The MMSU Advocates for Cultural Development (MACD), through its official publication 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘯, conducted the 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘯 Workshop 2.0 on October 9-10 at the University Library American Corner to train students on cultural journalism.

With the theme, “Paglinang, Pagsanay sa Pagsusulat at Malayang Pamamahayag Tungo sa Sining at Kulturang Ilokano,” the two-day event convened student journalists from various university publications, including SIRMATA, along with cultural advocates.

On the first day, MACD President Charles Jasper Mamawag introduced MACD as a heritage-promoting organization, followed by Mr. Melver Ritz Gomez, Department of Languages and Literature (DLL) instructor and Pelikula Ilokana director, who discussed the traditional 𝘉𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯 𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘒𝘶𝘳-𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘯. Meanwhile, freelance multimedia journalist and DLL instructor Mr. Edmar Delos Santos lectured on Moral Compass of Journalism: Standards, Principles, and Relevance.

On the second day, Ms. Dimple Garcia Famajilan from GUMIL FILIPINAS discussed the 𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘵𝘪 𝘐𝘭𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘰, introducing participants to Ilokano translation. This was followed by civil engineering alumnus and graphic artist Mr. Anthony Joseph Duyao, who shared insights on Visual Storytelling in Journalism: Editorial Layout Techniques, emphasizing how visual design enhances narrative impact.

According to Gomez, MACD co-adviser, the 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘯 Workshop was established to promote language and culture among student journalists in the university. “While last year’s edition primarily focused on members of the 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘯 publication, this year we’ve opened our doors to other college publications, widening our reach and building stronger networks,” he shared.

Through the workshop, the cultural advocate-led publication aims not only to upskill participants in journalism but also to serve as an avenue for promoting the Ilocano language and appreciating cultural heritage.