Ateneo student joins video journalists at Signis World congress

A YOUNG student from a Catholic university in the Philippines joined a group of video journalists covering the day to day activities of international congress of Signis World in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Maria Carmina Jingco, a legal management student from Ateneo de Manila University was one in the group of neophyte video journalists invited and trained by Signis World to cover the five-day world event.

Jingco said the experience of working with people of various cultures has been an enriching event for her.

As the director of the team she said she tried not to impose her thoughts and ideas as her team members “have great ideas too.”

At least 10 young people from 18 to 22 years old from six Asian countries representing Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and India comprised the group of neophyte video journalists trained by Signis to cover the congress

“It’s a good avenue to get the word out to other people,” said Jingco of the world gathering.

“At least everyone will be informed through this. It’s a world congress, so people are representing their respective countries. At least when they go back to their countries and they are involved in the media, they can find ways to express the theme,” she added.

The global assembly of World Catholic Association for Communication, known as Signis World, has tackled the theme “Media for a Culture of peace: Children’s rights, tomorrow’s promise.”

As video journalists, the group covered the daily activities of the congress and did interviews of participants regarding their insights and experiences related on the congress.

They videotaped all the activities during the day, did editing in the evenings and showed the production before the start of the day’s plenary.

The group presented a video production showcasing the congress’ commitment to promote a culture of peace and the right of children through the media to the assembly at the conclusion of the congress on Oct. 21.

While honoring the young journalists for their commitment and dedication to their work during the congress, the organizing committee took note of the excellent program of the association to involve the young people in the world event.

Jingco said producing videos is just a hobby for her. But her experience in the congress showed that pursuing her hobby could make a difference in the life of other people.

“It’s an opportunity for me to make a change in the world,” she said. “In our school in Ateneo, with all the lots of things happening, we are often asked to do something…” she added.

Reflecting on the congress’ theme, she admitted a feeling of sadness with the situation of poor children back home, saying that “there should be something out there for them.”

“In the Philippines, there are a lot of children in the streets. We need to protect them. We should have programs that would answer the needs of these children. It’s really sad that they can’t enjoy their childhood, that they can’t have a good education. When they grow up, it’s like they don’t have a purpose in this world. We have to give them some sort of hope.”