Quo vadis Davao SoCCom?

When hardships come, do you face them or try to find an escape? When adversities occur, do you accept them with faith and humility or run away from them?

Since the 1950s when Davao Sentinel newspaper paved the way to Taboan and then Davao Catholic Herald, the Archdiocesan Commission on Social Communications of the Archdiocese of Davao with parallel pastoral agencies in each of the suffragan dioceses of Digos, Tagum and Mati continues to face hardship and adversities in spreading the Good News.

These challenges come in the form of program and content, finance and administration, technical and equipment, marketing and promotions, research and training, and the like.

Today, Asia’s longest running Catholic newspaper, the Davao Catholic Herald and DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM of the Archdiocese of Davao, which was re-launched 3 years ago after the third time hibernation for 8 years, cannot stand each and alone by itself. They need to converge with social media in spreading the Gospel message.

The use of our available media platforms find expression in the involvement of our netizens from all status in society. This is affirmed by the recognition of our Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) Social Communications Committee (SoCCom) as promulgated in the Yellow Book entitled Guidelines and Norms on the Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban: “The GKK should have a Social Communications Committee (SoCCom) which shall be composed of a Secretary, as head of the Committee, and two or three members.”

From these GKK SoCCom, we can now read news articles in Herald and hear radio reports in DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM direct from our GKKs and parishes. Some of these SoCCom contributors are Hermie Mapute of St. Mary of the Perpetual Rosary Buhangin, Imelda Overiz of San Roque Malabog, Maria Liezel Gilbuena of San Miguel Panacan, Marieta Comighud of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Bajada, and Lilibeth Sancover of Virgen Delos Remedios Crossing Bayabas, Toril.

The dedication of our Herald and DXGN staff in covering GKK, parish and diocesan celebrations, in initiating events like the recent Marian exhibit and the coming 3 in 1 raffle bonanza and concert, helps greatly the operation of our media platforms. The scheduled formation like Inter Mirifica, Basics in Journalism and Radio Reporting given to GKK leaders in parishes, is also an eye-opener to many. The support of our bishops, clergy and lay people is also commendable.

Like Saint Peter who was encouraged by Jesus’ reply to go to Rome to be crucified, we need not flee from the cross of proclaiming God’s love to all. Even if we fall and even if we fail due to our lack or resources and expertise in the use and management of the media of social communications, what matters is we rise up and take courage in becoming the mouthpiece of the Church.