The Evolution of Media in the Philippines

By sulapaslech
  • 1521

    Pre-colonial Era

    Pre-colonial Era
    Before colonizers arrived in the Philippines, alibata or baybayin was used by Filipinos to communicate with their fellows.
  • 1565

    Spanish Colonial Era

    Spanish Colonial Era
    Since the Philippines already had its own language and writing, the Spaniards felt a pressing need to learn the native language and writing to be able to communicate with the natives and teach them Spanish and its culture.

  • Publishing of Newspaper (Spanish Era)

    Publishing of Newspaper (Spanish Era)
    Spanish newspapers with contents strongly filtered by religious orders and the Spanish government emerged as well as written journals of religious nature by friars.

  • Revolutionary Press

    Revolutionary Press
    La Solidaridad, Kalayaan, La Independencia and El Renacimiento are the products of the revolutionary press spearheaded by the Filipinos we now call our heroes.
  • Period: to

    Era of Modern Media

    This was when Silent Pictures or Silent Film, a stage play where dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, mime and title cards with a written indication of the plot or key dialogue, emerged. This was when documentary dominated, feature films rose, and Filipino film companies were established.

  • Newspapers during the American Occupation

    Newspapers during the American Occupation
    These contained mostly news from abroad and the war, and updates on international and as well as Philippine economic growth.

  • Establishment of Filipino Newspapers (American Occupation)

    Establishment of Filipino Newspapers (American Occupation)
    One of the oldest is Manila Bulletin
  • Period: to

    Rise of Feature Film Period

    This was when the first Filipino talking picture, Ang Asuwang, by George P. Musser was completed with the help Nepomuce(with American technicians and sound cameras). It was based on a Liwayway novel by Antonio Sempio, and was produced with help from Harris and Tait (of Filipino Films). This was when commercial film companies rose, when Filipino films got commercialized, and technological expertise was achieved. As a result, New Cinema emerged with the new cinematography.

  • Introduction of Radio

    Introduction of Radio
    Radio was introduced to the Filipino people even those of the remote areas.

  • Japanese Occupation

    Japanese Occupation
    All radio stations except for KZRH (renamed PIAM) were closed by the Japanese.

  • Return of Radio Stations

    Return of Radio Stations
    After the war (WWII), radio stations like KZRH returned to the airwaves.

  • Establishment of a 2nd Broadcasting Station

    Establishment of a 2nd Broadcasting Station
    After the return of KZRH, the Philippine Broadcast System (PBS) was established through the turning over of KZFM to the Philippine government.
  • Period: to

    Martial Law

    Closure of all newspapers and broadcasting stations was ordered by former President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

  • Lifting of Martial Law

    Lifting of Martial Law
    As the declaration of Martial Law was lifted, some thought press freedom was restored though publishing was tightly under the government's control.

  • Freedom of Speech and Press

    Freedom of Speech and Press
    Freedom of speech and freedom of the press were entrenched after all the humps and bumps the Philippine media went through.

  • Present Day

    Present Day
    With all the technological advancements of time, Filipinos now enjoy digital media aside from the pre-existing printed media and broadcast media. Digital Media: software, digital images, digital video, video game, web pages and websites, social media, data and databases, and digital audio