GOT A DATE on Valentine’s Day? Or even, got time for friends in the next five nights?

Allow us say thank you and let’s celebrate the week together in fun but thoughtful conversation and interaction on press freedom, freedom of information, and democracy!

Starting tomorrow, Feb. 13, and until Saturday, Feb. 17, PCIJ will mount a Press Freedom Booth at the University of the Philippines Fair in Diliman, Quezon City.

PCIJ has organized this advocacy booth on the theme “Freedom for Media, Freedom for All” at the UP Fair for citizens and journalists from print, broadcast, and online media, and independent media organizations.

The UP Fair sponsored by the UP University Student Council will also showcase advocacy booths on Peace in Mindanao, Human Rights, Equality for All, and Democracy. The Fair will be mounted at the Sunken Garden in UP Diliman, Quezon City, 6 pm to 12 midnight, Feb. 13 to 17, 2018.

Across the five-day period, the Press Freedom Booth will feature these activities:

• “Journalists and Citizens: Meet and Greet” and have conversations on press freedom, freedom of information, and democracy. They can also snap selfies and Facebook/Instagram stories that can be posted live from the fair grounds.

• “Shout Out for Press Freedom” where UP Fair guests can write on a “shout-out wall” their thoughts about and support for press freedom. Prizes await the best shout-outs.

Every day, from 8 to 10 p.m., special events will be conducted at the Press Freedom booth:

Day 1: Face Paint for Press Freedom (Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018). UP Fair guests can get a face paint or a glitter tattoo for free. The designs will be inspired by themes related to press freedom, FOI, and democracy.

Day 2: Cultural Night (Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018). Musicians, spoken-word artists, stand-up comics, journalists, and other artists have been invited to perform on Day 2, which also marks Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday.

Day 3: Photo Booth (Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018). Visitors of the booth can take photos with journalists and their friends while holding calls and statements relevant to press freedom, FOI, and democracy for free.

Day 4: Fact or Fake? Team Contest (Friday, Feb. 16, 2018). Two groups with five members each will compete per round. They will be asked to classify statements as factual or plain misinformation. There will be three levels per set — from easy to moderately difficult to truly difficult questions. The winning team’s members will get prizes.

Day 5: Tusok-tusok for Press Freedom (Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018). To end the weeklong event, booth visitors will be offered free fish balls, kwek-kwek, and other street food for a fellowship night with press freedom advocates and journalists.

Journalists, media agencies, and media organizations have been invited to participate and assist at the Press Freedom Booth. Photos taken at the photo booth and featured shout-outs will be posted on social media.

The hashtags for the PCIJ press freedom advocacy booth and activities will be:

#UPFair4PressFreedom
#FOInow
#PressFreedomPH