MALATE'S SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Our Lady of Remedies in Malate has always been especially dear to my heart. For one, I was born and raised in Malate, went to school there and served as a reader/commentator too. So when a message reached me on my Messenger with an invitation to join the social communications committee this Saturday, I could not say "no"! I went to the Remedios Jubilee Center's audio-visual room at nine a.m. to find the seminar had started but relieved that I wasn't too late. Familiar faces greeted me: film director Mel Bacani III , technical and internet wiz Ramz Espina , and former co-commentator and friend Joy Jante - Deanon were the leaders/mentors charged with orienting the volunteers for the seminar.

Basically, the seminar was an introduction into photography, video presentation and live streaming. The parish sees the need to increase the number of volunteers who can man , produce and live stream Masses and other liturgical celebrations and events happening at Malate Church that may be significant for online viewers. Let's not forget that we are still in a pandemic. Until thIt was a simple three camera set-up and audio link with a Master's control booth, WiFi connection design for on-line, real time broadcast.

What differentiates a live stream of MALATE church is that the Eucharistic celebration is given emphasis rather than production value. So we decided it would be in the church's best interest to imbue the streaming with a sharper focus and a more solemn quality with less camera movement and more readable graphics. What is more important to the viewers is the message. That sounds so simple but not easy to achieve. So we decided it would be best to make studies that will make camera movement and angling less jarring and conduct more studies so the volunteers can familiarize themselves with the equipment. By noon, we concluded with the seminar with a promise to conduct further exercises. So much to look forward to but Fr. Leo in his closing remarks concludes with a relevant statement that it's worthwhile training youthful volunteers who use their talent in a skill they're passionate about with a goal of service to the Church.e threat is cleared, parishes must bring the Word into the homes of the flock who must listen from the safety and comfort of their own homes.

I'm not new to Church volunteerism. But this seminar reflects a need for the Catholic Church to step up to the technological advancements of the 21st century. The program was a concise primer on Basic Photography with Andrew Mayang; Basic Videography with Mel Bacani III; Live Streaming with Ramz Espina; and Live Streaming Troubleshooting with Sherwin Layoso as mentors. Emmanuel Añago, Rhea delos Santos, Julia Mancera & Lilli Dela Cruz were on-hand to assist with the OBS training. By mid-morning, all the lectures were accomplished and after a short coffee break, all participants were led to the church where they were given a hands-on experience of actual operations of equipment.

REVISITING LIWASAN'G BONIFACIO

 I had a fun day today! First of all it's not the first time I did a tour of the Liwasan'g Bonifacio area, we covered it before after some colleagues of mine became Mabuhay Guides. What made this tour work for me was the nostalgia. My father was a stamp collector back in the day when I was a schoolboy. As kids growing up, we were encouraged to establish international friendships through penpals. I can't recall the name of the organization we joined as students back then. We submitted our names and in return, we received five names of kids our age with corresponding addresses. So we would write them and the more responses we received, the more names we were given to correspond with. I had sent postcards to Italy, Ireland, the US, etc. And then, eventually the letters stopped... maybe as teenagers, we had all developed other interests, gone to university, fallen in love, had families and responsibilities of our own... This tour of Renacimiento de Manila and Heritage Conservation Society, brought back a ton of memories for me as I recall: expecting presents, waiting for cards on Christmas or Valentine's day with money tacked onto the inner folds of the cards, parcels sent from friends and relatives abroad, the much awaited money order notice to ensure we as recipients received the love offerings fondly sent by ninongs and ninangs who have decided to live abroad.

Time and technology have changed the landscape of communications over a short span of a few decades. There's the ominous presence of email now. There are apps for facilitating the exchange of money. Social media and cellular phones have altered our mode of communication with friends and loved ones. Everything has become faster but not necessarily for the better... I still gush over receiving a well written greeting on Christmas cards. I enjoy receiving packages wrapped in brown paper and sealed in a gazillion feet of duct tape. I would enjoy messages from friends with all the sides of the envelope taped to prevent it from bursting at the folds because of the photos tucked inside with that one photo that has the hundred dollar bill stuck at the back with carbon paper and invisible tape. Time flies. But SJ Go (Stephen Pamorada) and Diego Torres gave me one hell of trip down memory lane. Thank you, Renacimiento de Manila, Heritage Conservation Society and Pilipinas Philately for today!