27 January 2009
Young participants quick at learning skills
Youth, teachers, pastors, administrators and lay leaders took their time off for two and half days, January 27-29, to attend a writing seminar on what they termed as ‘first to happen’ in this marble-rich island of Romblon in central Philippines.
A total of 113 participants faithfully spent their time at the headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Romblon (RAM) located in Dapawan, Odiongan, Romblon, imbibing lessons believed to enhance their skills to communicate through writing for print, for web, and for personal consumption.
“Of all seminars we have conducted, this has the biggest attendance,” said Dr Jonathan C Catolico, communication director for the Adventist Church in the southern Asia-Pacific region (SSD). The Romblon participants, most of them were students at the Adventist Mission Academy of Romblon (AMAR) and the Romblon National High School (RNHS), a nearby government secondary school who took advantage of the seminar upon the invitation of Pastor Donald E Zabala, president and communication director for RAM.
The youth who had edge on newer technology over their older counterparts learned the techniques of writing, layout and design, and e-publication much easier. They asked the questions the most. “When you ask, you learn better,” remarked Reuben A Pagaduan, design presenter and chair of the Fine Arts Department of the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP).
Besides Catolico and Pagaduan, Winelfred G Pasamba, AUP information technology specialist and web master, presented a half-day skills development on web and electronic publications. He also presented the curricular offerings at AUP that cater to every need of the Adventist youth.
Among the several write-ups submitted by the participants, four were chosen as best contributions that represented feature, news feature, and news writing. “Venturing into the devil’s lair,” was a 400-word feature story submitted by a high school student from RNHS. She cautioned young people from making light the power of the devil as the latter may take advantage of their weaknesses. A young mother also summed up her birthing experience in a 200-word news feature article entitled “Laughter beyond cries!”
“I have learned a lot,” said one young participant, “me, too,” said a young pastor. “Indeed, such an intellectual exercise sharpens rusted skills that are inherent in us,” concluded an experienced professor and news writer and one of the seminar attendees. [Seminar Participants/AND Staff]
