About the Commission

1962

The Office on Mass Media

In the Diocese of Malolos, the Office on Mass Media under the Diocesan Commission on Formation was established under the pastoral program WESTY (Worship, Education, Service, Temporal Goods, Youth). Rev. Fr. Efren Datu served as its first head.

1987

A diocesan commission

During the First Diocesan Synod of Malolos, the former office was made into a commission under Rev. Fr. Ricardo Mercado. The Commission on Mass Media was tasked to use radio, television, and print “to help the evangelization and to effectively disseminate Church information” (Diocese of Malolos, Acts and Decrees of the First Diocesan Synod of Malolos, 1987, decree no. 203).

2011–2013

Growth, new media, and the Golden Jubilee

As the need for media grew in the Diocese, the commission was formally named the Diocesan Commission on Social Communications during the tenure of Rev. Fr. Dario V. Cabral as Chairman. The official diocesan publication, Ang Sandigan, became a magazine, while Image and Likeness Publishing supported official diocesan publications. Radio programs included Ang Diyosesis on Radyo Veritas 846 and Biyaya at Pananampalataya on Radyo Bulacan 95.9. Linkages with Catholic, mainstream, and local secular media helped important diocesan events reach a wider audience.

On May 28, 2011, the commission held the First Diocesan Convention on Social Communications, addressing the state of media ministry in the Diocese in preparation for the Golden Jubilee. Other pre-jubilee initiatives included the first DCSC website and Facebook page. During the Golden Jubilee of 2012–2013, the commission actively documented jubilee events.

During the Second Diocesan Synod of Malolos in 2013, the Diocese affirmed its commitment “to venture into the new media and the new culture of communicating the Gospel of God’s love being its new pulpit” (Diocese of Malolos, Acts and Declarations of the Second Diocesan Synod of Malolos, 2013, PPI, pt. 2, 19). The section on faith formation through social communications proposed structures and programs for training, formation, and organizational efficiency from the diocesan to the parish level.

2015–2019

Formation and an expanding digital presence

After the Golden Jubilee, Rev. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II was appointed DCSC Chairman. Fr. Lalog focused on the thrust “communication is spirituality,” which led to the Social Communications Formation Series in 2015. Held quarterly, the series addressed media spirituality, ethics in media, skills development, and relationships with media outlets.

In 2017, the diocesan bulletin Ang Sandigan became the Facebook page Ang Sandigan – Diocese of Malolos, offering greater accessibility than print. On February 23, 2019, the commission launched the diocesan website, www.malolosdiocese.ph, featuring the official history, directory, and resource pool for the Diocese’s media ministries.

2020–2022

Ministry during the pandemic

While the COVID-19 pandemic almost paralyzed the world, the Church continued her ministry and turned to social media and the internet to reach the faithful and the wider public. In the Diocese of Malolos, parishes began livestreaming liturgical celebrations and devotions. More volunteers, especially young people, emerged to create content for parish pages. Parish Commissions on Social Communications multiplied and became more active in the ministry.

As pandemic restrictions eased, the DCSC resumed quarterly formation programs. On the LVI World Day of Social Communications during the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord on May 18, 2022, parish commissions in the Diocese held their first formal installation and renewal as Church ministers.

2022–Present

A new chapter for the Commission

During the incumbency of Most Rev. Dennis C. Villarojo, Fifth Bishop of Malolos, new members of the Diocesan Curia were appointed and took their oath of office on July 25, 2022. Rev. Fr. Joseph Franz T. Dizon, who had been appointed earlier that year as DCSC Vice-Chairman, was tasked to serve as the new Chairman.

Recent developments include an organizational manual, the construction of a commission studio, an appreciation night for social communications volunteers, partnerships with media entities and sponsors, the change of the Diocese’s platform name to The Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos – Ang Sandigan, and the diocesan website receiving the title of Best Diocesan Website at the 2022 Catholic Social Media Awards. These developments are fruits of God’s grace as the Commission continues its mission as an instrument of the New Evangelization.