Stet Women in Cebu Media

18/07/2025

Digital safety, AI in newsrooms workshop in Cebu on July 19

JOURNALISTS and communications educators in Cebu are set to benefit from a capacity-building workshop focused on digital safety, mental wellness, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the newsroom. The workshop will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Armstrong function room, 6th floor, Quest Hotel and Conference Center – Cebu, starting at 8 a.m.

Organized by STET – Women in Cebu Media, it is the fourth in a STET–International Media Support (IMS) training series for community journalists in Cebu under the three-year Media Impact Philippines project funded by the European Union (EU) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (Danida).

The workshop is being held in partnership with IMS, PLDT- Smart, and the Asian Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Participants will gain hands-on knowledge from expert speakers:
• Max Limpag, co-founder of InnoPub Media, will speak on “Digital Hygiene: Internet Safety for Journalists.”
• Pamela Uy, Bidlisiw Foundation Inc. executive director and Mental Health Psychosocial Support Services Network member, will lead a session on “Mental Health and Self-Care for Journalists.”
• Jaemark Tordecilla, journalist, technologist, and media advisor, will discuss AI adoption in the newsroom. Tordecilla’s AI work for newsrooms in developing countries has been featured by the Reuters Institute and the Computational Journalism Lab at Northwestern University.

The event will be opened by Atty. Maria Jane Paredes (STET) and Roby Alampay, Public Engagement Group Head at PLDT and Smart.

“IMS congratulates STET–Women in Cebu Media as it continues to be a pillar in addressing the unique challenges that women journalists face in the practice of their profession,” Che de los Reyes, IMS Country Programme Manager, said.

“Addressing women journalists’ safety is one of the most important features of the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists (PPASJ), whose implementation IMS continues to support,” she added.

“The EU fully supports human rights and democracy in the Philippines and considers a free press a vital component of democracy,” Dr. Marco Gemmer, Head of the EU Delegation to the Philippine’s Cooperation Section, said.

“This workshop should help strengthen and safeguard journalists,” he added.

This is the fourth forum in the STET–IMS training series for community journalists in Cebu.

Previous forums include:
• “Retooling displaced journalists: What are their alternatives?” (March 1, 2025) – Aimed at supporting women journalists affected by newsroom downsizing.
• “Legislative reforms for women and media” (March 31, 2025) – Featured women candidates discussing media-related policy priorities.
• “Thank you for your service! A post-election coverage wellness forum for Cebu journalists” (May 31, 2025) – A wellness forum that addressed the toll of election coverage on journalists’ mental health.

(Forum by invitation only.)

European Union in the Philippines Embassy of Denmark in the Philippines IMS (International Media Support) ACFJ - Asian Center for Journalism at Ateneo PLDT & Smart Communities

17/07/2025

(By invitation only)

01/07/2025

“The PPI’s move is less a proactive leap into the future and more a desperate game of catch-up. To remain a relevant force, the institute had no choice but to open its doors to the very platforms that have disrupted its dominion.”

22/06/2025

Taking taxi rides can surely shock you into reality. One time, I rode a taxi where the driver wasn’t listening to music, news, or even a news commentary, but to

08/06/2025

STET – Women in Cebu Media and International Media Support (IMS) have launched a new partnership to provide training and wellness support for community journali

05/06/2025

STET, IMS launch partnership for training Cebu journalists


The STET – Women in Cebu Media and International Media Support (IMS) recently launched a partnership to conduct training sessions for community journalists in Cebu.

The STET-IMS partnership is co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and the Asian Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University. The launch happened during the “Thank You for Your Service! A Post-Election Coverage Wellness Forum for Cebu Journalists” held on May 31, 2025.

The forum brought together Cebu journalists who shared the emotional and psychological toll of covering the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.

