3 PUP-COC journalism entries named finalists in PJRC 2026

Three works by journalism students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-College of Communication (PUP-COC) earned finalist spots in the upcoming Philippine Journalism Research Conference (PJRC) 2026, organizers announced Wednesday, Oct. 21.

In the investigative reporting category, “Waiving Rights: How Rizal 1st District’s Pedestrian Overpass Exclude the Vulnerable,” is among 10 finalists out of 42 total submissions. It exposes local footbridges' noncompliance with the Accessibility Law, focusing on a stalled elevator project in Taytay.

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (BAJ) 4-2N students Roselle Ochobillo, Ayumi Garcia, Mark Nelson Motil, Shifali Rivera, Arliz Torre, and Joel Vinluan authored the investigative piece.

Meanwhile, Nathalie Karl Yu from BAJ 2-2N showcased the struggles and resilience of lakeside communities through her photo essay titled “Give and Take: The Tides of Life.”

Selected as one of nine finalists from 15 submissions in the category, the photo essay captures the lived experiences of Laguna de Bay coastal residents while highlighting evacuees accustomed to Typhoon Uwan’s recurring floods.

Completing the roster of finalists from COC is “Rasyon,” a documentary produced by BAJ 2-1N students Raeka Alcaraz, Catherine Belardo, Alexa Dueñas, Angelo Masagnay, Charish Pey, and Alexa Rosales, which progressed out of 51 total entrants.

The film exposes the plight of a community in Dasmariñas, Cavite, reliant on water rotation amid frequent service cutoffs under PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation, a utility formerly owned by the Villar Group that holds 130 local water districts nationwide.

Among the finalists are staffers of The Communicator: Ochobillo (opinion writer), Yu (photojournalist), Pey (news writer), and Alcaraz (multimedia editor and illustrator).

All three entries will compete against works from other colleges and universities at the conference on Nov. 6, 2026, at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Media and Communication.

Article: Samuel Eneluna

Graphics: Justine Ceniza