2005 June-aug Tbcmedia Update

For Carmel News

TBCMP focuses on Community Development in Palawan TBCMP sees the need for media education training of community development workers to assist them in their work in organizing and mobilizing the community. Thus, TBCMP developed a module on, “The State of Philippine Media and the Challenges for Community Development Workers” and “Film Dialogue and Social Conscientization.” These modules will aid community development workers on how media influences and how it can be used to its maximum potential for their causes and advocacies. Attendees of the course were representatives from different NGOs in Palawan, total fifteen attendees. Some from LGUs or have government positions like barabgay kagawads and SK Chairman. The following are the participating NGOs: Environmental Legal Assistance Center, Inc. (ELAC), Palawan Conservation Corps, Nagkakaisang Tribu ng Palawan (NATRIPAL), Bangsa Palawan-Philippines, Inc. (BPPI) and Haribon Palawan. The seminar was held last April 6-7 at Bulwagang Prinsesa, Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan.

‘Musta na ang Pinoy Media?’ Bros. Arnulfo Alindayu and Junel Ryan Denolo, O. Carm with Jofti Villena, program coordinator of TBCMP attended a seminar-workshop on Basic Media Appreciation entitled, ‘Musta na ang Pinoy Media?’ last April 26-30, 2005 at the CCP Dream Theatre. This was organized by the Media Arts Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Facilitator was Ms. Minda Casagan and a set of CCP student volunteers. The seminar-workshop discussed more or less the history and importance of print media, television and radio and the telenovelas as a new religion. Facilitators were known media practitioners in the field like: Ms. Leah Manto-Beltran (KABAYAN), Prof. Josefina M. C. Santos (UP broadcast professor), Ms. Jean Manipol-Lanzona (Line Producer, GMA 7) and Dr. Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr. (Writer/Chairman of Dept. of Communication, La Salle University) During the last day of the seminar, TBCMP representatives were assigned to write the synthesis/statement and present it to the participants of various workshops conducted by CCP. Here are some of the excerpts: “Transforming pinoy media is rooted in the acceptance of the true and sorry condition of the industry that is systemic and which cannot be outdone by one or two efforts but collaborative

efforts of the owners and major decision-makers and of course, the audience. …All together let us help each other and transform pinoy media to stop it from being a tool of oppression of the people but to be a tool of empowerment and social transformation.”

TBCMP joins World Press Freedom Day! Last May 3, 2005, TBCMP together with other media organizations like the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), Philippine Center for Photojournalists (PCP), Defense Press Corps, Metro Manila Radio Reporters Organization (MMRRO), Press Fund for Filipino Journalists (FFFJ), Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD), Antonio Zumel Center for Press Freedom, College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and UP College of Mass Communication students joined the World Press Freedom Day. It was supposed to be a celebration of freedom but with eyes wide open, the situation of the journalists here in the Philippines is getting worse as journalists are being killed one after the other making this country the second most dangerous place to live for a journalist next to Iraq. This day was the day of condemnation of the killings of journalists. The group showed solidarity by building the human chain for press freedom and lighting of torches. An ecumenical liturgy was prepared for all the martyrs of press freedom and each representative gave their statements with conviction. In support of this condemnation, TBCMP has come up with a statement on the killings. Here are some of the excerpts:

The Titus Brandsma Center – Media Program, the Carmelite Media Ministry in the Philippines, together with the entire members of the Order of Carmelites in the Philippines join the world in condemning this shameful act of killing of media practitioners; journalists and publishers. We remind each one to respect and protect human life. In one voice, STOP THE KILLINGS OF FILIPINO JOURNALISTS! We urge our government authorities to act immediately to stop the killings. The complete statement can be found at www.tbcmedia.org.

TBA-Philippines on its third Award Season

Next year 2006 will be the Titus Brandsma Award-Philippines third season. For this year, the award will focus on Community Communication. The award will be given to two model communities which best exemplifies the spirit of unity, participation, vigilance, sustainability and the effective use of communication in responding to local issues. A special award will be given to a community media who took effective initiatives to connect with the communities their servicing via partnerships and linkages. This focus was suggested by the members of the Foundation Board of TBA last May 16, 2005 composed of: Frs. Tim Jusayan, Bernard Roosendaal, O. Carm, Dr. Florangel Braid and Ms. Carolina Malay. Policies and other important undecided matters will still be approved by the Board. Launching of the Award and accepting nominees will start on November 2005 to May 2006.

Other Seminars •

Last June 1, 2005, TBCMP had conducted the modular courses on “Teaching in the Multimedia Age” and “Media and Spirituality through Film Dialogue” to the elementary faculty of Colegio del Buen Consejo in Pasig.

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At the Parish of the Our Lady of the Abandoned (POLA) in Hulo, Mandaluyong City, catechists were the beneficiaries of the course, “Teaching in the Multimedia Age” last June 19, 2005.