Isabela
CHRONICLE
R02 finishes
2nd overall
in individual
contests
Fate seemed so generous
to Region 02 as its contenders
in the individual contests
(secondary) in the 2014 National
Schools Press Conference
on April 7-10 in Subic Bay
Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)
Free Port Zone nipped awards,
making the region second in
the overall ranking, next to the
HISTORIC FEAT
National Capital Region (NCR).
Cagayan Valley (CV)
Journalism Coordinator Dr.
Bervy C. Domingo described
the valley’s performance as an
answered prayer and a ‘big leap’
from last year’s 14th overall
standing in individual contests.
Recalling the years when the
region amassed awards in the
NSPC, EPS Domingo affirmed
that R02 is back as powerhouse
in campus journalism, saying
that the victory of the region
this year is a “historic feat.”
“We already established the
name of the region in the NSPC
this year and we hope that we
will sustain or surpass what we
achieved in the 2014 national
press tilt,” she said.
Coming in third place in the
individual events is last year’s
top grosser CALABARZON while
Region 03, the host region,
landed fourth.
OVERJOYED. Excelsior adviser Jay J. Gallegos beams with
smile as he shares the tales of his victory to Isabela Journalism Paper of the region, swept first place
Coordinator Arturo B. Nano during the NSPC Awarding Ceremony. in Features and Sports Pages and sixth
3 Isabela CJs
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF DepEd-ISABELA I SPECIAL NSPC ISSUE
spot places
in NSPC ‘14
Three NSPC contenders
of the Division of Isabela
brought home three medals
after landing spots in the
top seven photojournalists
and sports writers in the
2014 National Schools Press
Conference (NSPC) in Subic,
April 7-10.
Eliza Grace A. Ramiro of San
Antonio National High School
(SANHS) landed second place
in Photojournalism-English
while April B. Caballes of
Regional Science High School
(RSHS) finished sixth in the
same category.
Adding another medal to
Isabela is Prince John Fer L.
Paraggua of RSHS with his
sixth place finish in Sports
Writing-English.
Isabela Journalism Coordina-
tor Arturo B. Nano said the divi-
sion’s triumph in the NSPC is an
affirmation that Isabela’s effort
to uplift its performance in the
R02 ranks 5th overall in NSPC ‘14 national press con-
fab has paid off.
Cagayan Valley Region regained its lost glory in campus
journalism after winning fifth place overall (secondary level)
in the 2014 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Free Port Zone,
Olongapo City, Zambales, April 7-10.
The region marked 10 notches higher from last year’s
lackluster 15th place finish with the second overall triumph
of its contenders in individual contests and 7th place victory
of its entries in group contests.
Part of the region’s historic feat this year is the
performance of its secondary school papers where
five entries spotted places in the six contested areas
including the title as the home of the country’s
best school paper with the sweeping victory of
The Excelsior, the official school publication of the PROUD REGSAY. Regional Science High
Regional Science High School (RSHS). School (RSHS) journalists Prince John Fer L.
Also contributing to the region’s 5th overall Paraggua and April B. Caballes take their victory
triumph is the 7th place victory of Cagayan division’s pose after having been adjudged sixth place in
Sports Writing and Photojournalism respectively.
Desktop Publishing Team in English.
The Excelsior named best school paper in PHL
Ang Tore wins 3rd place in Features Page
Regional Science High School (RSHS) place in Editorial Page, News Page, and
made history in the 2014 National Science & Tech Page.
Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Excelsior adviser Jay J. Gallegos said the
Subic after its English publication, The victory of the school organ is credited to
Excelsior, won its bid as the country’s the editors and staff members who labored
Best School Paper while its Filipino a lot in the production of the school paper,
publication, Ang Tore, clinched 3rd in to RSHS head Inocencio T. Balag who
Features Page. poured financial and moral suppport, and
The Excelsior, four-time Best School to Isabela Journalism Coordinator Arturo
B. Nano for his recommendations in the
improvement of the publication’s contents.
 2
The Isabela
April 2014 OPINION CHRONICLE
EDITORIAL
Back on track
Region 02 is back as powerhouse in campus journalism.
From its lousy performance in the past press conferences,
it shifted its gears and joined the roster of top performing
regions in the 2014 National Schools Press Conference
(NSPC) – it even left CALABARZON, last year’s top grosser
in individual contest, trailing on third place.
Unlike its performance in the past where only two or
three campus journalists (CJs) grabbed awards in the
individual category and one or even empty-handed in the
battle of school papers, the region recorded a historic feat
this year as it ranked 2nd overall in the individual contest,
seventh in the group contest, and 5th in the overall ranking
among the 17 competing regions in the country. Thanks to
the region’s training mechanism for making the delegates
strong contenders.
What made its performance more historic is the
achievements of its school paper entries in the group contest.
Five secondary campus publications from the region spotted
places in different categories. It even gained the title as the
home of the best school paper in the country – a proof that

