Towards relevant and responsible soaps

The National Soap Opera Summit continues its gathering of experts and resource persons in the Soap Opera industry. This year’s theme is "Soap Opera for Social Change 2001." The Summit will launch the UN decade for peace, active, non-violence and sustainable development for children.

The National Soap Opera Summit is advocated by the Population Media Center (PMC), a US-based non-profit, non-governmental organization. In the Philippines, PMC forges a partnership with the Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE). Rep. Heherson T. Alvarez heads the Philippine Parliamentarians Committee of GLOBE. The Summit aims to address social issues such as responsible parenthood, maternal and child care, prevention of AIDS, teenage pregnancies, poverty alleviation, human rights and environmental education. Soap opera insiders and funding agencies are also called upon to support the betterment of the industry.

Alvarez, PMC and other proponents see soap operas as an effective vehicle to inform and educate the public on relevant social issues. This drama serial format is a creative medium of showing sensible, responsible stories to promote peace, social justice and sustainability in the country. A lauded show of such kind is Balintataw – TV, radio and comics. This tri-media approach of Balintataw, is hosted and produced by Cecile Guidote Alvarez, the congressman’s wife. Balintataw is the National Soap Opera Summit’s successful model for drama serials. The other successful model is the Sabido methodology developed by Miguel Sabido. His research is centered on the social use of commercial television.

During the Summit, special keynote speaker is Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The Summit is supported by the different sectors of the society including the broadcast industry composed of producers, directors, writers, stars, TV-radio managers, owners through KBP, and the Children’s Television Foundation, social advocates, NGOs coordinated through DSWD, CHR, and UN family, the UNICEF, advertising agencies, business sectors, the legislative group and the academe.

The National Soap Opera Summit at the Conference Rooms A and B ends today at the House of Representatives, Batasan Hills, Quezon City.