(2022) SISID: A Special Issue

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taught the priests—the only people left on campus—to do so. Some of them were technologically challenged. They could only operate the easier devices, like the webcams, which were humble but just enough to livestream the Masses. This meant that they had to settle for the Celebration to happen in small rooms. The truth is, RK’s people were also as lost as everyone is in dealing with everything else. But the show continued. “The pandemic never stopped us from being creative, being productive.” Jennifer Chua, RK’s Administration Manager, proudly notes. The beginning of the pandemic challenged RK’s determined and courageous volunteers. Later on, the station started streaming daily Masses (see Keep the Faith: Daily Mass for Hope and Healing). It was in this development that RK found its footing in the digital space. The community started to notice the station’s presence as all were, indeed, thirsty for spiritual nourishment. Thousands of viewers flocked to tune in to the Holy Mass in the comfort of their homes. Ateneo’s alumni, faculty, and students from all parts of the globe populated the station’s livestream on their Facebook and Youtube pages. The breakthrough was mostly due to the fact that the decision to hold the program is true to RK’s mission. Even before the pandemic, their programs have been pointed and purposeful. The audiences could simply feel good, relieved. It just so happens that, in isolation, it was the Word of the Lord that the community terribly needed. When the quarantine restrictions gradually eased, the capacity for production also got better. The station thrived even more. As time went by, RK began to cover masses inside the church. One could even recall that it was RK who streamed the Requiem Mass for the late President Noynoy Aquino for the Filipinos (see Hindi Ka Nag-iisa: Requiem Masses for Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, III). RK’s newfound shine happened as if the station never tried to connect to the people in these spaces, when they have been since the beginning.

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