COMM students bag 4th in an International Convention on Media Communication Vlogging Competition

The 26th EdukCircle International Convention on Media Communication brought renowned and prominent journalists and media professionals to share insights at critical topics in modern journalism and public relations. Held via Zoom last October 26, 2024, hosted by Ms. Toni Pua.

Among the featured prominent speakers who tackled range of topics was Mr. Ivan Mayrina, News Anchor and Host of GMA Network, who opened the convention by recounting his journey through the newsroom, sharing his experiences in news writing, scriptwriting, and field reporting. He also emphasized critical thinking in news field coverage and encourages young journalists to practice ‘showing up as there is no substitute in showing up’.

Along with Mr. Ivan Mayrina, Ms. Mira Gadil, Chief of Public Relations and Communications of the Office of Senator Miguel Zubiri, tackled media relations in the time of social media; Ms. Che Delos Santos, Country Program Manager and International Media Support, discussed avoiding news avoidance and the constructive approach to journalism; Ms. Angie Quadra Balibay, Managing Editor of GoodNewsPilipinas.com, shared the history and experiences of GoodNews Pilipinas on how they became the Philippines’ number 1 website for good news; and Ms. Cecille Lardizabal, former Reporter of CNN Philippines and ABS-CBN News, covered how journalism shapes public discourse.

Moreover, Prof. Nerissa Olarte, Instructional Materials Development Coordinator of TSU College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), and Dr. Maria Vanessa Arador, Research Chairperson of CASS, participated in the event as panelists and asked questions to some of the speakers.

Subsequently, the awarding for the 3rd EdukCircle Vlogging Competition took place. Out of 19 entries across the Philippines, Tarlac State University (TSU) Communication Students representatives concluded the competition as 4th Runner-Up.

The team, composed of Mr. Romer Madrid, Mr. Dean Mhar Madriaga, Ms. Thimothy Addelaide Yvonne Perez, Ms. Heleina Anjela Quesada, and Mr. John Christian Talavera, all fourth-year communication students, with their advisers Prof. Maria Fermina Joyce Nucum and Mr. Jovito Taruc, produced a 5-minute-long vlog that tackles cronyism in the Philippines with the title “Katotohanan o Kapangyarihan”.

The vlog highlighted the significance of truth and the rights of the Filipino people for public access to information. It also encouraged viewers to practice objective and ethical journalism.

The event was originally scheduled to be held at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, with the participants from TSU set to attend, but has been shifted online due to Typhoon Kristine.