Letran SHS Fourth Estate’s Visual Paragons Webinar highlights Editorial Cartooning and Photojournalism discussion

Thea Tugade

SATURDAY, October 9, 2021 - The Letran SHS Fourth Estate held a workshop about Editorial Cartooning and Photojournalism with the theme, “Visual Paragons: In, With and For the Society - The Power of Images and Cartoons in the Pandemic-induced Campus Journalism” via Zoom Conference.

The masters of the ceremony, Ms. Beatrice Olea Gonzales and Mr. Gerald Servado, started off the event with a Kumustahan session with the participants present in the workshop.

To formally start the event, Ms. Lucia Tangi, the President of Journalism Studies Association of the Philippines (JSAP), gave the opening remarks. She thanked the organizers of this event for continuing to do the workshop despite a pandemic due to the COVID-19 virus.

Afterwards, Ms. Najerah Dimakuta, the Associate Editor of Letran SHS Fourth Estate, gave a brief introduction to the first speaker of the Editorial Cartooning category. It is none other than Mr. Rene Aranda, the Chief Editorial Cartoonist of one of the country’s leading print and digital newspapers, the Philippine Star.

Mr. Aranda started his discussion by stating, “Editorial Cartooning represents the newspaper itself, not just the artist.” In his presentation entitled “Editorial Cartooning: Tips, Do’s and Don'ts,” he further emphasized the basics, importance, and the true meaning of Editorial Cartooning in a newspaper.

He explained that an Editorial Cartoon is an opinion expressed in a cartoon form, and the first secret is to read, be informed, and base on facts, not social media. Furthermore, it is not a self-enjoyment for the artists, rather for the readers.

“What they want to know is the stand of the newspaper,” he remarked. According to him, Editorial Cartooning should be humorous because the funnier, the better — except for contents related to tragedies. Being sensitive and politically correct is needed to avoid stereotyping. Thus symbols can be used. Labels are also a must, but not to the extent that the artwork would not be sensible.

“It’s always content over techniques,” he concluded in his lecture.

It was then followed by the Question and Answer portion of the event, in which the participants actively engaged. Thereafter, Ms. Danielle Piler, the News Editor of Letran SHS Fourth Estate, presented the Certificate of Recognition to Mr. Rene Aranda.

Continuing the event, Ms. Thea Tugade, the Editor-in-Chief of Letran SHS Fourth Estate, introduced the second speaker, Mr. Jimmy Domingo, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Journalism, College of Mass Communication in the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

His discussion is entitled, “Truth and Integrity of Images.” He reminded the participants to read to have deeper insights and understanding. He discussed the Power of Expression and its subtopics such as content, style, and message.

According to him, safety is important for content, and captions are needed to be emphasized for the audience’s better understanding. Contents should be related to happenings in today’s time, and they could also be inspiring.

Moreover, he discussed the purpose of a visual message to inform the viewer about what can be seen and what facts are beyond the picture. “A photograph is fixed with a thousand words,” he stated.

In Photojournalism, the camera has its limitations hence, “Iyong kabuoan ng story hindi masyadong naka-capture kaya important ang may caption on what have you captured… Kapag may limitation sa camera, maaaring mag-iba ang meaning ng photographic truth.”

Thereafter, the floor was opened again for the Question and Answer portion. Ms. Diane Martinez, the Head Copyreader of Letran SHS Fourth Estate, then presented the Certificate of Recognition to Mr. Jimmy Domingo.

As the event is nearing its end, Assoc. Prof. Eric N. Awi, PhD gave the closing remarks. He thanked the campus journalists and speakers who partook in the workshop to make the event successful.

The event was a success and was concluded through the community singing of Himno del Colegio.

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