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ABSTRACT

This is the presentation of Voice of the Youth Network (www.voty.org),

Philippines for the Radio Asia 2006 Conference and “Broadcast Asia 2006”. The

presentation covers both the topics “COMMUNITY RADIO – RADIO ACTIVISM

AND GRASSROOTS RADIO” and “RADIO AND THE WORLD WIDE WEB”.

Contents of this presentation include the background of the organization;

specifically in its radio and Internet experiences as an effective means of

reaching out to the community; the breakthroughs of the organization on its

media projects and it’s pioneering activities in the field of Youth Media.

VOTY has been given free airtimes by radio stations that truly believe in

our advocacies and mission to the Filipino Youth. This is a proof of how worthy

our cause has been throughout the years.

VOTY believes that the synergy of radio and Internet would create a more

powerful impact. Both technologies would compliment one another in providing

better services and realizing the organization’s goals. Radio should not be

threatened by emerging technologies like podcast, and this paper would

precisely prove that.

Young people have always been a powerful, moving force. They are no

longer potentials but people that already made things possible.

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CONFERENCE TOPICS COVERED:

COMMUNITY RADIO – RADIO ACTIVISM AND GRASSROOTS RADIO

RADIO AND THE WORLD WIDE WEB

PRESENTATION TITLE:

VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORK:

SYNERGIZING RADIO AND INTERNET

TOWARDS YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

Introduction:

This paper/presentation covers two of the conference topics – “Community

Radio – Radio Activism and Grassroots Radio” and “Radio and the World Wide

Web”. It is based on the projects, experiences and plans of Voice of the Youth

(VOTY) Network, a multi-awarded and pro-active volunteer – youth organization

and a pioneer of youth media in the Philippines.

VOTY utilizes the combined power of the Internet and the radio, from the

most primitive to the most modern media technology to reach out to the

community and grassroots that we serve, the Filipino Youth anywhere in the

world. VOTY recognizes the power of media in accomplishing our mission of

“informing, inspiring, involving and empowering” the Filipino Youth.

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I. PROFILE OF VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORK

VOTY Network is about encouraging Filipino Youth to believe in

themselves and their ability to make a difference in our country. The organization

creates environments where people are exposed to new thinking, a diversity of

voices, and new opportunities. Driven by youth, their goal is to foster a sense of

leadership, participation and social entrepreneurship through the innovative use

of technology and media, creating meaningful experiences for the youth to

become useful and responsible citizens of the Philippines.

HISTORY

Voice of the Youth was founded in 1996 by a youth advocate, Mr.

Pocholo Gonzales with four other radio broadcasters, voice talents, and singers.

By then, VOTY had its own radio – youth programs, “Barkadahan Radyo –

Radyo,” and “Awit – Tawanan” aired over DZMM 630kHz and “Sey Mo, Sey Ko”

aired over DZRH 666 kHz.

In year 2002, VOTY became an offline and online network, serving as an

incubator of national partnership among youth organizations in the Philippines.

Its mission is to facilitate youth participation and intergenerational partnership in

national decision – making, to support collaboration among diverse youth

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organizations and to provide tools, resources, and recognition to positive youth

actions in changing the country.

As a national youth network in the Philippines, lead by youth, empowered

by technology, VOTY brings together young people in more than 78 provinces to

collaborate on concrete projects addressing national problems and creating

positive change.

As a powerful force engaging youth in nation building, VOTY…

… Informs the youth about the wealth of opportunities that surrounds them.

… Inspires people to follow their dreams and make a difference.

… Involves people to activities where their voices are heard and where they can

gain a sense of national, global awareness and leadership skills.

… Empowers the youth for them to translate their ideas into realities and

connect from nationwide to global communities.

VOTY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

GLOBAL YOUTH IN ACTION AWARDS 2004 (New York, USA) - recognize

youth-led solutions, a vital component of the Global Youth Action Network's

(GYAN) efforts to highlight positive ways in which young people are improving

their communities. The winners were selected from 500 applicants worldwide.

