Lifenews Joins Point One 2025, Given Special Citation
Journalism staffers of MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) received a Special Jury Citation for the excellent content, clean layout, and amazing overall impact of their five-page broadsheet at the Point One 2025: Bridging the Gap event held at the Ateneo de Manila University last January 18.
Hosted by Ateneo’s Guidon publication, the seminar-style forum and competition brought together campus journalists of various high school publications, including MGCNLCA’s Lifenews, as it aimed to raise awareness about the blurred lines between fact and fiction in the digital landscape, particularly in light of the upcoming elections.
Several industry experts shared valuable insights during the event, led by University of the Philippines Associate Professor Danilo Araña Arao, who emphasized the role of journalism amidst the upcoming midterm elections and how journalists can harness the power of social media to inform and empower voters.
TV5 reporter Briane Basa highlighted the importance of creating content not only for television but also for social media, as these perspectives provide valuable insights to the audience.
Meanwhile, Lifenews Head Adviser and Senior High School teacher Richelle Sy-Kho, a former GMA7 reporter and the outgoing president of the Philippine Association for Media and Information Literacy, rounded up the roster of speakers as she discussed strategies for combating disinformation and misinformation in the digital era.
A highlight of the forum was a culminating activity where participants were tasked to apply the skills and lessons learned throughout the day. Working in groups, each school created its own interactive articles, TV broadcast reports, and broadsheet layouts. Their outputs focused on real-life scenarios, such as a reelectionist filing their candidacy despite being implicated in mishandling funds for a housing project, an ordinary citizen negatively impacted by the project, and a vlogger running for senator despite being under the age requirement.
The Monitor from Muntinlupa Science High School secured first place, followed by Sapientia Et Virtus from the School of Saint Anthony as the first runner-up and The Lazettes from La Salle Greenhills as the second runner-up.
MGCNLCA's Lifenews team included Berea student Angelina Joyce Go; Damascus student Hope Keila Ng; and Olive students Faith Caitlin Ng, Keane Cedric Ty, Colleen Mishaelle Cham, Sofie Jillian Tan, and Bellina Patrice Fontarum, who collaborated to produce the award-winning broadsheet.
