On November 27, 2021 the Candle Pen launched Project Illuminate: The emergence of digital media. This event was aimed to make the students more aware of social media topics in the Philippines such as: fake news, media, and organizations; and others like having a career in the media business.
Mr. Mark Villaluna graduated from the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) as cum laude, worked as a Farmer business writer and editorial production assistant at Philippine daily inquirer and former producer of ABS-CBN weekly documentary series #Nofilter, and now working as a Strategic Communication Manager at RCBC. Mr. Mark was able to deliver a speech that taught the students about truth, media, the free press, and democracy. He was able to teach the students about journalism and how important it is for people to know the truth. An important lesson he taught the students was about fake news. How fake news can spread so fast in social media; how so many people would believe everything that they read, and share it to their friends.
Ms. Charina Echaluce graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism at Polytechnic University of the Philippines, she is also the author of “Minsan, Okay Lang Ma-traffic” and its sequel “ Muli, Minsan Okay Lang Ma-traffic” . Aside from being an author she is also a literary blogger and owner of Minsan Okay Lang Ma-Traffic Facebook blog. She is also a resource speaker for many years and a writer for many organizations. Ms. Echaluce was able to have experience on how hard it is to be in social media as a business. She failed over 10 times trying to spread her content in social media, even though it is hard to try again, she tried one last time. And now that blog has 89,000 followers, made 2 books, and was able to get amazing opportunities.The main goal of her story is to never give up, and because of that she was able to be where she is right now, and is now sharing her story to make people work hard on their dreams and never give up.
Many students were able to understand the discussion well and were able to ask a lot of questions/advice with our speakers. The students were able to leave the meeting with more knowledge of how digital media does impact our lives. The Candle Pen members were able to have a successful project and were able to teach the students something new.
