EDGEDAVAO Raising the bar of media excellence VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012
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By Antonio M. Ajero
HE recently-concluded 16th National Press Forum on “Media Accountability and the Public Engagement” and the staging of the 2011 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards by the 48-year-old Philippine Press Institute in partnership with the Coca-Cola Export Corporation in Manila, April 23-25, 2012 were impressive. The twin events showcased the strides taken by the community press during its close to five decades of shepherding by the PPI and a string of institutional and corporate sponsors, though rudely interrupted briefly by Martial Law. Weightiest topics The 16th National Forum, with the theme “PPI: Legacy of a Free Press,” tackled some of the weightiest issues confronting today’s media in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world, with
the country’s most outstanding journalists and communicators, authors and academicians. The theme was discussed in separate speeches by PPI Vice Chair Vergel Santos and the late Philippine Daily Inquirer Isagani Yambot, whose piece was read by PDI President Alexandra “Sandy” Prieto-Romualdez. The topic speakers included: -Ms Malou C. Mangahas, executive director of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) on “Asian Barometer: The Philippine Study;” --Ms Luchi Cruz-Valdez, head of TV5 news and information division on “Engaging the Public to Protect Press Freedom and Preserve Democracy;” --Dean Luis V. Teodoro, deputy director of the Center
WINNERS. (L-R) Tony Ajero of Edge Davao, Estella Estremera of Sun.Star-Davao, Michelle So and Cherry Ann Lim of Sun.Star-Cebu, Eva Tan of Mindanao Cross, of Media Freedom Responsibility (CMFR), on “SelfRegulation and Policing Our Ranks;” --Ms Rowena C. Paraan,
Best in Business and Economic Reporting ‘This community newspaper is an exceptional model of the essence of civic journalism.’ 2011 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards Philippine Press Institute in partnership with The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Philippines Division April 24, 2012 Traders Hotel Manila
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secretary-general of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), on “Safety and Welfare of Journalists;” --Walter B. Panganiban, director for media affairs of The Coca-Cola Export Corporation, on “Our Press, Our Responsibility;” --Angel Timoteo “Tim” Diaz de Rivera, president of Collaborative ICT Services Division of Information Capital Technology Ventures, Inc. (ICTV), on “Shifting Gears, New Mechanisms to Strengthen Community Journalism;” --Atty. Harry L. Roque, UP Center for International Law and Director of the Institute of International Legal Studies and Law Center, on “Decriminalizing Libel;” --Dr. Walter Salzer, director and principal advisor, GIZ-German Development Cooperation, on “Reporting on Environment and Its Many Dimensions;” --Rolando A. Inciong, communication and public affairs head of the Asian Centre for Biodiversity, on “ Reporting Biodiversity;” --Atty. Tricia Clare Oco, executive director of the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council, on “Reporting Juvenile Justice;” and --Wo Rosete, head for external relations of Smart Communications, on “Reporting Culture and Arts.” The speakers were assisted in the discussions by other media greats. Many “firsts” It was the first time in decades that a Philippine President graced the opening
Jane Cadalig of Baguio Midland Courier, Rea IsidroDe Fiesta of Sun.Star-Pampanga, and Dino Balabo of Mabuhay, a weekly newspaper based in Bulacan. of PPI’s traditional gathering. President BenignoAquino went to town criticizing media for unfairness and lack of balanced reporting. It was the first time the entire proceedings of the gathering was on live streaming on ppinpf.nowplanet.tv seen on the PC and mobile devices such as iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Windows Mobile. New media contests Among the happy highlights of the annual media powwow were commitments to support journalism contests, all designed to raise the bar of excellence in community media in reportage. The categories are: 1. Best in online reporting sponsored by the ICTV; 2. Best in health and wellness reporting, sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital; 3. Best in biodiversity reporting by the Asean Centre for Biodiversity; and 4. Best in culture and the arts reporting by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. These are in addition to the five contests already established by the PPI in partnership with the Konrad Adenaur Stiftung (KAS) Foundation before and TCCEP now. They are best in photojournalism, science and environmental reporting, business and economic reporting, editorial page, and best edited on both weekly and daily categories. The modest strides notched by community papers is evident in the much improved copies that they displayed during the annual gathering. The exhibits on
culture and the arts articles and photos were likewise impressive. Many community papers have already risen to the next level, that of online publishing. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the PPI constitution have already waived the requirement for members to have a publication. Even without hard copy, online news agencies can now become members of the PPI. Executive director On top of PPI’s good fortunes these days is a young executive director who graduated from Ateneo de Davao University with a degree of mass communication, with trainings in various special journalism subjects here and abroad. He is Ariel Sebellino. The winners Of the 12 community press awards given away by PPI and TCCEP last April 24, five went to Mindanao publications, another five were won by newspapers in Luzon, and the last two by publications in Cebu, which used to dominate the awards in the past. Edge Davao, which participated in the contest for the second year, was proclaimed Best in Business and Economic Reporting in the weekly category, the same award it got last year along with Best in Science and Environmental Reporting. SunStar Davao ran away with three – (daily category)- Best in Business and Economic Reporting; Best in Photojournalism; and Best Editorial Page. A first-timer, The Mindanao Cross weekly romped away with Best Editorial Page.
