CAOAYAN, ILOCOS SUR – Some 200 students and advisers from all over the country received training from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to prepare them for covering the 2018 Palarong Pambansa here, which opens Sunday, April 15, at the Quirino Stadium.
The PSC’s Communicate Sports Seminar, which aims to teach campus journalists the basics of ethical sports journalism, partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) to train campus writers and their advisers to cover one of the most awaited multi-sports events in the country.
PSC Commissioner Charles Maxey, himself a former sports editor, expressed his elation that “we have the opportunity to be with these young people who are the future communicators of our country.”
The seminar participants are expected to cover matches of the scheduled 28 sports where 15,000 students from all regions across the country will vie for 1599 medals.
Assistant Secretary G.H. Ambat set the editorial directions of the writers on their Palarong Pambansa coverage. “There are many stories that are waiting to be told,” said Ambat in her talk as she gave the participants some idea on possible topics.
She also reminded participants, who are winners of regional and national writing conferences, that DepEd is counting on them to use their writing skills to cover the event and provide engaging stories and salient information on their respective regions’ performances.
Maxey joined PSC Commissioner Celia Kiram in representing the agency in the Palarong Pambansa board deliberation meeting yesterday where Davao City emerged as hosting bid winner.
Both PSC officials will be attending the opening ceremonies today together with PSC Commissioners Arnold Agustin and Ramon Fernandez. President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to grace the ceremony as the guest speaker.
PSC Communicate Sports is a sports journalism seminar launched by the PSC in February this year to activate campus journalists to partner with the PSC in spreading information about the agency, its programs, the exploits of our national athletes and most importantly, to widen the agency’s reach to inspire more to get into sports.
The past two editions of the seminar were held in Davao and Batangas. This special edition held for the Palarong Pambansa campus writers is the third leg, with the next stops scheduled in Cebu and Pampanga. (PR)