By Shayne Elizabeth T. Flores

FEU Advocate Features Officer-in-Charge Eunhice Corpuz was recognized for her Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education in a School Organ at the 20th Lasallian Scholarum Awards (LSA), held at the De La Salle University (DLSU) Verdure, Henry Sy Sr. Hall last March 13.

Among the 11 finalists under the feature article by a school organ category, Corpuz’s article ‘A tale of the Lumad Schools: Trailing mounts of deprivation towards academic recognition,’ published in September 2024, was hailed winner.

The award-winning piece tackled the Lumad community’s struggles, as well as perseverance in attaining education amid school shutdowns, ancestral land grabbing, and militarization. It highlighted volunteer ‘Teacher Mayka,’ who served as hope for the Lumad community.

FEU Advocate junior Filipino Writer Hanz Joseph Ibabao also made it into the finalists with his article ‘Walang Katapusan na Pagkahumaling: Nakakubling Panganib ng Infinite Scrolling sa Kaisipan ng mga Kabataan’ published in December 2023.

In 2023, FEU Advocate’s former Managing Editor Arvene John Dela Cruz and former Patnugot ng Filipino Norwin Trilles were recognized for their Outstanding Media Coverage on Youth and Education in a School Organ at the 18th LSA.

On the other hand, the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s article, ‘Why are more students graduating with Latin honors?’ by Pam Pastor was recognized as Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education in a Nationally Circulated Publication.

The Outstanding Feature Story on De La Salle University award was given to DLSU's ‘Coffee Science Class Proves There's So Much Behind Making the Perfect Brew’ article by Christa De La Cruz of Spot.ph.

GMA News Online received the Outstanding Online Feature Story on Youth and Education award for its three-part article, ‘The Cost of Miseducation: Task at hand for PH education,’ while GMA Integrated News’ digital documentary DigiDokyu's ‘Silid-aklatan sa Lansangan’ was awarded Outstanding Video Feature Story on Youth and Education.

Additionally, GMA Pictures was recognized for Outstanding Film Feature on Youth and Education ‘Firefly,’ directed by Zig Dulay.

Meanwhile, Patricia Evangelista of Rappler was hailed Outstanding Media Personality.

With the theme ‘Hayag,’ this year’s LSA highlights media practitioners’ continuous fight in upholding truth, excellence, and compassion, while inspiring the youth.

Entries were shortlisted by DLSU’s roster of award-winning faculty and field experts.

Among the external Board of Judges were University Fellow Clodualdo del Mundo Jr., Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Commissioner Arthur Casanova, Bato Balani Foundation Inc. Managing Director Natalie Christine Jorge, National Youth Commission Executive Director Leah Villalon, and DLSU faculty member Br. Richie Yap, FSC.

The winners all received certificates as a reward, while those in professional categories also received a sculpture designed by Toym De Leon Imao.

LSA is DLSU’s annual flagship awarding program that recognizes noteworthy media coverage on Filipino youth and education issues by both the national and campus press.

Corpuz was represented by FEU Advocate Probationary Features Writer Franzine Aaliyah Hicana during the awarding.

(Photo courtesy of Marc Tisbe/Archers Network)