The University of Santo Tomas (UST), through its Office of Public Affairs and Communications Bureau, collaborated with ABS-CBN News to bring the traveling media literacy campaign Campus Patrol to its Manila campus on March 21. The discussions were held at the Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom of the Bl. Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P., Building and deepened students’ understanding of journalism and the growing threats to credible news.
Media literacy is more than just about consuming news, but rather about engaging with it critically, said ABS-CBN Integrated News Head Ms. Francis Toral. The UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL, echoed this sentiment in his opening remarks, emphasizing the responsibility of being discerning, courageous, and ethical in the pursuit of truth.
Student volunteers from the UST Tiger Media Network (TMN) ran the production and showcased their skills alongside professionals from ABS-CBN.
Among the keynote speakers was Ms. Karmina Constantino, a respected broadcast journalist with nearly three decades of experience. She addressed current threats to the free press, including newsroom closures, business pressures, and public disengagement, stating powerfully, “No shackles are strong enough against a free press determined to be free.”
ABS-CBN Chief of Reporters Mr. Jeff Canoy offered insight into journalism’s evolving landscape. With a career covering national security, disasters, and armed conflicts, Canoy described journalism as a marriage of arts and sciences—balancing structured processes with subjective aspects. He shared harrowing field experiences from Typhoon Yolanda and the Marawi siege, highlighting how the profession must now confront the growing challenges of journalism.
Mainstream news is competing with the explosion of content as various digital contents with questionable veracity are now vying for people’s time and attention. News consumption habits have also been changing since no one gathers or waits for the evening news or the newspaper when people can tap or swipe to consume information whenever they please, shared Canoy.
Students were also introduced to citizen journalism by Bayan Mo, Ipatrol Mo Training Officer Ms. Dabet Panelo, who encouraged young people to actively participate in community reporting and truth-telling, especially through social media.
Booths from sponsors like MemoPlus Gold, Huawei, Cornetto, Sunsilk, and Myx added an engaging atmosphere, with games, free samples, and a Reporter’s Challenge where students practiced delivering news on camera with a teleprompter.
The event was hosted by student talents Adrian Molina and Tatyana Austria, alongside ABS-CBN personalities Ganiel Krishnan, Andrea Taguines, and Michael Delizo—an alumnus of UST Graduate School and current academic staff at the UST Senior High School.
Closing remarks were delivered by Arwin Nathaniel Romano, former creative production head of TMN.
The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, UST Sinag Ballroom Dance Company, singer Matt Cruz, and rising P-pop group 1621 provided lively intermissions.
UST was the third stop of ABS-CBN’s Campus Patrol tour, following events at the College of Saint Benilde in Antipolo and the University of the Philippines – Los Baños. The campaign aims to reach more universities across the country to nurture a generation of informed, engaged, and responsible media consumers.
