Special Clarion

𝐀𝐊𝐒𝐒 - 𝐇𝐒 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐛 𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 ‘26

Words By: Sabrine Joy Laigo
Photos By: Sabrine Joy Laigo, Stephen Boado

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Agoo Kiddie Special School (AKSS) clinched the championship title in the Short Film Making competition of UP Namnama – Sirib ken Saririt ‘26, held on March 21–22 at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – Mid La Union Campus (DMMMSU-MLUC), with its entry Sarmingkad ti Hustisya.

Written by Sabrine Joy Laigo and Stephen Boado, Sarmingkad ti Hustisya tackles the harrowing theme of Extrajudicial Killings (EJK). The plot follows a seventeen-year-old boy who witnesses the ex*****on of his parents, only to find himself trapped between the sanctuary of the church and the barrel of a gun.

"We wanted to make a film that wouldn't just win," Laigo stated. "We wanted to give a message. It was only an idea from scratch... Who knew we'd reach this far?"

The production was a collaborative triumph involving:
• Direction: Sabrine Joy Laigo
• Writing: Stephen Boado and Sabrine Joy Laigo
• Cinematography & Editing: Brianne Xane Caraig
• Lead Cast: Prince Gian Alicudo and Shannon Dylan Bilog
• Supporting Cast: Mary Ydelwies Alibayan, David Matthew Balancio, Bernard Balbin, and Ezekiel Torio, Stephen Boado

"Dreaming of winning the Regional Finals since junior high, and now, for one last time, I did it, WE did it." Boado expressed, "We didn’t expect it, but we still won."

The team also credited their coaches, Mark Jxy Dela Torre and Hazel Anne Eslava, for their unwavering presence from the initial messy plot pitch to the final awarding ceremony.

"This win is not just a trophy, but a testament to your patience, effort, hardwork and sacrifices." their Coach Teacher Jxy said, "Congratulations, me and Teacher Hazel, are beyond proud of each one of you!!"

After securing third place in the provincial eliminations, the AKSS Short Film Team made a strong comeback, ultimately winning the championship. # # #

The Special Clarion family extends its warmest and most heartfelt congratulations to our outstanding winners in the Regional Schools Press Conference 2026 (RSPC) held in Batac City, Ilocos Norte last March 10 - 13, 2026.

Your remarkable achievement is a testament to your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence in the field of journalism.

You have not only brought pride and honor to our publication, but also inspired your fellow student-journalists to strive for greater heights. Your hard work, perseverance, and love for truth and storytelling have truly paid off.

As you move forward to even greater challenges, may you continue to uphold the values of integrity, responsibility, and excellence. The entire Special Clarion family stands proud of you and fully supports your journey toward national recognition.

Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved success!

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 !!!

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐑. 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐃𝐎 (𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫)
𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑-𝐔𝐏
SHS ILOCO ESSAY WRITING CONTEST
Women's Month Celebration
Theme: "PAMMIGBIG: WEmen Participation in the School Community."
Spearheaded by :
Social Studies Specialists
DMMMSU - SLUC
College of Education, through its Academic Organization SEGDEN Silnag-Biag Organization
March 6, 2026

Another Achievement Unlocked!

𝐀 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝟑𝟒 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 :
𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - February 24-25, 2026

Photos by: Jexanne Agatha Macatiag

𝐀𝐊𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐒𝐏𝐂 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐒𝐏𝐂

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐛𝐲: 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐀𝐧𝐧 𝐍. 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐨
𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬: 𝐉𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐠

With pens sharpened by passion and minds trained for truth, AKSS -HS journalists proved that campus journalism is alive and thriving after bagging top awards in the recently - concluded 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐃𝐒𝐏𝐂) held at Don Eufemio Eriguel Memorial National High School on February 26 – 27, 2026.

Competing against the winners of the different clusters of the Division of La Union, the team showcased exceptional talent in the different contest categories

Leading the roster of winners was 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐓 𝐑. 𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐁𝐀𝐘, who clinched 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 in English Feature Writing (English). Her travelogue highlighted the illuminating beauty of La Union

“𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘬𝘢𝘴𝘪 𝘱𝘰 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘬𝘰 𝘴𝘢 𝘙𝘚𝘗𝘊. 𝘐 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘯𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘯𝘢 𝘢𝘬𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘰—𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘰 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘨 𝘢𝘬𝘰...𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦! 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘎𝘰𝘥'𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐'𝘮 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘮,” Lacbay said.

Meanwhile, 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐉𝐎𝐄𝐅 𝐁𝐑𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐌. 𝐎𝐏𝐄Ń𝐀𝐍𝐎 also secured 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 in Filipino Editorial Cartooning, demonstrating exceptional creativity and sharp critical insight as he boldly tackled the issue of political dynasty—using compelling imagery and pointed symbolism to highlight its impact on democracy and equal opportunity.

“𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘈𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘴 4:13, “𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘮𝘦.” 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘠𝘰𝘶, 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘵 𝘋𝘚𝘗𝘊 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘰-𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩. 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦, 𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘐𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘚𝘗𝘊. 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺.”

𝐒𝐀𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐉𝐎𝐘 𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐆𝐎 landed 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 in English Column Writing, demonstrating exceptional analytical depth and persuasive insight as she tackled the confirmation of charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte—presenting a well-grounded argument that examined its implications on justice, accountability, and the rule of law.

"𝘈𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮 𝘢𝘴 𝘌𝘐𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘋𝘚𝘗𝘊 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 2𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘑𝘖𝘜𝘙𝘕𝘦𝘺." Laido stated.

Rounding out the list of achievers were other talented AKSS journalists who likewise brought pride to the school with their outstanding performances:

𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋𝐈 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 – 4𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐘 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐈𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐎 – 5𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐉𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐀 𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐍 – 7𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

The other participants likewise displayed commendable courage and passion in their writing. Even if they did not make it to the Top 7, their hard work and commitment to journalism truly deserve acknowledgment and praise.

𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐀𝐧𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐨 – 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐁𝐞𝐚 𝐑𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐲 – 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐀𝐜𝐞𝐤𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 – 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐆𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐀𝐨𝐚𝐲 – 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐊𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐢 𝐃𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠 – 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦
𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚 – 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦
𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐳 – 𝐒𝐜𝐢-𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐗𝐲𝐳𝐚 𝐌. 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧 – 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐚𝐧 – 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚 – 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

School Paper Adviser / Coach, Mr. Bert B. Geneta expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement.
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘭𝘺—𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴,” 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘢 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥. “𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.”

The competition, organized by the Department of Education- Division of La Union, aims to promote responsible journalism, ethical reporting, and critical thinking among learners.

First place, second place and third place winners will advance to the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC), in Batac City, Ilocos Norte this March 2026 where they will represent La Union on a bigger stage.

Indeed, in a time when information travels fast and truth is tested, these young writers stand firm—proving that journalism in the hands of the youth is both powerful and promising. # # #