INTRO TO COMMUNICATION FINALS

Radio Development & Broadcasting in the Philippines

Key Inventors & Innovations

  • Samuel Morse – Telegraph (1844)

  • Alexander Graham Bell – Telephone (1876)

  • Thomas Edison – Light bulb (1879)

  • Rudolph Hertz – Wireless radio waves (1888)

  • Lee De Forest – Vacuum tube; Father of Radio

  • Francisco “Koko” Trinidad – Father of Philippine Broadcasting

Radio Technology Basics

  • Hertz (Hz): Unit of radio frequency

  • Audio Tube: Enabled voice transmission

  • AM (Amplitude Modulation): Alters amplitude; older; good for talk

  • FM (Frequency Modulation): Alters frequency; clearer stereo sound; best for music

Call Letters (ITU Assigned)

  • PH Call Sign Letter: D

  • DZ – Luzon

  • DY – Visayas

  • DX – Mindanao

Radio vs. TV

  • TV added visuals → changed audience habits

  • Radio adapted through:

    • Portability

Radio Stations (1999)

  • AM: 283 stations

  • FM: 243 stations

  • Examples (Manila):

    • AM: DZBB, DZMM, DZRH

    • FM: 89.1 Wave, 90.7 Love Radio, 97.1 Campus Radio

Types of Programming

Here are the highlighted, key-point versions — short, sharp, and perfect for quick reviewing:

  • News & Commentary – Reports current events and provides analysis to explain issues.

  • Talk / Information – Gives discussions, interviews, and advice with audience participation.

  • Public Service – Shares important community announcements, warnings, and assistance info.

  • Entertainment – Delivers music, humor, and fun segments for listener enjoyment.

  • Drama – Presents storytelling through voices and sound effects that ignite imagination.

Radio Operators

  • Commercial: Profit-driven, private

  • Non-Commercial: Religious/civic, institution-funded

  • Government: Information dissemination

Key Roles in Radio

  • Owner: Overall control

  • Station Manager: Supervises operations

  • Program Director: Content, schedule, station sound

  • Marketing/Sales Director: Advertising revenue

  • Broadcaster/Announcer: DJs, anchors, hosts

  • Copywriter/Reporter: Writes & gathers content

  • Engineering Staff: Technical maintenance

NTC (National Telecommunications Commission)

  • The NTC regulates broadcasting by creating broadcast policies, assigning radio frequencies, and ensuring proper spectrum use.


KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas)

  • The KBP sets ethical standards, protects media freedom, represents broadcasters in policy matters, and promotes responsible, quality broadcasting.

Today's Radio Landscape

  • Highly diverse content (like magazines). Targets niche audiences. Portable, immediate, interactive. Still essential for news, education, entertainment


Philippine Television: History & Development

Key Pioneers & Innovations

James Lindenberg – Father of Philippine TV; founded Bolinao Electronics Corporation (BEC) in 1946

Judge Antonio Quirino – Acquired BEC in 1952; renamed ABS; launched first TV station (DZAQ-TV / DZXL-TV) in 1953

Lopez Brothers – Eugenio & Fernando; expanded ABS broadcasting

Robert “Uncle Bob” Stewart – Founded RBS (later GMA) in 1950

Early TV Operations & Challenges

  • Limited broadcasting hours (6–10 PM)

  • Few advertising spots; TV sets expensive → status symbol

  • Content mostly borrowed or stage plays; American serials filled gaps

  • Radio-TV simulcasts used as promotions

  • By 1971 → Philippines 3rd country to manufacture color TVs

Social & Cultural Impact or Tv Obsession

  • TV disrupted sleep, increased electric bills, created social envy, reduced family conversations

Advertising & Programming Milestones

Advertising Methods: 

  • Block Timing – A company buys a large chunk of airtime to air its own program or ads, often controlling the content during that block.

  • Coop Spots – Two or more companies share a segment of airtime, splitting the cost to advertise together.

  • Live Endorsements – A TV host or personality promotes a product live on air, usually during a program or news segment.

Milestones:

  • John en Marsha – Longest-running sitcom (1969)

  • Apollo 11 Moon Landing – Watched live (1969)

By 1994 → 45% of households had TV

TV News & Technology

  • Camera as arbiter of newsworthiness; anchors/reporters influence credibility

  • Less reliance on talking heads; live feeds common

  • Cable TV → Introduced 1969, abolished 1987; satellite programming revived 1991 (ABS-CBN & GMA)

Regulatory Bodies & Codes

  • KBP Television Code – Sets standards for news, children’s, political, religious programs; guides on sex, violence, nationalism

  • MTRCB – Supervises and regulates movies & TV; ensures industry viability

MTRCB Movie & TV Classifications

  • G – General Audience 🟢
    Suitable for all ages; no disturbing or offensive content.

