PUP RCON 2023 stresses role of campus journos in pursuit of truth

Empowering young radio practitioners in the posttruth era, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Radio Conference finally commenced its faceto-face comeback themed “MANIOBRA: Unveiling the Illusion Behind Public Deception” at Tanghalang PUP on Friday, May 5.

DZMC Young Communicators’ Guild adviser Director Krupskaya Valila emphasized the role of media, especially radio, in the posttruth era and highlighted the theme’s focus on scrutinizing the trends in the media landscape.

“Ang pinakatunguhin naman po ng ganitong klase ng aktibidad ay siguraduhin na ang isang alagad ng midya ay patuloy na nagmumulat, naglilingkod, at higit po sa lahat, nakikibaka [...],” she said.

Post-truth Era

2016 word of the year ‘posttruth’ gained prominence referring to the devaluation of truth, its diminishing relevance in socio-political discourse, and the increasing dominance of loyalties and emotions over rationality.

Jaycel Dela

Cruz

ABS-CBN reporter Robert Mano cited a 1946 essay titled “Politics in the English Language” where George Orwell warned about a posttruth future in which “in times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act.”

Post-truth affects civil society, capitalism, the rule of law, and democracy by hindering their pursuit as these are established on truth.

“Media in the Trapeze” described media safety as a cornerstone of responsible journalism that entails “understanding the public’s information needs, asking probing questions, [...] avoiding persuasion or influence, [...] and empowering audiences with accurate content.”

Threats to journalism such as harassment may have their corresponding penalties yet these raise concerns about potential infringements on freedom of expression.

An anti-disinformation law was filed in the Senate in 2022 while laws criminalizing trolling red-tagging are nonexistent. Despite threats and hardships, journalists are expected to uphold impartiality and accuracy, as well as demonstrate resilience amid challenging times.

Fighting For Press Freedom

Media orgs vow to defend freedom of the press, expression on World Press Freedom Day

Piolo Cudal

On the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, the PUP College of Communication (COC), Southeast Asian Media Studies Association (SEAMSA), PUP Journalism Guild, and The Communicator organized a webinar titled “Breaking Barriers: Journalists as Catalysts of Freedom of Expression” on May 3, 2023.

SEAMSA Executive Director Alexander Klemm opened the event by emphasizing how press freedom affects people on individual, communal, and national levels. He also reiterated that press freedom is the country’s democracy itself.

While threats and intimidation are naturally part of the job, journalists today face the loss of credibility due to the labeling of journalists as “biased, dilawan, [and] bayaran” according to Manny Mogato, Pulitzer-winning journalist and PressOnePH’s Editor-at-large.

Recently, a Reuters Institute survey revealed most Filipinos get their news and information from social media sites where false information is rampant.

Explained PH Editor-inchief Archie Bergosa pointed how facts and “fake news” sometimes intersect on social media, and how misinformation dominates the truth.

On the other hand, The Catalyst Editor-in-chief John Robert de Castro emphasized the recurring pattern observed in journalism-related violence and intimidation: their critical nature.

He noted that this is manifested in the censorship and blocking of alternative media sites Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly.

Journalists’ Role in the Struggle for Democracy

Speakers were asked about the integral role of journalists’ freedom of expression in amplifying the demands and campaigns in the communities.

“Campus journalists have become militant, progressive, and critical. They are really challenging the status quo. I think that is a positive factor in shaping our future in [the] media,” de Castro said.

Mogato addressed the chilling effect of media shutdowns, such as of ABS-CBN, that induce self-censorship in media outlets, as these are all fueled by disguised propaganda efforts by the state.

Despite this, future media practitioners were advised to remain biased for the public interest and to adhere to the ethical norms of journalism.

“Collective action. Dapathindi natinmakitayungsarilinatinas individual professionals, we should see ourselves as part of the collective struggle,” De Castro stated.