Support system

In her opening remarks, lawyer Maria Jane C. Paredes, STET coordinator and former print and radio journalist, emphasized the significance of the collaboration. “STET Women in Cebu Media’s partnership with IMS and the Asian Institute for Journalism and Communication at the Ateneo de Manila University, with funding support from the European Union and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is important for community journalists, especially in the midst of challenges in the areas of safety, and mental, physical, and economic well-being. These collaborations provide an essential support system for those in the community news media.”

Melva Java, STET member and former television news anchor and newspaper columnist, said of the impact of the forum: “Gleaning from the highly emotional, even teary, inputs from the young journalists, our solicitude over their welfare clearly made its way to their innermost selves.”

Coping strategies

Forum speakers, counseling expert Dr. Corazon “Doc Bugsy” Cañete, MD, RFC, FPCA, and psychiatrist Dr. Robert Cañete, MD, DPBP, FPPA, FPCAM, discussed the effects of stress on the body and mind. They recommended coping strategies such as mindfulness, journaling, short meditations, and practicing gratitude.

They also highlighted the value of having a support group where journalists can safely express their emotions and experiences.

“We are supporting efforts to promote the safety of women journalists, including their mental well-being, because it is an integral part of the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists or the PPASJ,” IMS Country Programme Manager Che de los Reyes said.

“We are glad that STET has continued to bring these efforts to the local media community where they have the greatest impact,” she added.

In addition to the pressures of election coverage, participants also mourned the loss of fellow journalist Emmariel Ares, 25, of CDN Digital, who passed away a day before the elections, or nine days after being struck by a speeding motorcycle while on her way home from a campaign assignment. She was remembered as “cheerful, friendly, and easy to get along with.”

Dr. Robert Cañete acknowledged the emotional toll of such a loss, noting that grief is a natural process and that journalists must allow themselves the time and space to heal.

Upcoming and recent forums

Other forums organized or planned by STET under this partnership include:

• “Retooling Displaced Journalists: What Are Their Alternatives?”
Held on March 1 to open International Women’s Month, this forum acknowledged the growing reality of women journalists losing newsroom jobs and aimed to help realign their skills with opportunities beyond the industry.
• “Legislative Reforms for Women and Media”
Held on March 31 to close International Women’s Month, this forum featured women candidates for the House of Representatives who discussed legislative plans focused on women’s issues.
• “Safety Essentials for Women Journalists”
This upcoming forum, tentatively scheduled for July 2025, will focus on safety in both newsroom and field environments. (Press release)

03/06/2025

Melva Java's opening prayer during the STET forum on wellness last May 31:

"Heavenly Father, as we in the media industry come before you today, as we bow our heads in prayer, may you gift us with the wisdom of heart to discern our way through the maze of unfolding ideas.

Today, we pause as if in ‘triage', placing our often-beat-up thoughts and emotions under the care of well-being specialists, Drs. Robert and Corazon Cañete.

Then, as we move on, Lord, please grace us with fresh courage to forge through stormy waters and smooth seas in our search for your Divine Truth, one story at a time. And always, may our flag be joy and trust in your guiding Presence.

We also remember and commit to your Mercy and Love, the soul of young CDN journalist Emmariel and those of all our departed colleagues, especially those who gave up their lives in the line of duty. May all of the faithful departed rest in Thee, O Lord.
Mother Mary, help of Christians, pray for us! Amen."

31/05/2025

It was a rare opportunity for journalists to speak openly about the mental and emotional challenges they faced while covering the recently concluded elections. The event also served as a moment to recognize and appreciate their work and the journalism they provide as a service to the public and to democracy.

“Thank You for Your Service! A Post-Election Coverage Wellness Forum for Cebu Journalists” was held on Saturday, May 31, in Cebu City. The forum was organized by STET - Women in Cebu Media, co-funded by the European Union in the Philippines, in collaboration with the Embassy of Denmark in the Philippines and IMS (International Media Support), with the support of the ACFJ - Asian Center for Journalism at Ateneo.

30/05/2025

Happening today, Saturday, May 31.
By invitation only.

21/05/2025