Navy public affairs takes a big shift

The Philippine Star Tuesday, 01 Sep 09


The Philippine Navy convened its
first Public Affairs symposium on Aug.
26,2009 at the First Villa Cristina Hotel
in Antipolo City. The Fleet Marine
Ready Force Commander, Capt. Miguel Jose Rodriguez
Philippine Navy, graced the opening ceremony
as guest of honor.

The activity was organized by the
Naval Public Affairs Office headed by
LCol Edgard Arevalo Philippine Navy
(Marines). The spokesperson of the
Philippine Navy believes that bringing
together all public affairs officers from
the different line units of the Navy will
synchronize the overall plan for effective
public information and community
relations.

Specifically, the activity aims to enhance
the writing, verbal communication,
TV and radio appearances and
guestings and crisis management skills
among the participants. In between the
lectures, a series of team-building activities,
fun games and brainstormingwere injected
to build rapport and camaraderie
among the participants.

In recent events, it was found out
that the military public information
process has to be improved in order
that the flow of accurate information
from first-hand sources, particularly
from the lowest level of the hierarchy,
should reach the media recipient on
time.

The first lecture was given by Charie
Villa, the news gathering head of the
ANC Channel, focusing on effective
public relations writing for broadcast
media. Villa shared tips on prepaTing
for TV and radio appearances; avoiding
off-the record statements and managing
ambush interviews and hypothetical
questions.

The second day highlighted print
media with Marichu Villanueva, editor/columnist
of the Philippine STAR,as the guest lecturer.
She discussed the basics of press release
writings that will help the participants make
effective press releases.

Several media personalities and resource
persons were also invited to discuss
combat photography and radio
guestings for the remaining topics before
the three-day symposium in-house
activity culminated on Aug. 28, 2009
with the Flag Officer In Command of
the Philippine Navy, Vice Admiral Ferdinand
Golez AFP,as the guest of honor
and keynote speaker.