In an effort to rekindle pens and lenses of campus journalists following a three-year schools press conferences hiatus, Samar State University (SSU) Official Student Publication, The Tradesman, organized a two-day seminar-workshop on campus journalism, March 18 to 19 at SSU Convention Center.

Over 70 student writers and school paper advisers from Samar State University – Paranas Campus (SSU-PC) and various schools in Catbalogan City Division attended the said seminar-workshop including Antonio G. Tuazon National High School (AGTNHS), Catbalogan National Comprehensive High School (CNCHS), Eastern Visayas Regional Science High School (EVRSHS), Guinsurongan National High School (GNHS), Pangdan National High School (PNHS), St. Mary’s College of Catbalogan (SMCC), Samar Colleges, Inc. (SC), Samar National School (SNS), and Silanga National High School (SNHS).

Catbalogan City Division Journalism Coordinator Paulina D. Gabon, SSU Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Engr. Ma. Lourdes P. Amante, and SSU President Dr. Marilyn D. Cardoso were also present in the event.

In her inspirational speech, Dr. Cardoso highlighted the role and power of student journalists as “vanguard of truth and change.”

“Your role as a writer will give significant contributions to decision-making and planning stages among university leaders and stakeholders. As student journalists, you are the bearers of truth,” the University President said.

Anchored to the theme “Revitalizing Campus Journalism: Developing Effective Student Journalists for Challenges and Opportunities,” the seminar-workshop provided an avenue for student-writers to reinflame their weapons, reignite their prowess, and revitalize their passion as catalysts of truth.

Reinflaming weapons

The first part of the event centered on expounding the technicalities and importance of the different fields in campus journalism, particularly News Writing, Editorial Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Sports Writing, Feature Writing, Science and Technology Writing, Photojournalism, and Layout of the Publication.

Resource speakers of the seminar include Emil Fernando, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Catbalogan Balud President and a three-time winner and qualifier as a coach in National Schools Press Conference (NSPC); Efren Lima, a Journalism and English teacher and a national champion in Editorial Writing; Chevin Villaflor, an Editorial Cartoonist and Samar Collegian Student Publication Coordinator; Ian Lemar Macauba, member of Sports Writing Elite Enthusiasts of the Philippines (SWEEP); Hector Bailey Calumpiano, former adviser of The Samariñan Student Publication and a six-time NSPC qualifier; Alfrevilyn Dasig, adviser of The Tradesman Student Publication; and Mary Ann Broderick, Head of Printed Material Production Center (PMPC) of SSU.

Reignating prowess

To bolster skills and grasps of the participants during the seminar, The Tradesman also administered a competition held during the second day, March 19, at the SSU Convention Center and New College of Arts and Sciences Audio-Visual Center (NCAS-AVC).

Participants were given an hour to write and finish their entries that talked about different pressing social issues facing the country.

Highlight of the second day was the announcement of the top three winners in each journalism field.

Big winners of the said seminar-workshop are The Samariñan of Samar National School (SNS), securing the overall champion title; The Eastviscian of Eastern Visayas Regional Science High School (EVRSHS), capturing second place; and The Horizon of St. Mary’s College of Catbalogan (SMCC) as third place.

Minor awards were also given to The Antonians of Antonio G. Tuazon National High School (AGTNHS) for Most Punctual Publication and Best in Publication Logo; The Horizon of St. Mary’s College of Catbalogan (SMCC) for Most Active Publication; and The Sailor of Silanga National High School (SNHS) for Best in Cheers and Yells.

Revitalizing passion to write

Meanwhile, The Tradesman Editor-in-Chief Charlote E. Pornias, congratulated and reminded the participants to “continue pressing on the press power towards a resilient society.”

“May you seek for enthusiasm amidst challenges. May you seek that passion that keep the fire burning in your pens, the dedication that will enable you to give your generous time, and the courage that will help you withstand challenges and embrace opportunities,” Pornias expressed in her closing remarks.

“Student journalism is at the heart of every university and campus, it is what connects us all,” she added.

The two-day seminar-workshop concluded with a video greeting from television host and journalist Lovella B. Añover, popularly known as Love Añover, expressing the vital role that campus journalists play in school and society.