MANILA, November 25, 2024 – Held at the prestigious Manila Hotel, the Tinta Print Media Conference 2024, organized by the United Print Media Group of the Philippines (UPMGPhil), brought together media professionals, creative leaders, and businessmen for a transformative day of insights and innovation. With the theme “Driving Truth and Business Impact,” the conference explored the evolving challenges and opportunities shaping the future of print and media in an increasingly digital world.

The day began with a ceremonial ribbon cutting led by UPMGPhil President Barbie L. Atienza, joined by distinguished publishers and members. Angel Guerrero, the conference chairperson, set the tone with a powerful overview that highlighted the event’s aim to empower media practitioners with actionable insights and innovative strategies.

In a speech delivered by PCO Senior Undersecretary Emerald Anne Ridao, representing PCO Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez emphasized the lasting importance of print media. He expressed his privilege to take part in a meaningful discussion about the value of print media in an era dominated by digitalization. Chavez underscored that print media will continue to be relevant in the years and decades ahead. While recognizing the convenience the digital revolution offers in accessing information, he affirmed that this does not make print media obsolete.

A major highlight was the session on Media Data and Consumer Insights, moderated by Marichu Villanueva, Associate Editor of The Philippine Star. The discussion featured industry experts sharing transformative strategies for understanding audience behavior. Martin Peñaflor, Founder and CEO of Tangere, showcased data-driven approaches that enhance audience engagement, while Dr. Guido David, OCTA Research Fellow, provided key insights into shifting media consumption patterns. The lively discussion underscored the importance of using research to guide impactful communication strategies.

The importance of ethical advertising took center stage as Robby Aligada, Executive Director of the Advertising Standards Council (ASC), emphasized self-regulation as a cornerstone for maintaining public trust in media. His talk resonated with the audience, highlighting the delicate balance between creative freedom and responsibility.

Renowned broadcaster and SM Investments consultant Rico Hizon shared an engaging session that detailed how the conglomerate aligns innovation with corporate responsibility. His insights illustrated how forward-thinking communication strategies can position organizations for sustainable success while fostering meaningful connections with stakeholders. He also gave out prizes to the delegates, adding an interactive and rewarding element to his session.

Dante “Klink” Ang II, Secretary of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, delivered an insightful discussion on the future of traditional print media and the need for business models to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. He acknowledged the resilience of newspapers, expressing optimism about their ability to withstand the threat of obsolescence.

He further challenged the audience to reflect on the sector’s long-term viability by posing a thought-provoking question: “Yes, newspapers have survived, but are we truly out of the woods?” This statement underscored the ongoing challenges faced by print media, from evolving reader habits to the dominance of digital platforms, and the need for continued innovation to remain relevant in a competitive media landscape.

The battle against misinformation was a key focus of the session led by Aileen Perez, Deputy Head for Social Media at GMA Network. She highlighted the network’s commitment to promoting responsible journalism through its Panata Kontra Fake News initiative, a program designed to educate and empower audiences in discerning credible information from falsehoods.

Perez also addressed the rise of meme journalism, a growing trend where information is packaged in humorous, shareable formats to attract online engagement. While acknowledging its potential to reach wider audiences, she emphasized the importance of balancing entertainment with accuracy and integrity. Her presentation underscored the critical role of media in safeguarding truth, combating the spread of misinformation, and adapting to the changing dynamics of how news is consumed in the digital age.

Thomas Jacob, COO of WAN-IFRA, joined the conference via Zoom from Germany to discuss global trends in news media. His session explored the rise of AI in content creation and the growing importance of audience-driven news models, offering valuable lessons for local media practitioners.

The day concluded with a showcase of the world’s best creative campaigns, presented by David Guerrero, Creative Chairman of BBDO Guerrero. Featuring award-winning works from the Cannes Lions, the session celebrated the enduring power of storytelling and the ability of creative campaigns to drive change and influence perceptions.

Badette M. Cunanan, co-chairperson of the conference, closed the event with a heartfelt message celebrating the collective effort to advance the media and print industries. She emphasized the importance of collaboration in navigating an ever-evolving landscape, expressing optimism about the future of Philippine media.

The Tinta Print Media Conference 2024 concluded with a renewed commitment to shaping the future of media through truth, innovation, and collaboration. The discussions highlighted the importance of adapting to digital transformations while upholding ethical standards and creative excellence. As the industry moves forward, the insights shared at this conference will continue to guide media professionals in driving meaningful change and impact. The event reaffirmed that a united, forward-thinking approach is key to the continued success of the Philippine media landscape.

SINABI ni Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian na ang “Walang Gutom” (Zero Hunger) Kitchen, pinakabagong ‘convergence initiative’ ng departamento ay makatutulong na mabawasan ang pag-aaksaya ng pagkain sa bansa.

