“Journalists: Gatekeepers of Truth,” priest says

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat

The Caceres Commission on Communications (CCCom) in collaboration with KBP Camarines Sur held its annual Lenten Recollection for media personnel last Saturday, March 22, at the Ragazzi Resort Hotel. This reaffirmed the media’s vital role not only in reporting news but in spreading hope, guarding truth and effecting positive change in society. CCCom Director, Fr. Francis Tordilla, was the main talk giver while Ms. Julma Narvadez facilitated the spiritual conversation thereafter. A Via Crucis preceded the eucharistic celebration that culminated the annual recollection. It was presided over by Fr. Roy Regaspi, who was joined Fr. Francis Tordilla, Fr. Roy Raña and Fr. Conrad Flores, FFI. 48 media practitioners were present. (Source: Archdiocese of Caceres Facebook page)

NAGA CITY - The annual Lenten Media Recollection was held last March 22, Saturday, at the Ragazzi Resort Hotel; and was attended by 48 media practitioners.

Invite Jesus to walk with us

In his talk, Caceres Commission on Communications (CCCom) Director, Fr. Francis Tordilla, emphasized the role that media has in shaping society. “The Media has the capacity to effect change in society, depending on the angle, narrative and [voice] of the story,” he said. Because of this, Tordilla called on all media practitioners present to be “gatekeepers of the truth”.

Taking inspiration from the talk of Maria Ressa, Head of Rappler, at the Jubilee World Day

of Communications in January of this year, Tordilla spoke regarding the digital anatomic bomb

that currently manipulates society and swings one’s opinion in favor of an alleged truth. Hence, to counteract this, Tordilla gave these points to ponder on: to collaborate and build trust, to speak the truth with moral clarity, to protect the vulnerable, and to embrace ‘ubuntu’.

Tordilla also told participants to “invite Jesus to walk with [them]”, especially during the Via Crucis to be observed later in the day, in the same way that “we also walk with Jesus”.

The talk was succeeded by the Conversation in the Spirit, led by Ms. Julma Narvadez, Chief

Operating Officer of the Consuelo ‘Chito’ Madrigal Foundation -Bicol.

Here I am, Lord

In his homily at the eucharistic celebration that capped the annual spiritual gathering, Fr. Roy Regaspi reminded the participants to always speak the truth and “to be open to what the Lord is telling us”. In addition, he said “God guides us in our ministry or work”, exhorting that one should come to work predisposed to do the will of God, saying, “Here, I am Lord”. Regaspi also said that to bear witness to the Truth leads the way to Christ, which ultimately “gives life to what we practice and what we communicate -the Word of the Lord”. Regaspi was also joined by Fr. Francis Tordilla, Fr. Roy Raña and Fr. Conrad Flores, FFI as concelebrants.

The said recollection was organized by the Caceres Commission on Communications in partnership with the KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas) Camarines Sur Chapter.