By: Janette Franco, Realyn Manaloto, Anj Leaño and Jenny Tan
Holy Cross College celebrated the first anniversary of Radio Libertas, the first educational radio station in the eastern part of Pampanga, and the second celebration of the Devcom Days, February 14-15.
Different activities were launched virtually, highlighting the importance of campus press freedom and the role of student journalists in informing and educating fellow learners during the pandemic.
During the first anniversary of the radio, BS DevCom coordinator Angelica Marie Simpao hosted the flagship program ‘Barkadahan sa Paaralang may Puso’ together with campus journalists Aaron Sombillo from The Crusaders (College Official Student Publication) and Angela Cunanan Crux Magna (SHS Official Student Publication)
Media practitioners like Justine Dizon, head of CLTV News and fellow at KAS Media Program in Asia, together with Mark Diyco Fernando, the technical adviser of The Adamson Chronicle (Official Publication), and Reiniel Pawid, a multiplatform reporter at ABS-CBN News, tackled the role of campus press during the era of infodemic.
“If you are asking campus press freedom, the perfect definition is the limitation is the truth. As long as you know what you are saying is truthful, accurate, and factual, there is no point for you to stop. We have to stand for the truth,” said Dizon.
It also highlighted how campus publications thrived due to the pandemic. Fernando shared how their publication overcame challenges and innovated ways to reach its audience.
“Dahil sa pandemic we have to access social media in order for us to really send the message to the students. Magandang tignan yung sense of belongingess ng mga estudyante, magandang mag-reflect if kailan ba ipagpatuloy ang ganitong program or kailangan ba na i-expand ba ang ganitong proyekto ganito kasi ang naging tanong ng editorial board ng The Adamson Chronicle,” said Fernando.
“We come up with the different programs to penetrate the students that are in their house ngayon, and they are studying from home. Good job din sa mga school administration na talaga sinusportahan ang mga campus journalist” he added.
ABS-CBN multiplatform reporter reminded students to continue stories that will matter to the students and the community. He said good stories could inform and help reach out to people and the concerned organization or agency.
“Iyong paggawa niyo ng mga istorya na may ‘call to action’, dahil kahit gaano pa kaganda ang istorya niyo kung wala namang purpose ito na i-tap ang mga agency o mga nasa posisyon na dapat tumulong doon sa problema, senseless din ang pagbabalita. Parang sinabi niyo lang para may maibalita,” said Pawid.
“Ang pagbabalita may kinikilingan, pero dapat natin tandaan it should be in the service of our Filipino people lagi dapat iyan, may kapupuntahan at kapakinabangan sa tao,” he added.
Moreover, during Valentine’s Day, the pre-anniversary of the campus radio, BS Development Communication 4th year students organized an exhibit to showcase the journey of the pioneers of the college program.
This virtual exhibit entitled “Class of 2022: A League of Our Own” was created with the theme “Unfadable Moments Behind Milestones” to display all the batch’s activities, programs, and accomplishments.
This exhibit also inspired fellow students to continue their passion and dreams of being media practitioners.
“With that, nakita na natin yung impact o yung nagagawa ng media sa community. In the exhibit, we showcase how DevCom can impact the community and society as a whole. That positive change cannot be constantly achieved without having a steady action, kung hindi ipapagpapatuloy bale wala din ang lahat kasi,” said DevCom 4th year, Joymee Cullado.