The trip to Bacolod via Iloilo was delightfully full, every single rafter and cabin groaning with excited passengers and carefully scrutinized personal cargo. We were however assured by Gian Galvez, NN’s de facto corporation communications guy, that as a strict policy, they never overload beyond what is allowed. Thus, with summer having officially been ushered in, NN’s trusty ships are once again brimming with activity, cargo and faithful passengers.

It is that season of the year when Anak TV volunteers are herded, trained and shipped to destinations where the campaign for TV literacy finds greatest impetus.

Panay and Negros Occidental account for huge numbers of TV users. It was appropriate to stage this year’s maiden screening and volunteers’ orientation there.

To ensure its success, Anak TV’s latest partner, Splash Corporation and HBC, sent their share of goodies, each handsome loot bag enthusiastically received by the jurors who were obviously beside themselves with joy at the unexpected bonanza that they figured into just by enlisting in the advocacy. They went back to their bunks heavy laden with product samples, gift items and raffle prizes, to the envy of other passengers who ignored the invitation to join the gathering. Chocquik partnered with Goldilocks for the snacks and beverage; Columbia’s sent canisters of yummy candies; Panasonic and PLDT raffled off premium items; Splash gave out a cache of beauty and skincare products; Cebu Pacific awarded the early bird prize; while Hallmark distributed its ever-popular novelty greeting cards. (Uni-President, in a technical glitch, failed to deliver their noodles and drinks but vowed to catch up in subsequent trips.)

This year’s batch of youth volunteers, aged 19 to 25, represent diverse educational and social backgrounds. Some are on the threshold of graduation, some just marched up the stage for their college diplomas, a handful are fulfilling practicum requirements and two are temporarily employed. They come from Adamson, PUP, Pamantasan ng Makati, Philippine Women’s University, MLQ University, and Pamantasan ng Pasig. (The Anak TV policy is to give students from non-elite schools more chances and a crack at future employment through training and exposure. So doing, the playing field especially in mass communications is leveled to a certain extent.)

The Anak TV team assists in the advocacy by traveling with the caravan, convincing parents to act prudently when it comes to their choices of TV programs whenever children are present. Armed with videos, study results and brochures, the small platoon of volunteers aims for a modest change in perspective among the wouldbe advocates they meet in the trips, literally from Batanes to Zamboanga. After a few hours of jury screening duty in ship dining halls, barangay centers, schools and parishes, the Anak TV army expands in number and determination.

Without the support of corporate partners, the dedication of youth volunteers and the growing number of concerned parents and educators, however, this timely advocacy for child-sensitive TV would flounder.