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T HE recently-concluded 16th National Press Forum on “Media Ac- countability 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. e twin events showcased the strides taken by the com- munity press during its close to five decades of shepherd- ing by the PPI and a string of institutional and corporate sponsors, though rudely inter- rupted briefly by Martial Law. Weightiest topics e 16th National Fo- rum, with the theme “PPI: Legacy of a Free Press,” tackled some of the weighti- est issues confronting today’s media in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world, with the country’s most outstand- ing journalists and communi- cators, authors and academi- cians. e theme was discussed in separate speeches by PPI Vice Chair Vergel Santos and the late Philippine Daily In- quirer Isagani Yambot, whose piece was read by PDI Presi- dent Alexandra “Sandy” Prie- to-Romualdez. e topic speakers in- cluded: -Ms Malou C. Mangahas, executive director of the Phil- ippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) on “Asian Barometer: e Philippine Study;” --Ms Luchi Cruz-Valdez, head of TV5 news and infor- mation division on “Engaging the Public to Protect Press Freedom and Preserve De- mocracy;” --Dean Luis V. Teodoro, deputy director of the Center of Media Freedom Respon- sibility (CMFR), on “Self- Regulation and Policing Our Ranks;” --Ms Rowena C. Paraan, secretary-general of the Na- tional Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), on “Safety and Welfare of Jour- nalists;” --Walter B. Panganiban, director for media affairs of e Coca-Cola Export Cor- poration, 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 “Shiſting Gears, New Mechanisms to Strengthen Community Journalism;” --Atty. Harry L. Roque, UP Center for International Law and Director of the In- stitute of International Legal Studies and Law Center, on “Decriminalizing Libel;” --Dr. Walter Salzer, di- rector and principal advisor, GIZ-German Development Cooperation, on “Report- ing on Environment and Its Many Dimensions;” --Rolando A. Inciong, communication and public affairs head of the Asian Cen- tre for Biodiversity, on “ Re- porting Biodiversity;” --Atty. Tricia Clare Oco, executive director of the Juve- nile Justice Welfare Council, on “Reporting Juvenile Jus- tice;” and --Wo Rosete, head for external relations of Smart Communications, on “Re- porting Culture and Arts.” e speakers were assist- ed in the discussions by other media greats. Many “firsts” It was the first time in decades that a Philippine President graced the opening of PPI’s traditional gathering. President BenignoAqui- no 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 stream- ing 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 high- lights of the annual media powwow were commitments to support journalism con- tests, all designed to raise the bar of excellence in commu- nity media in reportage. e categories are: 1. Best in online re- porting sponsored by the ICTV; 2. Best in health and wellness reporting, spon- sored by St. Luke’s Hospital; 3. Best in biodiversity report- ing by the Asean Centre for Biodiversity; and 4. Best in culture and the arts report- ing by the National Commis- sion on Culture and the Arts. ese are in addition to the five contests already established by the PPI in partnership with the Kon- rad Adenaur Stiſtung (KAS) Foundation before and TC- CEP now. ey are best in photojournalism, science and environmental report- ing, business and economic reporting, editorial page, and best edited on both weekly and daily categories. e modest strides notched by community pa- pers is evident in the much improved copies that they displayed during the annual gathering. e exhibits on culture and the arts articles and photos were likewise im- pressive. Many community papers have already risen to the next level, that of online publish- ing. e implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the PPI constitution have already waived the requirement for members to have a publica- tion. 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 gradu- ated 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. e winners Of the 12 community press awards given away by PPI and TCCEP last April 24, five went to Mindanao pub- lications, another five were won by newspapers in Luzon, and the last two by publica- tions in Cebu, which used to dominate the awards in the past. Edge Davao, which par- ticipated in the contest for the second year, was pro- claimed Best in Business and Economic Reporting in the weekly category, the same award it got last year along with Best in Science and Envi- ronmental Reporting. SunStar Davao ran away with three – (daily category)- Best in Busi- ness and Economic Report- ing; Best in Photojournalism; and Best Editorial Page. A first-timer, e Mindanao Cross weekly romped away with Best Editorial Page. EDGE DAVAO FOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012 EDGE DAVAO 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 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, Jane Cadalig of Baguio Midland Courier, Rea Isidro- De Fiesta of Sun.Star-Pampanga, and Dino Balabo of Mabuhay, a weekly newspaper based in Bulacan. By Antonio M. Ajero Davao journalists S2 Raising the bar of media excellence

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Page 1: Edge Davao 5 Issue 38 - Special Issue

THE recently-concluded 16th National Press Forum on “Media Ac-

countability 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 com-munity press during its close to five decades of shepherd-ing by the PPI and a string of institutional and corporate sponsors, though rudely inter-rupted briefly by Martial Law.

