"JOURNOFEST 2025: The Sentinel Times & QNHS' SPJ Journalism Summit"

By Sentinel Times Team A knowledge-packed summit where over 180 students and teachers from Quezon National High School engaged with journali...

By Sentinel Times Team

A knowledge-packed summit where over 180 students and teachers from Quezon National High School engaged with journalists Delfin Mallari Jr., Celine Tutor, Ruel Orinday, Danny Estacio, Tony Sandoval, Alyssa Reynalez, Jebel Musa, Jovertson Atienza, Kudik Cantos, and Gerald Palad at JOURNOFEST 2025. Organized by Sentinel Times & QNHS' SPJ Journalism and spearheaded by Arlene Aurin-Aliento and Mercy Ann Avenilla, the event, held at the Pacific Mall Activity Center on January 22-23, explored the challenges and rewards of a career in media. (Gerald Palad)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Not all heroes wear capes. Some wield pens and microphones, giving voice to the voiceless and challenging injustice. They are journalists, writers, broadcasters – heroes fighting for truth. They are watchdogs, truth-tellers, storytellers who weave narratives that can topple empires. Through ethical journalism, they inform the public, shaping our understanding of the world, and empowering citizens to make informed decisions that strengthen our democracy. But this noble pursuit is fraught with peril. Journalists around the world face increasing dangers, including restrictive anti-terror laws, extrajudicial killings, and the ever-present threat of violence.

Even in safer environments, they grapple with long hours, low pay, job insecurity, and the rising tide of disinformation that threatens to erode public trust in the media. It is in this challenging landscape that Quezon National High School, in partnership with the Sentinel Times, organized the "#JOURNOFEST2025 The Sentinel Times & QNHS' SPJ Journalism Summit." This summit aims to bridge the gap between seasoned media professionals and aspiring young journalists, fostering a space for shared experiences, insights, and knowledge crucial to the future of truth-telling.



The said summit ignited a passion for journalism in aspiring young minds from Quezon National High School. This partnership, spearheaded by SPJ Consultant, Arlene Aurin-Aliento, Cynthia Montemayor-Tadong, and SPJ Assistant Coordinator, Mercy Ann Avenilla, underscored a shared dedication to nurturing budding journalists. Held at the Pacific Mall Activity Center, the two-day event was a resounding success, filled with insightful sessions, expert guidance, and powerful speeches, leaving a lasting impact on the future generation of media professionals.

Themed "Finding Your Voice: From Student Journalist to Media Leader," the summit provided SPJ students with advanced training in source cultivation, investigative reporting, and multimedia storytelling. The event gathered over 180 participants, including students from QNHS' SPJ Journalism Summit and their teachers. The participants actively engaged in the speakers' discussions and bravely participated in the interactive activities, demonstrating their enthusiasm for learning and commitment to journalistic excellence.







The summit featured a diverse lineup of experienced journalists and media professionals who generously shared their expertise with the attendees. Ruel Orinday guided the students through the ethical considerations and responsibilities of journalists. Danny Estacio provided insights into the fundamentals of news writing, while Tony Sandoval shared his expertise in crafting compelling feature stories. Darcie de Galicia delved into the art of opinion writing, and Paolo Manuel Fule explored the nuances of sports writing.

Alyssa Reynalez showcased the power of visual commentary through editorial cartooning, and Jebel Musa highlighted the importance of visual storytelling through photojournalism. JOVERTSON ATIENZA shared insights into effective content creation and online communication strategies. Kudik Cantos provided practical tips for radio broadcasting, while GERALD PALAD offered insights into television broadcasting.







The ugly and the good of Journalism

Seasoned journalist Delfin Mallari Jr., senior correspondent of Inquirer, fondly known as Kosang Sonny, delivered a captivating keynote address, sharing his personal journey and insights gleaned from his extensive career. A Quezon High School alumnus, Mallari described himself as a college dropout with no formal journalism training. He recounted his unconventional path to a successful career in journalism, filled with "excitement, frustration, anger, joy, and danger," sharing anecdotes from his time covering the insurgency and highlighting the importance of balanced reporting.

“Ako si Delfin Mallari Jr., 70 years old. Kosang Sonny sa mga kapuwa news reporters. Isa akong college dropout, walang unit sa journalism o mass com courses. Napaligaw lang sa media.” (I am Delfin Mallari Jr., 70 years old. Kosang Sonny to fellow news reporters. I am a college dropout, with no units in journalism or mass communication courses. I just wandered into media.)





He shared his experiences covering various beats, including his time as an NPA reporter, where he had access to top leaders of the CPP-NPA. Mallari emphasized the importance of building trust and rapport with sources, even those with differing ideologies, to ensure balanced and accurate reporting. He also recounted a harrowing experience where he was ambushed and shot, underscoring the risks journalists face in pursuit of the truth.

He also touched on the evolving media landscape, urging aspiring journalists to adapt to new technologies and challenges while upholding journalistic integrity, “Ang tanging paalala ko lang sa inyo – magpakatatag kayo sa mga darating na hamon ng AI. Pero wag isasara ang pinto, Kailangang armasan na rin ninyo ang inyong sarili ng mga AI tools. Gamitin ang mapapakinabangan na hindi masasakripisyo ang integridad mo bilang mamamahayag.” (My only reminder to you is to be strong in the face of the coming challenges of AI. But don't close the door, you also need to arm yourselves with AI tools. Use what is beneficial without sacrificing your integrity as a journalist.)

