This year’s UST national campus journalism fellowship brought in 274 participants from 30 schools all over the country for a three-day conference featuring an all-star cast of speakers at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex Auditorium on España. Despite the rains that pelted Manila during the get-together (Oct. 18-20), the conferees attended every session in full force.
Credit for staging “Inkblots,” now on its 12th year, goes to UST student publications director Lito Zulueta, Varsitarian editor-in-chief Cliff Harvey Venzon, conference chairperson Lester Babiera, vice chairperson external Josa Camille Bassig, vice chairperson internal Jeremy Perey and the members of the nine working committees (conference, programs, marketing, technicals, logistics, registration, creatives, publicity, food).
As promised, here are excerpts from the 10 winning entries in the blitz writing contest that was conducted on the second day of “Inkblots” last Tuesday. The write-ups were based on the mock press conference with Smart-Gilas players Chris Tiu and Dylan Ababou held after the lecture on sportswriting.
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Laira Janelle Contreras, UST. “The two icons of inspiration, a strong sense of dedication to basketball and a true picture of love for the Philippines – Chris Tiu and Dylan Ababou, members of Smart-Gilas hold the commitment to honor our flag and compete as representatives of Team Philippines. They joined the ‘Inkblots’ fellowship with a warm smile and a lingering feel of pride as players. The two shared their pitfalls way back in their high school years and admittedly said that despite being national players, they have more to learn and thank God for their lucky breaks.”
Patricia Garin, Makati Medical Center College of Nursing. “Life is precious and we never know what will happen in each second and breath you take. You just keep on doing what you must and strive hard for you to achieve your goal like what the two known basketball players said, Chris Tiu and Dylan Ababou, in today’s surprise press conference. The two experienced being an underdog before becoming a successful player. This just shows that they are also human who can feel emotions and get tired physically and emotionally. Really, God has reasons for everything. You just have to make your own path and decisions in life.”
Mark Lester Castillo, Adamson University. “Bilang isang sports photographer ng UAAP season ‘73, nakita ko ang mga paghihirap at determinasyon ng iba’t ibang team upang irepresenta ang kani-kanilang universidad. Minalas lang ako at di ko naabutan sina Dylan Ababou at Chris Tiu na pawang mga idol ko. Pinalad naman akong maka-attend sa ‘Inkblots’ at nakita ko ng harapan ang mga idol ko. Hinangaan ko sila sa bawa’t salitang kanilang binitawan na hindi ko akalaing mababanggit ng isang atleta. Lalo na noong sinabi nilang nakaranas din sila ng pagiging ‘underdog’ na lagi kong nararanasan. Kailangan lang palang maging matiyaga sa paghihintay ng tamang oras.”
Henry Jee Emperador, La Consolacion College (Biñan). “Defying the notion that athletes are not good in academics, two obviously ‘smart’ boys from rival universities are now playing for flag and country as teammates in the Smart-Gilas national team. Asked how they feel being former rivals and now teammates, Chris Tiu and Dylan Ababou said it is a challenge yet they enjoy training together with their teammates from other universities. As Ababou put it, ‘The journey is far better than the destination.’”
Dyanna Mae Canas, La Consolacion College (Biñan). “Since it takes a lot of courage and determination to be a good athlete, Chris Tiu and Dylan Ababou still make it a point to have quality time with their family and friends. There is a bond between athletes and campus journalists towards promoting good sports and exercising responsible journalism.”