Fruits gave a Bacolod sixth grader one of the best seasons in her young life when she was adjudged one of the Top Seven Photojournalists in the grade school category of the annual National Schools Press Conference  of the Department of Education held in Koronadal City Feb. 18-22

For her entry on the theme, “Upholding Consumers’ Rights”, Sofia Isabelle Ortiz of Jack and Jill School at PHHC in Bacolod City, focused on vendors and the fruits of the season at the trade center in  Koronadal, the seat of the provincial government of South Cotabato.  A second placer in the regional qualifying held in Iloilo City early in January, Isabelle ranked third in the English category of the national competition. She is the daughter of lawyer Joe Max Ortiz and wife the former Annabelle Monroy, a physician.

Her adviser, Rhazel Mengullo, said the young photojournalist was the sole winner from among the national finalists from Bacolod City and garnered the highest recognition among elementary division entries from  Western Visayas.

In her photo grouping, she stressed. Among others, the consumers’ right to choose, the need for a good price and quality of the products and profitability while at the same time giving emphasis to public health and safety.

For Sofia Isabelle, the Koronadal trip was  part of her harvest season,  indeed, a ‘fruitful experience’.