R02 has evened itself to the country’s top producing regions
of school papers such as NCR, CALABARZON, and Central
Luzon that consistently made it to the top of the roster.
The “Dolphinic” leap of Cagayan Valley (CV) to the NSPC
is the result of the joint efforts of the prime movers and
shakers of journalism in the region, the DepEd officials
who fueled the delegates with moral and financial support,
the journalism coordinators who armed the CJs with the
tricks of the trade, the teacher-trainers who worked beyond
the working hours just to ensure the winning stint of their
mentees, and the student-contestants themselves who made
the great battle. Indeed, they did work in perfect rhythm,
and their efforts paid off.
Region 02 finished the NSPC race with a historic feat and
it aims to soar higher next year. This seems so impossible but
as what OIC Regional Director Atty. Sebastian Tayaban said,
“Believe, you can win,” and we did win – more than what we
have expected.
The Isabela
CHRONICLE
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF DEPED-ISABELA
EDITOR IN CHIEF: Anthony M. Navor
EDITORIAL BOARD
HATS OFF
EDNA A. PASAMONTE, Ph.D.
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
Hats off to Isabela division delegates who made big names in
the 2014 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Subic.
Winning in the national level is indeed a great feat for one
needs to match wits with the best of the best in the country.
Fortunately, three of our NSPC delegates proved that Isabela
cradles top campus journalists as they bagged second and sixth
places in Photojournalism-English and sixth place in Sports
Writing-English.
Our two school papers, The Excelsior and Ang Tore of the
Regional Science High School (RSHS) also contributed a lot in
the region’s 5th overall ranking for raking two championship
titles, one third place and three sixth places in Group Contest
(School Paper Category). This is an achievement worth bragging
for because Isabela division is truly the home of the best school
papers in the country.
The achievements of our campus journalists and school
papers are indeed the best feathers on our cap and DepEd-
Isabela is grateful for putting the division in the limelight. We

ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Glenda I. Pira
WRITERS: Jay J. Gallegos, Edlyn M. Baui, Valen Joy B.
Reyes, Marlou B. Yadao, Jesusa Molina, Milet B. Yadao,
Flordeliza Baquirin, Prince John Fer L. Paraggua, Aleja
Banaga, Shania Vie T. Bautista, Jamaica B. Ramos, Clifton
Gene B. Daquioag, Remse Khen P. Marayag
PHOTOJOURNALISTS: April B. Caballes & Eliza Grace A. Ramiro
Cartoonists: Aeron G. Aquino & Angelo delos Reyes
LAYOUT ARTISTS: Roy John A. Cruz & Emmanuel Bernardino
DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATION: Arutro B. Nano
CO-DIRECTOR: Emilia E. Estudillo
ADVISERS: OIC-ASDS Madelyn L. Macalling
OIC-ASDS Maritess L. Llanes
OIC-ASDS Alfredo B. Gumaru Jr.
OIC-ASDS Reynante Z. Caliguiran
CONSULTANT: Edna A. Pasamonte, Ph. D.
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
salute the school paper-advisers and coaches who never ceased
to hone and nurture the best in their mentees, the school heads
who poured their support in the campus journalism endeavor
of the division, and to the journalism gurus OIC-ASDS Alfredo
B. Gumaru Jr., EPS Arturo B. Nano and EPS Emilia E. Astudillo
who combed schools, even penetrating integrated schools in the
division, just to give SPAs and CJs the know-hows of campus
journalism. You all uplifted Isabela’s performance in the national
level. Two-thumbs up and hats off for a job well done.
We’ve made a big name and you are all called to continue
excelling in the field. This can only be done through commitment
and passion in journalism because the fusion of the two makes
one a winner; and this is the winning formula of our CJs and
SPAs who made it to the top spot in the NSPC.
May this achievement serve as an inspiration for others. Let
commitment and passion ripple to ensure good harvest in the
next NSPC.
 3
The Isabela
CHRONICLE F E AT U R E S April 2014