The top nine winners are each awarded $1,000 to recognize their

achievements; another 10 young individuals are awarded Honorable

Mentions and prizes of $100. In 2004, the award concentrates on youth-

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initiated projects that take an innovative approach to problem solving. Voice

of the Youth Network received this award for utilizing information and

communication technology and media to strengthen youth participation,

leadership and empowerment.

YOUTH ACTION NET AWARD OF THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH

FOUNDATION 2003 - is an award to youth leaders and their emerging

projects that promote social change and connect youth with local

communities. These youth-led projects should have clearly defined goals and

have potential for growth or further replication. The awards were presented by

YouthActionNet.Org, an interactive website created by and for youth, which

works to inspire and promote youth leadership worldwide.

VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORK WON THE 2ND QUEZON CITY YOUTH

ACHIEVER'S AWARDS FOR COMMUNITY WORK CATEGORY 2003

The Quezon City government through the Office of the Vice Mayor Herbert

M. Bautista recently paid tribute to winners of the 2nd QC Youth Achievers

Award, An award of distinction highlighting the remarkable deeds and

accomplishments of outstanding youth organizations and individuals, in

simple ceremonies held at the Amoranto Multi-Purpose Hall in Scout

Chuatoco, Quezon City. Bautista identified the over-all winner for Community

Works Category as the VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORK.

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THE PEOPLE BEHIND VOTY

MR. POCHOLO “CHOY” GONZALES

FOUNDING CHAIRMAN

26 – year - old Choy has traveled around the world to participate in

international youth events as an ambassador to the Filipino youth. He has been

awarded as an advocate for youth participation, free information to youth

opportunities and youth empowerment and leadership. He is a professional voice

talent on radio, tv and movies; radio announcer and an entrepreneur. He now co-

owns and manages the firm Creativoices Production, a voice-over solutions

expert.

MR. LIONEL “ION” GONZAGA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

22 year – old Ion is a volunteer youth advocate who uses Information and

Communications Technology to help bridge the digital and social divides. A

graduate of BS Computer Science, he believes that the latest technological

innovations can be utilized to respond to the challenges of the society,

particularly with the issues surrounding the youth. The young are the majority of

the consumers of technology and that is the main reason why it plays a huge role

in the development. The Internet can do all what the trimedia can. It is now a

major resource of information for many, and so we need to put valuable

resources in the Internet. Ion also speaks about Youth / Student Leadership, The

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Role of a Non-Traditional Media, Volunteerism and Service Learning, and

Preparing for a Career.

MR. MARICZAR “EMSIE” REYES LINTAG

MANAGING DIRECTOR AND MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICER

25 –year- old, Emsie is a professional news writer and broadcaster of

DZME 1530 kHz. He also wrote for a radio drama funded by the United Nations

Population Program and Population Media Center. He is a volunteer public

speaker and program manager of youth events and projects.

OTHER OFFICERS

MS. EUNICE CACAITAN

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

MS. PIA MONTALBAN

PROGRAMS

COORDINATOR

MS. FLORENCE OCTAVO

PROGRAM MANAGER FOR

SOCIAL WORKS

MR. RONALD AGUIRRE

PROGRAM MANAGER FOR

ENVIRONMENT

MR. ANGELICUM ODA

PROGRAM MANAGER I.T.

MR. PETER BALTAZAR

DIRECTOR FOR YOUTH

WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

MR. VANJO NALZARO

DIRECTOR FOR

RESEARCH AND

DEVELOPMENT

MR. JERICHO DE LAYOLA

VOLUNTEER MANAGER

MR. RESTY FLORES

DIRECTOR FOR

MEMBERSHIP

MR. RYAN RIVERA

DIRECTOR FOR STUDENT

AFFAIRS

MS. CRISTINE MIRANDA

DIRECTOR FOR FINANCE

II VOTY RADIO EXPERIENCE

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RADIO PROGRAM PROFILE

TITLE: “Lakas – Kabataan (Youth Power) – Tinig Kabataan (Voice of the

Youth): RECHARGED!!!” (LKTKR)

LKTKR is one of the most innovative AM Radio program for the Filipino

Youth by the Filipino Youth in recent broadcasting history. In August 2004, DZME

1530 kHz AM Radio and VOTY formed a partnership to co – produce a youth

advocacy radio program that allows young broadcast talents, minds and

advocates to focus the spotlight on the Filipino youth’s achievements and

productive role in the society, often being overshadowed by negative news on

mainstream media. It was aired every Saturday, 12:00nn to 1:00pm until October

2005.

