THE ARCHDIOCESE of Manila, through the CBCP’s National Office of Mass Media, recently launched TV Maria, a channel that aims to offer people with wholesome entertainment without being too “preachy.”
First aired last January 1, the station is available on Channel 21 of Dream Satellite TV, a global satellite network owned by tycoon Antonio “Tony Boy” Cojuangco.
The religious channel, so named to acknowledge Mary’s role of bringing people to God, was originally conceived by the late Cardinal Jaime Sin but only materialized after Cojuangco provided the NOMM a channel free of charge.
TV Maria is available on cable television in some parts of Asia, Mainland China, the United States, Canada and some Middle East nations through Dream Satellite TV. In the country however, the NOMM also airs TV Maria programs under regular television.
NOMM director Fr. James Reuter, S.J. said that TV Maria was not intended to compete with other religious channels like Mike Velarde’s El Shaddai of IBC 13, Felix Manalo’s Iglesia ni Cristo of Net 25 and Gem TV, Eli Soriano’s Ang Dating Daan of UNTV 37 and RJTV, and Eddie Villanueva’s Jesus is Lord of QTV 11.
“If we are all Christians, for God’s sake let us all be one,” Reuter told the Varsitarian. “Let us cooperate, rather than compete, to deliver the word of God.”
TV Maria offers alternative programs that appeal to a younger audience without compromising morality at a time when parents are anxious because of strong images of sex and violence portrayed in media.
Operated by the Archdiocese of Manila, TV Maria highlights institutions with noble aims like Gawad Kalinga, a non-government organization aiming to build 700,000 houses in 7,000 troubled communities for seven years, and Pondo ng Pinoy, a fund-raising program spearheaded by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales.
“We want to make people know about these things other than what media presents them,” Reuter said. “We want to inspire and move them.”
TV Maria also features student documentaries promoting human values. Already aired were documentaries by students from St. Paul College of Quezon City, Miriam College, and Assumption College.
The NOMM accepts contributions from both Catholic and non-Catholic organizations for possible broadcast. Kris P. Bayos
