Reason and Concern

By Ronquillo C. Tolentino

Strengthening Aklan Campus Journalism

I take it from the Philippine Collegian issue as quoted in the April 20, 2007 Rising Sun Personal Blog of Prof. Danny Arao that the campus press serves as the voice of students in particular and the youth in general (if it were to include here the out-of-school ones). ”History has shown that the youth plays a major role in the shaping of history, as in the case of the Cultural Revolution and even in the 1986 Revolution in the Philippines. In today’s setting, the campus press can help strengthen the youth and students movement and consequently foment social changes.”
Early in July 5, 1991 the national government, conscious of the vital importance of campus journalism, the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 (RA No. 7079) was enacted into law. Titled “An Act Providing for the Development and Promotion of Campus Journalism and for Other Purposes”, Sec. 2 –Declaration of Policy- states:”It is the declared policy of the State to uphold and protect the freedom of the press even at the campus level and promote the development and growth of campus journalism as a means of strengthening ethical values, encouraging critical and creative thinking, and developing moral character and personal discipline of the Filipino youth. In furtherance of this policy, the state shall undertake various programs and projects aimed at improving the journalistic skills of students concerned and promoting free and responsible journalism.”
Governor Carlito S. Marquez and Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores in coordination with the Department of Education sponsored a campus journalism seminar on February 1-2, 2008. Dubbed “Aklan Campus Journalism Writeshop, the Aklan provincial governor and congressman observed that for a long time, the development and enhancement of the capacities of the Aklan youths as manifested by projects assisted by local government were focused on sports development program. Limited efforts were geared towards training and enrichment of other proficiency besides leadership such as journalism and communication skills, Marquez and Miraflores tersely manifested.
Indeed, Aklanons excel in various fields including journalism. Marquez and Miraflores said that the annals of Aklanon writers are repleted with journalists who rose from community-based and campus/school papers to careers in the various fields of mass communications. But much can be done to improve the stock of budding writers all over Aklan. The preparatory committee of the campus journalism writeshop averred : “Of late, the credibility of the broadcast media has been tainted by a number of practitioners who deliberately set aside ethics and good taste. These broadcasters/writers sensationalize issues without working for a truly balanced presentation and giving due process for people concerned. Driven by personal interest and bribes, they abuse media autonomy to assassinate characters.”
The Akeanon Campus Journalism Workshop jointly sponsored by the Provincial Government of Aklan and the Congressional District Office of Aklan in coordination with the Department of Education is the first of its kind in the Western Visayas region or elsewhere in the country. It is truly designed that the future of Aklan print and broadcast media practitioners will evolve into a truly and respected Fourth Estate. The two-day campus journalism writeshop at designated workshop venues in Kalibo, Aklan was attended by 300 campus journalists and campus publications advisers. The journalism event was envisioned as a breakthrough in providing the fundamentals to budding writers, especially in instilling responsible and ethical journalism.
Gov. Marquez and Congressman Miraflores are keen on harnessing the potentials of budding Aklanon writers/broadcasters who shall be equipped with journalistic skills and shall undergo emersion on ethics and value formation through sustainable activities.
Notes :
Carmen Salas Quimpo, a distinguished and outstanding Aklanon in various endeavors was laid to rest. I had occasion to extend my condolences and sympathy to the children of Carmen Salas Quimpo; former Congressman Allen Salas Quimpo, Melrose, Carmela, Erlinda, Lilian, Dan, Jess, Vic. I missed Rey and Bob (deceased) in my January 25, 2008 column. Carmen Salas Quimpo, one of the survivors of the S/S Corregidor that hit a sea mine at about 11:45 in the evening of December 17, 1941, recounted that of over 1000 passengers, 200 survived. Carmen Salas Quimpo, wife of former Kalibo mayor and retired municipal judge Rustico S. Quimpo recalled the nightmarish evening in Roman A. dela Cruz’ book “Town of a Thousand.”
H.W. Beecher once said:

“Living is death, dying is life
On this side of the grave, we are exiles;
On that, citizens; on this side captives;
On that, freemen; on this side disguised,
Unknown; on that, disclosed and
proclaimed as sons of God.”

Carmen Salas Quimpo left this world from earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection. /MP