The Communicator, the official student publication of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Communication (PUP COC), has completed one of its missions to guide COCians to the north star of journalism in its first-ever journalism workshop dubbed “Dakompass: The Communicator’s Journalism Workshop” from May 20 to May 23 at the PUP Accenture Room.
With the theme “Navigating Campus Journalism: Guiding Journalists from Classrooms to Newsrooms,” the workshop series delved deeper into the basics of journalism, which is usually taught in classrooms. Lasting for three days and featuring esteemed resource speakers and mentors, Dakompass took us on a journey to a brightly shining star.
First Day: “Sumulong, sumulat, manindigan, at magmulat.”
May 20 was a day to remember as notable speakers gave directions on how to be an ethical journalist.
John Ray Luciano, deputy secretary general of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), highlighted the dos and don’ts of covering the marginalized and handling special topics in the morning session of the first day.
Emphasizing empathy and immersing oneself in the people’s struggles, the discussion gave us a map of how to become a journalist whose service is to the masses.
The afternoon session, moreover, delved deeper into how to pen a strong and compelling opinion piece. Explained PH’s editor-in-chief, Archie Bergosa, shared his experience and expertise and taught different routes to where discerning opinion articles reside.
Attendees also crafted their articles with the opportunity to get insights from the renowned student journalist.
Second Day: “There are stories everywhere.”
On May 21, it rained with trails and adjectives as COC’s very own explored the magic of feature writing and the power of investigative journalism.
Associate Professor Prestoline Suyat, vice chairperson of the Pinoy Media Center, described every twist and turn of featuring stories, persons, trends, and social issues.
Focusing on the issue of red-tagging and the journalists’ experience with it, attendees presented the routes they took in writing their creative narratives.
In the afternoon session, Rappler’s multimedia reporter, Jairo Bolledo, discussed the power and significance of following the trails of an issue.
Targeting local and national issues, attendees pitched new insightful ideas for stories they would love to explore and write an investigative story about.
Last Day: “What piques the audience’s interest.”
The last day, May 23, was dedicated to the creative minds behind the graphics presenting people’s stories visually.
Angat Taytay’s creative lead, Jose Miguel Dela Cruz, led the journey of coloring our paths toward piquing people’s interest through visually appealing graphics. Attendees created and presented their graphic art for The Communicator’s story releases.
This event was in collaboration with the COC Student Council, sponsored by Cozy Zola, Sangguniang Kabataan Marilag, and Casecove; and in partnership with BAJ T1NDIG, BAJ S1DLAK, BAJ 1DEOPRAXIST, BAJ 2nay Seekers, BAJ Insurgent, The Turning Point, ENCHANTRES, PUP Journalism Guild, Mulat Documentary Guild, Film Aficionados Circle, Underscore PUP Department of Communication Research, Palawanderer, Explained PH, AlterMidya, Monster RX 93.1, Gadgets Magazine, and CEGP.
The stars have aligned, the road has brightened, and Dakompass has achieved its mission of providing guidelines for The Communicator staffers.
Now that we have reached the north star of journalism, are we ready to use the knowledge we gained in climbing the much higher mountain?