Just when I thought the younger generation’s passion for writing, especially in journalism, was dwindling, my experience over the weekend proved me wrong. During a journalism workshop focused on teaching the rudiments of data gathering, crafting compelling angles, and honing writing skills, a group of Generation Alpha kids left me thoroughly impressed.
Their curiosity, fresh perspectives, and eagerness to absorb new techniques were a reminder that storytelling—grounded in facts and creativity—still resonates deeply with today’s youth. Despite growing up in a fast-paced digital world, these young aspiring writers demonstrated a hunger to explore the core values of journalism and the power of the written word.
It had been a while since I last conducted a writing workshop for elementary students. I wasn’t expecting such an eager and engaged audience when I arrived at Rizal Elementary School that Saturday afternoon. There were about 70 student writers in attendance, and more than half of them belonged to Generation Alpha.
These young participants weren’t just attentive; they bounced out of their chairs whenever something piqued their interest during my talk. They listened intently, curious and unfazed by the presence of older students who were also part of the workshop. When it came time to share their work, they confidently took the microphone and read aloud what they had written. It was a wonderful and inspiring sight to see these young minds crafting their leads by hand—no laptops, just the pure and simple beauty of writing with pen and paper.
Sr. Lumen Gudes of Queen of Peace School in Bacolod City organized the 1st Campus Journalism Voces, Imágenes y Palabras (CJ VIP) Conference which brings together elementary and secondary level students from public and private school to learn and undergo training in print and broadcast journalism. When my friend and fellow educator, Dr. Jessica Gela, informed me about the event and asked if I could join as a resource speaker for the workshops, I immediately said ‘yes’ without hesitation.
Looking back to my days as an aspiring writer in elementary school, we were never invited to workshops or seminars—or perhaps there were just very few opportunities available for young writers. I recall that those who wanted to improve their writing had to hire private trainers, often at a cost that was out of reach for students like me attending public schools, where tuition for private academic institutions was unaffordable.
“Campus journalism is governed by Republic Act No. 7079, also known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991. This law aims to enhance the journalistic skills of our students and promote responsible campus journalism,” said Sr. Gudes, who hopes that more young writers will take advantage of the opportunities now available and accessible to hone their journalism skills through training.
“Our humble dream became a reality with the support of experts from the Division and Regional Office of the Department of Education, seasoned media practitioners, and dedicated supporters. Their contribution has made our training sessions more engaging and enriching for our young writers,” she added.
INKSYNC
I didn’t just attend one journalism workshop last Saturday—I was part of two. In the morning, I spent time with campus organization and publication writers at the Tolentine Star’s INKSYNC Journalism Seminar-Workshop, themed ‘Redefining Campus Voices,’ held at the Fr. Cuenca Hall of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos.
I introduced the student writers and campus journalists to the fundamentals of thorough data gathering, emphasizing its crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of information. I also highlighted the importance of vetting sources and practicing the discipline of verification through triangulation—a process that involves cross-checking facts from multiple, independent sources. This rigorous approach to fact-checking sets journalists apart from other writers and content creators, as it demands a higher standard of accountability and truthfulness, ensuring that the information they present is credible, unbiased, and supported by evidence.
For most of the tertiary level participants, it was their first experience with story pitching, finding the best angle for a story, and determining the right amount of detail to keep the narrative lean and tight.
The drills are always my favorite! It’s in these sessions that I can spot those with great potential—sharp, detail-oriented, out-of-the-box thinkers who are articulate and wise in their use of words. This is where the gems truly shine. As a trainer, I take great delight in these discoveries because our world needs more communicators and future journalists who will not only be the voice of the voiceless and watchdogs of government but also fighters against disinformation.
Medical Technology student Donne Calixto Mabugat admitted that he has always been uncomfortable speaking in front of a crowd, which led him to express his ideas through writing at a young age. He was introduced to journalism by his friends during senior high school, and their passion for it piqued his interest. This eventually motivated him to join writing workshops to further develop his skills.
One important lesson he learned from the recent data gathering and news writing workshop he attended is that writers often forget why they started writing in the first place, as they “tend to get caught up trying to get clicks online or sounding impressive with fancy language.”
“At its core, writing is about sharing meaningful stories, informing others, and making genuine connections. It’s not just about numbers, but about reaching people with messages that truly matter,” he said.
Although he is an aspiring health professional, he enjoys writing as a creative outlet for piecing together information and crafting stories, which motivates him to sharpen his writing skills. In her opening remarks, TS Editor-in-Chief Kashina Ashley Gatilogo emphasized that every student writer ‘can shape narratives, see different perspectives, and give a voice to those who might otherwise remain unheard.’
In an age of disinformation and the overwhelming influence of modern technology, journalism and writing workshops play a crucial role in shaping future communicators. These platforms equip aspiring writers with the skills to critically assess information, craft truthful narratives, and maintain the integrity of their work. As the internet blurs the lines between fact and fiction, such training is essential in empowering communicators to responsibly inform, inspire, and connect with audiences through meaningful, accurate storytelling.
To cultivate responsible and credible storytellers for the future, we must nurture and guide them from a young age. Through this, we help them use their pens with purpose.*
