'The Correspondents DOCUniversity Tour' goes full throttle

Author: Reyma Deveza
Column: TV Current Affairs

Broadcast journalists Karen Davila and Abner Mercado challenged a crowd of students to take action and be active agents of change as "The Correspondents DOCUniversity Tour" went full swing at the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) last July.

"The Correspondents DOCUniversity Tour" is a roving symposium which brings the program's anchors with its whole team to go out on campuses to inspire the youth to get involved in national and world issues.

Since its launch in February, the tour is fast gaining popularity and has already gone to the University of Sto. Tomas, Colegio San Agustin, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Next stop is the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde this Friday, August 7.

Correspondents Karen and Abner, both UP alumni, showed their fellow "Iskolar ng Bayan" that a small initiative like telling a story on another person's plight can affect policy-making and bring about change in society.

Karen's feature on children in jail entitled "Batang Preso" for example, paved the way for the signing of the Juvenile Justice Law, which prohibits the incarceration of minor offenders.
Abner's piece on Mt. Everest, on the other hand, became a source of inspiration for many people as it showed how Filipinos Leo Oracion and Pastour Emata disproved naysayers when they conquered the cold and intimidating Everest.

Another highlight of the forum was the "Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula" segment, where Anna Rodriguez, program manager and officer-in-charge of the ABS-CBN Current Affairs Division, urged the students to actively participate in the 2010 polls and join the movement for clean and honest elections. Rodriguez advised the students to find their purpose and believe that they can be instruments to start the change they want in the country.

Through "The Correspondents DOCUniversity Tour," hundreds of college students from different colleges and universities were able to see The Correspondents' best works and hear their personal accounts about them. Moreover, Karen, Abner, and Bernadette also make it a point to share their insights on present issues in society and media, as well as tips on documentary-making.

"The Filipino youth is composed of the bravest, most creative, and inquisitive citizens in the world. We believe it is important that we nurture that drive for change they have in them, which is the same drive we felt when we were still aspiring journalists in campus," Karen said. Meanwhile, join Karen Davila, Abner Mercado, and Bernadette Sembrano, as they continue to deliver hard-hitting stories on "The Correspondents," every Tuesday night, after "Bandila" on ABS-CBN.

Source: ABS-CBN News