We submitted two articles today. Here is one of the stories we wrote:
by: Jhesset Thrina Enano and Mariejo Ramos
A push-over -- this is how a retired Navy commodore described President Benigno Aquino III on his stance on the ensuing dispute between the Philippines and Taiwan.
In a media forum in San Juan on Wednesday, national security expert Rex Robles lamented PNoy's attitude over another foreign relations conflict, amid unresolved issues such as the 2010 hostage-taking of Hong Kong tourists and the more recent Scarborough Shoal dispute.
"He's a push-over, it's obvious. Kaunting pitik mo lang, tumba na siya," he said.
Robles explained that the president has been "giving too much," referring to his actions that have been "too appeasing" to neighboring countries.
He also said that PNoy has been talking not "by what he believes," but by what "his advisers tell him to say."
The conflict over the killed Taiwanese fisherman last week has affected the ties between Taipei and Manila.
Under the one China policy, Taiwan is only recognized as a province of mainland China and has no diplomatic relations with the Philippines.
With daggers raised with other countries, Robles said that statesmanship is what is needed.
"Statesmanship involved is not easy, but it can be done," he explained. He also said that "diplomacy, not arms" is the solution.
With a lagging military force, Robles explained that the Philippine government should strengthen alliances with our Asian neighbors. He proposes a challenge: befriend China.
"Our strategy to make United States our biggest friend and China our biggest enemy is our biggest mistake," said Robles, suggesting instead to place the former in a more average status.
"We should not be afraid of China. They want to be friends with us because we are a big market," he explained.#
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A month of legwork, establishing contacts, writing, and learning the craft of journalism that ended with a smile is surely one great experience that will not be forgotten.
I have never heard of any other internship experience that really immersed the students into the field, taught them stand alone and write without intimidation along with the ranks of veteran reporters.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer internship not only made us feel like a real journalist; it made us one. And I would forever be thankful that I had to chance to live the dream of becoming the society's watchdog this summer--because a journalist should always go out and just write.
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| Ma'am Peps, Jhesset, and I (EPD love!) |
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