Parish SocCom learns Bisaya Journalism

“Write to express not to impress, and to express is to be genuine” says UP Professor and Feature Writing speaker Mr. Julius Piala to the Media Baby ka ba? attendees last June 27.

Volunteers, Parish Social Communications (SocComm) coordinators and staff from 18 parishes filled up the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Hall in Ma-a, Davao City for the first Journalism Write shop with one-year planning as the main output.

After the welcome by Fr. Ritsche J. Gamaya and Fr. Bong Gonzaga, a challenging get-to-know icebreaker followed. Then Organizational Situationer was given by Dr. Cheryl A. Vilog. The Content Evaluation and One-Year Plan were completed as the day progressed.

The afternoon session became more interesting with Sulat-Kamay, Hatid Balita (Feature Writing) by Mr. Piala and Bisaya Journalism by the former editor of DC Herald, Ms. Annie Libres. Write shop and critiquing ended the day. The participants composed of youth and adults interacted well with one another, and hoped to disseminate what they learned to their respective parishes. Plans include the intensification of training and support to the media apostolate.

Media Baby ka ba? is the simplified journalism seminar with Bisaya Journalism given for free by the Davao Verbum Dei Media Foundation Inc. (Davao Catholic Herald and DXGN Spirit FM). This hopes to train more budding writers both for Herald and their own newsletter. There are 20 modules being run at present ranging from writing, team-building, photography and event documentation. (Ysa Dumandan)