Congratulations to the 2025 recipients of the Fred T. Gianan Outstanding Campus Journalist award!
Receiving a gold medal during their respective Moving Up or Graduation ceremonies are the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) qualifiers from the DepEd Division of Catanduanes: Macey Nicolet B. Arcilla(Newswriting English) and Jeremiah R. Madayag (Sci-tech Writing English) of Virac Pilot Elementary School (VPES); Collaborative Publishing English winners Gio Luis Alistair M. Vargas, Carl Jacob A. Tabios, Hailey Alushta Vargas, Kendralyn Matienzo, Celine A. Ku and Zeith Kyle Phoebus D. Tablizo, all of the Juan M. Alberto Memorial Elementary School (JMAMES), and Jasmine I. Zuniega of San Andres Central Elementary School; and, Justine Beaver R. Cabrera (Sports Writing Filipino) and Jian Franco V. Rubio (Photojournalism English), both of Catanduanes National High School.
After winning first place in their respective events at the Regional Schools Press Conference in Sorsogon City last Jan. 28-31, the campus journalists will be competing in their respective events at the NSPC to be held in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur this coming May 19-23, 2025.
*****
A daughter of Bato, Atty. Paz Benavidez II, who is the Assistant Secretary for Policy and Regulations at the Department of Agriculture (DA), recently brought honor to the country by being elected as the Chairwoman of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture during the 20th session held in Rome. Benavidez’s election is historic as she becomes the first Philippine representative to hold this prestigious position.
The Commission is the only permanent intergovernmental body of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) dedicated to biological diversity for food and agriculture, focuses on policies for the sustainable use, conservation, and equitable sharing of these essential resources.
Asec. Benavidez, who represented the Philippine delegation, will serve a two-year term as chairwoman, concluding in 2027 at the 21st session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA).
As chairwoman, she will lead discussions and decision-making processes, ensuring the smooth functioning of the FAO’s advisory body on genetic resources. Her leadership will play a key role in advancing global efforts to preserve and sustainably manage genetic resources for food and agriculture.
Atty. Benavidez is the daughter of former National Power Corporation plant engineer Jorge Gianan Benavidez of Palta, Virac and teacher Paz Marino Joson of Bato, and one of the sisters of the late Napocor President and Chief Pio Benavidez.
*****
TRUST THE LORD. It was time for the Sunday morning service to begin but there was no trace of the main preacher.
A young priest was asked to take his place. Worried out of his mind, he went to the bishop’s room. “What shall I do, bishop? They’re asking me to give a sermon and I don’t have anything prepared!”
“Trust the Lord, good man, trust the Lord.” said the Bishop. Having found no solution, the priest left and looked around for inspiration in the bishop’s Bible.
In there, he found card notes for a sermon and, praising the Lord, went ahead and gave the sermon with the notes.
Everyone loved his sermon and came to praise him after the service was over. Just then, the Bishop comes storming over and says, “Young man, you’ve used my cards that I was going to use for my service tonight! And what do you expect me to do now?”
The young priest replied, “Trust the Lord, good man, trust the Lord.”