REVISED: A journalism school by journalists

By Remedios V. Lucio


The Manila Times College (TMTC), formerly known as The Manila Times School of Journalism, used to be the only specialized Journalism school in the Philippines. Until two undergraduate courses were added last year—Bachelor of Arts in English (AB English) and Bachelor of Arts in History (AB History).The TMTC is the brainchild of Dr. Dante A. Ang and was opened in 2003. Ang’s main objective was to produce good journalists, who write fair and unbiased news.

Ang stepped down as president and CEO of the paper in 2004 to take a Cabinet position as chairman of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. His son, Dante “Klink” Ang II took his place.The school offers its students a three-year bachelor's program with hands-on training in print journalism and other subjects.

Experienced journalists are among the school's instructors, and students have access to the Manila Times newsroom. Its faculty is composed of print and broadcast personalities headed by veteran print journalist Benjamin Defensor as the dean.

As a student in a Journalism school, at first it took me some getting used to a small environment. I found the environment good after awhile. I love how the students are creative and also eccentric. Most students studying in TMTC enjoys reading and writing.

“Studying here in my school sets me apart from other college students because of its hands-on training approach. I also do not have to worry too much after graduation when it comes to getting a job because I can work in the newspaper itself or hopefully where I interned from,” says Angelo Cantera, a graduating TMTC student.

Among those who have recently lectured in the school are Alice Villadolid, former New York Times correspondent; Geronimo Sy, state prosecutor of the Department of Justice and columnist at The Manila Times; and James Richard Dickenson, former New York Times reporter.