The Paulines Institute of Communications in Asia (PICA) in cooperation with Consuelo Foundation ran its first webinar titled, “National Forum on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) for Education Leaders” on October 5, 12 and 19, 2020. Among its participants were educators as well as priests and religious from different parts of the country. The forum was aimed at empowering educators in making our society a responsible user, consumer and producer of media.
There were two speakers on the first day of the webinar. Prof. Ramon Tuazon, President of Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, spoke about, “Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines: Trends, Opportunities and Global Standards,” while Fr. Norman Peňa, SSP, PhD, discussed “Media Formation and Spirituality.”
The second day of the webinar tackled discussion on “Capacity Building and Retooling of MIL Educators: Needs, Myths, and Call to Action” by Dr. Jose Reuben Q. Alagaran II, PhD; “The Faces of Gen Z: Media Impact and Media Preferences” by Fr. Norman Peňa, SSP; and “Targeting the Gen Z: Teaching, Reaching and Engaging the Zeds” by Ms. Natalie Rose P. Malinao, MA Ed.
On day three of the webinar a thorough discussion was held on the topics “Musings on Social Media, Privacy and Cyber Laws” by Atty. Eugenio “Toto” Villareal followed by pep talks on “Safeguarding our Children in Today’s Digital World” by Atty. Carmela Andal Castro of the Consuelo Foundation; and “Media Consumption: In the Eyes of a Gen-Z” by Ms. Luvim Macabale and her Zee daughter, Ms. Laura Nerisa Macabale.
The webinar was first of the series slated for this year. The second webinar on the same topic is scheduled on December 7 and 14, 2020. – Sr. Rhodora Asuncion Alarcon