Segments of LKTKR:

“Voice Out!” is the prevailing theme regarding current national, societal

and relevant issues. It encourages the youth to voice out and to take a stand on

matters affecting their lives and the society at large. We have invited over a

hundred of speakers, subject matter experts, organizational heads and members,

students, volunteers and a variety of young people to participate in an informative

and inspiring interaction. Topics ranged from leadership, volunteerism, youth

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activism, politics, governance, personality and skills development, technology,

and education to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

“Bilib Kami Sa’yo!” is the portion where we scouted and recognized

youth leaders, organizations, young achievers and ordinary individuals who are

able to inspire the fellow youth in discovering and utilizing their talents and

pursuing their advocacies.

“Join Ka Dito!” is the segment where we provide free promotion to

different organizations in their activities where young people could get involved

with. This is also the segment where VOTY provided live radio coverage on

several activities and events all over the country.

EVOLUTION OF LAKAS KABATAAN – TINIG KABATAAN: RECHARGED!!!

In 1997, Lakas Kabataan was first aired over DZME 1530 kHz, every

Saturday for the purpose of giving young people a chance to voice out on radio.

Through the years it has become a venue for debates and discussions on youth

social issues. Topics ranged from teen relationships, family values, and

education to political and national issues. Ms. Jenny Navata, now a resident

DZME Broadcaster (Home Buddy, Beat Watch) first hosted the program. Then by

Mr. Dennis Principe, now news and sports anchor of IBC 13 and by Anthony

Bendo, a former news anchor, and deejay and news editor. Lakas Kabataan

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eventually was taken over by Ms. Suzette Ledesma, now a co-host of the daily

on-air shopping program “Sale ng Bayan”, and DJ Emsie, a senior news writer.

In July 2004, with the goal of creating a more invigorating program that

would further reach out to young people and youth organizations, The Voice of

the Youth (Tinig Kabataan) Network, was invited through it’s founder and

president, Mr. Pocholo D. Gonzales, a voice talent and an internationally

recognized youth advocate that has represented the Philippines in worldwide

youth affairs. Because of VOTY Network’s success as a youth organization, in

August, Lakas Kabataan formally merged with Tinig Kabataan to Recharge the

Filipino youth spirit and evolved into LAKAS KABATAAN - TINIG KABATAAN:

RECHARGED!!!

FEATURED YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS AND PARTNERS:

These are just a few of the youth organizations, events, government and

non-government agencies that LKTKR featured since August 2004. We have

been establishing our partnership with these groups in our advocacy to inspire,

inform and involve the Filipino youth through opportunities for Empowerment.

These organizations strongly endorse our program.

Youth Challenge from Singapore

United Nations Volunteers Philippines

United Nations Children’s Fund

Ramon Magsaysay Awardees

Armed Forces of the Philippines

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Department of Health

Global Call to Action Against Poverty

Philippine National Red Cross

Kabataan News Network

UP FLIPP

ECPAT

Intouch and Crisis Line

PUP Kataga

UP Paranormal Society

Network of Campus Journalists of the Philippines

Philippine Youth Sphere

Boy Scouts of the Philippines

AIDS Society of the Philippines

United Nations Volunteers for Millennium Development Goal

Kristiyanong Kabataan Para sa Bayan Movement (KKB)

SPECIAL RADIO SERIES ON THE MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

“YOUTH VOICES ON AIR: WALKING THE TALK ON THE MDGs”

A joint project of Voice of the Youth Network, Philippine Resources for

Sustainable Development and DZME 1530kHz, aired from August - October

2005.

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In the march to raising awareness on the Millennium Development Goals

(MDGs), the Philippines, most notably through its extensive pool of non-

government organizations (NGOs) and development-oriented institutions, is

progressively gaining public support and continually reaching out to key

stakeholders to do their share to achieve the Goals and targets. Yet there is an

evident lack of inclusive participation and active engagement of and by young

people in this important process of building community consciousness of the

MDGs. It is unfortunate that avenues available for Filipino youth to participate in

the campaign is either limited or simply not there.

