News Writing Article
Endangered Lives
"Child labor is cheap labor," says Darlene Adkins of the Child Labor Coalition, a group that
works to end child labor abuses around the world.
As many as 70 percent of the world's working children labor on farms, picking crops, herding
cattle, and operating equipment. In the fields, they are exposed to dangerous pesticides, or
poisonous chemicals. Pesticides increase the children's risk of developing lung disease.
In India, Nepal, and Pakistan, boys and girls work up to 16 hours a day weaving carpets in small
huts with little light or fresh air. Loom owners sometimes chain children to the looms, so they
won't run away.
"Their hands are dry, cracked, and gnarled from labor," Adkins says.
In Peru, young boys work in mines, digging for gems and coal deep below the earth's surface. As
they crawl through dark, cramped tunnels, the boys risk death from cave-ins. Around the world,
girls as young as 5 work up to 15 hours a day, 7 days a week as housekeepers.
"These children are living with families, but they are not considered part of the family," says
Adkins. "Often, they are beaten, only fed leftovers, and are forced to sleep on the floor. They are
treated as slaves."
Stopping Child Labor
Students at Broad Meadows Middle School in Quincy, Massachusetts, created their own Web
site to educate Americans about child labor.
The students raised more than $100,000 through the Web site to help build a school in Punjab,
Pakistan. Today, 288 children, who might otherwise be weaving rugs or stitching soccer balls,
attend class instead.
For Bonauli, school seems like a distant dream. After endless months of backbreaking labor, the
homesick teenager has just one wish: to see his family again.
"I miss my mom," he says. "For the past 2 1/2 months, I have asked to go home, but there is no
one here to replace me. I have to wait until a new worker comes."
For now, Bonauli works and waits.
— Karen Fanning
Scholastic News Senior, May 8.
(NSPC Winning Piece in Sports Writing)
ILAGAN, Isabela—Isabela National High School, behind the remarkable performances
of Florante Carreon and Paul Gonzales, took all the Roxas National High School could offer
before hackingout a close 60-59 win in an exhibition game held at St. Ferdinand College Court
here, Tuesday.Carreon scored 21 points to lead Isabela and Gonzales 13 points but delivered this
on the crucial part of the game including the winning free throw.The game started in a rollercoaster encounter and the first half ended 28-27 with Isabela on thelead.The second half was still
close and Roxas took the lead with two minutes to go, but Gonzalesdisplayed a big heart as he
connected a three-pointer to give Isabela the lead, 54-53.Rolly Menor carried Roxas on that
decisive moment and tied the game at 59-all with 15 secondsto go.Gonzales fished a foul with 10
seconds left and split his charity for the lead, 60-59.Herman Menor refused to give up but his last
desperate jumpshot went in-and-out of the ring.“Faith carried us through this game, it’s a good
game,” said Gonzales after the game.INHS (60)—Carreon 21, Gonzales, 13, Magusib, 12,
Mercado 6, Aguinaldo 4, Martinez 2,Cabanlong 2, Ong 0, Lim 0, Gumaru 0.RNHS (59)—Menor
22, Balagan 18, Malaca 12, Soriano 7, Allavigan 0, gonzaga 0, Advincula 0,Limbauan 0,
Galapon 0.
Editorial Article
A winner just by being there
By: Jessica B. Pag-iwayan
@inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer
10:48 PM April 20th, 2015
(Two alumnae of the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) recall their participation in
the journalism competition that has become an institution in the Department of Education.
Their meets happened 45 years apart, but the feelings evoked by their recollections are the
same—the thrill of meeting active journalists, the excitement of competing, the pleasure in
making new friends, the joy of winning. As for the recently concluded NSPC, we will feature
photos and winners next Tuesday.— Editor)
In journalism, it is not enough to have the talent to write. Your heart and mind should also be
engaged to give substance to what you write.
This was the advice my journalism teacher Marian Manoloto gave me. It seemed only yesterday.
The words served as my inspiration to write passionately and as my pass to a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to compete in the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in April 2012 in
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
I was one of the National Capital Region’s delegates. I competed in Pagsulat ng Editoryal
(Editorial Writing) and was the opinion section editor in the event’s first Collaborative
Publishing Contest.
For all of us delegates, the five-day long competition made great memories that I am sure will
last us a lifetime.
On the first day of the NSPC, delegates from all over the country participated in a grand parade.
It was awesome to meet hundreds of aspiring young journalists, with their trainers, wearing their
respective regions’ distinctive costumes and providing the opening rites a multicolor backdrop.
Most of us experienced a mix of emotions. We were exhilarated but also intimidated by the idea
of competing against many talented students from both public and private schools.
The next day, as I waited to leave Puerto Princesa Pilot Elementary School, where we were
staying, to go to the contest venue, my hand was shaking and my heart was pounding.
I was so nervous as I thought about what I had to do—write an editorial piece that should catch
the attention of the judges.
I was in the room minutes before the start of the competition. I looked outside the window and,
captivated by the majestic view of the wide, calm sea, I relaxed as I realized that I was already a
winner just by being in Puerto Princesa for the NSPC and being among outstanding student
writers.
When the contest began, we were asked to write an editorial on that year’s NSPC theme,
“Promoting Digital Literacy through Campus Journalism.”
Historic
Day 2 was historic for the NSPC as a new category, Collaborative Publishing, was launched.
Every region had teams for English and Filipino, in the elementary and secondary levels,
composed of the best seven delegates in every category: editorial, feature, sports and news
writing, copy reading and headline writing, photojournalism and editorial cartooning.
The competition, as specified in the Department of Education Memorandum No. 49, Series of
2012, was designed to encourage teamwork among campus journalists and simulate the editorial
room in a newspaper. Each team had to come up with a four-page tabloid paper within a given
time.
Collaborative Publishing challenged not just our writing skills under time pressure and limited
technical resources but also our work attitude and ability to work as a team, especially when
faced with difficulties.
In the end, our confidence in each other’s skills and abilities enabled us to come up with a
winning output.
Awarding ceremonies
When “judgment day” came, I saw anxiety on the contestants’ faces as the names of the winners
were being announced.
As in other competitions, there were winners and losers at the NSPC.
I did not win in the individual category but our team in Collaborative Publishing in Filipino
placed fourth overall.
The happiness we felt when our team was called was priceless. It made up for every sacrifice,
sleepless night of brainstorming before the contest, and absence from school to train. We were
not the champions but we would go home feeling proud and fulfilled.
When it was time to leave, I was reluctant to say goodbye to Palawan. I really enjoyed our stay
in that paradise. The memories I shared with my new friends were precious.
With the NSPC, I did not just learn how to write. I learned lessons that classroom discussions
could not offer.
The friendships I forged, the new experiences I had and the passion I developed for writing gave
me happiness and satisfaction no words could describe.
Feature Writing Article
COPY READING ARTICLE