TV Patrol Central Visayas: 3 decades and more
It was in August 1988 when TV Patrol Central Visayas (TVPCV) debuted its first episode. After 30 years, it continues to be ABSCBN Cebu’s flagship program, delivering the broadcast news and information not only for the Cebuanos but for the whole of the region as well.
The team, now composed of millennial reporters and veteran desk editors, takes its strength from the next generation of broadcasters—students who are still in their senior high and college years. It has always been TVPCV’s advocacy to inspire them, thus the birth of “Campus Patrol.”
For this year’s anniversary, students from far-flung schools such as Bato National High School and Lilo-an National High school were taught the basics of broadcasting and media literacy by the team itself. Social media ethics also became a topic for the students.
But the connection to this new breed of journalists did not stop in the classroom; they were given the chance to showcase their talents through “Campus Got Talent” held last Aug. 21. Grade 9 student Kaye Sampuang of Lilo-an NHS won the championship. The following week was set aside for the students’ live broadcasting competition where students from Cebu Normal University in their own TVPCV version of a newscast bagged the most coveted campus patrol trophy.
“The future media will hopefully be democratic enough to accommodate all sensible viewpoints with ample opportunities to excel and make money, the main drivers for competition,” said the show’s anchor, Leo Lastimosa.
Aside from training students, the team has always kept its advocacy for the environment abreast through “Eco Patrol.” The team collected garbage in the Mactan Channel and along its roads. The highlight for “Eco Patrol” was the recycling contest for elementary and high school students using plastic. The group from Inayawan National High school, who sourced its materials for the contest at the dumpsite, won through their “illuminator” made out of straws and plastic bottles.
TVPCV also takes pride in several of the Cebuano athletes who have made the country proud. In “Sports Patrol,” the program has bridged gaps from athletes to the grassroots in an attempt to build more athletes and inspire the youth to join more sports programs.
It has also reached out the entire month to those who need medical and veterinary services through “Health Patrol.” Health departments from Metro Cebu and other organizations were instrumental in the different medical missions done to those who are underprivileged.
“Whatever media’s future form will be, I strongly believe that content will still be king. Relevant, engaging and transformative content of the new media will help shape the future generation,” Lastimosa added.
Thirty years may have been a milestone for the program, but it will not wither. The team has vowed to continue to make more milestones, share more stories and reach out to more people. /