*this article was first released in print, The Manila Times, April 1, 2011
The Computer Professionals' Union (CPU) and Sining na Naglilingkod sa Bayan (SINAGBAYAN), in cooperation with the National Commission for CUlture and the Arts (NCCA), will be tackling the use of "new media" on how it can promote and develop culture in communities. The event is entitled "Pandayan sa Daluyan: Integrating New Media in Community-based Cultural Work", which will be held on April 8 to 10 at UP Diliman.
New Media has boomed for the past years with the availability of user-centric tools using personal computers and the internet. New media often have characteristics of being more open, accessible and interactive in comparison with traditional media. Its use in the promotion of cultureis a very viable method as technology penetrates further in communities. Internet reach in Urban Philippines reach as much as 28 percent as per 2010 Yahoo-Nielsen Net index; whilw mobile penetration on the other hand reached as much as 75 percent by the end of 2008, and the Philippines is one of the top mobile phone users iin the world.
New media can also promote culture faster with the use of less resources. Youtube, Picasa, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and other new media tools can propagate traditional art and its messages faster and to a wider audience.
"Pandayan sa Daluyan" is a three-day conference and workshop on integrateing new media techniques on the continuing practice of community-based cultural organiations. Various participants from community-based cultural organizations are invited to join. Regional organizations are strongly encouraged to participate.
You may email us at pandayan@cp-union.com or visit our website at http://daluyan.cp-union.com.