Words: John Archie Balmes, John Ivan Arangoso, and Michael Angelo Gabriel

Photos: Quadro Photography Club

Students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Department of Journalism bagged runner-up titles for academic research, investigative reporting, and special projects in the 2020 Philippine Journalism Research Conference/ Chit Estella Journalism Awards held at Cine Adarna, University of the Philippines, Diliman on March 6, 2020. 

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Journalism seniors Kyle John Antonio, Kevin Bryan Caraig, Jane Sampiano, and Anna Patricia Panlilio won 2nd runner-up in the Academic Research category for their study, “Filipino Journalistic Writing competencies of selected journalism students: A response on CHED memorandum to remove the Filipino as core college subject,” which determines the Filipino journalistic writing competencies of selected journalism students in the areas of news, editorial, sports, and feature. The study seeks to develop a more comprehensive training syllabus as a response to the CHED memorandum.

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In the Investigative Reporting category, third year journalism students Yevgeny Menk Monarquia, Renelyn Gorgonio, Luis Angelo Aquino, Marry Grace Dela Cruz, and Hecyl Joy Brojan bagged third place for their report, “Diving Deep in the Underground economy of Manila,” which examines the plight of vendors in the capital city. The report found out there are ‘organizers’ who sell public spots to vendors in Manila that generate less than ten million pesos per day, and police authorities get their share from the scheme.

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Meanwhile, journalism juniors Michael Angelo Gabriel, Patricia Marie Cugal, John Ivan Arangoso, Joshua Castillo, and Artagnan Liszt Biason brought home the 1st runner up title in the Special Project category with their short documentary film, “Perang Bato,” which peeks at the marginalized sector of stone-picking in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. The documentary shows daily sustenance of the Narvante family, one of the fore founding families of stone picking in the province of Gabaldon.

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“Habang buhay kong babaunin ang mga aral na natutunan ko sa kompetisyon na ito. Hindi upang sumikat, kundi upang maging boses sa likod ng camera at upang makapaglahad ng mga istoryang nararapat at kapupulutan ng aral,” Cugal said.  

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Meanwhile, third year journalism students John Archie Balmes, Sherrylou Nemis, Ma. Lonila Agaton, Khryzztine Joy Baylon, and Kiarra Cassel Mangahas bagged 2nd runner up in the Special Project category for their short documentary film, “Kawag,” that describes the state of the para-athletes in the country. The documentary features award-winning para-swimmer Ernie Gawilan - his swimming practices, struggles, and experiences. The documentary also includes an original musical score. 

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“Aside from personal breakdowns and delights after working on this project, I encountered realizations about the status of the sportsperson with physical disability in our country. They were given so little attention from society, and I think they deserve more. I hope our project shed light to their community, and help them to be heard even though in little amplification,” Nemis stressed. 

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With this year’s theme, “Journalism in Dangerous Times,” keynote speaker, ANC’s reporter, news anchor, and Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility’s (CMFR) 2019 Award of Distinction recipient, Christian Esguerra emphasized the significance of journalism as an empowering tool for the public to use in dealing with individuals and institutions that rule the country. The speech was followed by reactions from the industry and experts: Tress Reyes from CNN Philippines, Fernando Sepe Jr. from Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines (PCP), and University of the Philippines (UP) - Department of Journalism Faculty and PUP Visiting Professor Danilo Arao.

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The annual research conference was organized by the UP - College of Mass Communication (CMC) Department of Journalism in partnership with the University of Santo Tomas, PUP Department of Journalism, and Asian Institute of Journalism. Despite the COVID-19 scare, almost 500 students and faculty from 32 journalism departments and colleges across the country attended the 2020 PJRC. 

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The Chit Estella Journalism Student Awards were given in honor of veteran journalist, former UP Journalism Department professor, and VERA Files trustee Chit Estella-Simbulan, who died in 2011 in a road crash along Commonwealth Avenue. Commenced in 2013, the conference aims to encourage communication students to produce investigative reports and research on journalism studies.