Welcome to The Work’s Online Qualifying Examination for Writers!

Before we begin, please take note of the following:

1. The exam consists of three (3) parts: News writing, Editorial writing, and Feature writing.
Each applicant will be given three (3) hours to complete the task at hand.
2. Once completed, applicants must send their entry to maryklaudine@gmail.com.
3. The document title should be saved as CATEGORY - NAME - COURSE/SECTION.
(Ex. WRITER - JUAN DELA CRUZ - BA COMM 1A.)
4. If you intend to withdraw your application or would like to set your exam schedule on a
different date, please let us know as soon as possible.
5. Use the proceeding pages of this document to write your entries for the examination.

Here are the following topics:

i. Topic for News Writing: SONA 2020: Issue on West Philippine Sea
ii. Topic for Editorial writing: Academic Freeze
iii. Topic for Feature writing: Quarantine Diaries

Good luck!
Examination for News
Directions: Write a news story using the following details and provide the best headline.
(An Excerpt from President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2020)
Alam mo, I read a little over three weeks or last month na the Americans would --- intends to go
back to Subic.
I will just put on record my thoughts. I have nothing against America, I have nothing against China
but if you put bases here, you will double the spectacle of a most destructive thing just like Manila
during the Second World War --- during the retaking of this city. One of the most devastated cities
in the world.
Kaya maglagay-lagay ka ng base at this time, this will ensure if war breaks out, because there would
be atomic arsenals brought in, this will ensure the extinction of the Filipino race.
We worked without fail to protect our rights in the South China Sea, neither beholden nor a pawn to
anyone. We broadened the boundaries of Philippine diplomacy. We built productive ties with
everyone willing to engage us on the basis of equality and mutual respect. And, we redefined our
relationships with our most important partners, placing the country in a far better position to
advance our interests in an evolving regional order and emerging global problems.
Now, plenty of critics, both sides, claim about nothing has been done to retake forcefully or
physically the South China Sea.
Alam mo, unless we are prepared to go to war, I would suggest that we better just call off and treat
this, I said, with diplomatic endeavors.
China is claiming it. We are claiming it. China has the arms, we do not have it.
So, it is simple as that. They are in possession of the property. It will remain a property of a --- if
you're a lawyer, property rights.
They are --- it has nothing to do with the Philippine Laws of Property but it’s akin to --- they are in
possession. So what can we do? We have to go to war and I cannot afford it. Maybe some other
president can, but I cannot. Inutil ako diyan, sabihin ko sa inyo. And I'm willing to admit it. Talagang
inutil ako diyan. Wala akong magawa. I cannot…
The moment I send my Marines there at the coastal shores of Palawan, tinamaan ng cruise missile
lahat iyan. Hindi pa nga naka-set sail iyan eh, sabog na.
 I. News Writing
Duterte discusses West Philippine Sea debacle vs. China on SONA 2020
President of the Philippines Rodrigo Roa Duterte gave out his standpoints on the
arising clash between China regarding the territorial claim of the West Philippine Sea on his State of
the Nation Address (SONA) this year, 2020.
Duterte emphasized that initially, on his readings a few weeks ago, the Americans
have the intentions to return on Subic. He also stated that he is not against on the presence of
America and China but putting out bases in the country will be causing a possible threat again on
the potential double spectacle happened in Manila during the World War 2 era. It may also lead to a
probable extinction of the Filipino race.
He also noted that the Philippine government is hands-on when it comes to
arranging peaceful diplomatic affairs with the opposing country by promoting moral understanding
and being able to widen up the boundaries of international partnership.
Unless of going through a massive war against China, Digong also suggested to
better call it off and make amends by diplomatic endeavors as both countries claim the said
territory yet China has the most dominant authority.
Duterte concluded his remarks that he is not able to do something with the clamor
as the time he sent the Philippine Marine on the coastal shores of Palawan, the ships were struck by
cruise missiles even it is not yet able to set-sail.
I. Editorial Writing
Academic Freeze, a SOLUTION or a DESTRUCTION?
The Corona Virus Disease or mostly called as COVID-19 by many is rampantly
spreading across the world with very alarming threats to the health condition of millions of people.
It also caused unwanted shortage on medical resources and unprotected safety for people in
different ages. One example of that is the possible negative impacts of it on the education setting as
face to face classes can be a cause for the increase of contact with people who was struck by the
said disease.
On the Philippine setting nowadays, the Department of Education and the
Commission of Higher Education stated that there will be no face-to-face classes around the country
as many areas have high risks on the virus spread but instead will be using blended learning which
is online classes and modular mode of delivery. The number of cases started to increase more as the
government began to implement new community quarantine classifications such as Enhanced
Community Quarantine (ECQ), Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), General
Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).
 Despite the statement of the two higher educational institutions, many students and
parents are still aiming for an Academic Freeze or the postponement of classes this whole school
year. Many students on the social media platform Twitter gave out their sentiments by using the
hashtag #AcademicFreezeNOW as having online classes will give a disadvantage for less fortunate
children who do not have sufficient access on technological devices. Modular learning is not also an
effective platform for them as it can also be a threat for exposure especially for teachers who are
required to go to school to handle modules that will be given to children in remote areas.
As a student mainly affected by the pandemic, Academic Freeze can be a solution to ensure
one’s safety whatever mode it may be, whether it is online or modular as having online classes as a
requirement can affect the financial stability of many families who can’t afford stable internet
connectivity and having modular classes will not assure the safety of our teachers.
Regardless of the effects of the academic freeze, it is highly suggested for the Philippine
Government to tackle serious directive measures on how to solve the education system by
considering the pros and cons of implementing blended learning within the country.
II. Feature Writing

QuaranTHINGS!

Does the community quarantine imposed on your areas bored you out this vacation? You
can make your quarantine days productive by doing out some effective and enjoyable life hacks to
not just ease your boredom and provide entertainment but also to make out some incomes like a
true ENTREPRENEUR.
This quarantine, we can see a lot of online sellers out there in Facebook who made
innovative ideas to gain money. One of them is a seller for foodie peeps out there! In their everyday
setting, online sellers are visible around your newsfeed by offering homemade products and
desserts. Seems like a sweet way to do a living! You can also see those online sellers who sell
clothing for your favorite OOTDs, furniture and gadgets for your daily use, medical supplies for your
health safety and artists who do commissions for various artworks.
Aside from those sellers, quarantine also became the bridge on people to become vocal on
social media especially on the famous applications Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube,
Messenger and many more! Your inner social media influencer was unleashed because of the
quarantine. They raised out their voices on the socially-relevant issues by giving out their stands
and sentiments on national issues especially on Twitter where many youth became an icon of hope
for bravely giving their standpoints on certain issues arising around the country.
Of course, we can’t forget the KPop and KDrama lovers out there! In their spare time, these
avid fans watched their favorite Korean dramas like Crash Landing on You and It’s Okay Not to be
Okay to bring out their oppas and unnies by heart. We can’t also deny the fact those KPop fan who
constantly make themselves updated on upcoming Korean comebacks for their favorite idols.
 Quarantine may be an annoying things for every one of us but despite its negative effects on
others, it can surprisingly make you discover your other capabilities to do many things
transforming your normal quarantine into QuaranTHINGS!