Weightiest topicsThe 16th National Fo-

rum, with the theme “PPI: Legacy of a Free Press,” tackled some of the weighti-est issues confronting today’s media in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world, with

the country’s most outstand-ing journalists and communi-cators, authors and academi-cians.

The theme was discussed in separate speeches by PPI Vice Chair Vergel Santos and the late Philippine Daily In-quirer Isagani Yambot, whose piece was read by PDI Presi-dent Alexandra “Sandy” Prie-to-Romualdez.

The topic speakers in-cluded:

-Ms Malou C. Mangahas, executive director of the Phil-ippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) on “Asian Barometer: The Philippine Study;”

--Ms Luchi Cruz-Valdez, head of TV5 news and infor-mation division on “Engaging the Public to Protect Press Freedom and Preserve De-mocracy;”

--Dean Luis V. Teodoro, deputy director of the Center

of Media Freedom Respon-sibility (CMFR), on “Self-Regulation and Policing Our Ranks;”

--Ms Rowena C. Paraan,

secretary-general of the Na-tional Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), on “Safety and Welfare of Jour-nalists;”

--Walter B. Panganiban, director for media affairs of The Coca-Cola Export Cor-poration, 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 In-stitute of International Legal Studies and Law Center, on “Decriminalizing Libel;”

--Dr. Walter Salzer, di-rector and principal advisor, GIZ-German Development Cooperation, on “Report-ing on Environment and Its Many Dimensions;”

--Rolando A. Inciong, communication and public affairs head of the Asian Cen-tre for Biodiversity, on “ Re-porting Biodiversity;”

--Atty. Tricia Clare Oco, executive director of the Juve-nile Justice Welfare Council, on “Reporting Juvenile Jus-tice;” and

--Wo Rosete, head for external relations of Smart Communications, on “Re-porting Culture and Arts.”

The speakers were assist-ed in the discussions by other media greats.

Many “firsts”It was the first time in

decades that a Philippine President graced the opening

of PPI’s traditional gathering.President BenignoAqui-

no 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 stream-ing on ppinpf.nowplanet.tv seen on the PC and mobile devices such as iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Windows Mobile.

New media contestsAmong the happy high-

lights of the annual media powwow were commitments to support journalism con-tests, all designed to raise the bar of excellence in commu-nity media in reportage.

The categories are:1. Best in online re-

porting sponsored by the ICTV; 2. Best in health and wellness reporting, spon-sored by St. Luke’s Hospital; 3. Best in biodiversity report-ing by the Asean Centre for Biodiversity; and 4. Best in culture and the arts report-ing by the National Commis-sion on Culture and the Arts.

These are in addition to the five contests already established by the PPI in partnership with the Kon-rad Adenaur Stiftung (KAS) Foundation before and TC-CEP now. They are best in photojournalism, science and environmental report-ing, business and economic reporting, editorial page, and best edited on both weekly and daily categories.

The modest strides notched by community pa-pers 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 im-pressive.

Many community papers have already risen to the next level, that of online publish-ing. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the PPI constitution have already waived the requirement for members to have a publica-tion. Even without hard copy, online news agencies can now become members of the PPI.

Executive directorOn top of PPI’s good

fortunes these days is a young executive director who gradu-ated 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 winnersOf the 12 community

press awards given away by PPI and TCCEP last April 24, five went to Mindanao pub-lications, another five were won by newspapers in Luzon, and the last two by publica-tions in Cebu, which used to dominate the awards in the past.

Edge Davao, which par-ticipated in the contest for the second year, was pro-claimed Best in Business and Economic Reporting in the weekly category, the same award it got last year along with Best in Science and Envi-ronmental Reporting. SunStar Davao ran away with three – (daily category)- Best in Busi-ness and Economic Report-ing; Best in Photojournalism; and Best Editorial Page. A first-timer, The Mindanao Cross weekly romped away with Best Editorial Page.

EDGEDAVAOFOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE

VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

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

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,

Jane Cadalig of Baguio Midland Courier, Rea Isidro-De Fiesta of Sun.Star-Pampanga, and Dino Balabo of Mabuhay, a weekly newspaper based in Bulacan.

By Antonio M. Ajero

Davao journalists S2

Raising the barof media excellence

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S2 VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012

There are journalists and there are jour-nalists.   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 appear-ing in national newspapers and international maga-zines.

  Leading the pack is Jesus G. Dureza, former press secretary of then president Gloria Macapa-gal-Arroyo.   Today, he is now the publisher of Min-danao Times and the re-gional trustee for Mindan-ao of the Philippine Press Institute.

  The boy from Guih-ing (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 Examina-tions.   Ten years later, he was given the Datu Bago Awardee, highest award given to a Davaoeño. 

 In 1998, he received a Presidential Award of Mer-it from President Fidel V. Ramos.   Also in the same year, he was the chairman of the Mindanao Econom-ic Development Council and Presidential Assistant for Mindanao.

