CEGP-La Union holds 7th AMMOYO

La Union (February 28) -With the theme, “A Free Campus Press for Truth and Accountability”,  College Editors Guild of the Philippines-La Union Chapter successfully conducted the Ammoyo 2008, the local chapter’s 7^th annual Student Press Convention cum Congress held at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University- North La Union Campus at Sapilang, Bacnotan, La Union, the Green Valley Treasure hosting the event for the second consecutive year.

“With the current political crisis the country is undergoing, tertiary publications have to make a stand. And we stand for the truth to be revealed and hold Mrs. Gloria Arroyo regime  accountable for all of these”, said Rose Mae Bagni, the local chapter’s Chairperson in an interview.

 According to Bagni, the Guild is conducting such activities to reach out to other publications and to serve as a venue to give timely discussions on socio-political issues in the country in addition to the Guild’s unfailing service in educating the campus journalists in new trends of journalism.

  A series  of lectures and workshops on basic, intermediate and advance journalism and as well as on arts and literature were given by respected professional media practitioners and artists. Also, classroom discussions regarding socio-political topics were lectured by invited speakers from different people’s organizations.

 Tertiary publications who joined the event comprise The Virginians of the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation from Pangasinan, The Forum of DMMMSU-SLUC,  Polytechnic College of La Union’s Scribes, Lorma Highlights, DMMMSU-NLUC’s Green Valley Treasures, Tandem of University of Northern Philippines, Northern College of Science and Technology’s The Weblink and Divine Word College of Laoag’s The Williamite.

2^nd Gawad Manuel Arguilla

One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of the 2^nd Gawad Manuel Arguilla. Launched last year, the Gawad serves as a tribute to the renowned Ilocano short story writer, Manuel Arguilla,  who died as a martyr during the Japanese occupation in the country. He is a native of Nagrebcan, Bauang, La Union and is the author of “How my brother Leon brought home a wife”  and “Rice”.

The  literary contest includes the Short Story Writing, Poetry Writing and Essay Writing both in English and Filipino category. Winners comprise of the following:  In the Maikling Kuwento Category Special Citation was given to ‘Simile’ by Jesther Rowen Bautista (Lorma Highlights) while the third place was given to entry entitled ‘Kalayaan sa Semestreng Walang Katahimikan’ by Arnel Manzano (Lorma Highlights). In the Sanaysay Category Special Citation was given to  the entry entitled  ‘Sulo ng Pag-asa ‘by Darwin Bulan (PCLU Scribes) and the  3^rd place was awarded to the entry entitled ‘Ang Panata ni Pastor’ by John Osias Jacaban (DMMMSU-SLUC Forum). In the Short Story Category, Special Citation was also given to  the entry ‘Crossroads’ by Rollie Caccam (DMMMSU SLUC Forum). In the Poetry Writing the compilation ‘A cry for help’,’ A plea’, ‘Vibrations’ by Lovely Ulpindo (Lorma Highlights) was awarded 2^nd place whereas the 1^st place was given to the compilation entry of the poems ‘Freedamn’, ‘The Big Bang Theory’, ‘Peace it together’ by Allan Claveria (VMUF-The Virginian); In the Tula Category 3^rd place was awarded to the entry ‘Sa Kalangitan’, ‘Hamon sa Manunulat’, ‘Hindi na’ by Arnel Manzano (Lorma Highlights), 2^nd place to ‘Hunyango’, Estudyante’, ‘Ang Aking Lapis’ by Jesther Rowen Bautista (lorma Highlights) and 1^st place to ‘Mendiola’, ‘Para kay Romy’, ‘Misteryong Gloria’ by Jason Necida (PCLU Scribes).

Further, the local chapter has elected and presented  its new set of officers. Rose Mae Bagni  from the Lorma Highlights was again elected Chairperson. Edna Fajardo of DMMMSU-GVT,  John Osias Jacaban of DMMMSU – Forum as 1^st and 2^nd district Vice-Chairpersons, respectively. Meanwhile, Arnel Manzano of Loma Highlights was appointed Secretary General and Jason Necida of PCLU –Scribes  as Deputy Secretary General.

 The approval of the General Program of Action (GPOA) and resolution building drafted by the  Provincial Executive Committee which highlighted the expansion, consolidation of tertiary publications in La Union and intensifying the campus press freedom campaign, particularly the campaign to defend Tandem, concluded the three-day live in seminar.

 Also, a resolution to join and participate in the campaign of the broad alliance, Youth for Accountability and Truth Now or Youth ACT Now! was approved by the body of participating publications.