This project supported a youth-led multi-phased, multi-media campaign on

“Youth and the MDGs” –aired over the radio, shared via the Internet and

information kits, connected via mobile telephony - with the active participation of

the Government, civil society and business community. It run for two (2) months

with nine (9) 1-hour radio programs, this project is all about instilling active

citizenship among Filipino youth to unite for, to be informed about, and to make a

contribution to the MDGs.

The Need

The project, at its core, addressed the problem of scarcity, if not non-

existence, of genuine opportunities for Filipino youth to be engaged in the MDG

campaign in the Philippines. It will be unwise not to tap the potential of young

people as advocates of the MDGs, especially in the localization and information

dissemination process.

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Equivalently, the project will contribute to the “positive imaging” of Filipino

youth as key partners in the MDG mainstreaming process. It is widely perceived

by young people themselves that Government agencies, the business community

and civil society groups active in the “MDG-ization” process are not receptive of

involving youth in the campaign and consultation activities because they have a

“negative image” of young people as liabilities, not assets, thus not able to

positively contribute in their activities. By providing an opportunity for young

people themselves to initiate MDG campaign activities, such as the radio series,

a “positive imaging” process will emerge thus changing the way stakeholders

think of youth.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF LKTKR!

Thru this radio program, VOTY has initiated and launched several events

such as “Kabataan Night” – a youth talent and advocacy concert and “Tulungan

Kabataan: HELP FOR HEALTH CAMPAIGN” – a donation drive to support a

medical mission of the Philippine National Red Cross for the typhoon victims in

several provinces.

2005 saw the successful launch of the offspring of LKTKR by VOTY’s

partner organizations in Mindoro, Davao City and in the southernmost part of

the Philippine archipelago, Tawi – tawi, all still being aired in the provinces and

in the process of expanding to wider audience.

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In the United Nations Summit in New York City USA in 2005, the

special airing of LKTKR in partnership with Philippine Resources for Sustainable

Development (PRSD) of a series for the United Nations Millennium Development

Goals was featured in a presentation of youth efforts all around the world. The

special series entitled: Youth Voices on Air: Walking the Talk on the MDGs

was dedicated to the youth’s contribution to the quest of achieving the MDGs by

2015.

Equally important to the organization is to be able to serve its purpose to

the Filipino youth. It is already an accomplishment for us to be able to inspire

others and to be able to gain respect from different sectors of the society as a

youth organization.

We also made our fellow young people realize that the force and industry

of radio broadcasting is still powerful in the midst of modern media and could still

be a fruitful career in the future.

LISTENER IMPACT

The major challenge for the program was to get the attention of its target

listeners, the young people, who are preoccupied with a lot of activities in school,

in playing online games and going out during the weekends. It may not be usual

for the youth to listen to AM Radio that has somehow become associated with

older listeners. However, the former timeslot of LKTKR that is preceded by

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DZME’s ultimate Sports Program, Usapang Sports hosted by Ms. Beth Selis, is

considered an advantage.

LKTKR faced this challenge through the utilization of the Internet. Through

Voice of the Youth Network’s official website, www.voty.org, and its e-mailing list

of over a hundred thousand, information and promotion is just a click away. As

we have featured several organizations with large youth membership, we saw

their enthusiasm for the program.

We’ve received text messages, emails and shout outs from the National

Capital Region and nearby provinces giving positive feedback for our efforts.

III VOTY INTERNET EXPERIENCE

ONLINE BEGINNINGS

VOTY used www.kabataan.htmlplanet.com for its first website in 1998

followed by www.freewebs.com/tinigkabataan, until it’s official site was launched,

www.voty.org in 2002, at the same time Voice of the Youth Network, in it’s

present structure was formed. The website contains information on youth

advocacy and participation; calendar of local, national and international events;

newsletter; relevant links and issues.

E-mail discussion groups also enable youth to share what they know and

network with one another. Such use of the Internet makes a whole lot of

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difference compared to online gaming, inappropriate web browsing and the usual

chat that young people are spending so much bandwidth, money and time with.

