Basic Education Department

The Universidad de Sta. Isabel Façade, the official student publication of the Higher Education Department reaped various awards in the 12th Regional Inter-Collegiate Summit on Campus Journalism at Casa Ofelia Resort, Carolina, Naga City on September 4-6, 2009.

The USI Façade Editor-in-Chief Jelreen Vi Alcantara won 1st place in Editorial Writing. Associate Editor Angeli Lou Villanueva also bagged 1st place in News Writing. News Editor Jasmin Ondivilla prevailed as 2nd place in Copy Reading and Headline Writing. Features Editor Miecah Rodriguez ranked 2nd place in Feature Writing. Senior Cartoonist Midel Del Castillo and Sports Editor Kathleen Batangoso both won 3rd place in Editorial Cartooning and Sports Writing respectively. The USI Façade was also adjudged ‘Best Opinion Page’ in the said summit.

The University of Nueva Caceres’ Society of Junior Fellows and the National Youth Commission sponsored the conference to promote the ideals of Campus Journalism in truthfully empowering the youth as responsible voters.

The USI Façade staff had undergone intensive training under their Editor-in-Chief Jelreen Alcantara, Associate Editor Liazel N. Olores, and moderator Karen I. Iniego two days prior to the event.

Prayers and optimism boosted the participants’ morale in the said competition.

“I always remind them to be positive. Whatever may be the outcome, the experience they had from this summit surely contributed in making them better journalists,” said Alcantara.

The 12th Regional ICSCJ was also participated by eight colleges and universities from all over the Bicol Region, namely: Our Lady of Lourdes Foundation College, Camarines Norte State College, University of Saint Anthony, La Consolacion College of Daet, University of North Eastern Philippines, Bicol University – Polangui Campus, Partido College, Naga College Foundation, and Universidad de Sta. Isabel.

The USI Façade publication staff will attend another conference in Bacolod on October with Che-Che Lazaro as resource speaker. Another national competition hosted by the Organization of Student Services Educators Inc. awaits them on January in Baguio City