SunStar gives comprehensive, multi-platform poll reporting

WE PROMISED you “a coverage like no other” in our election reporting. That was what we gave you.

From 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, May 13, we delivered election news reports in real-time and on different platforms. What you used to get from the newspaper, you also got on your mobile phones, computers or tablets by going to the different SunStar accounts on social media and on www.sunstar.com.ph. You got more because the reports came in video, photos and live interviews.

The early part of the live coverage suffered glitches, delays and dead air. What do you expect of journalists who grew up on print but are now digital-first? Technical issues were eventually ironed out and the reports from the field came in succession. The live coverage wasn’t perfect but we broke grounds in community journalism.

Main host Cherry Ann Lim, with co-hosts Nicko Tubo and Charry Coronel, took turns to receive live reports and videos from the coverage team of reporters and video-photographers.

Studio guests provided context and analysis. Interviewed live by Lim, Bong Wenceslao, SunStar Cebu columnist and retired Opinion editor, said political dynasties go against the purpose of elections which is to strengthen democracy. The whole idea of an election is to infuse new blood, new ideas to governance. But political dynasties edge out those with talent and with the sincere wish to serve. Even if the person elected is young, he or she may be an offspring of the mayor or governor, so they carry the same ideas and platform.

Fe Barino of the Commission on the Laity of the Archdiocese of Cebu said the group will not be aggressive in endorsing or naming candidates because candidates are also members of the church and it is hard to side with one and go against the other.

Dr. Phoebe Zoe Maria Sanchez, a University of the Philippines Cebu associate professor, lamented the political butterflies. Unprincipled politicians jump parties for convenience or political survival. Those who receive donations or support to their candidacies could be swayed by their sponsors.

Four young guests spoke of their dreams for the country in this and the coming elections. In a segment hosted by SunStar’s Tiffany Neri and Luis Quibranza III, the guests--Nessi Neri, Jo Mapalad, Elisabeth Baumgart and Jedd Uy--took turns expressing what the elections meant to them. As Mapalad declared, many might take them for granted but young people are stakeholders to the country’s future.

Behind this unique coverage were the men and women of SunStar who crossed platforms– newspapers, website and social media–to give you comprehensive reports. Together, they brought you all you needed to know about the elections.

Led by Michelle P. So, director for network newsrooms, and Mildred V. Galarpe acting as floor director, the live coverage was done by Amper Campaña, Arni Aclao, Alan Tangcawan, Razel Cuizon, Elias Baquero, Philip Cerojano, Jerra Librea and Wenilyn Sabalo in Cebu City; Flor Querubin in Lapu-Lapu City; Alex Badayos and Johanna Bajenting in Southern Cebu; and Allan Cuizon, Sheila Gravinez and Rona Fernandez in Northern Cebu.

Keep reading the SunStar newspapers or get their replica from epaper.sunstar.com.ph. For digital reports, continue visiting www.sunstar.com.ph and Facebook accounts @sunstarcebu, @ superbalitacebu, and @sunstarphilippines.

The streaming is in partnership with Smart Communications Inc. and PLDT.

To the men and women of SunStar, thank you for a successful experiment into crossing platforms.

And to our dear readers and viewers, thank you for trusting us to give you information about this political exercise.

SunStar will continue to cover election updates in the next days, especially the counting of votes and the declaration of winners.

Stay tuned for more of what you need to know. /