Development Communication Department attended COMGUILD Center for Journalism 8th Annual Conference

Umagang kay Ganda hosts received their award for the Best Morning Program (c) Jun Mata

August 11, 2013-- Students, dean, professor and instructor attended COMGUILD Center for Journalism 8th Annual Conference of Journalism and Mass Communication of Students of the Philippines emphasizing “Truth, Honesty and Integrity: Key to Media Transparency” at AFP Theater, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Different well known personality and celebrity were present to the said event. Like hosts of Umagang kay Ganda, Bernadette Sembrano, Anthony Taberna, Winnie Cordero, Ariel Ureta and Jorge Carino and Mr. Ted Failon and many more. Moreover, there is also the presence of COMGUILD president and CEO, Ms. Jennifer Cruz also known as Ina Alegre.

This conference was divided into two parts, first part, lecture and forum. Speakers such Ms.  Cheryl Cosim, News Anchor/Television host of TV 5; Mr. Quinto Henson, Sports Columnist/ Sportscaster; Ms. Dyan Castillejo, Senior sports Correspondents and host of Sports Unlimited; Mr. Al Ian Barcelona, Impact Chief, AIB Training Event and Consultant Co. and Motivational Speaker and Best Selling book, Micheal Angelo Lobrin shared their experience and gave key point on of being truth, honesty and integrity which was the theme.  Insights and reminder was thrown not only to students but to the, dean, professors and instructors as these speakers challenged participants on being a journalist.

Second part was COMGUILD 2013 Award which was the most awaited part of the students; this was attended by different journalist, reporter and broadcaster personalities. Deans, professors and instructors of different university and colleges took part as they became the judges for the awarded nominee of different category.

*List of COMGUILD 2013 Awardees

COMGUILD 2013 AWARDEES
Best Entertainment News Show	The Buzz (ABS-CBN)
Best Entertainment News Show Host	Mr. Boy Abunda (ABS-CBN)
Best Morning Program	Umagang Kay Ganda (ABS-CBN)
Best Male Field Reporter	Mr. Atom Araullo (ABS-CBN)
Best Female Field Reporter	Ms.  Kara David (GMA 7)
Most Outstanding Male News Presenter	Mr. Anthony Taberna (ABS-CBN)
Most Outstanding Female News Presenter	Ms. Jessica Sojo (GMA 7)
Best News Program	24 Oras (GMA 7)
Most Popular Television Personality	Ms. Jessica Sojo (GMA 7)
First hall of Fame for the  Most Outstanding Male News Presenter	Mr.  Ted Failon (ABS-CBN)

           Some of these awardees were not able to attend but like Ms. Jessica Sojo send her video clip for her message. Students were able to see the hosts of Umagang kay Ganda, Bernadette Sembrano, Anthony Taberna, Winnie Cordero, Ariel Ureta and Jorge Carino. And Mr. Ted Failon was present as he accepted his award for First hall of Fame for the Most Outstanding Male News Presenter. 

INSIGHTS

PART 1: Lecture and Forum

Ms. Cheryl Cosim on the stage having her message (c) Jun Mata

 I was mesmerized as I saw different journalist and personality, especially when Ms. Cheryl Cosim came out as the first speaker. It was a 10 second stun seeing her in front, more than seeing her message touches and challenged us as student for being journalist. Do I really want to be a journalist? Do I really have the passion? Things that I keep on asking.  She said as a journalist or writer is being ready for the frustration and heartbreaks but then, in telling your story having the right motivation is your key to your success.  Being truth without hurting others, being honest for the common good, having integrity is being true to self. 

Some of the things that I learned to her, she did not just became a reporter or host but she experience hardship in attaining what she wants. No doubt that she really became successful in her career.

Being a journalist or taking the path of journalist is not the easy road, of course nothing is easy but in this aspect I agree with her that having the right motivation leads you to your success. Why are you writing?

Mr. Quinito Henson deliver his message 

Next speaker, Mr. Quinito Henson, Sports Columnist/ Sportscaster, sports have a big role in our society, he said. Sports can gather people like he set an example of every time Manny Pacquiao had his fights, crime were lessen and most people were watching his fight. Sports became pride in our country. 