ONLINE BREAKTHROUGHS

Among the breakthroughs of VOTY as a youth organization that primarily

utilizes the Internet for information dissemination is its global affiliation.

TakingITGlobal.org, International Youth Parliament, the British Council, UNICEF,

Global Youth Action Network Inc. and Youth Service America are just a few of

the international organizations VOTY has sustained partnership with in terms of

advocacy.

VOTY is the first youth organization that has been connected with around

a hundred countries through it’s email groups, subscriptions and website. Such

connections lead to the realization of how active the youth from other parts of the

world are and how their collective efforts could create major impact.

From 2003 to 2005, VOTY has become a national coordinator and partner

for the celebrations of the annual Global Youth Service Day which is being

observed and documented by international organizations. Most VOTY members

and founders have also participated in youth events all over the world.

Several local projects of VOTY have also been featured in foreign-based

online newsletters and e-groups. Once again, through the Internet, foreign bodies

are first to recognize Filipino milestones.

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For our own country’s youth, VOTY maximizes the Internet as it offers

influential and creative means to inform, inspire, involve and ultimately, empower.

A critical component of VOTY's efforts is the use of the Internet to facilitate

communication and information sharing that are once being dominated by certain

international youth groups and organizations. VOTY believes that empowerment

starts with awareness, and to be aware is to be informed first. Information could

be worthwhile opportunities that truly inspire and involve the youth to eventually

make a difference in the society. The activities of VOTY offline and in

communities all over the country make the information all the more meaningful.

Through the Internet, VOTY has also been successful in creating

partnership with local youth organizations and most importantly, in inspiring and

reaching out to the Filipino Youth wherever they are in the archipelago from the

Northern Luzon to Tawi-tawi in Mindanao. VOTY boasts of online members and

active coordinators all over the country. VOTY has not only debunked the digital

divide but bridged regional, cultural and religious gaps as well. VOTY

continuously receives emails from young people who voices out, wanting to take

part of nation building and share the organization’s pro-active vision. Also,

through a massive email brigade, VOTY has never failed in gathering young

volunteers and participants in worthwhile youth events and endeavors.

Even if there is 11.8 million Internet users in the country at present (2005)

and the figure is expected to double in the coming years, still millions of young

people in the country have not been introduced to computers.

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However, cellular phones have undeniably penetrated almost everyone

from all walks of life, especially now that access is getting as cheap as it gets.

Not to be left out, VOTY once again infuses youth empowerment to mobile

technology. This is through the VOTY Power Groups using General Packet

Radio Service. Simply by typing ENTER VOTY and sending to 2213 makes one

already a cyber-member, receiving updates on youth events. Internet services

even provide technically free SMS and MMS services through providers, which

has been used ever so often by VOTY members to release information. But

another first and innovation of VOTY is the utilization of Wireless Access Protocol

(www.tagtag.com/voty) that enables the mobile phone user to access the VOTY

website.

Another first for VOTY in cyberspace is our recent venture to “podcasting”

which is to be discussed in the succeeding presentation.

VOTY ON PODCAST:

SYNERGY OF INTERNET AND RADIO

AND IMMORTALIZING 24/ 7 RESOURCES

Not to be left out in the fast-paced development of the Internet technology,

VOTY found the potential of Podcasting (online - recorded audio broadcast) to

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somewhat “immortalize” previous episodes of our radio program, LAKAS –

KABATAAN – TINIG KABATAAN: RECHARGED!!!

Special recorded - episodes of LKTKR are now made available anytime,

anywhere in the world through www.voty.podomatic.com.

The website, www.podomatic.com, provides podcast services to

everyone, where audio and video files could be uploaded with a limit of 250MB

uploaded files a month.

It is arguable that podcasting and radio broadcasting could be a threat, at

first, to one another, just likes how blogs affected other printed media. However,

VOTY believes that radio and podcast, regardless of their technological

extremes, should be used complimentary to maximize their combined benefits.

WHAT IS PODCAST?