BIGGEST

Commback

PUP CommSoc kicks off Summer Fun Run anew

Mary Grace Cortez

The PUP Communication Society (CommSoc) revived the summer season with Be-Da-Heat: Summer Fun Run 2023 on March 27.

Around 100 participants raced along PUP COC, PUP Main Campus, El Pueblo Condominium, and vice versa.

Dave Carlos Jacinto, a Journalism freshman, won first place.

“Delightful, surprised, and unexpected. Maluwag sa paghinga kasi [may] anxiety thoughts din na baka hindi ako manalo.Bakama-disappoint ko ‘yong block [ko]. Nasa isip ko ‘yon kaya relieved at the same time dahil nanalo ako,” Jacinto on his win despite the short preparation.

Chief of Communication Society Interactives (CSI) and co-project head Ella Nicole Naig stated, “We can say that it was a successful event as we witnessed the joy on the participants’ faces and their willingness to complete the run despite the scorching hot weather.”

CommSoc deemed this project their biggest event yet and reminded students of more projects in the following months.

“[...] they most definitely have to stay tuned and watch out for our future projects, as I believe those will be more exciting, informative, and creative,” CommSoc President Andrea Carmela Bisenio said.

Recently, CommSoc held a general assembly and recruitment titled “Big COMMback: Welcoming of CommSoc’s Housemates,” on April 20.

‘PakCheck’: BABr student wins Rappler’s #FactsFirstPH video contest

Mary Rose Maligmat

With an explainer video on the Marcos Myths, Rinoa Kate Dela Cruz of BA Broadcasting 1-3D won first place in Rappler’s #FactsFirstPH video contest, a part of MovePH’s anti-disinformation campaign to promote media and information literacy (MIL).

The #FactsFirstPH video contest featured entries for TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Dela Cruz’ entry delved into the whitewashed depiction of the Martial Law era as the country’s “golden age” and the importance of correcting historical distortion.

The two-minute video emphasizes “Pak Check,” a short guide to engaging in sensible, informative conversations and ensuring the audience’s comprehension in fact-checking.

Beyond the screen

Dela Cruz has ventured into the alternative media as Features and Lifestyle Editor at Explained PH. Her winning piece was a collaborative work with her co-community journalists at Explained PH to promote their new factchecking division.

Also, as a campus journalist in senior high school, she interacted with the fishermen affected by a reclamation project in their small community. It sparked enlightenment, leading her to the alternative media: “to know more about the struggle of Filipinos.”

“Thanks to alternative media, hindi ako nanatiling bulag,” she said.

Dela Cruz is also a member of the Mass Media and Culture Committee of the PUP College of Communication Student Council (COC SC), alongside academics and alternative

Real To Reel

media. Although challenging, she enjoys fulfilling both roles.

Amid the attacks

In an event previously hosted by COC SC, Dela Cruz shared the red-tagging she faced while covering a mass transport crisis in their area. A Facebook account messaged her that the youth should avoid political matters and instead focus on their studies.

“But I always remind myself that without young media practitioners like us, mananatiling misinformed ang mga tao, lalo na ngayon na si Marcos ang namumuno,” she expressed as she remains undeterred in her passion.

“My courage stems from my fear — the fear of letting the country be ignorant of the struggles of their fellowmen,” she added.

‘Bakit Maingay Ang EDSA?’ hailed as SineMinuto ‘23 Best Film

Carousel Productions’ “Bakit Maingay Ang EDSA?” won Best Film at Film Aficionados Circle (FilAC)’s SineMinuto short film festival with the theme, “Buhayin at Lakbayin, Pelikulang Atin!” held at Cinematheque Centre Manila on June 2, 2023.

The short film is a social commentary on the daily struggles and aspirations of two homeless siblings Anthony and Aira, played by Ralph Capinig and Charlize Manabat, whose dreams and hopes are louder than the ever-noisy EDSA traffic.