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Davao journalists
Making it big in the national scene By Jims Vincent T. Capuno
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here are journalists and there are journalists. There are those who stay for good in Davao. But there are also those who move to Manila to join the big time. Some of them are now familiar faces in television; others have their bylines appearing in national newspapers and international magazines. Leading the pack is Jesus G. Dureza, former press secretary of then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Today, he is now the publisher of Mindanao Times and the regional trustee for Mindanao of the Philippine Press Institute. The boy from Guihing (Davao del Sur) got his Bachelor of Arts of degree from the Ateneo de Davao University in 1967. He placed 10th in the 1973 Philippine Bar Examinations. Ten years later, he was given the Datu Bago Awardee, highest award given to a Davaoeño. In 1998, he received a Presidential Award of Merit from President Fidel V. Ramos. Also in the same year, he was the chairman of the Mindanao Economic Development Council and Presidential Assistant for Mindanao. As a media personality, he hosted the TV program, Brainstorm from 1985 to 1987. From 1972 to 1987, he served as editor
of Mindanao Times. He also sent news reports to Manila Times (1967-1972) and Manila Bulletin (19731987). In 1972, he became the president of the Davao Press Club. Twenty years later, he was chosen as the regional chairman in Southern Mindanao of the Publisher’s Association of the Philippines. Mention the names Alex Santos and Lynda Jumilla and what comes into your mind? ABS-CBN, one of the country’s top television networks, that’s what. Well, the two actually honed their skills while they were in Davao. Alexander H. Santos graduated elementary and high school from Holy Cross of Davao College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Ateneo de Davao University. He started his career as an anchor and field reporter of TV Patrol Southern Mindanao from 1993 to 1996. In 1996, he transferred to Manila to become a news editor for regional stations of ABS-CBN’s Sarimanok News Network, which he held until 2006. Since July 8, 2006, he coanchors TV Patrol Weekend with Bernadette Sembrano. Since 2007, he is one of the hosts of the morning program Umagang Kay Ganda. From 2009, he was
one of the co-hosts XXX: Exklusibong, Explosibong, Exposé before being replaced by Anthony Taberna in 2010. Among the awards he received were Best Male Newscaster from the PMPC Star Awards in 2007 and Makatao Award from Ateneo de Davao University’s Tao Awards in 2009. He was also chosen as Best Radio Newscaster during the 19th KBP Golden Dove Awards and Best TV Anchor in the 9th Gawad Tanglaw. Nothing much is known about veteran political reporter and news anchor Lynda Jumilla, who is from Santa Cruz (Davao del Sur). In an article which appeared in Manila Standard Today, Harold Geronimo listed her as one of the top five most admired TV journalists in the country. Geronimo wrote: “When it comes to political news analysis, Lynda Jumilla is the name to beat in the industry today. Her intelligent assessments in Philippine politics give her the edge. While other political reporters simply stick to what they’ve covered in press briefings and interviews, Lynda finds a way to make it even more interesting to the watching public.” As a journalist, she’s very much equipped as she used to write for the
tary.
Dureza, former press secre-
Bendijo, anchor of People’s Television Network Channel 4.
Sonza , honed his
Tacio, started his writing
Metilla, writing gardening
Conde, making waves in Manila and in the international scene.
career when he was still in high school.
features for various Manilabased newspapers.
broadcasting skills in Davao City radio stations.
