Rappler moves Bicol with ‘May Power Ka Ba?’

MANILA, Philippines – Rappler goes to Naga on Friday, July 6, for its “Social Media for Social Change: May Power Ka Ba?” continuing Move.PH chat series.

In partnership with the Ateneo de Naga, Bicol State University, and AirPhil Express, Rappler brings together power experts and groups concerned about the deteriorating power situation in Bicol. These days, Naga experiences brownouts that last up to 4 hours a day, when the Bicol region is host to geothermal and hyroelectric power plants.

Renne Gumba of the Ateneo de Naga Institute of Politics will speak about the challenges faced by electric cooperatives in Bicol, while Casureco general manager Sylvia Alsisto will tackle best management practices of electric cooperatives. An open forum that will discuss, among others, how best to solve the power crisis, will also be held after the morning presentations.

In the afternoon, Rappler – led by CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa – discusses the power of social media and how it can bring about social change.

Other members of the Rappler team will also do their share – social media head Josh Villanueva will talk about how to use Facebook to push issues and campaigns, while citizen journalism director Chay Hofileña will expound on the changing face of journalism. Rappler’s Gemma Bagayaua-Mendoza will share her journey from Bicol to the present as Rappler’s technology head, while multimedia reporter Patricia Evangelista will explain why she tells stories.

Rappler multimedia reporter Natashya Gutierrez will be the emcee for the afternoon session.

A workshop that seeks to teach volunteer-participants how to use social media to push their issues and their causes will be among the highlights of the one-day event.

(Animation by Faiza Rico, a graduating broadcast communication student at Bicol University)

Thus far, Move.PH, the citizen journalism arm of Rappler, has organized chat series on social media in Baguio City, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, and Manila. The chat series are a part of Rappler’s efforts to reach out to the youth and communities with an interest in pushing for change. – Rappler.com