A look on Oblate Media Convergence

Will Oblates Media go into convergence?

By Ferdinandh Cabrera

The year 1948 saw the humble birth of Mindanao Cross, a weekly newspaper founded by Bishop Gerard Monque, a few years after Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation came to Cotabato and Sulu archipelago in Mindanao.

Known to be “a little paper with a big cause”, Mindanao Cross now considered the oldest running newspaper in the region that is being operated for the past 64 years in Central Mindanao by the Oblates Media Communications.

Since then, various ways to provide information, such as radio came into being. Some nine years after, the ministry established another media format initially aimed at evangelizing Christians through broadcast media. Hence, in 1957, the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation (NDBC) radio station was born.

Today, the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation has grown to two AM stations and three FM sister stations all over Central Mindanao that serve as independent news and public affairs radio station.

Just like the Mindanao Cross, the Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation has earned its reputability, integrity and distinction.

In the wake of the challenges confronting the digital media in reaching out to the communities, the i-Watch Media was established as a television arm of the Oblates Media Communications. It has evolved into being a multimedia site producing relevant stories that aims to awaken, inform, educate and inspire people and target entities through video documentaries and other multimedia productions.

The produced materials are shown for specific audience in far-flung communities or indigenous peoples as social mobilizing tool.

Realizing the wide scope of Internet in reaching out to the target audiences, the OMC has  embraced social media by posting documentaries and other materials on their own website and other social media sites like YouTube.

Though housed in one building located on Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City, Mindanao Cross, Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation and i-Watch Media are independently operated.

A move to merge and unify the operations of the three media outfits, which was planned in 2010, is yet to be realized pending the decision of its Board members.

This short documentary will tell us how local media in the Central Mindanao, Philippines like Oblate Media Communication embraces and responds to the fast paced demands of the new media.

VOICE INTRODUCTION SCRIPT

Its typical Wednesday for Mindanao Cross editorial staff --- today is the production day for the weekly news.

Inside the newsroom everyone is busy. The office of Mindanao Cross is located at the right wing of Oblates Media Center.

The stories and columns pour in. The staff edits and lay out the stories. Everyone is focused.

 Supervising the entire operation is Fr. Jonathan Domingo.

He is Chief Executive Officer of the oldest running English newspaper in the region now on its 64th year.

Father Jonathan recognizes new media will affect the future of local print newspapers.

That is why aside from the hard copy, Mindanao Cross-also maintains a website.

But not all stories are uploaded immediately.

Mindanao Cross editor-in-chief Eva Tan says only certain stories go online.

She says stories make their way online after they are released on the printed version.

This ensures that printed copies maintain its sales target.

As editor in chief, Eva oversees the editorial content and production of the  3,500-copy circulation.

On the left side of the building is NDBC office, the broadcast radio arm, an institution at the forefront of delivering news to the Mindanao region.

Airwaves hit the busy day with news, commentaries, music and viewer reaction through social media.

Embracing new media, NDBC operates a Teleradyo seen on a local cable TV channel and streamed live on the Internet.

They also have a fan page on Facebook.

NDBC operates AM and FM stations in Cotabato City with three sister stations in nearby provinces in Central Mindanao.

The i-Watch Multimedia Center is home to volunteer mobile journalists of the Oblates Mission. They produce video documentaries and other multimedia materials for their social advocacies.

As a non-profit news organization, i-Watch survives through the funding of sponsors who support these goals.

What's in store for tri-media news in region?

Executives and staff of each of the three media outfits of Oblates Media Communications tell us about the future of convergence.

MMJ 191 WEEK 8-9

Social media working best to convergence journalism.

The need for adoption of social media and delivery to multiple mobile devices is increasingly becoming essential for retaining and attracting audience in convergence journalism.

Social Media Network Rappler in the Philippines is one ideal.

News Organizations like this is taking a holistic approach to branding and delivering content to various platforms such as video documentary, photos, online breaking stories, other social media sites, print and other channels.

Good content shared on multiple channels is becoming a valuable asset for them.

Social news organizations like this  that leverage social networking, content and knowledge assets will be those best positioned for future success.


They believe the people now has the control of the news unlike the traditional practice of agenda-setting from the news editors, publishers and media elites.


Targeting around 27 million of Filipinos on Facebook. This number has surpassed the 15 million households that own a television sets which they see as the biggest audience market to cater relevant stories.

Year 2011 saw a surge in mobile users, but 2012 is the year when smartphone owners become the majority of users, currently hovering just below 50% of U.S. mobile phone users. Tablets, too, take center stage with a near 24% in adoption according to a research.

The smart phone is the next content platform.  It’s a powerful touch point and a highly personal channel.

We could think about all of the events leading up to this moment today and the role your smartphone or tablet played in helping your discover, share, communicate and learn. You might in fact, be reading this on your mobile device now.

This is an important moment in the evolution of mobile as it no longer simply about smart communication.

Mobile is causing a fundamental shift in society where consumers are evolving into connected consumers. This connected mindset is empowering as people take advantage of on-demand access to not just information, but other people, opinions, shared experiences, and help make more informed and efficient decisions than ever before.

HALAD FESTIVAL

Midsayap celebrates its yearly patronal fiesta every 3rd Sunday of January in honor of its patron saint, Santo Nino (child Jesus).
“Halad” means offering. 

As part of people’s thanksgiving, a festival to express one’s gratitude to their Lord was established in 1988 through street dancing parade.
Hand held radio owners who called themselves REACT MIDLAND GROUP was the first group who spearheaded the annual festivity.

Since then, they received strings of awards and recognitions as one of the country’s tourist destination and best of local festival merry making.
Halad festival gathers the potential of its town in terms of friendly people, rich culture and traditions, talents and skills. This boasts the town’s culturally and socially involved citizens since almost everybody is participating.
The celebration showcases also the image of Midsayap as a peaceful place with hospitable citizens.
With the confidence and influx of visitors, the economy has expected to gain.