Feature Writing

1. Feature Writing

2. HARD VS. SOFT STORIES ALITO L. MALINAO Feature, Editorial and Opinion Writing

3. EXERCISE .

4. 1. HARD or SOFT? Arroyo gives Coast Guard 15 days to complete ferry probe • By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, INQUIRER.net, First Posted 12:35:00 07/01/2008 MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has given the Philippine Coast Guard 15 days to complete its findings on what has been considered as the worst sea mishap that occurred during typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen). The MV Princess of the Stars, owned by Sulpicio Loines Inc., capsized off Romblon province last June 21 as it was battered by huge waves spawned by Frank. Over 800 passengers and crew went down, with authorities saying that 57 have survived and 161 have died. But the number is expected to rise following search and retrieval operations. These were temporarily suspended however when 10,000 kilos of pesticide identified as endosulfan was discovered in a 40-foot container aboard the ship. "The Coast Guard asked for 15 days within which they will submit their findings," the President said in a speech in Davao del Sur during the province's 41st founding anniversary. Arroyo said she was happy to be back in the country following a 10-day working visit to the United States. She said she continued to be in touch with officials even when she was abroad to make sure that the needs of the typhoon victims were addressed. She added that the government has received extensive assistance in its search and recovery efforts and in providing relief to the victims’ kin.*

5. 2. HARD or SOFT? Get and keep the best and the brightest • By Josie O. Santamaria, Philippine Daily Inquirer, First Posted 06:16pm (Mla time) 06/29/2008x MANILA, Philippines--A common wail of nearly all organizations in our country is the exodus of their employees--managerial, professional and technical, skilled and semi-skilled--to other companies, here and abroad. Companies make enormous investments in recruiting and selecting college graduates and in developing them to be in their talent pool of successors, only to lose them to another company, or to another country. Organizations don't have enough human power to propel its growth and stability. Our country doesn't have the talents and skills needed for nation-building. Filipinos are much sought-after; human resource seems to be our country's No. 1 export in recent years. The situation is reaching crisis proportion. Many companies don't have "ready-now" or even "ready in one or two years" candidates to take over senior leadership positions when the present occupants retire or migrate…. Recruiting talent "The war for talent continues and is now stronger than ever" was the declaration of Renee Cecilia Valdez, Nestle Philippines' learning and development head and HR partner, food and beverage business units and sales, and one of the four speakers at the Career Systems' forum. She quoted the McKinsey Quarterly January 2008 issue which carried a strong advice to organizations to "constantly rethink the way [the organizations] plan to attract, motivate and retain employees" and to "make talent a strategic priority.“ Generation Y appears to be flight risks. To them, there is no such thing as corporate loyalty. They are ever on the lookout for greener pastures….

6. 3. HARD or SOFT? Ateneo teaching assistant found dead in schoolroom • By Marlon Ramos, Philippine Daily Inquirer, First Posted 03:29:00 07/01/2008 MANILA, Philippines – A teaching assistant of Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) was found dead on the campus Monday in what the police said was a case of suicide. The body of Jose Lorenzo Tan, 24, was discovered by a utility worker in a room at the Department of Philosophy at around 6 a.m., according to a report from the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU). AdMU watchmen told the police that Tan, a resident of Cubao, Quezon City, went inside the building at around 2 p.m. Sunday and told them he was working on an assignment. As a teaching assistant, Tan’s main task at the department was to conduct research. The report said the victim, who was enrolled in AdMU’s Graduate School, could have died of suffocation following the discovery of burnt pieces of charcoal in his room. QCPD-CIDU investigators said they found the room’s windows, door and other openings covered with plastic bags and cellophane, apparently to ensure that “the smoke coming from the charcoal would not escape.” One of the policemen on the case said they found in Tan’s laptop several stories from the Internet about the harmful effects of charcoal smoke. Probers said they were checking information that it was the victim’s third attempt to take his own life. Relatives described Tan as “a loner but very intelligent.” Police added that Tan’s family also told them he was “obsessed” with philosophical readings that espoused suicide. An official statement from AdMU said Tan, who graduated from the school in 2006 with a management engineering degree, “had been feeling depressed for some time and investigation showed that he took his own life. The family requests that their privacy be respected at this time.” Sonia Araneta, head of the university’s Communication and Public Relations Office, declined to give more details on the incident.*

7. GUIDE QUESTIONS • Is the article “hard” (a news story) or “soft” (a feature story)? • What makes you think so? Justify your answer. • If the article is “hard,” how will you featurize it? Give at least two suggestions.