THE SECOND USTV Students Choice Awards (USTV) kicked off with a series of lectures last Sept. 17 and 18 at the Albertus Magnus and Medicine auditoriums.
The lectures series was in line with the launching of, UST’s “populist award-giving body” that gives the audience power to choose the best television programs.
Film critic and Thomasian alumnus Lito Zulueta, called for Thomasians to be critical in television viewing.
“The Thomasian community should be educated and trained to be critical and responsible viewers of TV, so that when they make their choice (of USTV winners), it will be a responsible and critical choice” Zulueta, who is also Philippine Daily Inquirer lifestyle sub-section editor, said.
In his talks, “Tele-Tomasino: Ways toward a Critical Appreciation of Television,” and, “Seeing is Thinking: Becoming a Responsible Viewer of Television,” the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino president stressed that Thomasian viewers should have a Thomistic approach to TV viewing. Viewers should involve, not only their senses but should decipher the values in various TV programs.
“Thomasians should not only look for the entertainment factor of the program,” the Varsitarian’s publications adviser said. “They should practice responsible TV viewing through choosing programs that provide information and education.”
Zulueta said USTV, which is only on its second year, is considered as the most respected award-giving body for TV.
Meanwhile, Professor Bong Osorio of the Faculty of Arts and Letters provided the students with the necessary media grounding from which to choose quality programs for television, in his talk “Television Programming and Quality Viewing: Categories in the USTV Student Choice Awards.”
Organized by the Office of the Secretary General and the Office for Student Affairs, in cooperation with the Central Student Council and the Student Organizations Coordinating Council the categories of the second USTV are: Choice of Local News/Current Affairs Program, Choice of Documentary Program, Choice of Public Affairs Talk Show Program, Choice of Most Popular Entertainment News Show, Choice of Drama Program, Choice of Magazine Program, Choice of Drama Mini-Series, Choice of Local Comedy Program, Choice of Variety Entertainment Show, Choice of Foreign Soap Opera, Choice of Reality Program, Choice of Female Public Affairs Host, Choice of Male Public Affairs Host, Choice of Male Entertainment Host, Choice of Female Entertainment Host, Choice of TV Station, Choice of Advocacy TV Commercial, and Choice of Local Music Video.
The Second USTV Awards will be held on January 20, 2006. The entries will be judged by a panel composed of students, faculty members, and representatives from the University administration. Joanarc T. Villaflor and Jianne dL. Yamzon
