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CONTENTS

TRAVEL

Tracing the Santactruzan's Roots
You may argue that the Philippines has no marked season like spring for flowers to bloom. More flowers seem to appear in May, nevertheless. FULL STORY

Get to Know Western Visayas
During the Spanish times, when a mother wanted her children to stop crying at night, she usually threatened them with the "quintos." FULL STORY

If you are a foreigner ... As history shows, foreigners have generally not come to the Philippines with friendly intentions. In spite of this, every visitor is heartily welcomed; the Filipinos are sociable and tolerant, and their natural openness charms many visitors. FULL STORY

ENVIRONMENT

Protecting Aklan's coastal ecosystems
Siltation and sedimentation triggered by upland deforestation pose another threat to Aklan's coastal ecosystems. FULL STORY

REAL LIFE ISSUES

We need Mary today
MAY is closely associated with our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Tradition, now so complicated to trace, has forged it that way. And we are happy about it. FULL STORY

Again, on Lawyers
They are the defenders of truth and justice. Yep, yep, lawyers have to be truthful, to act noble and be fearless. FULL STORY

The poor must protest against their exploiters
The poor is the fair hope of unscrupulous politicians. Just by giving them a few pesos or a kilo of rice they spontaneously go out to demonstrate. In return they would say we will die for our idol. When they are caught or die they are abandoned. FULL STORY

VOICE OF THE NEW GENERATION

It's a jungle out there
Ants are one of the few insects I know of that live in colonies. They have a caste system too. FULL STORY

Responsible Communication
How ironic is that media practitioners claim they are sources of true information, that they are most reliable institute of learning; when they allow themselves to be influenced by too much commercialism, consumerism, and materialism. FULL STORY

The tie that binds
Have you ever thought of why friends stick together through thick and thin and through the years? FULL STORY

LEGAL STORY

Cain and Abel
Our new legal series dwell on the case of a man who murdered his own brother. The incident took place in Lambunao, Iloilo yet the names of the persons were changed to protect their identities as well as of their family. FULL STORY

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VOICE OF THE NEW GENERATION

Responsible Communication

By Ces Maria Sarria

In a world full of chaos, lies and pretensions, people become confused of whom to believe. They become so desperate to know the truth that they at times become gullible to whatever they see or hear. The young public is so much exposed to all forms of media that they let media rule their lives. They tend to imitate and follow whatever media feed them. But are they to be blamed?

How ironic is that media practitioners claim they are sources of true information, that they are most reliable institute of learning; when they allow themselves to be influenced by too much commercialism, consumerism, and materialism. Where have their social responsibility gone? Are they not supposed to be the ones to proclaim the truth? Whatever happened to their being the voice of the people?

Media these days have gone totally out of control in the radio, the television, and the newspapers. All we see now are sex, violence, and heinous crimes. It is sad to think that most of the violence at home and in the streets are due to the influence of media. Bad media corrupts the minds of the young. Their minds are polluted with sex and violence in television, with explicit words and stories of crimes in radio. Is this what we call responsible communication?

In the field of Mass Communication today, good Christian communicators are what we need because they have the sufficient skills and knowledge required for effective communication. Their respect for themselves and for human importance is what makes them apply their Christian spirit in whatever social responsibility given to them by being sympathetic, emphatic and warm-hearted.

With Christian Values and attitudes, they become good leaders and followers who are responsive to the call of service. They are effective communicators whose objective in life is to influence change in society. Changes, which will lead to good things, like the development and betterment of a community and its people-spiritually, morally, socially, and economically.

This is where responsible communication comes in. As good Christian communicators, it is their responsibility to bring back the trust of the people because it is trust that makes them credible. Media practitioners have to be the voice of the people. That is why they are given so much freedom to write and say whatever they want. They should be very observant of their freedom and not let themselves abuse it. It is their duty to be responsive to the needs of society. After all, it is the people who they work for.

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