  • PG – Parental Guidance 🔵
    Some scenes may     not be suitable for young children; parental supervision advised.

  • SPG – Strong Parental Guidance 🟠
    Contains     intense violence, sexual content, or strong language; stricter parental guidance required.

  • R-13 – Restricted 13 🟡
    Only for viewers     13 years and above; it contains mature themes.

  • R-16 – Restricted 16 🔴 MEDYO ORANGE SHA

  •  Only for viewers 16 years and above; more intense content.

  • R-18 – Restricted 18 🟥
    Only for viewers     18 years and above; adult content.

  • X – Banned ⚫
     Not suitable for public viewing; prohibited or harmful content.

Current Status & Industry Trends

  • Programming targets urban audiences; provincial stations mainly relays

  • Networks pursue balanced, diverse, creative content

  • Some air programs internationally

  • Survey sources → AC Nielsen, AGB

Advertising & Financial Aspects

  • Advertising = lifeblood of broadcasting

  • Metro Manila dominates spending (~$347M / PHP 20B)

  • Production expenses: filming, soundtrack, talent fees, network/regulatory fees

Latest Trends

  • Dubbing foreign programs → boosts Filipino language & popularity

  • Popular content: Mexican telenovelas, Japanese anime, Chinese & Korean dramas

  • Fantaserye/Telefantasya → Soap operas with fantasy, myth, magic

  • Game shows → Bigger cash prizes (e.g., “Pera O Bayong” PHP 62,000)

Criticisms & Societal Concerns

  • Children: Difficulty distinguishing reality, imitation of violence, escapism, disappearance of childhood, potential intellectual stunting

Key Insights

  • Philippine TV evolved from humble beginnings → major cultural, political, and technological influence

  • Pioneers: Lindenberg, Quirino, Lopez brothers, Stewart

  • Technological advances: color TVs, satellite programming

  • Programming & regulation → balance entertainment and social responsibility

  • Advertising crucial; urban-focused; localization via dubbing/adaptations reflects globalization & culture


Photography: History, Types, and Digital Evolution

Definition and Origins

  • Photography comes from Greek: phos (light) + graphein (to draw).

  • It is the art, hobby, or profession of capturing and processing images, either on film or digitally.

  • Founded on principles of light, optics, and chemistry, it emerged in the early 19th century.

Historical Timeline & Key Inventors

  • 1827: First fixed photo — Joseph Nicéphore Niépce

  • 1835: Paper negative (calotype) — William Henry Fox Talbot

  • 1839: Daguerréotype — Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre

  • 1880: Kodak cameras popularized — George Eastman

  • 1925: 35mm Leica camera introduced

  • 1951–1975: Early digital photography, CCD sensor — Steve Sasson

  • 1981: First consumer electronic still camera — Sony Mavica

  • 1999: Nikon D1 DSLR released

  • 2004–2006: Major companies stop film camera production

Other notable contributors: Frederick Scott Archer (photographic copies), Count Sergei Lvovich Levitsky (camera focusing), Roger Fenton & Philip Henry Delamotte (documentary photography).

Types of Photography

Amateur: Hobby-based, non-commercial.
 Commercial: Paid, specialized fields:

  • Advertising – Promotes products or services.

  • Fashion – Shows clothing and style using models.

  • Glamour – Focuses on beauty and allure.

  • Crime Scene – Documents evidence for investigation.

  • Food – Makes food look appealing for ads or menus.

  • Editorial – Illustrates magazine or article stories.

  • Photojournalism – Captures real-life news events.

  • Portrait/Wedding – Photos of people or special events.

  • Landscape – Scenic or urban environment shots.

  • Wildlife – Animals in their natural habitats.

  • Paparazzi – Candid shots of celebrities.

Artistic & Conceptual:

  • Fine Art Photography – Recognized as an art form in the 20th century; emphasizes creative expression.

  • Pictorialism – Uses soft focus and romantic, dreamy aesthetics to create artistic images.

  • Aesthetics of photography is a matter that continues to be discussed regularly, especially in artistic circles.

  • Conceptual Photography – Focuses on conveying an idea or concept before creating the image.

Digital Photography Evolution

  • Replaces film with light-sensitive sensors for digital image capture.
    Milestones:

    • 1957: First digital image — Russell Kirsch

    • 1969: CCD invented — Smith & Boyle

    • 1975: First digital camera prototype — Kodak/Steve Sasson

    • 1986: First megapixel sensor — Kodak

    • 1994: Apple QuickTake 100 — first USB-connected camera

    • 1999: Nikon D1 DSLR

    • 2004–2006: Film cameras phased out

Key Innovations: CCD sensors, Photo CD system, DSLRs, USB connectivity, Foveon sensors.

