For the second consecutive year, the Special Program in Journalism of Negros Occidental High School recognized school publications under the Division of Negros Occidental for excellence in Development Journalism.
The award recognizes publications that make deliberate effort in making them interesting to school readers while, at the same time, delivering the message of growth and development in the community to make the public aware of programs designed to serve public need.
Personally, I have been promoting development-oriented journalism in my practice and in academic discussions.
NOHS-SPJ selected the winners from among the English and Filipino entries in the publication competition held during the 2026 Division Schools Press Conference.
Major considerations in the selection of the awardees are the variety of community-oriented topics and how the messages are delivered for easy understanding and eventual appreciation by the readers within and outside the school, said Ma’am Ana Batisla-on, SPJ head.
The winners this year are The BEE of Hinigaran Elementary School-B (Elementary Level) and ABÀ KA of Guiljungan National HS-Abaca Extension in Cauayan.
The BEE won the award for the second time while ABÀ KA joined the DSPC for the first time this year.
The BEE is mentored by Ma’am Azila Buga-ay while the ABÀ KA adviser is Ma’am Reynamer Grace Caceres. Both advisers have expressed gratitude for the support of their school heads, Principal Maria Cora Capariño and Teacher-in-Charge Milrose Rubi, respectively.
The BEE topped the English Category of the DSPC 2026 publication contest after winning the Best Opinion, Features, Science and Technology Pages awards. It placed second in the News Page competition.
ABÀ KA, on the other hand, placed third overall in high school English newspapers.
Its Sports Page was adjudged No.1 and it was second in Features and Science and Technology Pages and third in Opinion Page.
Both publications also placed fourth in the Best Digital (Facebook) News Page participated in by more than 60 school papers.
We congratulate Ma’am Riza Gea and Sir Bonifacio Barroquillo, division program supervisors for English and Filipino, respectively, for the successful staging of the DSPC which was hosted by Pontevedra National High School.
The Certificates of Recognition for both Hinigaran and Abaca schools were signed by NOHS Principal Dr. Cheryl Tondo and Ma’am Ana.
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The NOHS SPJ was started in 2018 as part of the DepEd junior high school curriculum. It is “designed to cultivate skills in print, online and broadcast media.”
Anchored on RA 7079, or the Campus Journalism Act, it aims to develop responsible and ethics-oriented student writers.
The NOHS-SPJ had apparently been gaining momentum. It registered the biggest number of students (almost 160) since it started.
I understand from Ma’am Ana that the program is expanding its linkage in the community to provide students with maximum hands-on exposure and eventually strengthen its offering.
Handling the journalism classes in both Filipino and English are Mercy Grace Lo, Gira Pabiona, Christine JoyParahinog, Kimberly Sta. Rita, Joe Arnel Celestial and Jahn Michael Toquiro.
We trust that more learners will realize the value of media-oriented education and become part of the NOHS-SPJ.
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Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17) | NWI