“Nakakalungkot lang kasi wala pa ring nakakarinig ng mga pangarap ko hanggang ngayon,” Aira’s character

Katrina Lazarra

remarked, hoping to exercise her right to an education. The film advocates for equal opportunity in education.

The production received eight major and minor awards, including Best Screenplay, Best Concept, Best Sound Design, and Best Male Performance for Ralph Capinig, while finishing second in direction, cinematography, and editing.

In a Facebook post, Director Raphael Nuyad expressed gratitude and sentiments for directing the film.

“They (Carousel Productions) saw the potential in bringing it to life on the big screen (bakit akin pa napili—gano’ng feeling). Though this placed a weight on my shoulders, it also ignited a fire within me to push the boundaries of my filmmaking abilities,” Nuyad said on overcoming his doubts.

Meanwhile, Nilay Productions’ “The Portrait of a Man” bagged Best Direction, Best Production Design, Best Editing, and placed second for Best Film, Best Sound Design, and Best Screenplay.

Securing third place, After Hours Productions’ “Meet Me Halfway” won Best Cinematography, Best Female Performance, and finished second in production design.

This year’s SineMinuto film festival featured nine short films addressing diverse and relevant societal issues, aimed to recognize student filmmakers from PUP College of Communication.

EYES OF COLOR

QUADRO Photoclub conducts photography workshop

Elca Grengia and Neildrich Barbosa

PUP College of Communication (COC)

QUADRO Photoclub honed student photojournalists in its workshop

“Biyaheng Pitik: Ratsada’t Arangkada sa Kuwento ng mga Litrato” on June 16 at PUP COC AVR.

The workshop covered photography skills like postprocessing, lighting, camera settings, and storytelling through the lens.

The first speaker, Vivian Valdez, editor of Photographers on Demand (PonD) News Asia, shared her expertise on the basics of photography.

“Hindi naman gaano kaimportante ang klase ng equipment namayroonkadahil kahitmabangisangcamera mo, kung walang kwento ang iyong pinitik, ito’y walang kwenta,” she said.

She also offered techniques on how to turn mobile cameras into advanced photography tools.

Cultural travel photojournalist Noel San Andres then discussed how community photojournalism keeps people informed and how it serves as a medium for documenting history.

“Every photograph not only captures a moment but becomes a tangible piece of historical documentation,” he emphasized.

Fernando “Jun” Sepe Jr., Deputy Editor for Multimedia at ABS-CBN News, shared his experiences as a veteran photojournalist.

“Every story we covered left a mark on me, even though they have different stories. For me, they all have equal importance in my journey as a photojournalist. Isa na roon ‘yong pag-cover namin sa Marawi siege and the drug war,” he stated.

The event concluded with the speakers encouraging the participants to use photography to tell important stories.

PUP CORE premieres promotional short film

“Together in CommRes, let’s bring progress!”

In celebration of Communication Research Month, the PUP Circle of Research Enthusiasts (CORE) and C23 Productions showcased their first-ever short film titled “Pagkatapos ng Takipsilim” on June 9, 2023, at PUP College of Communication (COC) AVR.

It is the first-ever short film produced by PUP CORE and C23 Productions, aiming to creatively showcase the opportunities offered by Bachelor of Arts in Communication Research (BACR) and to persuade incoming freshmen students to take the course.

The film starred Ulrica Salivio who plays Leila, a senior high school student who struggles with choosing a college program until she discovers her passion for Communication Research.

“Bakitkanag-CommRes?”

Communication Research (CommRes) has been considered by some college applicants as merely “pampuna ng slots sa iApply.”

Freshman Abigail Gloisse Topue stated that the course entails crucial analysis essential for future events.

Further, sophomore Alessie Alanes believes that the CommRes “sheds light to those incapable of speaking up,” stressing it as a way to provide solutions for societal problems.

Project Head and Executive Vice President of PUP CORE

Jemima Faith Laurenciano commemorated the department’s milestones “in the pursuit of perpetual growth and progress.”