Project: Integration of Folk Media and Modern Mass Media

in Selected Carmelite Mission Areas in Luzon, Visayas

and Mindanao

Source: Project Proposal

Purpose: Some key notes

PROJECT SITUATION

Gradual organizational growth and maturity of the Titus Brandsma Center as a venue and
institution that sees the importance and vital role of mass media in social transformation
and the pervasive presence and influence of social communications media in the
permutation of people’s culture, values and attitudes.

Confirmed by the initial results of the surveys conducted.

Results says that the modern means of social communications (TV, radio, films &
internet) are now vastly and uncritically influencing the social, moral and psychological
development of the audience including their religious beliefs.

The results also suggest that media practitioners need to be in touch with the ethical,
theological and pontifical messages on social communications media. This means
promotion and propagation of the Church’s position and stance on the social and ethical
role of mass media and technology in the people’s quest for fullness of life.

Due to these results brought about by the Center’s activities and surveys, ad hoc groups
in the parishes and schools have been formed and developed.

The formation of these groups was stimulated by a succession of seminars and trainings
on mass communications and the Church’s teachings and admonitions on the roles and
contributions of media towards integral human development.

The groups are made up of selected lay leaders, animators of Christian communities and
young people in the academe.

However, the utilization of both traditional and modern mass communication only
depends on the pastoral actions of the parish, school communicators and the community
support of public and private organizations. In short, both means can be used only if the
Church, school or community decides to use it.

The revival/retrieval of the traditional or folk media becomes all the more critical due to
globalization that stalks local and indigenous culture.
PROJECT GOAL

Goal of the project: integration and utilization of folk media and mass communications
media for the enhancement of critical and discerning stance and action on the contents
and messages of media readers, listeners and viewers in the communities, and for the
advancement of family solidarity and community cohesion towards integral human
development

Principal channels: Carmelite schools and parishes

Auxiliary channels: radio stations and regional/provincial newspapers operating in the

areas

Social communications must be family-based, community-oriented, and people-based

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

To revive traditional media or folk media: Religious activities (Lenten drama,

Santacruzan), quasi religious expressions (ati-atihan, sinulog, sayaw) and secular forms
(drama, songs, proverbs and riddles) for development messages.

To strengthen and advance the organization and integration of development workers and
specialists, communications practitioners and producers in the areas (town, province and
region) for the protection and promotion of the basic aspirations of families and
communities from skewed and distorted messages and information.

To sharpen and heighten the utilization of various social communications for intellectual
development, social responsiveness and cultural enrichment of readers, viewers and
listeners in the different Christian communities, especially among young people.

To tighten the internal structures of community media programs whether in the school
and parish for effective and efficient implementation and management of projects and
activities, and for continued competence formation of the project implementers.

KEY RESULT AREAS OF THE PROJECT

Community-based organization of various folk media groups with regular programs and
projects on development communications supported by private groups and local
government organizations.

Interactive communication structures (community, town and provinces) with small media
organizations composed of media practitioners, parish and school communicators.

Aware and critical segments from the ranks of students, young people and members of
Christian communities guided by Christian faith in their analysis of media contents and
biases and judgment on media messages.

Installed and operational internal structures providing communication management

systems for continuing access to and involvement of community communicators in the
communication system and making them participants in the decision making process.

PROJECT SITES

Parish of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and _________ Basic Christian communities in
Escalante, Negros Occidental

Mount Carmel College in Escalante, Negros Occidental. __________

Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus through its Basic Christian communities and Mount
Carmel College in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

Parish of the Most Holy Rosary and its Basic Christian communities and Mount Carmel
School.

Parish of San Vicente Ferrer and its Basic Christian Communities

Parish of St. Michael the Archangel and its Basic Christian Communities and Urios
High School in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

Titus Brandsma Center and its contact schools in Metropolitan Manila.

Carmelite Formation Center and its surrounding communities including the organization
of lay people, in Cebu City.

PROJECT PARTNERS

Christian families in various BEC, who are the direct recipients of radio, television and
newspapers. Those who need to exercise vigilance regarding ideas, which the present
media carry into the enclave of their homes.

Young people and students who very well knows the computer culture and technocratic
age. Those who are open and receptive to experiences of life and who are the most
immediate receivers of mass media.

Folk media enthusiasts and practitioners who sees the significance of traditional media,
which serves as link to the past, as social force and as way of life to people in the
communities.

Communicators and producers who are the principal gatherers and sharers of information
and who define and influence the contents and bias of news, programs and entertainment.

Parish groups and organizations who consider themselves the primary implementers and
decision makers of the pastoral direction and perspectives of the parish and profess as
servants and evangelizers of the Word of God.

SPECIFIC PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

1. Revival and development of traditional or folk media in several towns and

communities.

Research on perceived potentials of folk media as channel of development

communications and as integral part of rural community media in selected
areas.

Integration of selected folk media to modern mass media like plays on radio
or video presentation.