Podcasting or Podcast came from the word I-POD, the popular MP3 and

video player by Apple Macintosh and the term "broadcast", to distribute or make

known. Although it is generally the idea to promote I-PODs with this new

medium, APPLE Macintosh agrees IPOD is not a requirement to listen to

podcasts. With podcasting, anyone can create his own personal diary, setup

audio presentations for Internet subscriptions, and even commentaries all in

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cyberspace. It is like a personalized radio station over the Internet, minus the

expensive airtime and also, the live broadcast.

Because it is downloadable, people can listen to their favorite "podcast"

through their MP3 players, IPODs and computers anywhere. Now there is an

estimated 20 million subscribers in the US alone.

In the Philippines, VOTY founder Mr. Pocholo Gonzales is one of the

pioneers of this emerging technology. He now heads and manages Creativoices,

the only company that provides podcasting – related services in the Philippines.

BENEFITS OF RECORDED RADIO BROADCAST ON PODCAST

Hear it over and over again!

There are too many good live episodes in the radio that truly

deserve to be listened to once more. Although VOTY has been

documenting the transcripts and summaries of radio episodes, it is still a

different thing to be able hear the actual voices of commentators, in our

case, the youth. Through podcast, the radio episodes are available 24/7

worldwide.

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Edit out!

It is hard to prevent bloopers in live radio broadcast. Podcast gives

the commentator/announcer another chance to be redeemed through

editing. Some mistakes, dead – air or other blunders could be edited

out once recorded for podcast.

An available media resource

We believe that quality episodes of radio programs should be used

for research and studies. Making these episodes available online

would be a huge help for anyone needing reliable and quality

information.

Worldwide audience

Not all radio stations are being aired simultaneously over the

Internet. This is the chance for them to be able to reach a wider or

rather a global audience.

Immortalizing your voice

Don’t let your hard work fade away with the airwaves. Record,

upload and keep it alive through podcast. This way, listeners would

definitely patronize you and your cause more than ever.

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The “cool” factor

Admittedly, most young people are no longer into listening to the

radio, specifically the AM band no matter how good the programming is.

Some are almost no longer aware of its existence because of

preoccupation to alternative and cooler media and the cyberspace.

However, Radio on podcast could change that attitude.

ADJUSTMENTS TO PODCASTS

Majority of Filipinos are still not hooked up on the Internet. This is the

reason why radio remains as a powerful media in the country. There is still a very

long way to go, or maybe it’s almost impossible for radio to become obsolete.

However, to those already attuned to Internet, many are still yet to

discover the potential of podcast. There is still a lot of chance for individuals to

become podcast pioneers in the Philippines.

There are also still unclear regulations or laws regarding the rebroadcast

of radio episodes over the Internet. VOTY had a mutual agreement with the

management of the radio station to upload the program’s episodes. Evidently,

even radio stations could benefit from the free worldwide promotions they are

getting from podcasts.

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CONCLUSION

FUTURE PLANS OF VOTY

Aside from the re-airing of LKTKR through podcast, VOTY is also in the

works of returning on-air, over the radio. This effort is in partnership with the

United Nations Volunteers Philippines. The offshoots of our radio program are

continually progressing in provinces where our previous broadcasts were not

able to reach.

VOTY is also in the works of producing new podcasts to be published

soon on www.voty.podomatic.com. We believe that media technology, regardless

of its advancement, should be fully utilized to be able to reach more to

communities and to the grassroots level. Radio and the Internet should go hand

in hand in involving the often misrepresented and unrecognized youth to nation

building.

Voice of the Youth Network made media, participation, volunteerism, and

empowerment in the Filipino Youth as inclusive and technologically driven – a

feat that has never been done before and will never fail to evolve with the

challenges of the modern age.

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Annex

Photos of VOTY officers of members at the radio station itself.

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Sources:

http://www.voty.org

http://www.pochologonzales.com

http://voty.i.ph/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=DZMESHOTS

Presentation Authors

Mr. Pocholo Gonzales, Founding Chairman, VOTY

Mr. Lionel Gonzaga; Executive Director, VOTY

Mr. Mariczar Reyes Lintag, Managing Director, VOTY

Mr. Brian Ligsay of Creativoices Productions

Mr. Robert Sagun

Founding Chairman, Philippine Resources for Sustainable

Development (PRSD)