Student publications from different PUP branches convened at the “UGNAYAN 2023: 5th PUP System-wide Student Press Convention and Congress'' on a three-day plenary, which was held from March 2 to 4 at Charlie del Rosario Building, PUP Sta. Mesa.
The system-wide press convention aims to unite campus journalists and the like for press and academic freedom, said The Catalyst Associate Editor and new Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamamahayag - PUP (AKM-PUP) National Chairperson Brell Lacerna.
“Sa mga susunod pang mga usapin [congress], mas mapapatatag natin [at] paano pa ba natin mas ma-i-so-solidify ‘yong solidarity natin with the given demands that we have? And at the same time, 'yong ating mga pinoprotektahang karapatan bilang estudyante at isang citizen ng Pilipinas,” Lacerna said.
The alliance currently consists of 21 student publications and writing arms across the PUP system.
College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Secretary-General Jamme Robles also spoke at the plenary, spearheading the affirmation of the allied pubs and writing organizations for membership to the guild through a CEGP orientation, press freedom situationer, and a campus press freedom bill primer.
“Isang bahagi rin na nakakapagsalita na tayo pero paano din natin ma-e-empower ‘yong iba lalo na ‘yong basic sectors na magsalita?” Robles encouraged.
Meanwhile, the allied organizations presented their accomplishments reports at the congress.
The first two days of the assembly also saw two journalism skills training.
These included discussions on militant news writing and human rights reportage, led by Bulatlat reporter Aira Siguenza, and community journalism and alternative media tradition, headed by Mayday Multimedia’s Alyssa Suico.
In addition, Philippine Labor Movement Archive (PLMA) representative Rochelle Porras then tackled the movement's objectives tackling labor struggles and its coherent history, as archival plays a crucial role for a "free" media.
The third day focused on resolution building and a mass integration to the Samahang Janitorials ng PUP (SJ-PUP) general assembly.
𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮 𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗞𝗠-𝗣𝗨𝗣 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿
The second day closed with the election of AKM-PUP’s National Executive Committee for the academic year 2023-2024.
The congress voted for Brell Lacerna, The Catalyst Associate Editor for External Affairs and CEGP spokesperson, as the alliance's new national chairperson.
Lacerna, in his acceptance speech, laid plans of actions for the alliance which include further AKM representation in PUP administrative proceedings, assertion towards editorial independence, solidarity with alternative media, and participation in lobbying the Campus Press Freedom Bill.
“Gayundin, maforward ang inyong unique campus publication needs and democratic rights, [...] basic needs, safety and protection. Paano ba mapahahalagahan holistically ‘yung inyong mental health, and s’yempre iyong academic freedom natin,” said Lacerna.
Moreover, the congress elected The Communicator Editor-in-chief Lheonel Sanchez as Vice Chair for External Communications, while Baliktanaw Editor-in-chief Ryan San Juan was designated Vice Chair for Internal Communications.
"Tayo, bilang kampus-mamamahayag, ay hindi lamang dapat napapako sa pagsusulat. Tayo rin dapat ay lumuluhog at nakikiisa sa komunidad sa labas ng pamantasan dahil ang tunay na laban ay wala sa apat na sulok ng silid-aralan, bagkus ito ay nasa lansangan," Sanchez asserted.
Furthermore, The Catalyst’s Shane Mapesos and PUP BiblioFlix’s Renzo Dumailang were successfully inducted as Secretary-General and Propaganda Head, respectively.
The regional coordinator position has yet to be filled but with several standing nominees, namely The Marker EIC Ian Clark Mistula, The Searcher's Laira Lunar, and a Vox Nova representative.
The education and research head position was also left with standing nominees, namely The Vanguard's Queneth Bustamante, The Catalyst's King Digos, and PUPCJs’ Jieu Vien.
Moreover, the finance head position was left with standing nominees, namely JPIA Link's Alexis Almeyda, PUPCJs’ Allyssa Flores, The Communicator's Larriezel Morada, and The Engineering Spectrum's Ryan Cabael.
The vacant positions are to be discussed in the alliance’s next general assembly.
Graphics: Cathlyn de Raya
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