78th Inkblots held in UST
The Telasis staffs were invited to join the three-day campus journalism fellowship organized by the Varsitarian at University of Sto. Tomas, Manila last December 1 to 3, 2015.
This year, the 17th fellowship known as Inkblots were attended by campus journalists, school newspaper advisers and professionals. The main objective of the seminar is to upgrade the standard of the campus press through lectures from media practitioners.
On the first day, the keynote address came from Ms. Karen Davila, main news anchor of ABS-CBN News Channel Programs. She talked about the social media and its effects to how people get their sources for news.
The next speaker is Mr. Christian Esguerra, a broadcast journalist for ABS-CBN News, who discussed news writing considering the wants and needs of the readers.
He said to always remember the question “Can you stand your story?” when writing for media.
For sports writing, Mr. Francis Ochoa, sportswriter from Inquirer, was invited to share how to write story in creative way. He said that “we don’t write good story, we looked for one” and to “know and remember your purpose”.
As for his surprise guests, the former King Tigers Dylan Ababou, Jeric Teng and Jeric Fortuna came to answer a few questions regarding the season 78 UAAP and basketball in general.
Mr. Joe Torres, member of the Bangkok-based Union of Catholic Asian News, and Fr. Nick Lalog, who was a reporter for GMA News and Public Affairs before finding his vocation for priesthood, also came to discuss catholic journalism.
Torres told that “Journalism should be Catholic”, it should be loyal and tells the truth. He said that Journalism should have passion for accuracy and balance of opinions.
On the other hand, Fr. Lalog talked about the quality of catholic journalism in digital age and the good communication. He told that communication is more than expressions of ideas and indication of emotion.
On the next day of the fellowship, the first speaker Mr. Jairus Bondoc, writer for thrice-weekly investigative columns for Philippines Star, talked about good English. He advised the audience to use mono syllabic words and to practice writing and to seek help from professionals.
The next speaker is Mr. Felipe Salvosa II, researcher for FT Confidential Research, who discussed about Campus Paper Management and adapting to the new platform, social media.
He said that it’s important to remain relevant to the readers and have fun with what you do.
Mr. Nestor Cuartero, the last speaker of the day who is a veteran journalist that worked for both print and broadcast media since 1974, talked about how important that the journalists should keep the quality of their context in digital age.
The ABS-CBN actor, Enchong Dee came which caused the crowd to go wild only to make them calm when a mock press conference started. He answered questions regarding his careers, future plans and life lessons.
The attendants made the most of the fellowship on the last day.
The first speaker of the day is Mr. Manix Abrera, the maker of ‘Kikomachine’ that can be found in Philippines Daily Inquirer, shared some of his previous works. He said to be observant as there are stories everywhere.
Followed by Ms. Fernando Sepe, Jr., Deputy Editor for Multimedia of ABS-CBNNEWS.COM, came for photojournalism lecture. He told about how pictures can be used to tell stories.
The first speaker is Mr. Manix Abrera, the maker of ‘Kikomachine’ that can be found in Philippines Daily Inquirer everyday and ‘News Hardcore’ every Sunday in GMA News Online. He’s also the creator of silent and wordless comics ‘12’ and ‘14’.
During his time, he showed the audience some of his previous works. He told that it’s important to be observant as ‘there are stories everywhere’ he said.
He shared that its fine to have someone to look up to just don’t end up to be like that person, its great if one develop his own style to avoid being number two to that someone you copied the style from.
Finally he said that one must love his works and to be happy with what you do.
The next speaker for photojournalism lecture is Mr. Fernando Sepe, Jr. He is the Deputy Editor for Multimedia of ABS-CBNNEWS.COM and was the video journalist and producer for the Associated Press Television News.
It’s important for the photos to have mould, foundation and things that have meanings.
As for the last speaker Mr. Eros Atalia, an author to few books sch as Ligo na U, Lapit na Me, Wag lang di Makaraos and many more, he brought laughter to the audience as he told a few jokes and relatable lines within his lectures.
He shared that it’s not necessary to use complicated way of reporting, its better if its told in way that people finish reading it in one sitting and can be talked around.
The Varsitarian committee prepared a farewell party at the Quadri Pavillion of UST where they also announced the winners of the Inkblots writing contest and the UST National Campus Journalist Awards.
(By: Ma. Angelica Tomasa M. Delos Santos)
