The Iwag 2007 awardees from Ateneo de Iloilo
The Ateneo de Iloilo -- Sta. Maria Catholic School has four students who were bestowed with Iwag awards by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) 6.
They are Victor Robinson III, Christine Marie Sia, Jane Diane Sornito Castor and Jazelle Marie Naciongayo Nufable, all graduating high school students.
The Iwag Award is the highest among the Philippine Information Agency 6's recognition schemes for student writers who excel in development writing and had been actively involved in communication-related activities, as well as a regular participant to the yearly Basic Journalism Seminar-Workshops conducted by the PIA.
Learn more about these students' achievements, plans for college and their message to fellow graduates.
VICTOR ROBINSON III
Victor, the son of Janette and Victor Robinson is the Editor-in-Chief of Ripples and a consistent top student of his batch. In fact, he is the valedictorian.
He is the President of the Regional Editors' Guild, Vice President of the National Editors' Guild and Vice President of the Interact Club of Iloilo City.
Included in his achievements are: First runner-up in News Writing in English in the Quintin Yuyitung Awards for Campus Journalism in 2006, Most Outstanding Student in Region 6 in the PRISSAAP, 2nd Most Outstanding Campus Journalist of the DepEd in Region 6 ad champion in the Regional Broadcasting Confab Group Competition sponsored by the DepEd.
He is also one of the Top 15 Batang Lider for 2007 by the Haligi Foundation.
Victor, who topped the Iwag 2007, said that he expected the feat. "I have sacrificed a lot and given a lot of effort for Ripples."
He will take up AB Communications in the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), where he was accepted as a scholar.
For his graduation gift, Victor wants a new mobile phone. "I've had my Nokia 3315 for five years already," he said.
Here is his message to his fellow graduates: "Poverty should not be a hindrance to success. Through perseverance, determination and passion, you can break free from your comfort zones and soar up high."
CHRISTINE MARIE M. SIA
Christine is the daughter of Ma. Elna Sia and the late Lucio Sia
She is a multi-linguist as she knows how to speak Basic Mandarin, Basic French and Basic Deutsche apart from Hiligaynon, Filipino and English.
She said that being the editor of Flow, the Chinese publication of Ateneo de Iloilo-Sta. Maria Catholic School (ADI-SMCS), is hard but rewarding.
Her achievements include placing 4th in the UP Interhigh Debate in November 2006, runner up in Editorial in English and News Writing in English during the Golden Pen Awards in 2006, Iwag 2007 Awardee, second honors for Chinese in 2007 and Loyalty Awardee of Batch 2007.
If there's one wish she has for her graduation this coming March 23, it is for her mother, who is in Austria, to witness it. "If not, I'd like her to give me the key to the car because I know how to drive," she said, smiling.
Christine, who plans to take up AB Political Science in the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (Miag-ao), advised her fellow graduates to live life beyond the norm. "Keep on struggling and work within the bounds of your dreams. Don't take life for granted."
JANE DIANE SORNITO CASTOR
Jane is the daughter of Lourdes and Joe Marie Castor and she also speaks Chinese.
She is the editor of Coriolis Effect, the Science publication of ADI-SMCS.
Her achievements include being an Iwag 2007 Awardee, third honor in Chinese for 2007, runner up in Editorial Writing, Feature and News Writing during the Golden Pen Awards in 2006 and runner up for poem, short story and anecdotes writing during the Regional Literary Writeshop.
Jane plans to take up nursing at the West Visayas State University.
This is her message to her fellow graduates: "We make our own destiny and do your best in whatever endeavor you undertake."
JAZELLE MARIE NACIONGAYO NUFABLE
Jazelle, the daughter of Rachel and Alejandro Nufable is the head of Lagasaw, the Filipino publication of ADI-SMCS and the Managing and Filipino Editor of Ripples, the school's official student publication. She is also the chair of the Student Committee on Elections for 2006 to 2007.
She is a national qualifier for the National Schools Press Conference for 2006-2007 and one of the Top 10 Best Performing Students. She won first place in Copy reading and Headline Writing in Filipino during the Regional Schools Press Conference in 2006.
She is going to take up AB Psychology at the ADMU.
Jazelle said that she already received her graduation gift when her mother finally allowed her to study in the ADMU.
She advises her fellow graduates not to settle for Nursing only. "Don't be brainwashed by your parents when they tell you to take up Nursing. Life is not just about money," she said.
Jazelle is the batch's salutatorian.