It was some kind of a sentimental journey for me when I stepped on St. La Salle campus – where I taught Communication courses for over 25 years – for the first time since my retirement more than seven years ago.
What brought me back is my passion for journalism education. I was invited as plenary speaker in the first-ever Lasallian Collegiate Press Conference held March 1 and 2. It was a gathering of nearly 100 editors and writers representing at least 10 college and departmental publications.
What made the visit to the campus equally meaningful was that the theme “Forging the Pillars of Lasallian Publications in Upholding the Core of Journalism” struck an important chord in my media education career, particularly that it emphasized the anchor and roots of the discipline of journalistic writing.
After more than 40 years since I started teaching Journalism in the university and when I had the opportunity to serve as moderator of the college publication, I was resowing the seeds of journalism among members of the Lasallian community.
My talk was anchored on publication management and the principles in the practice of my God-given interest: the pursuit of justice, independence and truth through journalism.
At the same time, it was an occasion to be reunited with my former students in the university and editors of our departmental paper as well as trainees in writing programs I conducted who are now professionals and are pursuing communication-related careers. This time, they were my colleagues in media education, sharing their insights and experiences with the participants.
Easter Anne Doza, deputy regional director of the Philippine News Agency discussed news writing, content creator Ransom Agui was back to his interest – editorial cartooning – which he started during basic education days.
Keith Cari-an, now Sun.Star associate editor, was in his elements discussing editorial writing while newly-installed lawyer Joevel Bartolome talked on feature writing and, together, we shared our knowledge on page designing.
Multi-media competition awardee Francis Ryan Pabiania, my photojournalism ‘protégé’ since grade school days in Isabela and now a Silliman MassComm alumnus, talked on techniques related to communication visuals.
That revisit was not possible if it were not for the invitation of former The LEAD editor, Mark Christopher Dueñas, director of the USLS Center for Marketing and Communication, which was the LCPC prime mover, along with the Office for Student Affairs and the University Student Government.
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I congratulate the individual winners in the different competitions who showed plenty of promise in their writing pursuit.
My congratulations also to the recipients of the custom-made trophies for group competitions – SIDLAK (Arts & Sciences) as Best Online Newsletter and adjudged Best Facebook Page; TIGRIS (Engineering) for Most Innovative Media Activation; CODCAST (Education), Most Engaging Publication; and The NIGHTINGALE (Nursing), Best Media Coverage.
Again, I express my thanks to USG President Ken Paolo Gilo and Vice President Mitchel Mariano, Min Min Ponteras of OSA and Mark CD, for the revisit opportunity.
I am hopeful that the training sparked genuine interest among participants on the role journalism plays in their daily young lives and what they can do to help spur the growth and development of their fellow students, the university, the community and our country.
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As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (I Peter 4:10) | NWI
