Dinalupihan, Mariveles conquer 2015 DSPC

HERMOSA, Bataan – With the theme “Empowering Resilient Communities through Campus Journalism”, this year’s Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) held at the Hermosa Elementary School, in this town last October 21-23 was dominated by the Dinalupihan (Elementary) and Mariveles (Secondary) districts.

GMA 7 Senior Correspondent Ms. Tricia Zafra graced said event to inspire the young campus journalists from public and private elementary and secondary schools from the eleven municipalities of Bataan together with their school paper advisers, school heads, judges and parents, to uphold the truth as they pursue their dream in the field of journalism.

Under the individual category, close to 800 campus journalists pit their talents in the following areas: News Writing, Editorial Writing, Feature Writing, Sports Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Copyreading and Headline Writing, Photojournalism and Science-Technology Writing. Radio Broadcasting and Collaborative Publishing are under the group category. Both individual and group categories are divided into elementary and secondary levels and into two media: English and Filipino.

At the end of the 3-day event, the top three districts with the highest points garnered are: Dinalupihan, followed by Abucay and Hermosa on the third slot for the elementary level. Meanwhile, Mariveles National High School (Poblacion) garnered the highest points for the secondary level, followed by Jose Rizal Institute (Orani) and Mariveles National High School (Cabcaben).

The top 3 winners in all the individual categories will represent the province in the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) to be held in Baler, Aurora come November 24-26. Winners in the RSPC will in turn represent the region in the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC), the highest competition for journalism in both private and public elementary and high schools in the Philippines.

Established in 1991 pursuant to Republic Act 7079 also known as Campus Journalism Act of 1991. The press conference includes both students from the elementary and secondary level and is usually held on the month of April. The event usually lasts for 4 to 7 days.

The contest starts with the District Schools Press Conference, where top seven in each category and medium qualify to the DSPC. In the DSPC, the top five or seven in each category qualify to the RSPC, from which the top three will be chosen to represent their respective regions in the NSPC. However, this structure would still depend on the organizing committees to ensure a higher standard for the campus journalists.

Photos courtesy of DEPED Bataan