Cordillera studes carve niches in two national tilts

Students from the Cordilleras once again carved their niches in two recently concluded national skills and journalistic competitions held in Central Mindanao.

Participants from the different public and private elementary and secondary schools from the region proved their mettle in the simultaneous conduct of the National Festival of Talents (NFOT) and National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) held in General Santos City and Koronadal City, respectively, last February 22 to 26.

In the NFOT, Dennie Faye Danao of Sablan National High School, Benguet outdid her rivals from the other regions by winning first place in the on-the-spot essay writing contest. On the other hand, Roel Jay Sagun of Luna National High School in Apayao garnered second place in on-the-spot poster making contest. Coaches were Rizza Dellias and Jovelyn Aguite.

Focusing on the interplay of dramatic elements in theater and storytelling, students from Baguio City High School, namely: Jocel Fongayao, Antoniette Wayne Paloga, Raynon Ladia, Cedrick Rodriguez, Marie Cancio, and Julie Tanan under the coaching of Franklin Garlejo landed third place in Manik-Aninong Dulaan or Scriptwriting and Shadow Puppetry.

Another student from Baguio City, Gay-yong Dulnuan, won second place in Creative Nail Arts with Hand Massage. Dulnuan is from Quezon Hill National High School and coached by Wilma Nabus.

The NFOT consisted of skills exhibitions in different fields like Technolympics for Technology and Livelihood Education, Sining Tanghalan for Arts, National Population Quiz and On-the-Spot Exhibition on PopDev for Araling Panlipunan or Social Studies, Pambansang Tagisan ng Talino for Filipino, and Foreign Language Skills Showcase for schools offering Special Program in Foreign language.

Not to be outdone, campus journalists of this highland region contributed another haul of victories during the NSPC with an exceptional performance of pupils from Rizal Elementary School, Baguio City. Maria Cecilia D. Soriano got third place in Balitang Agham or Science News Writing, Maricar N. Alcido earned a sixth place in Pagwawasto at Pag-uulo ng Balita or Copy Reading and Headline Writing, Mara A. Chinayeo won seventh place in Balitang Pampalakasan or Sports Writing.

To top it all for Rizal Elementary School, Soriano was also adjudged as the Most Outstanding Campus Journalist in the Elementary Level for this year.

“The training of our pupils were continuous since the start of classes,” said Rizal Elementary campus paper adviser Annabel S. De Guzman when asked how she coached her wards.

Elementary radio broadcasters, likewise, did not come home empty handed. Benguet pupils from Camp 6 Elementary School Aldyn Lawagan, Makim Lorenzana, Rosalie Bueno, Russel Aluyao, Jelian Sevilla, Xirene Bangao, and Karyll Tarnate with their coach Jocelyn Bumanghat grabbed fifth place in Best Infomercial while their counterparts from Potia Elementary School, Ifugao also settled for fifth place in Best Infomercial – Filipino category. The pupils from Ifugao were Melvie Dacusin, Harold Dagus, NIssi Bayaona, Shane Juguiad, Zyhri Lagahe, Hannah Ivy Wadwadan, Cashmere Lldeonso and were accompanied by their coach Maritess Polig.

In the high school level, four students made it to the top seven in four individual contests under Filipino category. Dianni Adrei B. Estrada of Pines City National High School, Baguio City won second place in Pagwawasto at Pag-uulo ng Balita, Ryan Christian Morales of Baguio City High School also got second place in Pagsulat ng balita or News Writing, Braile Kyrie Dumalleg of Kalinga National High School, Tabuk City won third place in Pagkuha ng Larawan or Photojournalism and Wayne Amayag of Kibungan National High School, Benguet got seventh place in Pagsulat ng Lathalain or Feature Writing. Under the Individual-English category, Rheymar Sapitula of Quezon Hill National High School nabbed third place in Editorial Cartooning. Coaches were Erlinda D. Tinaza, Maria Ramelia Ulpindo, Adelaida Ignacio, Martes Calasan, and Roxanne Gano, respectively.

Meanwhile, the team of t.v. broadcasters from Pines City National High School (PCNHS) outshined other regions with their gains in the first ever T.V Script Writing and Broadcasting Skills Exhibition in the NSPC. The team composed of Moises F. Soriano, Kimberly Claire Kaye M. Cawis, Rowelyn M. Jardinez, Mishael M. Valdez, Aizel O. Dela Cruz, Ajireh Ramielle Soriano, and Allyza Juvie D. Tullay placed first in Best Infomercial, second in Best Newscast, and third in Best in Technical Application.

The team coached by Emilia M. Guinumtad brought in first place – Best Anchor for M. Soriano and second place – Best Anchor for Cawis.

The T.V Scriptwriting and Broadcasting was participated in by all high schools in the country offering Special Program for Journalism. Only PCHNS offers the program in this region.

Lone winner for the school paper category is Alluyon of the University of Baguio Science High School and under the advisorship of Demetrio Custodio. The campus paper garnered second place in Pahinang Isports or Sports Page.

Soujee Ann Mangapac, a student of Cordillera Regional Science High School (CRSHS) was adjudged as Most Outstanding Campus Journalist in the Secondary Level.

Most Outstanding School Paper Advisers this year were Jodexon Dog-e of Potia Elementary School, Ifugao and Sharon De Vera also of CRSHS, Benguet.

The annual campus journalism contest is an offshoot of Republic Act 7079 otherwise known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 and is aimed at honing the journalistic skills of students in all forms of Media.

Top three winners and coaches of both national tilts will receive cash incentives and certificates from the Department of Education – Cordillera Administrative Region. The cash awards is in recognition of students and coaches who give honor to the region in national competitions.