Theatre and music training for individuals and groups involved in the
development and advancement of traditional or folk media.

Formation and organization of four folk media groups, specifically folk
drama, balitao on air, music and instrumental groups for education,
information and entertainment.

Advocacy work for accreditation of traditional media organizations and
subsidy from local government and even private organizations for devcom and
education projects in the communities.

2. Strengthening and advancement of parish and school communicators and mass media
practitioners.

Regular dialogue of sharing and dialogue of doing among the implementers

and beneficiaries for facilitation and enhancement of complementation and
implementation of projects and activities on communications.

Formalization of town wide communications organizations composed of
development workers, parish communicators, school web masters
communication practitioners and producers.

Capacity and capability formation and development of parish and school
communicators on Church teachings and pontifical messages on mass and folk
media, forms of community media, competence in radio communication and
programming, community bulletin, computer and internet work.

Formations and development of communications network as tool for
establishing linkages between grassroots communicators and regional
communicators.

Creation and operationalization of an educational radio program that tackles
pastoral issues and concerns, biblical interpretations and success stories on
basic Christian community communications programs.
 3. Utilization of various communications media for intellectual development, social
responsiveness and cultural enrichment of communities and people.

Regular showing of art films/foreign films that depict contradictions and

resolutions.

Mounting and presentation of one major theatre production and two mobile
drama production that tackles effects of mass media.

Formation and implementation of television program through local cable and
a radio program for the youth that tackle their responsibilities.

Complementation and cooperation for mounting quasi religious activities in
specific municipalities to introduce relevant global, national and local
concerns and issues.

Periodic focused group discussions and interactive sharing with young people
and professional mass media communicators on the value of various
communication tools and their contributions on nation and community
building, family cohesion and self-knowledge.

4. Tightening internal structures of community media programs in the parishes and

schools for effective implementation and management of projects, activities and
resources.

Formation and operationalization of advisory groups in different project sites

that will help in perspective setting and support mobilization.

Systematization of policies and guidelines on projects implementation and
coordination, networking and support mobilization, personnel
complementation and development.

Formulation and implementation of seminars and training for the direct
implementers’ capability building and development relative to specific
requirements of the projects and individual/group responsibilities.

Regular submission of reports to different leaders and concerned bodies for
sharing and discernment on the development and advancement of the goals
and objectives of the project.

SPECIFIC PROJECTED ACTIVITIES PER YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION WITHIN

A THREE YEAR TIMEFRAME

FIRST YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION

1. Basic organizational requirements

Directional and pastoral unification among those who would be involved in

the implementation and management of projects.

Review and orientation of personnel and volunteers from the different project
sites on the organizational requirements and responsibilities for projects’
implementation.

Discussion and processing of the project among selected representatives from
the schools, parishes, Christian communities, folk media organizations and
mass media practitioners.

Particularization of the plan of action relative to different concerns of the
project.

2. Revival and development of traditional folk media in several towns and communities

Conduct specific research and study of existing and extinct traditional media
in Escalante, Negros Occidental and in San Francisco, Rosario, Prosperidad,
Agusan del Sur.

Discussion, processing and initial creation or formation of folk media groups,
specifically theatre and music organizations in the four project sites.

Specific theatre and music training for folk media group members for skills
and knowledge formation and updating.

Sharing and solicitation of support to local government units, other public
officials, private organizations and well meaning individuals.

3. Strengthening and advancement of parish and school communicators and mass media
practitioners

Focused group discussions on rural communications and development

perspectives.

Processing, reflection, discernment and organization of town wide group of
development workers, web masters and mass media communicators.

Seminars and training on pontifical messages on media and communications,
radio programming and other communication needs with the participation of
parish and school communicators.

Data base on provincial and regional communicators and initial dialogue
between grassroots or Christian community communicators and
regional/provincial communicators.

4. Utilization of various communications media for intellectual development, social

responsiveness and cultural enrichment.

Promotion and showing of art/foreign films among young people in the

Academe and Christian communities with corresponding reflection and
action.

Conceptualization, planning, mounting and presentation of one act plays that
deal on effects of mass media to young people and need for family solidarity
in the different project sites.

Dialogue and sharing between young people and professional communicators
and media producers on role and contributions of media in nation building.

5. Tightening of internal structures of community media programs in the parishes and

schools.

Identification, presentation of projects and initial setting up of advisory group
with multi sectoral and institutional membership.

Formulation, processing and implementation of policies and guidelines on
projects operations and management.

Participation of regular staff to short courses for knowledge and skills
development.

Meeting of the leadership body for perspective setting, decision-making,
policy formulation and problem resolution.

Conduct of assessment and evaluation relative to orientational application,
projects implementation and internal functioning.

Conduct of assessment and evaluation relative to orientational application,
projects implementation and internal functioning.

Submission of reports to the Commissary provincial and Council and
supporting agencies.

