CDN’s day desk editor Doris Bongcac gives tips to Cebu City school students on news writing during the Siloy Campus Journalism Lecture-Workshop held at SM City Cebu on September 30, 2017.
CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO
Siloy Campus Journalism
In a sea of aspiring journalists learning how to effectively write news reports and feature articles, there was 12-year-old Myles Augustine Rosel seated at the farthest side of the room thinking of ways on how to transform words into illustrations and caricatures.
The Grade 6 student of San Nicolas Elementary School (SNES) is the editorial cartoonist of SNES Voice, the school’s official publication. He dreams of seeing his works published on a newspaper in the future.
Myles joined the school paper two years ago after his adviser saw his potential when he achieved back-to-back victories in poster making contests.
“Being an editorial cartoonist is special because you use your talent in drawing to tell a story. It involves thinking and analyzing because you have to explain an issue or an editorial using illustrations,” explained Myles.
Like a writer, he said editorial cartoonists need to be aware of current events that affect the lives of the people in the community.
Myles is the son of Jules and May Rosel of Barangay Pahina San Nicolas, Cebu City.
Jules drives a car for a transport network vehicle service company while May runs a carinderia (eatery) and a sari-sari store.
His parents are supportive of this endeavor because no one in the family has a history of writing or drawing for a newspaper.
Last Saturday, Myles joined more than 150 students and teachers from 13 public elementary schools in Cebu City on the fifth leg of the Siloy Campus Journalism Lecture-Workshop, a project of Cebu Daily News to train the next generation of journalists.
Fake news
An editorial cartoonist for two years, Myles is quite opinionated about different issues. He cited the proliferation of lies and fake news on social media as one of the disadvantages of a technologically advanced generation.
“It is easy to comment and share but we need to remember that we are responsible for what we share online so think before you share,” he said.
Myles said the community still needs traditional media such as newspapers because they are legitimate sources of news and current events.
“Do not be discouraged by people who say that your newspaper delivers fake news. Don’t mind them. If you see someone sharing wrong information, then tell the person immediately. Do better in what you do. That’s the best way to tell them they’re wrong about you,” said Myles.
Passion
Siloy Campus journalism at SM City Cebu with Cbu City school students. (TD)
SNES Voice school paper adviser Bernadeth Manlosa said it takes passion and commitment to teach children how to write and become their main “cheerleader” when they join contests.
As a school paper coach for close to two decades, Manlosa had her fair share of wins and losses, making her accustomed in dealing with disappointed students who did not win a spot in the contests.
But to Manlosa, winning is just a bonus.
“Ultimately, I want to teach them how to become responsible citizens… that they are conscious and aware of what is happening in their surroundings,” shared Manlosa.
Manlosa’s teaching career started at the Zapatera Night High School, where she served for five years.
A short stint at the Sinsin Elementary School, which is located in a mountain barangay, brought her to elementary education. For 13 years now, she has taught english at the San Nicolas Elementary School.
Fifth run
The Cebu Daily News Siloy Campus Journalism Lecture-Workshop is now on its second year with sessions on writing and photography carried out in the cities of Mandaue, Cebu and Toledo.
The sessions are attended by elementary and high school students from various private and public schools.
On October 7, the lecture-workshop will be brought to Lapu-Lapu City before the 2017 leg officially ends.
“We offer these workshops free of charge. This is CDN staying true to our commitment of journalism that builds communities,” said Pia Jean Velasquez-Seno, CDN assistant vice president and chief of sales and marketing department.
The sessions are supported by generous partners who believe in the advocacy. SM City Cebu, SM Tradehall, Prifood Corporation and Jollibee were the sponsors of the Cebu City run.
CDN Day Desk Editor Doris Bongcac, who shared her insights on news and editorial writing, said teamwork is evident among the team members who organize the lecture-workshop.
The Siloy Campus Journalism Lecture-Workshop is a joint initiative of the editorial, advertising/marketing and circulation departments of CDN.
“This is a campaign to encourage the younger generation to practice good journalism even as young practitioners. Whether or not these children end up as journalists in the future, we are pushing for this advocacy to combat fake news and unverified reports,” said Bongcac.