The Unified Media gather
By Cora Pastrana

Media panel of the new generation moderated by Fil-Am Arts Board Chair Winston Emano (standing) included news correspondent Jannelle So, Balitang America, ABS-CBN International; reporter Leezel Tanglao, Daily Breeze; and Joel Marasigan, Entertainment Editor. Not in photo are the other panelists, MTV Producer and Docs Producer Mark David Bella, Import Tuner magazine; Mark Medina, chopblock.com Editor; and Lilledeshan Bose, former features editor of Seventeen magazine (Philippine edition).

Leading lights in the Filipino and Filipino American media with Philippine government officials (l-r): Vince Samson (Taliba VP for Marketing), Greg Macabenta (Ang Panahon Publisher/Editor, Daly City), Kapitabahay (Ventura County) editor Rudy and Au Liporada, Guest Speaker Consul Patricia Paez (Philippine Embassy, Washington D.C.), Congress Convenor Cora Pastrana, Asian Journal Publications President Cora Oriel, Deputy Consul General (Los Angeles) Hellen Barber, Keynote Speaker Oscar Orbos, Mylah de Leon (Diaryo Pilipino columnist), Jannelle So (Balitang America reporter, ABS-CBN), Regina Reyes (ABS-CBN North America News Bureau Chief) and Annie Cuevas (Phil. Dept. Tourism Director, L.A.)

Keynote speaker, award-winning TV public affairs host Oscar Orbos

Regina Reyes, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau Chief

Former Secretary of Transportation and Communications Oscar Orbos with Dr. Mariedel Leviste-Mosqueda and Roman Mosqueda, Esq.

A toast to a brighter future (from left) Mylah de Leon (Piaryo Pilipino), Greg Macabenta (Ang Panahon), Rhony Laigo (Diaryo Pilipino, Balita Media ‘sCora Pastrana (standing), Ernie Flores (Filipino Press, San Diego) and Fe Koons (Mabuhay News, San Diego)


(L-R): Kapitbahay publishers Rudy and Au Liporada, Philippine TV Report (Chicago) Joe Mauricio, Via Times (Chicago) publisher Veronica Leigton and Joel Marasigan editor of Import Tuner magazine

“Together unified by a mission - a clearer vision of where we are … and, where we ought to be” was the theme of the first Philippine Global Media Congress on September 24-25 at the Radisson Hotel in Culver City.

Former Philippine Secretary of Transportation and Communcations Oscar Orbos expounded on the theme in his keynote address during the Saturday Gala. The award-winning public affairs television host of GMA-7’s Debate with Mare and Pare, who traveled from the Philippines to speak at the gathering, suggested that publishers include a history portion in their papers where the younger generation can learn about their Filipino roots.

Deputy Consul General Hellen Barber, who represented Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr., said that the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles has been having regular weekly press briefings in its efforts to better serve the Filipino and Fil-Am communities under its jurisdiction.

Consul Patricia Ann V. Paez who flew in from the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. said that the earlier panel discussion between two generations of media practitioners was an eye opener, and the first global (Media) Congress was fruitful. She added that the discussions inspired her to assist Filipino American media outlets and journalists in connecting with each other.

The Media Congress was sponsored by Balita Media, Inc., Asian Journal Publications, ABS-CBN International (TFC), Taliba, Diaryo Pilipino,PhilippineTimes and the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel.

It was aired on Balitang America, ABS-CBN’s weekend news program to its 300,000 subscribers in the US, Europe, the Middle East and televiewers in the Philippines during the weekend of October 1, 2 and 3. The Chicago Philippines TV Report also aired the historic media event’s highlights on its Sunday news on October 3.

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