Mallari ended his inspiring speech with a powerful call to action, urging the students to uphold press freedom and serve the public interest. “Sa munti kong naiambag sa pamamagitan ng aking mga pagbabalita, batid kong naging bahagi ako ng kasaysayan ng lalawigan ng Quezon at ng ating bansa... Ang tanging huling bilin ko sa inyo, huwag ninyo itong isusuko. Ipagpatuloy ang pakikibaka para manatili ang press freedom sa bansa at isulong ang interes ng sambayanang Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng malayang pamamahayag. Kailangan kayo ng ating bayan.” (With my small contribution through my reporting, I know that I have been a part of the history of Quezon province and our country... My only last instruction to you, do not give this up. Continue the fight to maintain press freedom in the country and promote the interests of the Filipino people through free journalism. Our country needs you.)

Celine M. Tutor, an established journalist with a diverse background in print and broadcast media, also graced the summit as a keynote speaker. Currently the News Editor of Monday Times Group of Publications and a writer for Eyewatch Newspaper, Tutor brings a wealth of experience to her roles as anchorwoman for Punto por Punto on DZAT Life Radio and co-host of StanUp Balikatan on Channel 6. Her career, which began with roles at DZEL and Pilipino Star Ngayon, exemplifies the multifaceted nature of modern journalism.

In her address, Tutor highlighted the demanding nature of media work, emphasizing the dedication and resilience required to succeed. “Mahirap maging media,” she stressed, “katulad ng ibang propesyon, kailangan ng sipag at tiyaga...” (It's tough being in media, like any other profession, it requires hard work and perseverance...)

She encouraged the students to be realistic about the challenges, especially at the beginning of their careers, and explained the financial realities of starting out in the field, particularly for those working on a commission basis. “Madaling sabihin na gusto maging media, pero madami struggle... pero kung magsisimula ka sa profession na ito at magvo-volunteer as field reporter o writer, per commission bases ang kikitain mo, saan aabot 'yan sa taas ng presyo ng mga basic commodities natin, hindi kasya.” (It's easy to say you want to be in media, but there are many struggles...but if you start in this profession and volunteer as a field reporter or writer, your earnings will be commission-based, which won't be enough with the high prices of our basic commodities.)

Building on this, Tutor offered crucial advice for those considering a career in journalism: “Kaya my piece of advice, sa pagkuha ng kurso dapat pag-aralan natin mabuti kung saan tayo mage-excel at kung saan tayo magaling.” (So my piece of advice, when choosing a course, we should carefully study where we will excel and where we are good at.)

Tutor also shared an anecdote about her mother, who had encouraged her to pursue education, highlighting the importance of lifelong learning and pursuing one's passions. She further emphasized the challenges of journalism, particularly the long and irregular hours, but also the importance of determination and credibility for success in the field.

Finding Your Voice in Journalism

In her closing remarks, organizer Nimfa Estrellado shared her own unexpected journey into the world of journalism. She recounted how her passion for writing was ignited in elementary school, but her path took a detour through architecture before fate intervened. Estrellado shared anecdotes about her mother, a former journalist who had inspired her love for the profession, and the challenges she faced in pursuing her own journalistic dreams.

She emphasized the transformative power of journalism in her life, particularly after the tragic loss of her father due to medical malpractice. "The tragedy of losing my father because of medical malpractice ignited a fire in me," she shared. "I needed to find my voice, speak out against injustice, and ensure that no one else suffers the same fate."

Estrellado ended with a powerful message to the aspiring journalists: "Just like me, you all have the power to find your voice and use it to make a difference. This summit has equipped you with the skills and knowledge to be ethical, compelling storytellers. Now, I urge you to go out there and tell the stories that matter, give voice to the voiceless, and inspire change in your communities. Continue to hone your skills, embrace the challenges, and never stop believing in the power of journalism."

She reminded the students of the unique opportunity they have at Quezon National High School to develop their journalistic skills and encouraged them to embrace the challenges and rewards of the profession. "Remember, journalism is not just a profession, it is an advocacy," she emphasized. "You are the eyes and ears of the public, and your words have the power to enlighten, inspire, and shape a more just society."

Estrellado left the students with a final challenge: "Use your voice for truth and justice. Don't be afraid to speak up, especially when the welfare of the majority is at stake. Be a defender of truth and be the voice of the voiceless. More than that, I challenge you to be leaders – leaders with integrity, leaders with conviction, and leaders who are willing to use their platform for the betterment of society."

This year's JournoFest marks the second successful journalism summit organized by The Sentinel Times. The first summit, a free online webinar held in 2019, featured a reputable speaker lineup including Belinda Otordoz of Manila Times, Paul Eric Roca of Manila Bulletin, Renato Dilan of Manila Timee, Angelo Amisola of Local Government of Mulanay, Joy Gabrido of Radyo Pilipinas, Zhander Cayabyab, and Earlo Bringas of Net 25, and was hosted by Shai Garcia. With an inspirational message from PIA Quezon Officer Joselito Giron, the event proved to be a valuable resource for aspiring journalists across the Philippines. Building on this success, The Sentinel Times continues its commitment to providing accessible journalism training and fostering the next generation of media professionals.

The summit instilled a renewed sense of purpose in the students, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to become ethical and compelling storytellers. The partnership between QNHS and The Sentinel Times serves as a model for future collaborations, ensuring the continued growth and development of young journalists in Quezon Province.