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Photojournalist Rene Lumawag of Sun.Star Davao and Philippine News Agency General Santos City bureau chief Rommel Rebollido, were awarded full scholarship for their “commitment to photojournalism, strong motivation for professional growth and leadership potentials.”
Lumawag and Rebollido belong to the third batch of Mindanawon journalists granted full scholarships. Cagayan de Oro City’s Froilan Gallardo of MindaNews and Zamboanga City-based Charlie Saceda of Philippine Star were among the scholars in the first batch.
The Mindanawon scholars in the second batch are Keith Kristoffer Bacongco of Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, formerly of MindaNews and now of the campaigns paralegal staff of the Legal and Natural Resources Center and Jose Aurelio “Toto” Lozano of Koronadal City, a freelance video editor and mentor/motivator for Oxfam and International Youth Partnerships.
Gallardo and Saceda graduated in May this year.
Classes for the batch of Lumawag and Rebollido will begin November 12 this year and will end on October 4 next year. The batch will have two on-campus sessions while other subjects will be offered partly or entirely online.
The ACFJ “pursues its mission through a scholarship and financial assistance program that supports the advanced studies of outstanding photojournalists who are making valuable contributions to the promotion and growth of photojournalism in their communities.”
“Recognizing that other fields and sectors in society influence the work of a photojournalist, the program also supports the photojournalism studies of outstanding professionals in allied fields whose work impact on the practice of good journalism. The scholarship program is a key facet of the ACFJ Photojournalism Program developed with the World Press Photo Foundation,” the ACFJ brochure said.
Dr. Violet Valdez, Executive Director of the ACFJ said in her letter to the fellows that she hopes “you will do well in the program and will take full advantage of this chance to hone your skills and talent in photojournalism to enhance your career and enable you to contribute more to your newsroom and community.”
The ACFJ also offers an MA Journalism program specifically designed for working journalists.
Among those granted full scholarship for MA Journalism is MindaNews editor Carolyn O. Arguillas who obtained her degree in March this year. (MindaNews)