From governance to policies to politics, Holy Cross College has taken it upon itself to tackle social issues that directly and indirectly affect its students and the community. This is through its blocktime TV program Usapang Millennial, which celebrated its first year on air last September 3.
Usapang Millennial is a blocktime TV program that airs every Sunday, 7 PM on Pampanga-based cable television channel GNN TV 44. Each episode is simulcast on the school’s official Facebook page.
For its anniversary episode, Usapang Millennial talked about the capacity of quarantine facilities in Pampanga, the unemployment rate in Central Luzon and the importance of youth vote. It also looked back to its previous episodes and featured Allen Dizon, a multi-awarded Kapampangan actor and producer who graduated from Holy Cross College in 1994.
A year of service
In a message congratulating Holy Cross College for the first anniversary of its TV program, Regional Director William Beltran of Central Luzon Philippine Information Agency acknowledged the efforts of Holy Cross College in providing crucial information to the public. “Sa gitna ng kinakaharap nating pandemya, buong loob ninyong hinarap ang hamon na makapaghatid ng serbisyo sa ating komunidad at pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagbabalita at paghahatid ng napapanahon at kapaki-pakinabag na impormasyon,” said Beltran.
Reiner Grose, Information Officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region III congratulated the school for Usapang Millennial. He said, “Ang inyong isang taon ay isang hudyat lamang na marami pang mga talakayan at usaping makabuluhan ang paparating.”
Other representatives of different government agencies and organizations also extended their gratitude and congratulations for the program.
Usapang Millennial is produced by the Multimedia Department, headed by Mark Joshua Lansangan, with the help of BS Development Communication students.
The push for useful information
A tool to market Holy Cross College, Usapang Millennial is divided into segments. One, entitled “The School with a Heart,” zooms in on the different academic and non-academic activities of the school, its achievements, awards, updates, as well as its Caritas projects. This segment is hosted by Angelica Marie Simpao. Another is called “Alumni Spotlight,” which features the notable graduates of the school and their time in Holy Cross College.
More importantly, the school-produced TV program plays a key role in upholding our core value Libertas. Usapang Millennial offers a platform for HCC students and employees to practice their freedom of speech and right to speak out on issues affecting them. CommTalks, a segment hosted by BS Development Communication student Regine Dela Rosa, tackles issues from the national to the local level. It has discussed the “fake news” infodemic, voters’ registration, vaccination rollout in Pampanga, and fact-checked President Rodrigo Duterte’s last State of the Nation Address, among others.
Lastly, Sanduk ng Aling Pacing scrutinizes local affairs through an off-camera caricature character Aling Pacing, an eatery owner who has details and the latest information on some of the pressing issues within the community. Aling Pacing discusses this with host Ephraim Matias. In Season 2, co-host Stephanie Lasig was introduced in the segment.
Along with the TV Program, Holy Cross College pushes for the right to speech through its internet radio program Radio Libertas. This is broadcast from Monday-Saturday, 6 AM-4 PM on ZenoFM. Some of its programs are also hosted by students, campus writers, faculty members and school president Atty. Dennis C. Pangan.
Currently, Usapang Millennial is the only TV program solely produced by an educational institution in Pampanga.
To watch previous episodes, go to our official Facebook account or subscribe to our YouTube channel.