Media Training Keeps Apostolate Alive

The impact of media today is tremendous and is everywhere. Its influence is paramount in the moulding of religious and moral attitudes, and the formation of political, social and educational systems.

Thanks to the pioneers who helped powered our social communications and mass media office in Davao to the best of their energies.

1960s.  The Birth of Media Office in Manila

The Vatican, the seat of Catholicism released on December 4, 1963 a decree on the means of social communications.  This document is known as Inter Mirifica.

This decade saw the establishment of the National Office of Mass Media by Bishop Gerard Mongeau, OMI, of Cotabato who was at that time the only Philippine member of the Pontifical Commission for Social Communications.  In 1967, the Philippine Bishops petitioned Congress for a national franchise both for radio and television.  The bill has passed in both houses of Congress and became a law of the land.

1970s.  The Birth of Media Office in Davao

Years later, an instruction on its pastoral dimension was demanded.  The council fathers drafted the details and helped in the implementation of the council principles by releasing a related document entitled Communio et Progressio (Communion and Progress) on May 23, 1971.

To answer this call, in 1973, with assistance solicited from the generous people in the Archdiocese for its office renovation, the Media Apostolate was named in honour of the late Msgr. Clovis Thibault, PME, DD who first led the way to its strong foundation and who happened to be the first Prelate Ordinary of Davao.

Under the directorship of Fr. Rogelio Antalan, the Center pursued its goals of information, production and formation.  It served as the purveyor of the Good News and the Good work in the life of the Christian community through the broadcast, cinema and press; and as training ground for community leaders who sought to become more effective in communication skills.

BTMC as a Center of Information

As a Center of Information, it aimed to be the source of useful information for the people of the Archdiocese of Davao while at the same time seeking to be informed about some events going on among the people.  Seeing in the light of the Church teachings, its goals included coming up with means necessary to inform the life of the community with the message of truth, justice, and love.

BTMC as a Center of Production 

As a Center of Production, it served as a kind of “feeding station” by producing religious and contemporary radio plays and other radio presentations to be fed to the different commercial stations in Davao.

BTMC as a Center of Formation  

As a Center of Formation, it conducted series of seminars and workshops on news writing, reporting and improving communication skills and public speaking for different parish leaders, media practitioners, for students, for business and for civic organizations along with church groups and others.

This decade has started the Journalism Workshop with Elorde as the Main Facilitator/ Trainor with participants from parishes of Digos, Bansalan, Matanao, Magsaysay, Padada, Sulop, Hagonoy, Malita.

As the media apostolate turned another year on February 11 this year, the media training continues to give life to those who are interested to be part of this communication apostolate.   It is being hoped that this year, committed Social Communications and Mass Media coordinators will rise from the ranks and will help train more Pangulo sa Pagpahigayon sa Impormasyon (PPI) in the GKKs.