A delegation from Colegio de San Juan de Letran was given a rare opportunity on September 6 and 7 as the only school invited to take part in the United Print Media Group 2nd Print Media Congress held at the Manila Hotel’s Tent City.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences dean Prof. Rowena Capulong-Reyes, Institute of Communication (IComm) director Asst. Prof. Norberto D. Bana III, Public Affairs and Media Development chief Jhennie Caldito-Villar, IComm faculty member Carlo Miguel Alfonso Francia, and junior Journalism student Francis Pio Garcia comprise the delegation

Manila Bulletin Head of External Affairs, congress chairman, and Letran alumnus Barbie Atienza made everything possible for the Colegio's delegates in the two-day affair.

The affair is a gathering of every practitioner in the field of print whether it be from the country's leading newspapers, ads and tabloids. The theme of the congress was "Print Connects" which was thoroughly discussed with regards to print media turning and competing with digital media such as newspapers having online versions and the like.

"Yes, print is here to stay. And it will influence our lives to the fullest because it connects," Ricky Alegre, Vice President for Corporate Affairs of the Business Mirror and the Philippine Graphic, said during the opening. "What makes print more connected with people is the Internet brought about by today’s technological advances. All major print media outlets have web sites. Print is now in the digital world while remaining loyal to its vast readership," he added.

The speakers invited were all prominent in the field of print and they came with data and hard facts as they went through the day. Stuart Jamieson, managing director of Nielsen, summed up his talk during the first day with "Do not compete, instead play. Print, through the newspaper, is the oldest medium in the world.  People said radio would be the death of print, TV the death of radio, and the Internet death of TV.  But years after the print medium is still here."

However, in the end, no one could have said it better than the Chair of the Congress himself. "This is a call to arms for members of the industry to close ranks and take proactive initiatives to secure its place as a mainstream mass communications medium in the service of all," Atienza said.  "We need to be dynamic and responsive to the times."

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim was present to give the keynote address. Singer Christian Bautista led the congress attendees in the invocation.