In the bustling afternoon at Inuman Elementary School (IES) during the journalism workshop spearheaded by Pendulum Chronicle on February 28 with the theme “Sparks in Scribble: Nurturing Journalistic Skills and Spirit”, qualm has become the biggest enemy of the novice journalists, yet they have fiercely broken into the journalism scene with eagerness to learn.

With the innocence of some IES students with the 10 different categories at the registration, the fledgling journalists from grade 4 to grade 6 chose the category they are familiar with, having the most number of students in Sports and News Writing with 19 and 15 participants respectively.

According to Czyrish Bolivar, one of the elementary participants, through the journalism program, she learned the importance of journalism, sharing that she decided on continuing journalism in high school after the workshop proper.

“I think I will continue journalism in [high school] because I think I have the capabilities and experience to do so and with the help of the amazing teachings [...] I hope na makapasok or makapasa rin po ako sa [AnSci] dahil ito po ang paaralan na sa tingin ko po'y ako ay mag i-improve lalo sa aking mga natutunan [sa workshop],” she added.

Sparking the Present 

In an interview with one of the School Paper Adviser (SPA) of IES, Ms. Christian Monterde, she shared that conduct of journalism workshops hone students’ skills beyond what is being taught inside the classroom, saying that she believed that a lot of students want to learn more than of what is in their curriculum.

Also, the SPA said that she did not anticipate the novice journalists to produce great articles, stressing that seeing her students’ growth is already a reward for her.

“Once kasi na napamahal na sila dito sa journalism, ito na [rin] ang future na tatahakin nila in the future. Maganda na habang bata pa  sila [ma-build] na ‘yung foundation nila sa mga gantong activities,” she added. 

One of the PC EICs, Erin Matro shared that nurturing the youth with journalism is significant for them to be critically aware and be involved in the discussions around them.

“Mahalagang makita nila ung importance no'n beyond the competitions and glories these offer kasi malaki yung role nila as student journalists sa propagation ng truth at pagiging boses for the masses,” Matro shared.

Moreover, IES alumna and PC Opinion Editor, Marianne Magana said that she pushed the commencement of the event to teach children, aiming for the spirit of journalism to not die in the next generation.

“I said to myself, if i have reached so much by starting from just like them, it warms my heart to think that they could be much like me, even greater in the future that's why i was so motivated thinking that maybe i'm in front of the next NSPC qualifiers and most-respected writers in their field,” Magana said.

Scribbling the Past

As the Grade 12 Editorial Board of PC conducted its last outreach program before the school year ends, they hark back to the days when they were starting, highlighting the importance of embarking journalism in young minds.

According to the PC Assistant Layout Head, Julian Restauro, the participants mirrored his beginner phase in journalism, stressing that their eagerness raise willingness to learn.

“These children somewhat mirror my beginner self months prior to where I am today in a way that they were still unaware of the larger side of the work—yet they were eager to learn. And I loved that for them, eagerness raises willingness, which then opens a large space for opportunity and learning. An element truly special for all beginners no matter what medium,” Restauro shared.

Moreover, when the Feature Editor, Hannah Narca said that she was enticed first in reading, then later on learned that she can write people’s stories through her ink.

“To be honest, finding a category isn’t mandatory in journalism, you just have to hone your skills and be flexible enough so you can master everything, and most importantly, amplify the voices of people and shed light to the truth through your words,” she added.