User:Adrian attacks/University-of-San-Agustin-Publications

The University of San Agustin (USA) Publications (USA Publications, informally known as USA Pub) is the official student press corps of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City, Philippines. Originally a high school publication of Colegio de San Agustin de Iloilo (former name of USA), it was founded on 1928 with its first recorded publication released on August 1928. The press corps publishes The Augustinian Mirror (magazine), The Augustinian (newspaper), Irong-irong (literary journal), Dingding ni Gusting (community wall newspaper), and other special issues.

Today it is one of the most awarded college press corps in the Philippines. It has received its first national distinction when The Augustinian Mirror was adjudged as one of the three best-edited school magazines in the country during the late 1950s.

Early Years
The USA Publications started out as the official school organ of the old Colegio de San Agustin de Iloilo (now University of San Agustin). The need for a school publication was felt as early as 1927. The idea to have a publication came from high school students, Jose Mijares and Jose Sanchez. These students presented their plan to the school’s rector that time, Fr. Vidal Yraeta, O.S.A. who approved it without much ado. Jose Mijares was appointed as the first editor-in-chief with Jose Sanchez and Eduardo Campos as associate editors. Fr. Mariano Sapiña, O.S.A. was its first moderator and adviser.

The staff members were able to release the first issue of The Augustinian Mirror on August 1928. It came out in a 8-page tabloid form with its masthead using Old English Text font face.

Early International Exposition
Despite of an early age of establishment, the USA Publications had fast upgrades and was not only circulated in the school, rather, it reached the national and international scenes. The fast upgrades were characterized by great improvement in terms of equipment and library building.

Jose Sanchez, associate editor that time, gained distinction as the best national short story writer in a national contest. In April 1936, The Augustinian Mirror was exhibited in the exposition of Catholic press at the Vatican.

Post World War II
The USA Publications had to stop its operation during the Second World War. The Colegio was also closed for the same. However, in the second half of the 1940s, the resumption of the operations of the Colegio and the press corps were characterized by the evolution of The Augustinian Mirror from a tabloid form into a magazine. The first woman editor in the person of Josefa Contreras led the staff from 1946 to 1948.

It was on March 1, 1953 when the Colegio de San Agustin de Iloilo was granted University status by the Philippine Government making it the First University in Western Visayas. In 1954, during the Golden Jubilee of the University, Primo Esleyer became the editor-in-chief. Under his leadership, he was able to come up with a 110-page magazine which contained most of the events during the said anniversary.

On September 15, 1954, the first issue of The Augustinian was released during the rectorship of Rev. Fr. Isaac Insunza, OSA. The Augustinian was a monthly newspaper that was conceived to enable students to have more prompt appraisal of the happenings in the University.

In 1956, The Augustinian Mirror was a winner in a competition for school publications when it was given awards as Best College Magazine, Second Best Newspaper, Best Editorial Page, Best Sports Page, Second Best Literary Page. It was then adjudged as one of the three best edited school magazines in the National Collegiate Press Contest. The same title was awarded to the USA Publications in 1958.

In 1962, the USA Publications and other departmental publications of the University of San Agustin hosted the delegates coming from 22 campus publications in Western Visayas in celebrating the feast of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalism. Fr. Rafael Lopez was the moderator.

In 1966, The Augustinian Mirror editor-in-chief Wilfredo Segovia was elected national president of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) alongside with Daniel Florida Jr. of The Quezonian (official publication of the Manuel L. Quezon University). Segovia was one of the only two past national presidents of the CEGP who came from outside the Luzon.

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines was a national organization of campus journalists founded in 1931 by The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas, The National of the National University, The Philippine Collegian of the University of the Philippines and The GUIDON of the Ateneo de Manila University.

The Marcos Era
No issue of the publications came out in 1972-1973 during the first year of Martial Law declared by the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. The youngest editor of the USA Publications, in the person of Ma. Leah Rosana Ravena at the age of 16, led the staff in 1973-1974.

From 1976 to 1991, Anita Bellosillo served as moderator of the USA Publications.

In 1976, the first Regional College Press (COPRE) Conference and Awards was organized by the Ministry of Public Information VI (now the Philippine Information Agency Regional Office 6 or simply, PIA-6). It was first facilitated by the USA Publications and The Central Echo, the official school publication of Central Philippine University. Various colleges and universities from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental participated the event. Today, it is now solely organized by PIA-6 and is sponsored by Smart Communications, Inc. and the Canadian Urban Institute.