EXCELSIOR
Roller coaster ride of

BY SHANIA VIE T. BAUTISTA EXCELSIOR CHIEF EDITOR

I
entered high school as normal as
anybody else. I wore the same sky blue
uniform paired with white socks and
black shoes everyday. I was the typical
Regscihyer in the eyes of many, but to my
Journalism teacher, I was more than that.
It was all back in my junior year when my English teacher Sir
Jay J. Gallegos suddenly asked me to stand up. Truth is, I was
expecting that he would humiliate me in front of our class since
I was not paying attention moments before he mentioned my
name, but his next words shocked the spirits in me, “You are the
next Chief Editor of The Excelsior.”
To occupy the highest seat in the school publication is hard
enough, but to be the frontliner of an award-winning school
paper is an insane responsibility to fulfill, especially to a girl as
easily-distracted as I am. Besides, I’ve been a I was indeed so pressured because the past Chief Editors–Kuya
feature writer all my life, and this troubled me a Ron, Ate Mitzi, and Ate Ina made the publication the four-time
lot for I was given a task traditionally assigned to Best School Paper in the region, but I trusted Sir Jay and my co-
editorialists. editors enough to guide me through the excruciating process.
The making of the winning issue of The Excelsior was indeed
a roller coaster ride. It had huge bumps: staying up all night to

M TORE’S
beat stressful deadlines, and smooth curves: having to be part of
the portal of Regscihyers to the outside world.

oment
Ang Tore, Filipino
publication of the Regional
Science High School (RSHS)
featured Cagayan Valley’s
treasures such as its pristine
beaches, world-class delicacies,
the endangered Ludong, the rich
cultural heritage of the Itawes,
and the resilience of its people.
All these were arranged
thematically in Tore’s
features page making
it third place in the
2014 NSPC.
Like most winners, it also has its own downfalls. It was my
year as the EIC when it placed second overall in the RSPC.
Eventhough I knew it was still a part of the qualifiers to the
NSPC, I was still frustrated, even disappointed, with myself.
It was days after graduation when Sir Jay called my
attention again. This time he didn’t ask me to stand up, but
the anxiety and joy I felt was exactly the same. He told
me the good news: The Excelsior raked five awards in the
NSPC, making it the country’s Best School Paper.
To say I was across-the-moon happy would even make
an understatement and honestly, I didn’t even know it could
happen since The Excelsior battled with the best of the best in
the country. It was then when African hero Nelson Mandela’s
words made sense, “It always seems impossible until it is done.”
I entered high school as normal as anybody else, but I left
it as the Chief Editor of the Best
School Paper of the Philippines.

THROWBACK
The name “Excelsior” was coined by its first publication adviser Madelyn L.
Macalling, Ph.D., who is now the OIC-ASDS of the Isabela division. The term is
Latin in origin which literally means “higher”– an embodiment of the Regional
Science High School tagline “Center of Excellence.” From its first circulation in
1996, the publication drew admiration from its readers for it went beyond school
events/achievements reporting as it included in its pages social, political, and
environmental issues which mobilized its readers into action. Today, it continues
to do just that and it makes sure that it excels higher every year.
ISABELA
Cradle of top-caliber
Journalists