Cutting through the noise is the motion of truth in the form of journalism, along with the ember of passion from the young, situated in the walls of a campus.
In the second iteration of Saint Louis University’s (SLU) “Campus Press Dispatches: A Convergence of Louisian Student Publications” led by the Office of the University President (OUP) through the University Information Office (UIO), campus journalists are set to come together on 17 March 2026 at the Fr. Francis Gevers Hall, Diego Silang Building.
Aimed at enhancing and sharpening their skills in journalism and media amidst the tides of modernism and digitalization, the seminar-workshop will zero-in on writing for hyperlocal communities, digital journalism (multimedia production), and visual journalism.
Campus Press Dispatches 2 carries the burning torch of the inaugural Convergence in AY 2024-2025, that brought together Louisian school publications, namely, The Young Louisian Courier, SLU Tanglaw Hilaga, and The Louisian from the Basic Education School; Daily Dose from the School of Nursing, Allied Health, and Biological Sciences (SONAHBS), Sampuso from the Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Parish, SCHEMA from the School of Accountancy, Management, Computing and Information Studies (SAMCIS), Stellaris from the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA), The Buttress from the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), and White & Blue, the official university-wide student publication.
The first convergence featured seasoned journalists and media professionals including Philippine Daily Inquirer News Correspondent Ms. Kimberlie Quitasol, ABS-CBN Bayan Mo iPatrol Mo Training Officer Ms. Dabet Panelo, and Manila Bulletin Photojournalist Mr. JJ Landingin. In the afternoon, a workshop-critiquing session commenced to help enhance the quality of reportage of each publication present.
For this year’s return, a new roster of exemplars will set foot in the walls of SLU to impart their valuable knowledge and experiences on media and journalism in the digital age. To start off, Reynadel “Edel” Valera, Head Writer and Story Producer of The Fat Kid Inside Studios/FEATR, will be delivering a talk entitled “Words That Build: Writing to Mobilize Communities”. Secondly, the talk “Visual Communication: Photojournalism Driving Solutions” will be shared by Lauren A. Alimondo, Information Officer, Commission on Population and Development-CAR. To complete the trio, Francis Irvin “Kiko” Quezon, a TV Writer, Voice Artist, and Multimedia Producer from ABS-CBN will be talking about “Voices Amplified: Digital Strategies for Local Empowerment.” Bridging from the insights from these talks, a conversational discussion titled “Journalists Unplugged: A Fireside Conversation” will follow, facilitated by the UIO.
On-campus journalism bears the responsibility of delivering information in today’s modern and digital space. Hence, with student publications at the forefront representing each School, the convergence highlights the key role that campus journalists have in providing essential news and stories anchored on the advocacies of SLU as a Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariæ (CICM) institution and service towards the local community.
Campus Press Dispatches 2 is bound to let the young journalist’s ember of fervor grow bright into a flame that radiates for storytelling in the name of truth.
The event is aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality education), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the goals), especially through a partnership with Redlife Manufacturing, Pilot Pens, and Icon Designs. (Article by Kathleen Catingub, UIO Intern)
