The VoiceMaster Speaks about Youth Media at Comguild’s Annual Journalism and Masscomm Conference
Comguild’s 11th Annual Conference of Journalism and Mass Communication Students of the Philippines was held on September 4, 2016 at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater in Ateneo de Manila University. Dozens of schools from all over the country were represented as more than 1,000 Communication students together with their deans and professors attended the event.
The first part of the conference included a series of talks in line with the theme “Truth, Honesty and Integrity: Media Ethics and Social Responsibility”. Included in the speaker lineup were ABS CBN reporter Raffy Santos, TV 5’s Lourd de Veyra, GMA Kapuso Foundation Head and well-respected news anchor Mel Tianco, and Youth Media pioneer Pocholo “The VoiceMaster” Gonzales.
In his talk entitled “The Future of Media: Youth Radio Broadcasting,” Pocholo started by sharing his experience as one of the youngest broadcasters in DZMM after winning a radio drama and singing competition when he was 16 years old. He went on to inspire and entertain the audience with his voice acting expertise as he showcased the character voices he has done in anime, Koreanovela and commercials. He also did a one-man production of his childhood favorite radio drama, “Gabi ng Lagim.”
Pocholo transitioned to the discussion of youth media by sharing about his organization, Voice of the Youth Network – a volunteer organization that informs, inspires, involves and empowers the Filipino youth through broadcasting and ICT. He talked abouth how VOTY started and how it has helped many communication students since 1996 for their voices to be heard on the airwaves, something that most Communication students could only dream of. Pocholo showed the youth-oriented radio programs he has produced over the years, and also acknowledged some VOTY members present – DJ Denn of Radyo Kabataan and one of VOTY’s earlier members RS Mojica, who is now a professor at the College of Divine Wisdom.
The VoiceMaster then called onstage his son, 11-year-old Patrick Gabriel Gonzales, who is known to be the youngest broadcaster and motivational speaker in the Philippines. In a very quick but informative speech, Patrick wowed the audience by sharing tips on how to be successful in life. He encouraged the students to take risks and to fail their way to success, and to never be afraid to pursue their dreams just like what some of the greatest people in history have done.
At the end of his talk, the VoiceMaster echoed Patrick’s message and challenged the students to take every opportunity to pursue their vocation out of passion and not out of the motivation of earning money.
The second part of the conference was the Comguild Awards, where several TV/radio anchors and shows were recognized in various categories.
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