Welcome to the
SPECIAL PROGRAM IN JOURNALISM
 |  |  |
|---|
What is SPJ?
The Special program in Journalism (SPJ) was developed to enrich the experiences, hone the journalistic skills and competencies of student-writers and to strengthen free and responsible journalism.
​
This program supports R.A. 7079 (Campus Journalism Act of 1991) which mandates the Department of Education “to conduct and implement programs in various aspects of journalism,".
​
For more information: FAQ on Special Program in Journalism (SPJ)
SPJ aims to:
Strengthen free and responsible journalism in secondary schools;
• Identify areas of development in various aspects of journalism;
• Formulate concrete plans of action for the pilot implementation of the program;
• Orient the participants on the program, its scope, target clientele, implementing guidelines and its learning standards;
• Enhance students’ and teachers’ journalistic skills and competencies;
• Promote a spirit of camaraderie, cooperation and commitment of our youths to contribute to the common good, national unity and progress;
• Ensure commitment and shared responsibility towards attainment of program goals.
​
For more information: FAQ on Special Program in Journalism (SPJ)
History
Tarlac National High School (Main) offers four curriculums in Junior High School. One of these JHS curricular offerings is the Special Program in Journalism (SPJ). The program is a four-year course on journalism at the secondary level. It is designed to develop the learners’ skills in mass communication, print, online and broadcast media. It focuses on two specializations, Journalism and Advanced English.
SPJ was implemented in Tarlac National High School on June 1, 2013 from the idea of the school principal, Dr. Yolanda M. Gonzales. Papers were submitted to the Bureau of Secondary Education, and it was approved. Mrs. Joan T. Castillo became the SPJ Coordinator. Upon the establishment of the Special Program in Journalism, Blessedy M. Cervantes proposed a publication for the SPJ to Dr. Yolanda M. Gonzales in 2013. During the same school year, Dr. Cervantes led the publishing of the first-ever issue of the newsletter which served as the official publication of the SPJ. Since then, SPJ Chronicle has been producing its issue every school year.
On the first year of implementation, Cervantes became the teacher of Basic Journalism while Pilipinas Mendoza was in charge of the Advanced English subject. Before the enrollment, the program was advertised. Posters, flyers and notices were shown to the incoming Grade 7 students to inform them that SPJ is being offered in TNHS. Admission was opened to incoming Grade 7 learners who had obtained an average of at least 88% in English and Filipino and a general average of 85% and above in Grade Six, who exhibit talent in journalism and who had passed the qualifying test and interview that was conducted by the school. There were exactly 54 enrollees of SPJ in 2013. In line with the curriculum, the Young Journalists Organization was established and Jairus Gabriel Cardinoza became the first president of the organization. During the third and fourth year of the SPJ's first batch, the students themselves organized the SPJ Culminating Activity and Press Conference. Currently, there are already 163 students under this program.
Until now, SPJ continuously waves its banner in Press Conferences and bags awards in different competitions from school, municipal, division, regional, and up to national level as well.
| | |
|---|
Activities
SPJians to hold Culminating Activity
By: Grade 10-Olivine | December 13, 2018
To expose the hidden talents of student journalists of Tarlac National High School (TNHS) Main, the coordinator and teachers of the Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) implemented various activities that is acclaimed every year on the curriculum's Culminating Activity.
The proclaimed Press Conference in the Culminating Activity is conducted to enhance the student's skills in writing with different categories such as News writing, Editorial writing, Feature writing, Sports writing, and the current approved category which is Online Publishing that is expected to launch on January 2019.
Inclined with the Press Conference is the well-known Speech Festival where the SPJians are trained to perform various tasks such as Extemporaneous Speech in individual category, and Speech Choir, Jingle, and Journ Way for group tasks.
"Developing teamwork, and sportsmanship at the same time is the goal because accepting results from competitions like reading and writing is the teacher's main objective to discover by the students" Joan T. Castillo (SPJ Coordinator) stated.
However, the Culminating Activity also implemented their newest activity, the Next Top Model where the votes being gathered from the Models are going to be the SPJians fund for their other activities.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |
Achievements
By: Jennalyn S. Peligrino | December 13, 2018
CDP defends title in RSPC
Tarlac National High School Collaborative Desktop Publidhing team ranks first place at the Regional Schools Press Conference 2018 at Malolos, Bulacan.
Tarlac National High School (TNHS) Collaborative Desktop Publishing team bagged the championship in the Regional Press Conference in Malolos City, Bulacan.