Industry Impact

  • Commercial photography grew rapidly, but film processing remained a major revenue source.

  • Transition to digital revolutionized photography, making it more accessible and versatile.

Key Insights

  • Photography bridges science and art, evolving from chemical experiments to digital imaging.

  • Talbot’s negative-to-positive process enabled reproducible prints.

  • Daguerreotype vs. calotype: unique vs. reproducible early technologies.

  • Digital photography democratized image-making for professionals and amateurs alike.

  • Photography serves artistic, commercial, and documentary purposes.



Photojournalism Composition Reviewer

Core Idea

Composition in photojournalism = arranging visual elements to tell a truthful story while using artistic & technical tools to create impactful images. Ethical storytelling is priority over aesthetics.

Ethics of Composition

  • Convey facts fairly and truthfully.

  • Avoid staged scenes (except portraits).

  • Wait for the decisive moment like a “hunter.”

  • Be honest; avoid misleading the viewer.

Visual Perception vs. Camera Vision

  • Human eyes: wide view (~180°), one sharp focal point, peripheral blur.

  • Camera: captures everything in focus within the lens plane (~84° wide-angle).

  • Negative space is key; cameras can exaggerate background distractions.

  • Mood & atmosphere must be recreated visually.

Visual Tools & Effects

  • Line → Direction, movement, relationships.

    • Vertical = power, Horizontal = calm, Diagonal = tension, Curved = grace.

Shape → Dimension & structure.

  • Tone → Light/dark contrast → depth perception.

  • Texture → Tactile feel via lighting. Adds depth, realism, and tactile interest to the image.

  • Color → Mood & emotion.

  • Contrast → Variety & interest.

  • Repetition/Rhythm → Patterns engage viewers.

  • Dominance → Center of interest → visual impact.

  • Balance → Symmetry or asymmetry → harmony.

  • Unity → Cohesion of the scene.

Basic Principles

  • Rule of Thirds → Avoid exact center; dynamic composition.

  • Foreground Framing → Adds depth. Ensure the framing objects don’t block the subject completely.

  • Emphasizing Scale → Use objects/people for size reference.

  • Leading Lines → Guides the viewer to the subject.

  • Repeated Patterns → Enhances rhythm.  To add interest to a dull scene, as we’ve noted, try.

  • Radical Camera Angles → Isolates subjects creatively.

  • Cropping → Remove empty space, emphasize subject, maintain balance.

Common Mistakes

  • Distracting backgrounds.

  • Empty foregrounds → reduce depth.

  • Centered subjects → “bull’s-eye” effect.

Photo Editing Ethics

  • Edit only to clarify story, mood, & truth.

  • Avoid awkward posing & misleading framing (e.g., 7–10 split).

  • Reject poorly composed, out-of-focus, or misexposed photos if unfixable.

  • Ethical questions: privacy, nudity, truthfulness.


Camera Angles & Film Editing Techniques – Quick Reviewer

Editing Techniques

  • Cut – Sudden change of shot (7–8 sec in TV); purpose: change scene, compress time, vary POV, build idea.

  • Jump Cut – Abrupt/identical shots; usually a mistake.

  • Reaction Shot – Shows participant’s emotional response.

  • Fade – Gradual to/from blank screen; Fade in: intro, Fade out: scene end/time passage.

  • Dissolve – One image fades into another; shows time/location change.

  • Superimposition – Overlay images for metaphorical effect.

Shot Types

  • ELS / Establishing Shot – Extreme Long Shot / Establishing Shot – Shows full scene; sets location.

  • LS – Long Shot – Shows full body + environment; provides context.

  • MLS – Medium Long Shot – Shows subject from knees up; emphasizes social focus.

  • MS – Medium Shot – Shows subject from waist up; highlights gestures and conversations.

  • MCU – Medium Close-Up – Shows head & shoulders; focuses on person/group.

  • CU – Close-Up – Shows part of the subject (usually face); highlights emotion.

  • BCU – Big Close-Up – Shows forehead to chin; emphasizes tension, guilt, or excitement.

  • ECU – Extreme Close-Up – Shows extreme detail; emphasizes strong emotion or power.

Camera Framing

  • Headroom – Vertical space above head; should be balanced.

Camera Angles

  • Eye-level – Neutral, factual.

  • High angle – Makes subject weaker.

  • Low angle – Exaggerates power.

  • Overhead – Detached, omniscient view.

Camera Movements

  • Zoom In/Out – Focus closer/wider; rapid zoom = “yo-yo” effect.

  • Pan – Swivel left/right; leaves space ahead.

  • Tilt – Vertical movement.

  • Track/Crab – Move left/right physically.

  • Dolly In/Out – Toward/away from subject; intimacy vs distance.