Learning from RP's Media elite

Excited, joyful, curious -- Past 5 in the morning of August 13, these were all I was like as we were riding on that van heading to Ateneo De Manila University for the 6th ICCS Media convention which is one of the biggest conferences annually delegated by communication students all over the country.

This year's theme is " Dissecting ethical standards in multimedia journalism " and the guest speakers were no less than the country's giants in journalism so I got really interested in attending.

Our van arrived at the venue and as we expected, the participants were all piled up outside for the registration. (pictorial session na din for some). Few minutes later, we were given the signal to enter the theater. Inside, people were like ants roaming around until the funny hosts grabbed their microphones and formally started the program.

First on the line of speakers was Maki Pulido of GMA 7 who talked about making a documentary. She said  we don't need to actually do a lot of voice over to guide the viewers in deciphering what's happening in the film. In fact, she said we only need to follow the subject and the subject will lead us to the core of the story with all the necessary emotions and elements we need. (the video will speak for itself, sabi nga).


Next was Nonoy Espina, Senior editor of INTERAKSYON.COM TV5  who discussed about social media ethics. Well basically, he explained the code of ethics in print journalism as they are just the same with online journ. However, he added the advantages of online journalism such as interactivity and user-friendliness of sites.

Just before lunch time, a man with a very authoritative voice went up the stage. He was Ed Lingao, the multimedia desk editor of the PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM (PCIJ). (Kaya pala [thunder-voiced?] sya). His lecture was very interesting. He said that in journalism, we need to take a vow of poverty but we do not really have to take a vow of chastity. (well, sinesearch ko pa din meaning nito). Furthermore, he let us know the different tricks that reporters are using to make their reports stirring and attention getting. (they're so funny pramis...lols)

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After lunch, it was Anthony Taberna's turn (ABS-CBN). I badly wanted to hear his lecture but I didn't know what two of my classmates have made me eat that I decided to join them in their pictorial. (grabe ung isa kung mkpg-strike ng pose tapos hanep sa pag-eemote yung isa...lols). Anyway, it was good he went overtime so we heard him still. His topic was Ethics in radio. Hindi naman daw dapat magmura 'pag nagco-comment sa radyo. Dapat din daw sundin yung code of ethics nung kumpanya kung saan ka nagtatrabaho. He admitted though that most of the time, he couldn't avoid commenting on news he is reporting though the same is supposed to be factual and free from opinion. (pumunta pa man din kami sa gilid nung stage pra mgpa-picture, ng-stay sya backstage).

The speaker that I was most excited about was Maria Ressa, former head of ABS-CBN NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS and is now based in Singapore, writing a book. She flew from Singapore early that morning just to speak in front of us. (fascinating). She talked about changing the Philippine Media landscape from the traditional to what is inherent now, the citizen journalism -- one that involves the public and the citizens. She's really very intelligent and friendly (as well as the others, pero geeky daw sya sabi nya).

The last one was no other than the publisher of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), Isagani Yambot. He is an old man with a great sense of philosophical wisdom. He emphasized the words of his friend, Joseph Pulitzer (they're both known publisher): ACCURACY, ACCURACY, ACCURACY which made me remember my former professor to whom I heard these for the first time. She told us back then that whatever we do in the media industry must have these words for they reflect our credibility as information-carriers.

Past 5 in the evening, the same day, we left the venue. Still excited for I really want to put into practice all the things I learned and the challenges they left to us; Still joyful because of the new experiences I had; and curious still because I want to learn more about all these principles. Anyway, I believe that was one of the most worthwhile seminars I've attended to and it's worth the pay. "first time kong nakinig sa lahat ng speakers at first time ko din na hindi nakatulog", said one of my classmates. I agree.