National Student Press Convention 2011

71st National Student Press Convention kicks off at Emeralda Nature's park and Beach Resort, Pagahan, Initao, Misamis Oriental, Philippines on May 11-15, 2011.



The four-day event themed "80 Years of Pro-People Journalism: Forge Ahead in Pursuit of Genuine Social Change Under the New Administration" was participated by student-writers from different state colleges and universities of the country. It featured basic, intermediate and advanced journalism skills training and workshop.

The first day of the convention was constituted with a registration and a short tour on the venue.

On the second day of the convention, keynote speaker BayanMuna Representative Teddy Casiño encouraged the guilders in his address to "...use the might of the pen, the lights of the camera...to generate change." That is, to educate, to arouse, and to mobilize.

Forums were also conducted. On Shattering the Illusion of Change: (National Situation) by Sonny Africa of IBON Foundation and (On Mindanao Situation) by Neil V. Murrad of Suara Bangsamoro were done in in the morning.

Writers' Trip/Socio-Political Discussion 1: Understanding the Margnalized Sectors was conducted on different communities. Topics were: 1) On the Indigenous Peoples' Situation; 2) On the Fisherfolk's Situation; 3) On the Women's and Children's Situations; 4) On the LGBT's Situation; 5) On the Workers' Situation; 6) On Peasant's Situation; and 7) On OFW Situation. Guilders were brought to their assigned communities for the integration on the marginalized sectors.

Journalism Skills Training 1 on 1) News Writing, 2) On Photojournalism, 3) On Opinion Writing, 4) On Cartooning, 5) On Features Writing, 6) On Graphics and Layout, and 7) Ethics of Journalism were all simultaneously discussed in the evening.

A forum on the Writing Injustice was held on the third day. Ms. Ilang-Ilang Quijano (PinoyWeekly E-I-C) discussed "On Media and Culture of Impunity" and Ms. Cristina Palabay (Karapatan-Tanggol Bayi Convenor) made her talk on Women Human Rights Defenders. And open forum followed.

Five Socio-Political Discussion topics were also discussed: 1) On Liberation Theology, 2) On Human Rights, 3) Propaganda Movement, 4) Philippine Social Realities, and 5) On Cultural Change. Speakers of the said discussions were CEGP national Officers.

Journalism Skills Training 2 were discussed on different groups. 1) On Online Publishing, 20 On Lampoon Writing, 3) On Investigative Reporting, 4) On Writing for Broadcast media, 5) On Citizen Journalism, 6) On Campus Paper Management, 7) Copyreading and headline Writing, and 8) Tools for Analysis.

The last forum of the day was discussed by Rep. Raymond Palatino - No Classes - The Youth and the Right to Education. A caucus was held on the evening for the assessment of campus papers.

On the third day, Edz de la Cruz, The Scholastican E-I-C of St. Scholastica's College-Manila, deliberated the Campus Press Freedom Situation and the Campus Journalism Act. Rep. Palatino elaborated House Bill 4287, also known as Campus Press Freedom Act of 2011.

University of the Philippiness-Diliman Professor Mr. Michael Andrada did his share of discussing the last forum: Myth Busting-On Culture and Counter Culture.

 A short cultural concert happened on the evening by the Kapagintaw band of Iligan Medical Community College followed by cultural presentations. The 12th Ernesto Rodriguez Jr. Award, honoring campus student publications came next. Campus publications submitted by participating schools were judged and awarded. Three CEGP alumni were also awarded with Gawad Benjaline Hernandez Award.

Awarding of Certificates to the participating publications' guilders and distribution of campus publications culminated the convention.-----
Merdolyn Canda
07/08/2011