Congratulations to the winners in the annual regional awards presented by the Philippine Information Agency in yearend ceremonies held in Iloilo City. The annual programs are the College Press Awards conducted on Dec. 20 and the Search for Best Performing Public Information Officers and Office on Dec. 21.
The programs give recognition to information officers and campus editors for their efforts in promoting and providing communication support to development initiatives.
The Department of Agriculture Regional Office swept all agency publications awards — best newsletter for its “Kaumhan”, and best magazine/news magazine (“Promisa”).
DA also topped the Best Special Publication (‘Tabungos’) with Bago City’s “Bawal Bastos sa Bago” placing second and “The Culture” of Cadiz City, third.
Bago City LGU also placed second in the Facebook Page category. Its information officer, Ace Balboa, and the City Information Office were named Hall of Fame awardees last year, which make them eligible to compete again after three years.
Cadiz City’s “Saganak”, likewise, placed third in the newsletter category.
Another winner is the Bacolod City Public Information Office which topped the Best Social Media Infographics.
In the individual category, Joy Famini of Victorias City was named one of the seven Best Performing Officer awardees. Congratulations to Joy, my former student at UNO- Recoletos.
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In the College Press Awards, publications of West Visayas State University college publications won two of the three major trophies at stake.
“Silak Media” of the WVSU College of Education won the Best Magazine award while “Vital Signs” of the College of Medicine took the top prize in the Best Departmental Publication contest.
The other major award, Best Newspaper, was won by the University of San Agustin with “The Central Echo” of Central Philippine University as second placer and WVSU’s main publication, “Forum-Dimensions”, third.
“Silak Media” and “The Lifeline” (WVSU College of Nursing) rounded up the Top Five best newspapers.
“The Spectrum” of the University of St. La Salle was adjudged the second Best Magazine while John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University-Arevalo was third.
The magazines of Filamer Christian and Aklan State University tied for fourth place with ISAT University’s “The Technovator” as fifth placer.
“The Seagull” of JBLFMU-Molo and “The Blooms” of Aklan State University took second and third honors behind WVSU-Medicine in the Best Departmental Publication competition.
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I am glad that the annual PIA annual recognition program for college student publications and writers in the region, which I co-started 48 years ago, when I was the training officer of the then Department of Public Information, has been sustained and had greatly contributed to the development and growth of the media industry in this part of the country today.
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Speaking of award-winning student editors, I remember in particular my former Journalism student and eventual media industry colleague, Eric Loretizo, who reaped countless national and regional campus paper and writing awards during his editorship of “The Tolentine Star” of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos.
On Saturday, Dec. 31, Eric’s family and friends are marking his first death anniversary with a mass and get-together.
Eric passed away last year – on New Year’s Eve, which some calendars say is the “Unlucky Day” for a number of people, because of misfortunes that come their way before the new year starts.
You are missed, dear friend.
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An important event is taking place this week – the 127th anniversary of the martyrdom of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
A commemorative program is usually held at the redesigned Rizal Park fronting Rizal Elementary School. Councilor Thaddy Sayson recalled Rizal’s heroism in his inspirational message.
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As we look back at our challenges and blessings, we thank the Lord for his care, faithfulness and provisions. With 2024 just some thousand ticks away, we pray for his guidance and direction. Salamat, Lord!
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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17) | NWI
