Jasmine Benecio, Editor-in-Chief of The Hillside Echo – Senior High (THES), has been recognized as one of the 2025 IWAG Awardees for Senior High School by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region VI, in a ceremony held on May 19.

The IWAG Award, considered the highest honor in campus journalism for high school students in Western Visayas, celebrates excellence in student journalism and development communication. It is given annually to student writers who demonstrate outstanding commitment to responsible reporting, truth-telling, and community impact.

For Benecio, the award marks the culmination of years of hard work and passion—beginning in her junior high school years and culminating in her leadership as editor-in-chief of THES.

“Winning the IWAG Award feels completely surreal—like a dream I didn’t expect to live so soon,” Benecio shared.“As a student journalist, this recognition means the world to me. I’ve watched my seniors receive this award before, and their journeys inspired me to try, and guess what? I did. My very first IWAG Award.”

According to PIA Region VI, IWAG Awardees embody the true spirit of journalism and development communication (DevCom), serving as voices of truth, justice, and positive change in their schools and communities.

“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this journey, my family, my friends, Sir Erwin Borbon, and my publication. Madamo gid nga salamat!
Always, in all ways for THES!”

Benecio becomes the fourth THES journalist to receive this prestigious award, continuing the publication’s proud legacy of campus journalism excellence.