Since the beginning of COPRE, The Augustinian Mirror won Best College Development Communication Magazine; thus earning them the first Gawad Graciano Lopez Jaena Award for winning the said distinction for five consecutive years (1976-1981). The staff members were awarded a presidential trophy. The Augustinian Mirror also won the Antonio Tagamolila Award for its intelligent discussion of socio-political issues during the National Collegiate Press Conference organized by CEGP. The Augustinian, on the other hand, won Best Tourism-oriented Paper in Western Visayas from 1980 to 1982. It was awarded by the Department of Tourism.

In 1983, Raul Anlocoton and Jobert Yap received the Golden Presidential Awards for being part of the Outstanding Campus Writers in the Philippines. In 1984 and 1987, The Augustinian Mirror again won best magazine in COPRE.

The USA Publications editors monopolized the championship awards in the National Rizal Essay Writing Contest for seven consecutive years. Moreover, the “Most Outstanding Graduate” award of the University of San Agustin was also monopolized by its editors from 1977 to 1990.

The Nineties
In June 1991, when Bellosillo was appointed by the University of San Agustin to be the chairperson of the English Department, Flaviano Manalo took over the moderatorship. Under his stewardship, The Augustinian Mirror won its second Gawad Graciano Lopez Jaena for winning Best College Magazine from 1987 to 1992. In 1993, the PIA granted The Augustinian Mirror the privilege of not to compete in the yearly competition for five years. The Augustinian emerged as Best Newspaper in Western Visayas in the November 1995 COPRE Conference and Awards held at Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

After the expiry of the five-year exemption in 1998, Cynette Lovelyn Mirasol, editor, led The Augustinian Mirror to victory of winning again the Best College Magazine title in COPRE held at Roxas City, Capiz.

The New Millennium
The Augustinian Mirror and The Augustinian remained on top from 2000 up to its last reception of the third Gawad Graciano Lopez Jaena Award in 2004 which again gave them a privilege of not joining the Regional College Press Conference for five years. By this time, the USA Publications already had five of the said title, three for The Augustinian Mirror and two for The Augustinian.

On 2002, Diosdadita Arungayan took over the moderatorship. And on 2004, Carlos Palanca Memorial Awardee for Literature John Iremil Teodoro became moderator.

As an indication that the University of San Agustin was leading the way in publication efforts, the USA Publications organized the 1st Gusting Campus Journalism Seminar on October 19-20, 2004 at the campus. It was attended by more than 50 student journalists coming from various educational institutions in Western Visayas. The seminar continued for three years. The San Ag Campus Press Awards was also launched the following year. It was a regional press competition for publications in high schools, colleges and universities all over Western Visayas, both public and private.

The Augustinian Mirror from 2004-2008 transformed into a tourism-oriented magazine which has featured the various provinces in the country such as Cebu, Guimaras, Iloilo, Mindoro, and Palawan. On 2009, it was supposed to feature the Ilocos Region; however, with budget constraints, the staff decided not to push through with the plan. During the later part of this period, Erwin Sustento took over the position moderator when Teodoro transferred to another school in Metro Manila.

Irong-irong, the official student literary journal of the University was launched in 2005 with Arlene Moscaya as the first editor.

The last regional San Ag Campus Press Awards was then held on 2010. The Spectrum of the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental won the title, Best College Newspaper; while The Central Echo of Central Philippine University in Jaro District, Iloilo City won the title Best College Magazine.

Digital Era
On Academic Year 2009-2010, the USA Publications was the supposed comeback for the Regional College Press (COPRE) Conference. However, the staff decided to hold its last San Ag Campus Press Awards on 2010 and move their participation in COPRE that year. The editors that time were Jefferson Magbanua and Pietros Val Patricio.

On Academic Year 2010-2011, Jefferson Magbanua and Donna Isabelle Fresnido were the editors-in-chief. Gladys Confesor, on the other hand, took the challenge of being moderator of the USA Publications. This year was the comeback to press competitions. Developments were further done in the publications through the efforts of their managing editor, Ray Adrian Macalalag, who introduced the USA Publications to online visibility. The USA Publications joined the 2010 COPRE and the 1st Smart Communications Campus Blogsite Contest. A community wall newspaper was also launched under the supervision of Jerson Elmido and it won second best wall newspaper; The Augustinian Mirror place fifth Best College magazine; and the USA Publications placed fifth in the blogsite contest.

