by Red Constantino

All the tools available to you, use them, and use them for the greater cause of national freedom and social liberation. Decolonize. Words often said by Letizia before she passed away in 2016. We did a lot of the first point last Saturday at the convocation for Renato Constantino, and likewise discussed in different details the second point, because we cannot completely decarbonize without full decolonization, and without decarbonization we cannot fully decolonize.

Much was shared by the speakers, but UP College Media and Communication (CMC) Dean Diosa Labiste framed a lot of narratives early when she spoke of the long overdue review of Renato Constantino’s contributions as a journalist.

We talked briefly before the event formally began as Dr. Labiste recounted The Manipulated Press, a book by one of the speakers, Rosalinda Ofreneo, published in 1984 with an introduction by Constantino. I mentioned The State of the Philippine Press, [READ]

Outtakes from last Saturday: It was a full house last Saturday at the auditorium of the UP College of Media and Communication. We appreciate the support of (tech person for helping, and Jingky), as well as King and Zylon for contributing photos of the event. So many questions, and so many angles tackled meant it was a fruitful day not just for all the participants who found time but also the speakers, who appreciated the questions and comments. Maraming salamat of course to Dean Diosa Labiste and Professor Emeritus Rene Ofreneo, who both hatched the idea of the convocation. A recording of the talks will be posted soon; watch this space. We thank once more our co-organizers UP CMC, Alpha Phi Beta, and the Asia-Europe Institute of Universiti Malaya.

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