After a five-year hiatus, the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo (UPHSI) student journalists marked their come back to the 2025 Iloilo City Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) as they won multiple awards in both individual and group categories held last February 8 and 15 at the Diamond Jubilee Hall, Iloilo City.
In the individual events held last February 8, Margarita Isabel Alagao (2nd Place, Editorial Cartooning – Filipino) and Antares Ziggy Cajilig (3rd Place, Editorial Writing – English) qualified for the Regional Schools Press Conference to be held in March 2025.
“Looking back to my journey as a student journalist since elementary, placing 3rd on the DSPC podium – a testament to all the steps of my staircase of failures and triumphs – felt gratifying in every way possible,” expressed Cajilig.
Other awardees for the individual category included Franchezka Raine Raborar (4th Place, Copy Reading and Headline Writing – English), Ariette Jezka Villanueva (4th Place, Feature Writing – English), Niña Martinete (5th Place, News Writing – English), Alexandra Ysabelle Amolar (8th Place, Science and Technology Writing – English), and Yagee Flaris Nepomuceno (8th Place, Column Writing – English). Meanwhile, Alexa Jaci Bataan and Jeu Fem Forro represented UPHSI in Feature Writing – Filipino and Sports Writing – English respectively.
For the group events held last February 15, the Collaborative Desktop Publishing (English) Team composed of Alyssa Jane Gimeno, Caiden Ramirez, Ella Charisse Coloso, Lean Marovi Labos, Lorraine Elijah Odango, and John Israel Valderrama, and the Online Publishing (Filipino) Team composed of Kerubim Iana Pauline Senobin, Ma. Jeanette Millares, Antoine Kaiser Demontaño, Daniel Herradura, and Chara Louise Joven both secured 2nd place.
“I always dreamed of this chance to once again join the DSPC. I poured everything into it and the moment I stepped on the stage to receive my team’s award, I knew every struggle was worth it,” said Gimeno.
In addition, the Radio Broadcasting in English Team composed of Peter Andrei Carmen, Julia Zacal, Reine Shaula Duspar, Arwen Jayne Deriada, Abbie Jessica Leigh, Bryant Stefano Embalsado, and Edmer Bob Cajilig won 3rd Best in Technical Application, while the Radio Broadcasting in Filipino Team composed of Roxanne Christine dela Cruz, Carl Andrie Cuenco, Robert Celestine dela Cruz, Zyanne Andrea Lademora, Ayeisha Shaffiz Pajotagana, Eliza Jane Mecha, and Victoria Mae Bilbao, clinched multiple awards, including 3rd Best in Scriptwriting, 3rd Best in Infomercial, 3rd Best in Technical Application, and 3rd Best Radio Production.
The students were coached by Prof. Alfredo B. Diaz, Dr. John Barrios, and Ms. Feaches Pearl Cabrobias. (Ms. Niña Martinete and Ms. Kerubim Iana Pauline Senobin)
