Ang Dabawenyo

Last weekend, I was in Tagaytay City to attend MediaNation5.2, where there gathered the country’s top journalists and media decision-makers. In the words of the event’s organizer and host, pagbabago@pilipinas, MediaNation is the only forum in the Philippines where mainstream media organizations come together as one.

It’s a coincidence that I am actually part of Davao media (Edge Davao Business Weekly), but I was invited particularly as a representative of MindanaoBloggers. My task was to present to the assembly about New Media, and what it might mean to the practice of traditional media. Also, together with other Mindanao-based representatives, I was asked to provide input on how I perceive Manila-based media covers Mindanao news.

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The last time I was in Tagaytay was in 2005 when I found myself with the country’s IT industry movers and shakers, and the purpose was to formulate the Philippine Software Industry Roadmap. Now I’m back, and it’s for another conference. This time it’s MediaNation5.2.

MediaNation is an annual event wherein journalists come together and discuss issues and trends that affect their profession. I was invited to contribute what I can about new media. I will give a talk tomorrow about how blogging and other forms of new media are impacting Philippine media today.

I feel privileged to be among the country’s top media organizations. Today during the first day’s activities, I had the chance to mingle with the shapers of Philippine news and opinion, and it’s certainly been very eye-opening. As well, the experience is reaffirming my belief that Manila-based journalists and news organizations lack a certain appreciation or sensitivity of what the real deal is in Mindanao.

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