On Media and Poverty: Catholic Press Forum

Thailand, the Land of the Free, will be home to hundred or so journalists as the
International Catholic Union of the Press (UCIP) holds their triennial world congress on
October 9-17, 2004 at Bangkok, Thailand. The second time a country in Asia will host
said congress; first time was at New Delhi, India.

In preparation for this international event, Mr. Joseph Chitilapilly, secretary general of
UCIP visited the venue for inspection. Prior to the visit, he met with possible delegates
of the Catholic press in the Philippines during his overnight stop over in a dinner forum.

In his talk, he gave an orientation of what UCIP is and how it is distinct from other media
organizations. UCIP is a network of Catholic journalists from all over the world working
in the secular, religious and Catholic and even in Muslim press. An organization which
gives deep emphasis on value-oriented journalism and the works of young journalists
worldwide.

This year’s theme: Media Challenges Amidst Cultural and Religious Pluralism: For a
new social order, justice and peace

The full day exposure and study tour experience, sharing and interacting with journalists
around the world are the attractions of the UCIP World Congress aside from bringing the
journalists to discover Thailand, its scenery, landscape, cultures and peoples.

Target of the congress are the local press of each member countries (America, Europe,
Africa and Asia). However, estimated cost of participating in the congress is Euro 500-
1,000 (P 65-70,000). This would cover the registration (Euro 200/person), transportation,
Thai Airways ($200/person), accommodation, residence ($ 250/10 days), meals (Euro
100), exposure/excursion (Euro 100), congress book (Euro 40) and at least extra money
for emergency needs. For Asian and African “participants,” it would be rather difficult to
raise such funds.

UCIP calls for unity and camaraderie and appeal to those who can help media ministries
here in the Philippines in any little way they can to attend said congress and share the
experience of discovery and learning media in a new perspective.

PONDO ng PINOY

In the forum, Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales stressed on the increasing level of poverty
citing the 53% of Filipinos living below the poverty line, first time ever since the
founding of Manila as a city. During the 1950s, slums were in one concrete, definite
place such as Intramuros, Bago Bantay and Sapang Palay. “Now they are everywhere.”

Pondo ng Pinoy is a renewal movement that will alleviate the poor with the use of crumbs
and bits of food. He stressed, “the way to heaven is through small little ways, small steps
to progress and advancement. Christ uses small things like mustard seeds.”
The movement is education, a catechesis of a new mental behavior. This will be launched
on June 11-12, 2004. It is a community foundation that relies heavily on the “theology of
crops.”

“Nobody will be spared,” the Archbishop said. All will be asked to gather bits and
crumbs of food, a total of 25 centavo charity, if counted per person. Likewise, nobody is
also allowed to contribute more than a peso. An education module will also be released
for the guidance of all, even the poor is required to donate.

“Charity is a way of life. It is time to democratize ‘charity’ that rich people are not the
only one who can be charitable,” the Archbishop said. This time, “we are all working
with the poor.”

The Catholic Press Forum was held at St. Paul’s Quezon City, April 26, 2004.