Diocese of Mati Welcomes New Social Communicators

43 new diocesan social communicators were warmly welcomed by the Diocese of Mati in a 2-day Seminar Workshop on Social Communications held on Oct. 19-20, 2019 at the Milagrosa Formation Center, Pahamotang Compound, Matiao, City of Mati.

Excitement was evident in the faces of the participants from the parishes in the second district of the province, as they entered in the venue and registered themselves for the seminar and workshop.

They showed their eagerness to the different discussions given to them, by attentively listening to the speakers.

Rev. Fr. Ritsche Gamaya, Station Director of DXGN-Davao, discussed on “Understanding Catholic Media on Digital Age”, as he gave a comprehensive background on how the Church pushed for social communications as an effective tool for evangelization.

News Gathering was given by DXHM News Anchor Neela Duallo, while Mr. Rocky Silverio, News Anchor of TCTV Balita, gave the fundamentals for News Writing for TV and Radio.

Mr. Jake Bryan Villahermosa synthesized the basics of Digital Media.

After the talks, the participants were divided into three groups, and were given news items which they translated into the vernacular.

After setting up a mini-announcer’s booth with TV cameras and monitors, appearing like a TV and radio news, the participants did the newscast, passing the test very satisfactorily as neophytes.

That did well in the news delivery, phasing, and projection.

Bp. Abel Apigo who witnessed the rehearsal for the actual production, was all pleased and was very delighted with what he saw.

“I salute all of you for your enthusiasm, for your willingness to learn, the very reason why you are here on this seminar.

You see, the church is now trying to utilize the social media because social media has now become a market place where people flock, and so we will go there. In this Year of the Youth, let us strengthen our social media, our social communications ministry,” he said.

The bishop furthered that he saw the potentials of the millennials, who were so zealous in sharing their talents for the Church, and in propagating the Catholic faith.

In his homily on the second day of the seminar and workshop, Social Communications Director Fr. Alfe Alimbon emphasized that the workers now in the ministry are not mere social communicators, but catholic social communicators.

“Let us not lose track of our identity. We can go with the trend, but we have to always get hold of our Catholic identity. Let us be social communicators of hope, faith, and love. And in all these, let us never forget to pray,” he added.

After the success of the activity for the first batch, preparations are now made for the second batch to be held in the El Salvador del Mundo Parish in the municipality of Caraga, Davao Oriental in November 15–17, 2019. (Neela G. Duallo)