“This Walang Gutom Kitchen is a food bank kung saan ang private sector at ang public sector ay magsasanib pwersa para mabawasan ang wastage ng pagkain at matugunan ang problema ng kagutuman sa Metro Manila and later on, when we expand this type of food banks, nationwide,” ang sinabi ng Kalihim sa sidelines ng inilunsad na proyekto sa Pasay City.

Binigyang diin ni Gatchalian na ang Walang Gutom Kitchen ay susunod sa probisyon ng Republic Act 9803 o Food Donation Act of 2009 sa paglikha ng batas na makapanghihikayat sa donasyon ng wholesome food para sa mga charitable purposes.

“Ang plano natin is to expand it later on and open more of its branches so that ‘yung mga kababayan natin na nasa pribadong sektor na may excess na pagkain, pwede nilang maibaba rito sa Walang Gutom Kitchen para ‘yung mga nagugutom nating mga kababayan, pwedeng-pwedeng pumunta rito anytime para makakuha ng libreng pagkain,” ani Gatchalian.

Ang Walang Gutom Kitchen, matataguan sa dating Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub ay muling ginamit ng DSWD, nagtatampok sa convergence ng tatlong innovative programs ng departamento, — Pag-Abot Program, Walang Gutom Program at Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program.

“Clients reached out by or walk-ins in the Pag-Abot Program will be provided with food and other basic necessities upon the assessment of social workers,” ayon sa DSWD.

Sinasabing mapapadali ng Walang Gutom Kitchen ang tinatawag na ‘individualized case management’ ng mga kliyente kabilang na ang ‘assessment, intervention, planning at progress tracking ng mga homeless individuals para sa kanilang development.

Sa pamamagitan ng pagtatatag ng Tara, Basa! reading corners, magagawa ng mga kliyente na maka-access ng ‘learning at developmental interventions’ gaya ng parenting education at character-building activities na isasagawa sa multipurpose facility.

“Sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin na gustong tumulong sa ating mga kababayan na nagugutom …we will take on any type of food donation and drinks donation, whether gusto mo na own personal capacity or nagkataon na may negosyo ka at may sumobrang pagkain, basta galing sa pribadong sektor, alinsunod na rin sa batas, tatanggapin namin iyan para ipakain at ipamahagi araw-araw sa mga nagugutom nating mga kababayan,” ang tinuran ni Gatchalian.

Samantala, nakiisa naman si Unang Ginang Liza Araneta-Marcos sa paglulunsad ng Walang Gutom Kitchen kasama si Gatchalian at mga private sector partners sa pamamahagi ng pagkain sa mga benepisaryo ng Walang Gutom Kitchen.

Ang iba pang opisyal na dumalo sa paglulunsad ng Walang Gutom Kitchen ay sina Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano at DSWD officials Undersecretary for Operations Group Pinky Romualdez, Undersecretary for Innovations Group Eduardo Punay, Assistant Secretary for Innovations Group Baldr Bringas, at Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Paul Ledesma.

(Daris Jose)

KUMPIYANSA si Education Secretary Sonny Angara na mapahuhusay ng Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Law ang performance ng mga estudyanteng pinoy sa international assessments, gaya ng Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), sa ‘long term.’

Gayunman, Inamin ni Angara na ang agarang resulta ay hindi kaagad makikita sa panahon ng susunod na PISA, nakatakda sa Marso 2025.

“Pero definitely, sa pangmatagalan makakatulong siya dahil gaganda ang abilidad ng ating mga estudyante, especially ‘yung sinasabi na critical thinking… malalim mag-isip at iniisip ang kabuuanan,” ang sinabi ng Kalihim.

Ang ARAL Law, tinintahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. noong Oktubre 2024, ay dinisenyo para tugunan ang ‘pandemic-induced learning gaps.’

Ang batas, tinukoy bilang legislative priority ng Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), nagtatag ng national learning intervention program para sa nahihirapang mag-aaral na ma-meet ang grade-level standards.

Base sa 2022 PISA results, ang Pilipinas ay nasa pang-anim na rank mula sa kulelat kabilang ang 81 nagpartisipang bansa at ekonomiya, sumasalamin sa ‘poor performance’ sa matematika, agham at pagbabasa.

Dahil dito, ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Marcos sa Department of Education (DepEd) na iprayoridad ang improvements sa PISA scores ng Pilipinas. Layon ng ARAL Law na maging pangunahing hakbang tungo sa makamit ang nilalayon nito.

Ang implementing rules and regulations (IRR) ng ARAL Law ay nilagdaan, Lunes ng tanghali.

Samantala, binigyang diin naman ni Angara ang pokus ng batas para gawing mahusay ang mahalagang ‘thinking at foundational skills’ na sa kalaunan ay magpapataas sa performance ng mga Filipinong mag-aaral sa international assessments. (Daris Jose)