host and Mrs Nenita E. Lumaad as the host schools division superintendent.

DepEd Secretary Jesli A. Lapus wrote City Mayor Rey T. Uy on his acceptance, in behalf of the DepEd family of the offer of the City of Tagum to host this year’s NSPC on February 22-26, 2010.

The activity which will be managed by the National Technical Working Groups from the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE) and the Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE) will be conducted in line with the thrust to promote responsible and free journalism and pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7079.

This year’s theme is “Campus Journalism as a Catalyst for Change: Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015” (Pampaaralang Pahayagan Bilang Instrumento ng Pagbabago: Maisakatuparan ang MDGs ng 2015).

The conference aims to enable the participants to demonstrate understanding of the important of MDGs by expressing it through varied journalistic forms and approaches, demonstrate commitment to support MDGs by advocating and integrating them in related school community initiatives and enhance journalistic competence through healthy and friendly competitions such as individual, group, as well as radio broadcasting and scriptwriting contests.

The eight MDGs have been formulated in such a way that they are indeed measurable, quantifiable and realistic. Each of the eight goals has a set of targets. These targets are quantified through indicators that will be set as the benchmark for measuring each country’s progress.

MDG 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. 1. Halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty between 1990 and 2015 2. Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people 3. Halve the proportion of population below minimum level of dietary energy consumption and halve the proportion of underweight children 4. Halve the proportion of people with no access to safe drinking water or those who cannot afford it by 2015.

MDG 2. Achieve universal primary education. Ensure that children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling by 2015.

MDG 3.  Promote gender equality and empower women.  Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015.

MDG 4.  Reduce child mortality.  Reduce  under-five mortality rate by two-thirds by 2015.

MDG 5.  Improve maternal health. 1) Reduce maternal mortality rate by three-quarters by 2015. 2) Increase access to basic reproductive health services to 100% by 2015.

MDG 6.  Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. 1) Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015. 2) Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it. 3) Halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.

MDG 7. Ensure environmental sustainability. 1) Implement national strategies for sustainable development by 2005, to reverse loss of environmental resources by 2015. 2) Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss. 3) Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. 4) By 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers.

MDG 8.  Develop a global partnership for development.  This goal seeks to provide countries with financial and technical assistance.