Jumilla, one of the top five most admired TV journalists in the country. Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star and Manila Times. One of her career highlights as a broadcast journalist was her coverage of Pope John Paul II’s death and funeral rites at the Vatican where she stayed for almost two weeks. Jumilla graduated from Immaculate Conception College (now University of Immaculate Conception) in 1983. Dur-
Santos, Best Male Newscaster from the PMPC Star Awards and 19th KBP Golden Dove Awards
ing a school reunion in 2010, she failed to attend. Batch mate Adi Quisido wrote: “We missed Lynda Jumilla of ABS-CBN Manila and Gina Estipona of the Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support, both of whom earlier confirmed but could not make it at the last minute.” Like Alex Santos, Aljo Bendijo (Alexis Joseph Rubia Bendijo
in real life) is also from Davao City. He graduated from the University of Southeastern Philippines Laboratory High School in 1990. He studied for two years in Ateneo de Davao University, taking up AB Communication Arts (1990 to 1992) and then moved to Holy Cross of Davao College and shifted to AB Mass
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Congratulations!
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Congratulations to the men and women behind the formal launch of
EGDEDavao as a daily! Congratulations as well to EGDEDavao’s victory as Best in Business and Economic Reporting in the Civic Journalism Community Press Awards sponsored by the Philippine Press Institute and The Coca-Cola Export Corporation last April 24, 2012 at the Traders Hotel in Manila. Like EGDEDavao, we, as stakeholders committed to the socio-economic and political development of our province, Cotabato, believe in its vision to “to help readers make informed decisions.”
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Communication (1992 to 1996). Currently, he anchors the Teledyaryo Final Edition (from 9 to 10 pm) and The Morning Show (from 7 to 8:30 in the morning, daily except Saturdays and Sundays). Both are for People’s Television Network Channel 4. Before that, he was with ABS CBN’s TV Patrol. Actually, he started working at ABS CBN Davao in 1994. Simultaneously, he anchored a public-service program on DXAB. When asked by Philippine Star if he ever experienced “culture shock” when he moved from Davao to Manila, he replied: “It took a while before I got adjusted. In Davao kasi, life is laid-back, very relaxed, compared to the hectic life and pace in Manila. In Davao, if your appointment is at 12 noon,
you can leave your house at quarter to 12 and arrive at the appointed place right on time. Here, if your appointment is at 12 noon, you must leave your house at least one hour in advance, especially if you live in Quezon City and your appointment is in Makati. In Davao, I can relax,nakakapamasyal ako, something I can’t do here. In Davao, I have friends. Dito, I have only a few.” Bansalan, in Davao del Sur, has produced three top-caliber journalists: Jay Sonza, Henrylito Tacio, and Serapion Metilla. “I never dreamed or imagined myself being a broadcast journalist,” Jose Yumang Sonza says. “It was just by accident.” As a teenager, he needed a job to get him through college and the only thing available was working for DXGE, a radio station in
Davao City. “I started as a writer for its news programs.” Ross Torres, then the station manager, saw his potential. He was given a break from writing to disc jockeying then on to anchoring a news program. “What started as an accidental employment became a real profession,” he admits. “And since I was already into it, I might as well be good at it.” Jay admits that his skills in both radio and television were honed at Creative Techniques (an ad-promo agency), DXUL, DXDC, DXRA, DXRP and other radio stations. He also tried writing news for various Davao newspapers. But how Jay hit the big time in Metro Manila is an interesting story in itself. “I went to Luzon to attend the burial of my uncle-in-law as represen-
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tative of our family from Davao,” he recalls. “Since I was already in Manila, I went to file a case before the Department of Justice for my reinstatement as a government career officer in Davao del Sur. Then, it happened that I was listening to a radio and heard the voice of the Freddie Vergara, who also used to work in a Davao radio station.” Jay called Freddie that he was in Manila and that he was going back to Davao in the next three days. “Freddie invited me to stay and asked me to help him run the radio station,” he remembers. Jay accepted the offer and the following month, ABSCBN re-opened. “I was offered to do part-time news writing for the TV station,” he says. Today, he serves as a UNTV37 morning show
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host (Good Morning, Kuya) and anchors the prime time news program (Ito Ang Balita). In between, he juggles as political adviser and columnist/ contributing editor for two national daily tabloids, Abante and Tonite. Henrylito D. Tacio started his writing career when he was still in high school. His teachers were impressed by the way he wrote his formal themes. During his college days, he started writing for Tagalog comics and finally contributed an article – “What Children Say About Doctors” - which was accepted by Mod magazine. It was the start. Years later, his byline started appearing in both national newspapers (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Today, Manila Times, Manila Chronicle, Malaya, Business Mirror, and Manila Bulletin) and international dailies (Bangkok Post, for one) when he was