SECOND YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION

1. Revival ....

Production of traditional media like plays on radio and other video

presentation of national and community concerns to be aired regularly through
local radio.

Formation and training of young people and elderly for balitao on air and
music organization for education and entertainment of members of Christian
communities.

Organizational consolidation and development of theatre groups in the
different project sites through consultation, meetings and sharing.

Solicitation and expansion of support for traditional media groups from public
agencies and private organizations through fund and legal assistance.

2. Strengthening ....

Continuing dialogue, sharing and action among development workers, etc.

Implementation of seminars and training for capability development on
community media management, radio program and internet.

Organizational development of town wide communications and organizations
of development workers, etc.

Expansion of network and linkages in the regional and provincial levels
among regional and provincial mass media communicators in behalf of grass
roots communicators.

Continuing production of educational radio programs and initial study of the
effects to listeners in the communities.

3. Utilization ....

Continuing film showing among young people and members of Christian
communities with reflection and discernment.

Preparation, marketing and presentation of one major theatre production on
current social and political issues.

Sustenance and maintenance of one television program and one radio program
to be manned by trained personnel among the ranks of young people and
selected members of parish organizations and Christian communities.

Participation in one quasi religious activity.

Dialogue of sharing and dialogue of doing.

4. Tightening ....

Meeting of the Board of Directors of Titus Brandsma Center for perspective

setting and decision-making.

Consolidation and review of systems and policies and guidelines for more
effective projects implementation and efficient management of internal
resources.

Continuing monitoring of projects implementation and management in the
project sites through interviews with partners, consultation with volunteers
and submission of reports.

Consultation and meetings of the advisory board in the different project sites
for review of projects development and expansion of networks.

Assessment and evaluation of the conceptual, pastoral and organizational life
of the whole project.

THIRD YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION

1. Revival ....

Production of select traditional or folk media for dissemination and promotion

through video and radio station in the project sites.

Mounting of another major theatre production for sharing and reflection
among members of Christian communities and young people in the academe.

Expansive efforts for advocacy work for the advancement of traditional and
folk media among public and private organizations and individuals.

Summing up of the impact and development of traditional or folk media in the
different project sites.

2. Strengthening ....

Critical evaluation of the results of dialogue of sharing and dialogue of doing

relative to contributions and achievements of implementers and beneficiaries.

Sustaining seminars and trainings on the emerging issues and concerns of
mass media in the context of globalization and the Church teachings and on
skills sharpening.

Assessment and evaluation of the conceptual and pastoral development of the
communications organizations.

Continuing alliance building and consolidation with communication networks
and evaluation of the extent and expressions of complementation of grassroots
communicators and regional/provincial mass media communicators.

Expansion of educational radio program in terms of reach and coverage and
survey on the impact and contributions of the radio program to community
listeners.

3. Utilization ....

Regular film showing and dialogue among young people and members of
Christian communities and evaluation of the effects of lessons and insights
from films on the lives of the viewers.

Conceptualization and mounting of plays and discernment on the significance
and value of traditional or folk media.

Evaluation of interactive sharing and the learnings gained from the
encounters.
4. Tightening ....

Evaluation and summing up of the performance of the leadership in direction

setting and resource mobilization for the attainment of the stated goals and
objectives of the project.

Evaluation and summing up of the systems, policies and guidelines in relation
to projects implementation and management and performance of the staff or

Terminal submission of reports to the supporting agencies on the development
of the projects against the projected key result areas.

SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT

1. Board of Directors of Titus Brandsma Center

Define and substantiate the strategic direction of the Center and its concrete
expressions in the lives of people and communities in the project sites.

Formulate and approve policies, systems and guidelines in the implementation
and supervision of projects and activities.

Embellish and approve the plan of action as guide in the implementation of
the project in various project sites.

Review and assess the development of plan implementation relative to
methods and strategies, participation of people and organizations and internal
functioning.

Evaluate the results and impact of the different projects and activities in the
parishes, schools and communities.

2. Advisory group in the project sites


Help in the enrichment of the specific direction of the development of social
communications in the project sites.

Provide conceptual and technical assistance for the accreditation of folk media
groups and request financial assistance from local government units and other
private organizations.

Study and approve the plan of action relative to the four major objectives and
corresponding activities for implementation.

Review and assess the progress of implementation of projects and activities in
the parishes, schools and communities.

Undertake annual evaluation of projects and activities including the internal
functioning of the project organization.

3. Personnel for the implementation of the project

Gather data and information on the different researches and studies to be

undertaken by the project.

Implement specific steps and approaches for the implementation of particular
projects and activities.

Discuss and process specific requirements and remedial actions to be taken
with the project head in the different project sites.

Monitor the development of projects and activities through consultation
meetings and discussion with volunteers and others involved in parish and
school media and communication programs.

Submit regular and periodic reports to the project head and undergo self
appraisal of contributions to project development.