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avier University The Crusader Publication conducted its eighth installment of Sibya—a Northern Mindanao Student Communicators Congress that gathered approximately 400 participants from all over the region on March 9, at Cinema 3, SM City, CDO. Themed, “Keeping Watch: Power of the Press in the Millennial Times,” the congress aims to educate participants on the power of journalism in conveying stories that are relevant in society, especially those exposed in civic interactions through powerful tools like social media. The program officially started with the opening remarks given by Crusader Publication Freehand Editor Rizalyka Joanne Waminal. Her message focused on inviting the participants with a call to action to keep watch and stay honest amidst the rise of fake news. “Sibya implores us to be vigilant in these trying times, during which the role of the press has never been more crucial,” she remarked. The annual congress featured talks from former ABS-CBN Anchor Primy Cane, Rappler’s News Editor Miriam Grace Go, and Photojournalist Alecs Ongcal. The lineup of speakers for the forum served to show different perspectives from the different journalism practitioners. These include peace journalism, the millennial and news, and the power of photojournalism in the era. Following the three powerful sessions was a forum that featured local and national issues like dengvaxia, extra-judicial
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killings, the widespread appearance of fake news, and press freedom. Cane’s session talked about Peace Journalism. It focused on the choices every journalist makes while covering news and working towards peaceful outcomes from conflicts. Cane also shared that peace journalism can help society at large think and speak about non-violence and creativity when dealing with conflicts. On the other hand, Go tackled millennials as news consumers. She expounded on how the different social media sites like Facebook, Messenger, Twitter, and Viber that can be a great platform for news dissemination information. She also emphasized on millennials as storytellers— that everyone can be a source of news through engaging in the different communities. Moreover, Ongcal displayed different photographs showing extra-judicial killings, rallies, and poverty in the Philippines. She also specified that ethics is an important element of photojournalism and that there is a need to take part and engage oneself in the rising issues of the country. Led by Crusader Publication Moderator Stephen Pedroza and Crusader Publication Editor in Chief Therese Mole, the awarding for Journalism competitions such as Essay Writing and Photography for both secondary and tertiary categories took place after the open forum. The winners for the essay writing contest, college category were: Dawn Prencess Caburog of Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), Nathan Jon Murillo
of St. Rita’s College of Balingasag, and Almera Limpao II of MSU-IIT. For the high school category, Francisco Silvidad Jr. of Liceo Senior High placed first, followed by Jasimah Gutoc of Corpus Christi High School, and Kathleen Rose Labial of Fatima College of Camiguin. For the photography contest college category, Thrextor Orzal Meneses of Xavier English Language and Literature Organization (XELLO), Ivy Mari Mangadlao of MSU-IIT, and Pauline Dexie De la Cerna of Liceo de Cagayan University, placed first, second, and third, respectively. For the high school category, Agamart Ferrer Handag of St. Rita’s College of Balingasag took first place, Patricia Jade Lim from Liceo High School placed second, and Febee Joy Cuarto form Manolo Fortich National High School placed third. The event concluded with Crusader Publication Managing Editor Tisha Abejo’s closing remarks that reminded the participants to seek strength and inspiration from God in order to continue the pursuit of truth by all means. “... And when time comes that you feel helpless, weak, defeated, and afraid, remember this battlecry: BIL. Basta Ikaw Lord. You are not alone in this pursuit of truth, He is with you.” SIBYA was opened for communication majors, student journalists, social media-savvy professionals, and everyone interested in the forum. Established in 2012, Sibya is an annual student-run, non-profit communication congress that gathers participants from NorthMin through invitations and independent promotions.C
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