19th Press Freedom Week opens

Hundreds of Cebu journalists and media workers gathered yesterday morning for the opening of the 19th annual Cebu Press Freedom Week celebration.

A colorful parade from Fuente Osmeña to the Blessed John XXIII Gym in barangay Mabolo, near the Cebu Business Park, opened the week-long activities. Cebu Daily News was awarded as the “Earliest and Biggest Delegation,” while Sun.Star Cebu bagged the “Liveliest and Star of the Parade Award.”

The three community dailies, CDN, Sun.Star Cebu and The Freeman were joined by the delegation from the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters ng Pilipinas (KBP) that included local radio and TV stations and giant networks ABS-CBN and TV 5. TV giant GMA 7 who is not a member of the KBP joined as a separate delegation. TV-5 journalists and workers while part of the KBP group came in their own uniform.

The Press Freedom Week was founded by Cebu’s major dailies including CDN, Sun Star, and The Freeman until it was expanded to include journalists and workers from radio and TV broadcasting stations.

This year’s convenor is Sun.Star Cebu.

Donning mostly their company’s colors, each delegation was accompanied by hired drum and bugle corps and a few festival dancers to add to the merry-making. CDN’s indigo blue colors stood out in its group’s jersey-tailored shirt and banners.

CDN’s mascot Siloy and the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Guyito also joined the parade. CDN is part of the Inquirer Group.

Rev. Fr. Marlon Echica celebrated the Press Freedom Week Mass at the San Carlos Seminary Gym.

“Media should convey reality to the public more clearly. You have to make people see what they do not ordinarily see,” Echica said in his homily during a Mass at the Blessed John XXIII Seminary Gym in Mabolo, Cebu City yesterday morning.

Echica, a professor at the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos, said members of the media should see the value of each individual.

He also reminded journalists to entrust themselves to the Lord instead of just relying on their own skills.

“In media, there are pretensions. It seems that some portray to know everything,” Echica said.

He challenged journalists to trust in God’s grace in the desire to do good.

“You have the role in covering what is lost,” he said.

Dance showdown

After the mass, prizes ranging from cash, gift checks, tablets and a motorcycle were raffled off to lucky participants.

The opening’s main feature was the dance showdown by the three dailies.

This year, the convenor came up with a “lip-sync and dance presentation.”

Sun.Star Cebu’s rendition of the Singkil to the tune of the Department of Tourism’s promotional ad “It’s more fun in the Philippines,” accented by Pinikpikan band’s ethnic rock music.

CDN won second prize. The Siloys brought the house down with their lip-sync and dance medley of “Where have you been” (Rihanna), “Gentleman” (Psy), “Cha-cha Dabarkads” of GMA’s child-wonder Ryzza Mae Dizon” and “Whoops Kiri” of Fruitcake.

The Freeman garnered the 3rd prize.

The PF week also lined up several forums focusing on media-related issues and fellowship with the business and government sectors.

CDN will sponsor a film showing and panel discussion on “Wikileaks” at the Marcelo Fernan press center on September 19.

For other activities of the PF Week, schedules will be published at CDN everyday. It will also be seen online via CDN’s Twitter (Follow @CebuDailyNews) and Facebook Page (Key in Search bar “Cebu Daily News”). /Dale G. Israel, Senior Reporter with Ador Vincent Mayol