 As a media personal-ity, he hosted the TV pro-gram, 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 (1973-1987).

  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 Ju-milla and what comes into your mind?   ABS-CBN, one of the country’s top television networks, that’s what.  Well, the two actual-ly 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 Univer-sity.   He started his career as an anchor and field re-porter of TV Patrol South-ern Mindanao from 1993 to 1996.

  In 1996, he trans-ferred 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 co-anchors TV Patrol Week-end with Bernadette Sem-brano.

  Since 2007, he is one of the hosts of the morn-ing program Umagang Kay Ganda. From 2009, he was

one of the co-hosts XXX: Exklusibong, Explosibong, Exposé before being re-placed by Anthony Tab-erna 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 Gold-en Dove Awards and Best TV Anchor in the 9th Ga-wad Tanglaw.

Nothing much is known about veteran po-litical 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 politi-cal 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 cov-ered 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

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 Concep-tion College (now Univer-sity of Immaculate Con-ception) in 1983.   Dur-

ing a school re-union 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 Initia-tives for Grantmaker Sup-port, 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

Davao journalists Making it big in the national sceneBy Jims Vincent T. Capuno

Dureza, former press secre-tary.

Tacio, started his writing career when he was still in high school.

Bendijo, anchor of People’s Television Network Channel 4.

Metilla, writing gardening features for various Manila-based newspapers.

Sonza , honed his broadcasting skills in Davao City radio stations.

Jumilla, one of the top five most admired TV journalists in the country.

Santos, Best Male Newscaster from the PMPC Star Awards and 19th KBP Golden Dove Awards

Conde, making waves in Manila and in the interna-tional scene.

FDAVAO, S6

FOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE EDGEDAVAO S3VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012

Congratulations!

EDGEDavao

EDGEDAVAOFOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE

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S3VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012

Congratulations!

EDGEDavao

EDGEDAVAOFOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE

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S4 VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012

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.”

FOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE EDGEDAVAO

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S5VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012EDGEDAVAOFOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE

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S6 VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012

Communication (1992 to 1996).

Currently, he anchors the Teledyaryo Final Edi-tion (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 work-ing 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 Ma-nila, 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 Ma-nila.  In Davao, if your ap-pointment is at 12 noon,

you can leave your house at quarter to 12 and ar-rive 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 pro-grams.”

Ross Torres, then the station manager, saw his potential.   He was given a break from writing to disc jockeying then on to an-choring a news program. “What started as an ac-cidental employment be-came 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-

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 listen-ing to a radio and heard the voice of the Freddie Vergara, who also used to work in a Davao radio sta-tion.”

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 sta-tion,” he remembers.   Jay accepted the offer and the following month, ABS-CBN re-opened. “I was of-fered to do part-time news writing for the TV station,” he says.  

Today, he serves as a UNTV37 morning show

host (Good Morning, Kuya) and anchors the prime time news program (Ito Ang Balita).   In be-tween, he juggles as politi-cal adviser and columnist/contributing editor for two national daily tabloids, Abante and Tonite.

  Henrylito D. Tacio started his writing ca-reer when he was still in high school. His teach-ers 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 ac-cepted by Mod magazine. It was the start.

Years later, his byline started appearing in both national newspapers (Phil-ippine Daily Inquirer, To-day, Manila Times, Manila Chronicle, Malaya, Busi-ness Mirror, and Manila Bulletin) and international dailies (Bangkok Post, for one) when he was accepted as one of the correspon-dents of the Manila-based Press Foundation of Asia.

As a journalist, Tacio has traveled abroad ex-tensively. He has attended international conferences in Bangkok, Thailand; To-kyo, Japan; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Bali, Indonesia; Durban, South Africa; Melbourne, Australia; and Singapore.   He was the country’s lone representa-tive in a world conference for science journalists in Montreal, Canada.

Tacio is the only jour-nalist from Mindanao writing for the Asian edi-tion 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 Man-agement in Asia and the Pacific Region, a book published by the regional office of UN Food and Ag-riculture Organization.

Serapion Metilla is credited for bringing bon-sai to its fore in the Philip-pines.  He grew up in Cebu but due to poverty, his fam-ily transferred to Bansa-lan.   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 El-ementary School Teacher of Quezon City and was promoted school princi-pal from 1972 to 1974.   In 1974, he got out of teach-ing 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 bon-sai culture, dish gardening, flower arrangement, ter-rarium making, and wa-terfall gardening, among others.

It was at this time that he started writing garden-ing features for various newspapers like Manila Bulletin and its Sunday magazine, Philippine Pan-orama.  For three years, he was a garden columnist of the Woman’s Home Com-panion.

