UC Hosts Campus Journalism Masterclass 2025: Empowering Student Voices and Promoting Media Literacy

By: Justine Mae Berceles Carino

Supporting Global Goals for Sustainable Development

The Campus Journalism Masterclass 2025 aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 4: Quality Education (Indicator 4.7.1 – Ensure learners acquire knowledge and skills for sustainable development, human rights, and global citizenship)
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (Indicator 16.10.2 – Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms)
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals (Indicator 17.17.1 – Strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development)

Baguio City, Benguet – May 28–29, 2025

Against the highland chill of Session Road and beneath the storied arches of the University of the Cordilleras (UC), the Campus Journalism Masterclass 2025 unfolded at UC’s BRS Building, Room U401. Organized by The Alternative, UC’s official student publication, the two-day event carried the theme “Ask. Learn. Tell. Empower.”, reaffirming that student journalism is alive and thriving.

A Gathering of Minds

The masterclass brought together representatives from college publications including Sleuth (CCJE), PSS Manifesto (CAS), Eureka (CBA), Les Aconter (COA), and others. The event opened with remarks from Ms. Jennifer Malayo, SDW Officer, followed by technical briefings from Mr. Jefferson Delmendo, adviser of The Alternative.

Day One: Editorial Depth and Technical Prowess

Sessions featured UC journalism leaders:

Opinion Writing (English & Filipino): Lehjane Krisel Layagan, Zheann Angelada
Feature Writing & Development Communication: Precious Sanchez, Rasbemae Sapitula
News Writing: Kinu Cabading
Sports & Literary Writing: Jennylyn Carbonell

Day Two: Creativity and Visual Storytelling

Workshops spotlighted artistic journalism:

Editorial Cartooning: Marcela Sofia Solis
Comic Strip & Literary Graphics: Maria Orcullo, Nicole Juliane Aboy
Lay outing: Juryvee Sison, Krhianne Dale Velasquez
Photojournalism: Chantal Vega

Workshops and Competitions

Participants applied their skills in simultaneous workshops, producing outputs judged by experts including Ave Joie Malidom, Jiro Maeda Dela Cruz, Anthony Cedric Navalta, Precious Sanchez, Rasbemae Sapitula, and Avedrick Valencia.

Top Performers

News Writing: Aidalyn S. Umaming (Les Aconter, COA)
Editorial & Column Writing: Jimrose S. Gramaje (CAS)
Editorial Cartooning: Samia M. Wadwadan (Sleuth, CCJE)
Feature Writing: Jameelah G. Sison (PSS Manifesto, CAS)
Poetry Writing (English): Justine Mae B. Cariño (Eureka, CBA)
Poetry Writing (Filipino): Julius Caesar T. Calias (Sleuth, CCJE)
Highest Individual Points: Justine Mae B. Cariño (Eureka, CBA)
Top Performing College: College of Criminal Justice Education

Highest Individual Points: Justine Mae B. Cariño (Eureka, CBA)
Top Performing College: College of Criminal Justice Education

Finding Confidence in the Spotlight: Reflections

For Kinu Cabading, an Alternative feature writer, hosting for the first time meant managing the entire program under immense pressure.

“I was unsure how to handle it at first, having only worked on technical aspects before. But I’m incredibly happy that I pulled through,” he shared, grateful for the opportunity to amplify voices within the student journalism sphere.

Similarly, Marcela Sofia Solis, another Alternative officer for layout and editorial cartooning, saw hosting as an avenue for self-growth.

“I’m very introverted, so I wanted to challenge myself—almost like exposure therapy. At first, I struggled, but eventually, I got used to it,” she reflected, appreciating the chance to connect with new people.

Meanwhile, Justine Mae Cariño, one of five representatives from Eureka Publication (CBA), arrived with a simple goal to fulfill a course requirement.

“I didn’t come here to be the best—I came here to learn. The exercises challenged what I thought I already knew, and that anxiety turned into something meaningful,” she said. Unexpected awards reinforced the value of experimentation and growth.

A Celebration of The Pen Living On

As cameras clicked and farewells were exchanged, the Campus Journalism Masterclass 2025 ended on a high note—participants left with enriched perspectives, sharpened skills, and a renewed sense of purpose. The event was not merely a lesson in reporting and writing; it was a movement, a declaration that truth-telling and empowerment belong in the hands of the youth.

From Sleuth’s investigative edge to Eureka’s prose, from Manifesto’s fearless narratives to Les Aconter’s poetic reflections, the masterclass proved that student journalism is not just about telling stories—it is about telling them well.