RACG reps, ISS study feature writing

By Niño S. Manaog, Regional Applied Communications

(With reports from Vishia Mae Tolcidas, FITS OPA Negros Occidental)

Some 15 quality feature articles written by 12 RACG representatives and 15 Information Service Specialists (ISS) which are ready for publication by the WESVARRDEC Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG). These comprised the output from the first RACG capability building initiative this year titled “Utilizing the Mass Media to Popularize Technical Information and Research” held on September 1–3, 2010 at the Audio-visual Room of the Graduate and Continuing Education Bldg. at the UP Visayas, Iloilo City.

After providing the participants the Western Visayas mass media profile, Prof. Allen del Carmen, a journalist and media practitioner based in Bacolod, taught them feature writing skills and assigned them workshops based on the same. Del Carmen also conducted one-to-one workshop with the participants on how to improve their articles. The last day engaged participants on how to make good scientific posters and visual materials.

The capability building initiative drew good feedback from the participants and hosts. Ms. Hope Patricio, RACG representative and faculty of the Central Philippine University commended Del Carmen for not holding back anything or any knowledge from us. “I‘m glad he was very helpful and patient to all of us,” Patricio said. Jose Nacionales, FITS manager of OPA Iloilo considered the training indispensable to them and personally preferred for an extension of the sessions with Del Carmen.

Jeoffrey Gervacio, ISS of FITS Altavas had to say that he learned in two days what he could possibly learn in one semester, saying, “It’s like one semester nga learning. Sa agriculture kita but naging journalist in only two days” (It is like one semester of lesson. We work under agriculture but we became journalists in two days). Gervacio also appreciated the speaker’s approach even as he worked with each participant in improving the articles. “This way, we can compare with our old notes and have an idea how to do our work better,” Gervacio said.

RACG Coordinator Cora Navarra commended the resource speaker, and hoped that, “we will treasure our learnings here. Navarra also said that now “we have better articles for pcarrd,” and likewise said that all participants use the learned skills in the three-day training.

The training was well supported by the consortium, particularly Administrative Officer Suzette Peñaredondo and the wesvarrdec staff.