Manong Metts initi-ated the founding of the Philippine Bonsai Soci-ety, the Cactus and Suc-culent Society and the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Davao.   Still currently involved in the Philippine Orchid Society and the Philippine Horticultural Society as honorary mem-ber, he is also a member of the Ikebana International (Manila Chapter) and cur-rently 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 Outstand-ing 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 in-ternational scene as well is Carlos H. Conde.   He used to be freelance cor-respondent in Manila for The New York Times and The International Herald Tribune.   He also wrote for Asia Times and an editor-at-large for Inter-aksyon.

Conde is a board member of Antonio Zu-mel Center for Press Free-dom and the secretary-general of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.   Today, he works as researcher at Human Rights Watch, based in Manila.

Other Davao jour-nalists who have made a name for themselves abroad include Maricar Jara-Puyod, Gulf Today senior reporter and Unit-ed 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 jour-nalists are hitting it big-time in Manila and other parts of the world! 

FFROM S2Davao...

FOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE EDGEDAVAO

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S7VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012EDGEDAVAOFOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE

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EDGEDavao

Like EDGEDavao , we believe in “helpingpeople 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 Coca-

Cola 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.”

We welcome the formal launch of as a daily.

S8 VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012

Congratulations 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. UngabHouse of RepresentativesBatasan Hills, Quezon City

FOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE EDGEDAVAO

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S9VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012EDGEDAVAOFOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE

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S10 VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012EDGEDAVAO

ONE smoldering issue confronting not a few members of main-

stream 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 se-lected members of the media and bloggers and asked them to answer some related ques-tions in a survey of sort.

Questions:This a confidential opin-

ion survey, as attempt to clear the air between bloggers and members of mainstream me-dia. However, if you want to be quoted, please say so.

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 sugges-

tions, if any.Germelina Lacorte:Generally, there are

more things I like than dis-like 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 mis-placed arrogance. Blogs also increase garbage and nonsen-sical information in cyber-space.

What I like about blog-ging is that it democratizes people’s access to the me-dia 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, columnistWhat I like about blog-

ging. 1) it’s the epitome of citizen journalism; 2) it de-mocratizes the media plat-form, made it more acces-sible to plain citizens; 3) it has heightened public awareness on the important role that media plays in society. How-ever, 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

Of blogs, blogging and bloggersBy Antonio M. Ajero

FOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE

and Philippines News AgencyLike: It is an exercise of

the Constitutional right to ex-press one’s views and opinions about anything.

Dislike: No gatekeeping. Information presented needs to be verified. Entails self-cen-sorship to ensure balance and responsibility.

Suggestion: Be critical in reading blogs.

Carmille Marie Har-

row, contributorI 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 humor-ous.

I do not like some blog-gers who barge into a press-con, showing off their ex-pensive gadgets but are not even listening to the speakers. Some are full of themselves and exaggerate things. Some even resort to plagiarism.

Joel Escovilla, Mindan-ao Times

I have no problem with blogging per se. It’s just a plat-form 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 infor-mation.

Although I could un-derstand the gripe of some journalists when the bloggers are prioritized during events, press conferences, etc. For in-stance, years back when the city government gave IDs to bloggers and photo enthusi-asts at the exclusion of some media outlets.

The problem is when bloggers pass themselves off as purveyors of news, with-out 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 com-pete with the raffles and free-bies. They have every right to be there when the organizers invited them in the first place.

Maria “Ria” Jose, profes-sional blogger

I regularly maintain 5 blogs in which I discuss and post about daily life, relation-ships, entertainment, politics, travel, food, lifestyle, and shopping.

My blogs: http://www.riajose.com, http://www.kusinamaria.com, http://www.mydavaocity.com, http://www.shopchicks.com, http://www.shoppingera.net

Founding President and Consultant of Davao Bloggers

1. Blogging gives peo-ple the freedom to express their thoughts and their cre-ativity. 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.

2. If any, what I don’t like about some bloggers is their sense of entitlement and how irresponsible some blog-gers can be. They see their blog as a badge of honor that should be respected without question.

3. The beauty of blog-ging 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 ef-fective, 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 ef-fectively. 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, relation-ships, entertainment, politics, travel, food, lifestyle, and shopping.

My blogs: http://www.riajose.com, http://www.kusinamaria.com, http://www.mydavaocity.com, http://www.shopchicks.com, http://www.shoppingera.net

Founding President and Consultant of Davao Bloggers

4. Blogging gives peo-ple the freedom to express their thoughts and their cre-ativity. It levels the playing field in terms of influence and the ability to give opin-ion. 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 hon-or that should be respected without question.

6. The beauty of blog-ging lies in how versatile it can be that any blogger can make a blog out of any-thing. The key to making a blogger become better and more effective, to be re-sponsible 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 blog-gers to interface with other members of the media, with industry leaders, and with the community.

LacorteAlana