​
The team consists of seven members which are Adriel Kristine P. Ramos, Dion Alfonso D. Dipasupil, Darnell Y. Isla, Jandale D. Jimenez, Ralph C. Pajarillo, Christia Felice R. Espiritu and Raya Gabrielle T. Martinez. They faced hindrances, yet they managed to win and defend their title from the previous year.
​
"We left the receiving copy of our stuff, so our trainer and The Melting Pot adviser Ma’am Joan T. Castillo had to return to the school we stayed at to get it for us,” Espiritu said.
​
In addition, Espiritu stated that they didn’t manage to pass their output on time and thought that they would lose.
​
The team’s goal for now is to improve their skills in lay outing, master different styles and boost their journalistic skills.
​
"Based on our observation of the outputs we produced from the previous year and before the RSPC, our skills and writing improved a lot," Espiritu mentioned.
​
Espiritu also mentioned that their weakness is their time and they are working hard to beat the given time limit of four hours.
​
Another goal for them is to discover different strategies that will be advantageous for their team.
​
According to Espiritu, the CDP coach, Joan Castillo, suggested that each member of the team should learn how to layout to finish the task faster and easier. Recently, the team participated in the Regional Intensive Training in Olongapo City and is now preparing for the National Schools Press Conference that will be held on January 28-February 1, 2019, based on DepEd Memorandum No. 167, series of 2018.
Ang Supling bags award in RSPC
By: Alexandra C. Puebla | December 13, 2018
TNHS' School Publication (Filipino), Ang Supling ranks 3rd in Feature Page, 9th in Editorial Page and 10th in News Page on the last Regional Schools Press Conference 2018. (Photo By: Jeffrey A. Rosete)
The official School Newspaper (Filipino), Ang Supling received awards from Regionals School Press Conference School Paper Contest last month of November.
Ang Supling recognized as 3rd Place in Feature Page, 9th Place in Editorial Page, and 10th Place in News Page.
​
"It's It's very fulfilling for us, Supling staffers and writers, that the paper we worked so hard has been recognized by the region," Hannah Pili, Tagapagsulat ng Isports and Grade 7 SPJ student, said.
​
Pili stated that their goal is to bring the whole 'Ang Supling' to the Nationals with God's guidance.
​
"As a grade 7 writer, I still have 5 years to showcase my passion and skills, and I will not waste those 5 years," Hannah added. Hannah Pili is 4th Place in Sports Writing in NSPC held in Dumaguete last January when she was in Grade 6. Now that she is in Grade 7, she's ready to showcase her skills.
By: Jambermae B. Carpenter | December 13, 2018
SPJ studes win at RSPC 2018
Last November 21,2018 Collaborative and Desktop Publishing group English The Melting Pot of Tarlac National High School (TNHS) top rank at Regional School PressCon with the five outstanding Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) students.
​
“Nung opening ng program di kami nakaattend yung mga individual categories lang tas naiwan naming yung receding copy naming ng mga gamit namin”. Christia Espiritu (10-Olivine SPJ) stated.
​
Espiritu also stated that they are 40 minutes late during the competition.
​
Aside to Espiritu which is the editorial writer, former students of SPJ also part of Collaborative and Desktop Publishing group English The Melting Pot. Jandale Jimenez; feature writer and layout artist which also top as the 4th Outstanding Journalist of RSPC 2018,Christin Ramos; leader, Ralph Pajarillo; photo journalist, and Raya Martinez; Cartoonist and layout artist.
​
“The advantage of being SPJ student is that of course na hone yung abilities and journalism abilities naming na boost yung confidence naming in terms of speaking and writing” Jandale Jimenez former SPJ student stated.
Tarlac Province grabs the Overall
Championship title in RSPC 2018
By: Maria Christine E. Ulanday | December 13, 2018
Tarlac Province considered as the overall champion in Regional Schools Press Conference on November 21, 2018.
For this competition, the members of Collaborative Desktop Publishing team in secondary English felt the forceful pressure. In this competition 7 CJs or Campus Journalist won the First Place, they are Adriel Kristine P. Ramos, Dion Alfonso D. Dipasupil, Darnell Y. Isla, Jandale D. Jimenez, Ralph c. Pajarillo, Christia Felice R. Espiritu and Raya Gabrielle G. Martinez.
"I would like to thank our coach for her totally sacrifice for us to won this competition, and we will do our best for our School to be on top", Christia Felice R. Espiritu (10 - SPJ Olivine) said.
TNHS will compete for the National Schools Press Conferece (NSPC) having 28 qualifiers that will be held on January 28 to February 1, 2019 at Lingayen, Pangasinan.