The Jaro Archdiocesan Youth Commission (JAYA) organized the 1st Catholic Social Media Summit in the Western Visayas region on December 1 and 2 in Iloilo Grand Hotel, Iloilo City.

Titled “Generation F: Opening the Door of Faith through Social Media” the summit focused on how Filipinos, particularly the youth, utilize media for social transformation.

According to Fr. Rafael Luis Clavel, Director of the Jaro Archdiocesan Youth Commission, the summit aimed to help delegates become aware of the realities on the use of social media; know and understand the use of social media in a Catholic way; utilize new media in the propagation of faith and mission; and to understand the RA 10175 (Cybercrime Law) and its impact on the lives of the youth.

Among the speakers was Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio S. David, Auxiliary Bishop of San Fernando who gave the keynote speech on “Godiquette versus Netiquette”. David also presided the Eucharistic Celebration on the first day and the Launching of the Jaro Archdiocesan Youth Commission Website.

David was invited as keynote speaker in his capacity as Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate and of his media experience as host of the TV program “Men of Light”.

The plenary session speakers were Rev. Fr. Joel Eslabra, Chaplain, West Visayas State University Medical Center, who discussed the topic “Gen F, wear your witness well” and the Hon. Domingo J. Laurea, Jr., Regional Prosecutor of Region VI, who spoke on the topic “Cybercrimes and Cyber bullying: Its Impact to the Lives of the Youth”.

Participants were given opportunities to study more deeply various areas of interest in the break-out sessions held in the afternoon.

“New Media as Tool in Education” was explained by Prof. Ricky G. Abaleña, III, Division Chair, Division of Journalism, College of Mass Communications at West Visayas State University.

“Modern Tools and Techniques for Church/School/Organization Website and Social Media Sites” was elucidated by Prof. Ma. Beth T. Concepcion, Faculty member of the Institute of Information and Communications Technology at West Visayas State University.

Other speakers during the break-out sessions were Ms. Mari Claire B. Ponsaran, SEO Iloilo Adviser, who spoke on “iEarn: Earning Money Online”; Prof. Carmencita Y. Robles, Dean, College of Mass Communications at West Visayas State University, explained “Photojournalism”; and Ms. Whilssy Candelaria, Website Administrator of the CBCP Commission on Youth Apostolate spoke on the topic “iResponsible”.

The second day of the Catholic Social Media Summit was held in the Colegio de San Jose where participants gathered for the plenary session with Rev. Fr. Stephen A. Cuyos, MSC as speaker. Cuyos spoke on “Truth and Authenticity: The Realities in the Digital World”.

The Catholic Social Media Summit was capped by a Eucharistic celebration and the closing program presided by the Most Rev. Angel N. Lagdameo, D.D. Archbishop of Jaro.

The summit was attended mainly by students and teachers from different schools in Region VI, as well as parents, teachers, and religious. Also present were representatives from the commissions of the youth and the media apostolate of the Western Visayas dioceses. There were also government employees and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who attended the said event.