This was true, sport can bring pride to our country, but before we saw this events, reporters, writer, journalist spend their efforts in get information right away. The dedication, hard work and affection he said, result a good news or information to the people.  Where we can understand how this specific sports played, and what is it going that as audience sometimes we cannot understand what was happening in the court. 

This can be one of the test of being truth in information, I think sports really test us on how true we deliver the information not being bias, and how we exercise our honesty and integrity. Do we really give importance to a sport story?  Or have we moved by this story? I believe on what a sport story can bring us and as a journalist, on how willing to sacrifice in attaining the information needed.

There is a quotation “to see is to believe”, which is true, now, you are a suspect of being a witness. In connection of being a writer, I believe that you can be true and honest when you are involved and witness the situation. Not just by hearing to other but you saw it.

In having a good story, you need to work hard, which I agreed to Ms. Dyan Castellejo. Give 100% everything you do something and value the relationship for God wanted us to be excellent.

          

        

Mr. Al Ian Barcelona dancing 'Gentlemen" on the stage

       His humor invades the theater, Mr. Al Ian Barcelona, really caught my attention on his way of delivering his message which you really can gain knowledge “Live Awesome, Stay Awesome, and Be Awesome” he said. on the picture, there he was dancing 'Gentlemen' in uplifting the atmosphere in the theater which was enjoy by the audience as he gave his different version of it.

    

    Even though this was before lunch and some was hungry, he let us forgot it and fed us laughter and his motivation message. He asked, “What is our state today?” the answer that question is to understand the present in facing the reality he said. Somewhat poverty, corruption and etc. is not the problem, he leave a quotation, “change the country, change within” and his five societal values; Vision, Action, Passion, Transformation, and Decision.

        

       He wasn't celebrity but this impact to me is priceless. Realization came up; being not only a human in the society but a human that full of values changes your environment.  He didn't just give insight and points to remember but an aspiring message which sometimes you will realize something is right and wrong, within you and things that surrounds you. Short time but thousands of thoughts and value you can extract that’s what I can say to him and his message.

        

Mr. Michael Angelo Lobrin saying his motivational message (c) Jun Mata

       Last speaker, Mr. Michael Angelo Lobrin, like Mr. Barcelona, I like the way they moved the hearts and minds maybe some, to their message. He didn’t just said his tips, but in connection to God. No doubt that he is a motivational speaker. Things I cannot forgot to him, you cannot attain success in just loving yourself but in the love of God. I believe in the principle, “whatever you do, do it for the Glory of God.” Like he said, do not forget to do things with love.

    Being a journalist, is not easy, writing is not easy especially there people that will be affected or involved  by your writings, nothing is easy but as long as you have the desire and passion and you do everything for God, nothing is impossible.

    “Prove not to people, not to self but to God.” he said. Even though we didn’t attend church services hearing his message draw us and motivated that day.  Not just being exposed in the media industry but in achieving success the path that we will be going. He didn’t limit his message on being a writer or journalist but in extend to humanity and be blessed by God.

       

       In summary, all these speakers help us in preparing for entering the world of media. We should always carry what is the truth, being honest and integrity we have which starts not in the people surrounds but within ourselves.

Part 2: 2013 COMGUILD Awards

        Some of the awardees weren't able to attend the conference. I’m a little bit disappointed, but then, work is work.  Seeing them present was big impact; however we might not know their reason but hearing the disappointed voice and hearing their whisper of comment on not being present caught my attention.  I heard comments like, “they are good because they are all present unlike blah blah.” Do these students shift their like on the other because the other wasn't present? This might be true, students expected that they come but then, work is work.

  

         For me, this year’s awardees were deserving. When I watch them on the television, "i want to be like them someday." This winners also were my favorite, especially Ms. Kara David, whom I watch most of her documentary. and who could not know Mr. Boy Abunda, Ms, Jessica Sojo and Mr. Atom Araullo which was also my favorites. Why did I like them? They moved and inspire their audience, not just they are well-known but they worked hard for the people, as my basis of seeing them on the television.

         This is my first conference in COMGUILD and I can say this won't be the last. Looking forward for the next speakers and celebrity, journalist, writer, broadcaster and reporters that will inspire us and moved us in entering the World of Journalism.