accepted as one of the correspondents of the Manila-based Press Foundation of Asia. As a journalist, Tacio has traveled abroad extensively. He has attended international conferences in Bangkok, Thailand; Tokyo, Japan; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Bali, Indonesia; Durban, South Africa; Melbourne, Australia; and Singapore. He was the country’s lone representative in a world conference for science journalists in Montreal, Canada. Tacio is the only journalist from Mindanao writing for the Asian edition of Reader’s Digest. He is also the Southeast Asia Contributing Editor of the London-based People and the Planet and a regular contributor of Singapore’s Gaia Discovery. Likewise, he served as one of the editors and consultant of In Search of Excellence: Exemplary Forest Management in Asia and the Pacific Region, a book published by the regional office of UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Serapion Metilla is credited for bringing bonsai to its fore in the Philippines. He grew up in Cebu but due to poverty, his family transferred to Bansalan. In 1955, he taught in an elementary school in Dalawinon, Magsaysay. In 1972, Manong Metts – as he is fondly called – was awarded the Most Outstanding Elementary School Teacher of Quezon City and was promoted school principal from 1972 to 1974. In 1974, he got out of teaching and managed for four years the Aurora Gardens,
a project of the former First Lady Imelda Marcos. In the early 1980s, he established an ornamental business, which deals on various plant arts like bonsai culture, dish gardening, flower arrangement, terrarium making, and waterfall gardening, among others. It was at this time that he started writing gardening features for various newspapers like Manila Bulletin and its Sunday magazine, Philippine Panorama. For three years, he was a garden columnist of the Woman’s Home Companion. Manong Metts initiated the founding of the Philippine Bonsai Society, the Cactus and Succulent Society and the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Davao. Still currently involved in the Philippine Orchid Society and the Philippine Horticultural Society as honorary member, he is also a member of the Ikebana International (Manila Chapter) and currently the president of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Manila. In 1999 – during the 47th Araw ng Bansalan, he was bestowed the honor as one of the Most Outstanding Bansaleños. With all these achievements in life, Manong Metts has only this statement to say: “I can now proudly say that poverty is indeed not a hindrance to success.” One Davao journalist who is making waves not only in Manila but in international scene as well is Carlos H. Conde. He used to be freelance correspondent in Manila for The New York Times and The International Herald Tribune. He also wrote for Asia Times and an editor-at-large for Interaksyon. Conde is a board member of Antonio Zumel Center for Press Freedom and the secretarygeneral of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. Today, he works as researcher at Human Rights Watch, based in Manila. Other Davao journalists who have made a name for themselves abroad include Maricar Jara-Puyod, Gulf Today senior reporter and United Arab Emirates Filipino Press Club president; and Raquel Bagnol, a reporter of Marianas Variety News and Views and contributor for Samoa News (based in American Samoa). Indeed, Davao journalists are hitting it bigtime in Manila and other parts of the world!
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ongratulations to the men and women behind EDGEDavao for being chosen Best in Business and Economic Reporting (weekly category) by the Philippine Press Institute and The Coca-Cola Export during the 2011 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards last April 24,2012 at Traders Hotel in Manila. Say the awards’ jurors about Edge Davao: “this community newspaper is an exceptional model of the essence of civic journalism.” It is therefore with pride and best wishes that I and my constituents in the Third Congressional District of Davao City also welcome the launch of Edge Davao as a daily with an excellent goal of being able to serve a seamless society.
Rep. Isidro T. Ungab
House of Representatives Batasan Hills, Quezon City
We welcome the formal launch of
EDGEDavao as a daily. Like EDGEDavao , we believe in “helping people make informed decisions”.
As active participants in the socio-economic development of the community, we agree with the Philippine Press Institute and its partner, The CocaCola Export Corporation, sponsors of the 2011 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards, that EDGEDavao “has presented local business and economic issues in a manner that clearly shows how it impacts on the community and its people whose lives greatly depends on the tide of the local economy.”
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Of blogs, blogging and bloggers O
NE smoldering issue confronting not a few members of mainstream media is the advent of bloggers in the scene. It appears that some men and women in the traditional media can not tolerate the presence of bloggers in press conferences, and more so the favorable treatment that they get from certain government agencies and business firms. As a humble effort to clear the air and find out what is really the situation, Edge Davao has sought out a selected members of the media and bloggers and asked them to answer some related questions in a survey of sort. Questions: This a confidential opinion survey, as attempt to clear the air between bloggers and members of mainstream media. However, if you want to be quoted, please say so.
