On November 22–24, the PRDP South Luzon Project Support Office (PSO) gathered its network of multi-stakeholder communicator-advocates for the cluster’s first Communication Materials Development Workshop.

The three-day activity aims at enhancing the knowledge and skills of the participants in communication materials development. Specifically, the topics discussed during the workshop include media strategies for effective rural communication, characteristics of effective communication materials, and the tools and software used in photo and video editing.

During the workshop, the participants composed of Information, Advocacy, Communication, and Education (InfoACE) Unit focal persons at the Regional Project Coordination Offices (RPCOs) and local government units (LGUs) were tasked to develop communication materials for their respective communities. Each group then presented the print and video materials that they have produced for the comments and suggestions of the resource speakers and other participants. The outputs presented will be improved and submitted to the PSO for publication.

The resource speakers, Rikki Lee Mendiola and Joseph Lydio Roble from the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Development Communication (UPLB-CDC), also discussed and demonstrated fundamental techniques in visual design, photography, and cinematography. Based on Mendiola’s presentation, design is about solving a problem and telling a story. She showed examples of good and bad designs to show the principles and elements of design.

Roble showed some movie clips and facilitated the so-called film autopsy wherein he invited the participants to analyze how the visual elements contribute to the effectiveness or impact of particular scenes. He discussed the process of movie editing and how to capture the most significant parts of a story. He also introduced the communication model of Paul Hughes that aims to reinforce belief and establish or strengthen trust by starting with a just action and truthful communication or dialogue.

The speakers commented that many of the outputs presented were impressive and they provided some inputs to further improve the materials. They also said that the participants can produce effective communication materials, because they are familiar with the knowledge, skills, attitude, and practices of their intended audience.

PRDP South Luzon PSO Director Shandy Hubilla showed his support to the InfoACE Unit and thanked the LGU focal persons for their commitment to the Project. The Director shared that he recognizes the unit as an important part in mainstreaming success stories, good practices, and tools developed by the PRDP. He also discussed his role as the editor-in-chief of the cluster’s monthly newsletter.

The participants expressed their gratitude to the organizers and resource speakers. Many of the LGU focal persons shared that the photo and video editing tools introduced were really new to them. Other participants said that the presentations were impressive, refreshing, and challenging. They recognized that having this kind of workshop will help them develop meaningful and strategic outputs.

Moreover, the participants requested similar workshops in the coming year to further enhance their skills and improve the Project’s communication materials. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-PRDP South Luzon PSO InfoACE Unit)

The PRDP South Luzon network of multi-stakeholder communicator-advocates gathered on November 22–24 for the cluster’s first Communication Materials Development Workshop. Rikki Lee Mendiola (seated 2nd from left) and Joseph Lydio Roble (seated 3rd from left) from the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Development Communication served as the workshop resource speakers. (Photo by Ana Francesca Chavez)