On Academic Year 2011-2012, the editors-in-chief were both replaced after Magbanua and Fresnido graduated. From 2006-2011, the editors came from the College of Arts and Sciences but this academic year came in with editors coming from other colleges. Mary Leslie Eregia, from the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, topped the qualifying examination and became the editor of the Mirror, while Ray Adrian Macalalag, from the College of Engineering and Architecture, took the second highest spot in the exam which earned him the title of being editor of The Augustinian. During this period, the USA Publications had further developments such as online edition of the publications they produced. They were able to join two competitions: the Spectrum Fellowship National Campus Press Awards organized by The Specturm of the University of St. La Salle and the COPRE which is co-organized by PIA-6 and Smart Communications, Inc.

The Augustinian placed fifth in Best Newspaper in COPRE while the entire USA Publications placed second in the 2nd Smart Communications Campus Blogsite Contest. Dingding ni Gusting placed first Best Wall Newspaper. Meanwhile, The Augustinian Mirror participated in the Spectrum Fellowship National Campus Press Awards and reaped Best Magazine, Best Magazine Layout, and Best Magazine Cover Design. Macalalag and Genessa Buenafe, associate editor, were named among the Ten Outstanding Campus Journalists in the national awards.

On Academic Year 2012-2013, the USA Publications was led by Macalalag and Josefa Maria Castro. The USA Publications gathered major developments on online visibility by launching its USA Publications News, a web newscast which is said to be the first ever to be done in Visayas if not the entire country. The web newscast was also part of their advocacy to use lesser quantity of paper. This advocacy was further strengthened by decreasing the size of their newspaper and using less-space-consuming fonts. This academic year was truly blessed after the USA Publications won both Best College Magazine and Best College Newspaper in the 9th Spectrum Fellowship National Campus Press Awards. Castro was awarded Best Opinion Article and Macalalag remained in the Ten Outstanding Campus Journalists. In COPRE, the USA Publications landed in first place in the 3rd Smart Communications Campus Blogsite Contest; Dingding ni Gusting won its two-peat for Best Wall Newspaper; The Augustinian landed as second Best College Newspaper; The Augustinian Mirror landed third Best College Magazine; and Irong-irong which debuted in the competition won third Best College Literary Folio.

Today, the USA Publications remains as one of the leading campus publications in the Philippines having a multifunctional website, and several titles both local and national.

The Augustinian Mirror
The Augustinian Mirror, or simply Mirror, is the official student magazine of the University of San Agustin. It was established on August 1928 after its publication of its first issue which is an eight-page tabloid. It also marked the foundation of the USA Publications.

The content of the magazine has varied throughout its history. It was first intended to be a newspaper until the later 1950s when The Augustinian was established. It usually contained news, features, and literary works in the past. However, after it changed its format into a magazine, only features, literary works, and sometimes editorials and opinions, appeared on its pages.

Today, The Augustinian Mirror has been standardized by the staff members with the following sections:

Aside from these sections, the Mirror also contains graphic pages which convey quotes with photographs. Infographics can also be seen on its pages.

The Augustinian
The Augustinian is the official student newspaper of the University of San Agustin. It has the following sections:

Irong-irong
Irong-irong is the official student literary journal of the University of San Agustin. It is published once every school year. It contains literary as well as artistic works of students, alumni, and faculty of the University. Irong-irong was started by John Iremil Teodoro who was then the moderator of the USA Publications.

Dingding ni Gusting
As a way to help the communities in far-flung places, the USA Publications publishes Dingding ni Gusting, a wall newspaper that contains local news, features, and opinion articles that will greatly benefit the community. It started on 2010.

Notable Alumni

 * Jobert Peñaflorida / Jobert Yap - (editor-in-chief) news anchor at TV Patrol Panay
 * Raul Gonzalez - (editor-in-chief) Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and was the Former Secretary of Justice of the Philippines.
 * Evalyn Ursua - (editor-in-chief) women's rights advocate and lawyer of Suzette Nicolas during the controversial Subic rape case
 * Isidor Cruz - (editor-in-chief) Palanca Memorial Award for Literature recepient

Past Editors
• 1927-1929	Jose Mijares

• 1929-1930	Luis Hervas

• 1930-1931	Celso Tabo

• 1931-1932	Salvador Campos

• 1932-1933	Isidro Lee

• 1933-1934	Enrique Garcia

• 1934-1935	Ramon Gonzales

• 1935-1936	Jesus Hervas

• 1936-1937	Ramon Gonzales

• 1937-1938	Lucas Locsin

• 1938-1939	Avelino Damian

• 1939-1940	Edgardo Sindico

• 1940-1941	Isidro Bretaña

• 1941-1945	None (WWII)

