The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas in partnership with Radio Veritas New Media Department recently held the first New Media Training Program to meet the challenges of the new evangelization.
The two-day training held at the Laiko Building in Intramuros, Manila from July 29 to 30, 2016 was attended by 29 representatives from different dioceses and various affiliated national lay organizations.
Fr. Roy Bellen, Radio Veritas Vice President for Operations talked about the role of social communication in the new evangelization. Mr. Joj Gaskell, Radio Veritas New Media Head and Mr. Patrick Manlapaz, Digital Media Strategist of EWTN discussed how to use the social media analytics, basic social media strategy and crowdfunding while Josh Alfaro, Senior Web Developer and Graphic artist of Veritas New Media shared the principles of graphic designing to the participants.
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and the National Director of Laiko graced the event and stated that he aspired for more social media trainings to strengthen the communication among the members of Laiko, and to consolidate the nationwide network of Catholic lay organizations.
In his message, Communication and Mercy: A Fruitful Encounter for the 50th World Communications Day, His Holiness Pope Francis said that the digital networks are gifts of God which involve a great responsibility.
“Access to digital networks entails a responsibility for our neighbor whom we do not see but who is nonetheless real and has a dignity which must be respected. The internet can be used wisely to build a society which is healthy and open to sharing,” Pope Francis said.
The Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas (LAIKO) is the implementing arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in promoting nationwide initiatives and coordinating national programs of the laity. It is made up of Archdiocesan/Diocesan Councils of the Laity, National Lay Organizations, National Movements and Church –oriented groupings. Laiko is under the direct supervision and guidance of the Episcopal Commission on the Laity.
Radio Veritas 846, the number one faith-based Radio in the Philippines, is owned and operated by the Archdiocese of Manila. Established in 1969, the Ramon Magsaysay recipient Catholic radio station continues to be the leading social communications ministry for truth and new evangelization in the country today.