By Antonio M. Ajero
Please answer the following questions: 1. What do you like about blogging and bloggers? 2. What don’t you like about blogging and bloggers? 3. Please state your suggestions, if any. Germelina Lacorte: Generally, there are more things I like than dislike about blogging. What I don’t like about blogs and blogging is that it can be open to abuse. (The phenomenon like ACDC journalism can now move on to blogs). Most bloggers have developed misplaced arrogance. Blogs also increase garbage and nonsensical information in cyberspace. What I like about blogging is that it democratizes people’s access to the media and broadens space for people to express themselves. It enables more voices to be
heard. It makes more difficult for interest groups to censor the truth. Blogs can also be exciting venues for creative expression. Suggestion: The ethical standards hat guide the right practice of journalism should also apply to bloggers. Rodulph Alama, columnist What I like about blogging. 1) it’s the epitome of citizen journalism; 2) it democratizes the media platform, made it more accessible to plain citizens; 3) it has heightened public awareness on the important role that media plays in society. However, competence, capability, professionalism and ethical conduct of bloggers maybe questioned. No semblance of regulation and control. Blurred lines between citizens and role as journalists creates conflict of interest. Joey Dalumpines, Times
Alana and Philippines News Agency Like: It is an exercise of the Constitutional right to express one’s views and opinions about anything. Dislike: No gatekeeping. Information presented needs to be verified. Entails self-censorship to ensure balance and responsibility. Suggestion: Be critical in reading blogs. Carmille Marie Har-
row, contributor I like bloggers who do not show off, those who write well and those who do not plagiarize. I love to read blogs that are sensible and humorous. I do not like some bloggers who barge into a presscon, showing off their expensive gadgets but are not even listening to the speakers. Some are full of themselves and exaggerate things. Some even resort to plagiarism. Joel Escovilla, Mindanao Times I have no problem with blogging per se. It’s just a platform to deliver information to the audience. If the distinction is clear (i.e. it’s just an opinion or view of the blogger), then there’s no issue at all. I don’t think they even compete with mainstream media in terms of influence and reach. People still turn to news websites for accurate and verified information. Although I could understand the gripe of some journalists when the bloggers are prioritized during events, press conferences, etc. For instance, years back when the city government gave IDs to bloggers and photo enthusiasts at the exclusion of some media outlets. The problem is when bloggers pass themselves off as purveyors of news, without undergoing the stringent gatekeeping process to sift the garbage and fluff from the correct information the public deserves. That’s on us, however, to make sure that doesn’t happen. I think it’s cheap that we have to shut them out of events because bloggers compete with the raffles and freebies. They have every right to be there when the organizers invited them in the first place. Maria “Ria” Jose, professional blogger I regularly maintain 5 blogs in which I discuss and post about daily life, relationships, entertainment, politics, travel, food, lifestyle, and shopping. My blogs: http://www. riajose.com, http://www. kusinamaria.com, http:// w w w.myd avao cit y.com, http://www.shopchicks.com, http://www.shoppingera.net Founding President and Consultant of Davao Bloggers 1. Blogging gives people the freedom to express their thoughts and their creativity. It levels the playing field in terms of influence and the ability to give opinion.
Lacorte Bloggers are generally great people to converse with in whatever topic or issue there is and they offer a wide range of perpectives. 2. If any, what I don’t like about some bloggers is their sense of entitlement and how irresponsible some bloggers can be. They see their blog as a badge of honor that should be respected without question. 3. The beauty of blogging lies in how versatile it can be that any blogger can make a blog out of anything. The key to making a blogger become better and more effective, to be responsible and accountable is to provide him with the necessary training and tools to improve his skills and to use his blog more effectively. Provide a venue for bloggers to interface with other members of the media, with industry leaders, and with the community. I regularly maintain 5 blogs in which I discuss and post about daily life, relationships, entertainment, politics, travel, food, lifestyle, and shopping. My blogs: http://www. riajose.com, http://www. kusinamaria.com, http:// w w w.myd avao cit y.com, http://www.shopchicks.com, http://www.shoppingera.net Founding President and Consultant of Davao Bloggers 4. Blogging gives people the freedom to express their thoughts and their creativity. It levels the playing field in terms of influence and the ability to give opinion. Bloggers are generally great people to converse with in whatever topic or issue there is and they offer a wide range of perpectives. 5. If any, what I don’t like about some bloggers is their sense of entitlement and how irresponsible some bloggers can be. They see their blog as a badge of honor that should be respected without question. 6. The beauty of blogging lies in how versatile it can be that any blogger can make a blog out of anything. The key to making a blogger become better and more effective, to be responsible and accountable is to provide him with the necessary training and tools to improve his skills and to use his blog more effectively. Provide a venue for bloggers to interface with other members of the media, with industry leaders, and with the community.