Written by Amylyn Rey-Castro
Photos, Taken by Nataniel Bermudez, Jasp Daquigan, and Radel Llagas

Some 25 Gawad Saka provincial focal persons and their staff from agriculture and veterinary offices; representatives of Agricultural Program Coordinating Offices (APCOs) of the Department of Agriculture Region IV CALABARZON (DA IV CALABARZON); and representatives of DA’s bureaus and attached agencies – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) gathered for an entire two-day workshop on scrapbook preparation and audio and video production, held on July 12 and 13, 2018 at Great Eastern Hotel, Diliman, Quezon City.

Regional Information Officer and Regional Gawad Saka Focal Person Patria T. Bulanhagui emphasized that continued efforts of the Regional Office, like conducting the said workshop, are manifestations of its endeavor to help deserving farmers, fishers, as well as groups and individuals, who have excelled and made significant contributions in the development of agriculture and fisheries sectors in CALABARZON be recognized not just in the region but also by the whole nation. Likewise, she said that for the CALABARZON region to have strong contenders for the National Gawad Saka Search thus, increasing the number of its winners, there is a need for those who are concerned and involved in the regional search to be trained as to the preparation of scrapbooks and production of audio and video materials of their nominees in agriculture and fisheries categories.

“There is always a significant story behind each nominee that is worth writing about and being documented and published. Helping each of them be acknowledged by the board of judges as outstanding is in your (participants) hands. But, rest assured that we continue supporting you in this undertaking and working with dedication,” Bulanhagui added.

Rikki Lee B. Mendiola and Joseph Lydio R. Roble III, both University Extension Specialists from the College of Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, served as the resource speakers for scrapbook preparation and audio and video production, respectively.

Mendiola highlighted the importance of branding – what will set every nominee apart from the others. Participants learned that they must know their objectives, what they need to highlight, the evaluation criteria – the farmer, the farm, and social impact or contribution to the community, writing their narrative clearly and effectively, organizing their data by adding visuals to their narrative, and principles of design.

Likewise, Roble introduced and gave overview of the audio and visual media world. Participants learned the fundamentals of audio and video production using professional equipment; how do cameras capture light and record images as digital information; how does sound engineering work, and what are the different elements that turn sound waves into electronic information; and how does an editing system function, and how can they use one to make their audience think and feel and experience exactly what they are trying to accomplish with their production.

The participants gained knowledge and experience with hands-on assignments involving writing a narrative and producing video. And after every presentation by province, the resource speakers gave their critiques on the outputs.

Chief Administrative Officer Felix I. Ramos also graced the activity as he gave his welcome and closing remarks.

The workshop was organized by the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Office.