Wanna be a sportscaster?

For the third straight year, an enterprising group called the Center for Sports Communication (CSC) is organizing a three-day basic seminar for those seriously thinking of sportscasting as a primary or secondary career.

Making up CSC are Noel Zarate, Mon Liboro, Barry Pascua, and Benjie Santiago–all respected sportscasters in their own right. Noel does work for TV and radio. Mon is president of I-Sports Action TV. Barry is a tri-media specialist who was once editor of the popular Sports Weekly Magazine. Benjie is known for his golden voice, appears on TV and anchors radio broadcasts. Additionally, both Noel and Benjie are parttime barkers for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)–a fun job for the dyed-in-the-wool sports junkie.

Only a few slots are left for the three-day seminar which starts Monday. So far, 29 have signed up. Noel says the limit is 35 to avoid an overflow and to pay special attention to each enrollee. The enrollment fee is P3,000 including lunch, snacks, and printed handouts for three days. Not a bad deal, considering CSC has lined up 16 speakers reputed to be the cream of the crop in local sportscasting.

Former PBA two-time MVP Benjie Paras heads the list of enrollees. Now that he’s retired as a player, Benjie’s looking at several options to stay close to the game. He’s used to working in front of the camera as a TV sitcom regular. So the transition to sportscasting for TV will not be difficult. Sportscasting, however, is a craft that is different from acting and that’s why Benjie decided to enroll.

Noel says former pros and now PBA assistant coaches Ronnie Magsanoc and Joey Guanio may also join. They’ve asked about the seminar. Also expressing interest is University of the Philippines seniors basketball coach Allan Gregorio whose brother Ryan, now at the Purefoods helm, has appeared on TV as a game analyst.

Who else are enrolled? Noel rattles off an all-star cast of characters–Mutya Ng Pilipinas first runner-up Tin-Tin Caballero (who used to do radio work for the PBA), Da Pulis funnyman singer and TV commercial model Gabe Mercado, and three members of the band Parliament Syndicate–bassist Kim Lesaca (violinist John’s cousin), keyboards artist Vic Oria, and sax player Ronald Tomas.

The interest in sportscasting isn’t surprising. There’s a big demand for sportscasters what with so many sports shows on the air. This year, the National Broadcasting Network (NBN) held auditions for slots in the PBA broadcasting panel and brought in a host of fresh talents, including UAAP anchorman Mico Halili, Cebu’s Sandie Geronimo and former La Salle cager Dominic Uy.

Among the topics to be discussed in the seminar are voice implementations (Benjie), broadcast writing (Bill Velasco), production from the executive producer’s viewpoint (Sienna Olaso), radio sports broadcasting (Mon), sports TV directing (Abet Ramos), interviewing and hosting (Anthony Suntay, Chiqui Roa), specialized sports broadcasting and anchoring (Sev Sarmenta) and specialized sports broadcasting–research and analysis (yours truly).

Simulations and the awarding of certificates of participation will cap the seminar.

Noel says he has invited several pillars in the industry to drop in, meet the enrollees, and deliver inspirational messages. The broadcasting giants include NBN’s Bobby Arias, Carlos (Bobong) Velez and Silverstar’s Louie Kierulf.

PBA Commissioner and IBC-TV newscaster Noli Eala, who was a sportscaster for radio and TV, will get the ball rolling in an introductory talk on the first day.

Noel says there will be other sports figures making guest appearances during the seminar but isn’t naming names. "That’s a bonus for the enrollees–our secret and their surprise," he says with a wink.

Previous enrollees in the annual seminar have gone on to find work in sports broadcasting in various capacities. Boyet Sison and BM Manalang are now regulars on radio. Mark Zambrano passed the NBN auditions this year. TV icon Butch Gamboa’s daughter Tin is involved in sports radio. Neth Ngo is a senior producer for Bill’s "Basketball Show." Yvette Katigbak is in the NBN’s PBA coverage team.

"There is no age limit in a sportscasting career," says Noel. "Our youngest enrollee is 17 and our oldest is in his 40s. We’re open to anyone who has a passion for sports. We’re offering a shot for the sports fan who’s been waiting for the chance to break into sportscasting."

The seminar is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting this Monday up to Wednesday on the third floor of the Parc Chateau Condominium, Onyk Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Noel says he’ll entertain late enrollees if there are still slots available. You can contact Noel at 0917-8156635 or 6327487 or via email at [email protected].