• 1945-1946	Rodolfo Jocson

• 1946-1947	Josefa Contreras

• 1947-1948	Josefa Contreras and Alberto Liboon

• 1948-1949	Felipe Pendon

• 1949-1950	Ramon Gonzales

• 1950-1951	Leopoldo Botavera

• 1951-1952	Raul Gonzales

• 1952-1953	Oscar Mabilog

• 1953-1954	Benito Gatpatan

• 1954-1956	Primo Esleyer

• 1956-1957	Ermelo Biron

• 1957-1959	Antonio Tagaro

• 1959-1960	Rodolfo Belita

• 1960-1961	Emelita Porras

• 1961-1962	Evelyn Camposano

• 1962-1963	Amelia Salvador

• 1963-1965	Rene Paroginog

• 1965-1966	Leonardo Sionzon

• 1966-1967	Wilfredo Segovia

• 1967-1968	Linda Marie Palma

• 1968-1969	Leodegario Tabios

• 1969-1970	Salvador Cabigayan

• 1970-1971	Deogracias Paredes

• 1971-1972	Eduardo Gonzales

• 1972-1973	None (Martial Law)

• 1973-1974	Ma. Leah Ravena

• 1974-1975	Teodoro Montelibano and Vicente Salas

• 1975-1976	Meriam Baniel and Sampaguita Monteblanco

• 1976-1977	Cecile Ariete and Leah Rosanna Ravena

• 1977-1978	Anna Marie Cornelio and Venerando Eclar

• 1978-1979	Henry Bueron Caspe and Anna Marie Cornelio

• 1979-1980	Roberto Berba and Cornelio Panes

• 1980-1981	Domingo Lazaro and Mylene Miciano

• 1981-1982	Sandra Anotado and Ramonito Velasco

• 1982-1983	Marvin Bionat and Ed Larry Brasileño

• 1983-1984	Leomil Aportadera and Raul Anlocotan

• 1984-1986	Evalyn Ursua and Jobert Yap

• 1986-1987	Edmund Faro and Mary Josephine Jardiolin

• 1987-1988	Edmund Faro and Naomi Cosette Rigor

• 1988-1989	Rey Saluba, Adon Matthew Visitacion, and Ivan Suansing

• 1989-1990	Jigger Latoza and Sylvia Yvonne Silveo

• 1990-1991	Jigger Latoza and Ernest Federiso

• 1991-1992	Benedicto Panigbatan and Mary Therese Esther Ita-as

• 1992-1993	Benedicto Panigbatan and Erna Elizan

• 1993-1994	Erna Elizan and Isidoro Cruz

• 1994-1996	Eric Divinagracia

• 1996-1997	Imelda Corros

• 1997-1998	Jenifer Gabrillos

• 1998-1999	Cynette Lovelyn Mirasol and Marie Gabriel Laguna

• 1999-2000	Cynette Lovelyn Mirasol

• 2000-2001	Romeo Montoya, Jr. and Jakeson Florido

• 2001-2002	Jakeson Florido and Cyril Paulmitan

• 2002-2003	Cyril Paulmitan and Jodelen Ortiz

• 2003-2004	Jodelen Ortiz and Rossbelle Maestro

• 2004-2005	Rogelio Gabiano, Jr. and Karine Tropel

• 2005-2006	Rogelio Gabiano, Jr. and Rossbelle Maestro

• 2006-2008	Johnny Esmilla, Jr.

• 2008-2009	Pietros Val Patricio

• 2009-2010	Pietros Val Patricio and Jefferson Magbanua

• 2010-2011	Jefferson Magbanua and Donna Isabelle Fresnido

• 2011-2012	Mary Leslie S. Eregia and Ray Adrian C. Macalalag

• 2012-2013	Ray Adrian C. Macalalag and Josefa Maria A. Castro

Editorial Staff
• Senior Writers

• Ayah Danica V. Granada

• Wilhelm C. Lizada

• Joel S. Sastrillo

• Staff Writers

• Joyce Gem M. Canete

• Jeremiah John P. Vardeleon

• Marylex G. Sumatra

• Christine Joy A. Saber

• Photojournalist

• Daniel P. Abutas

• Magazine Apprentice Writer

• Seulgi J. Han

• Newspaper Apprentice Writer

• Edrylle G. Cofreros

• Rochelle Louise D. Doromal