COLLEGE writers and campus paper advisers from Negros Occidental shared their thoughts and experiences about the Campus Journalism Seminar Workshop organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region 6 recently held in Iloilo City.
Managing editor Paul Ivan Quezon of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLCF) – Bacolod’s The Carrier conveyed his excitement as a first time participant of the training.
“With this event, I am able to learn more and maybe soon I would be able to share my knowledge with my peers,” Quezon said.
Bago City College student journalist Jude Catolico, meanwhile, expressed his appreciation to PIA-6 for the training which is designed to cater to the needs of every campus writer and develop a passion towards writing.
Lone participant Ezekiel John Faliao of the Ming Yuan Catholic College imparted that topics were refresher courses in which he learned about e-Newsletter, page design and layout, and photojournalism.
Campus-writer-turned-adviser, Elmer John Basa of VMA Global College, noted how PIA has been consistent in its advocacy towards responsible journalism.
“I am blessed that I am now assisting my students to experience the PIA way of learning, unlearning and relearning campus journalism,” Basa underscored.
As a moderator of JBLCF-Bacolod’s campus paper, Alyn Libertad shared that she looks forward to attending the annual seminar workshop as teachers need to be well-equipped in educating the students to be effective writers.
“This three-day seminar workshop is a great chance for us to upgrade our current state of skills and knowledge about journalism,” Libertad stated.
According to Mr. George de la Cruz, the publication adviser of Bacolod City College’s The City Smile, the seminar-workshop was enriching, giving participants a “big break” to learn new things.
De la Cruz pointed out that PIA-6 should never stop training and advocating responsible journalism to the youth.
The PIA has been conducting the campus journalism seminar-workshop pursuant to the Journalism Act of 1991, which mandates campus writers and advisers to undergo appropriate training on journalistic competence.
This year’s campus journalism training seminar workshop gathered over 470 college writers in Western Visayas.
Of the said figure, 112 came from Negros Occidental./PN
