(MANILA BULLETIN)

Based on old Philippine folklore, monsters and creatures of the night can take on all shapes and sizes in their wicked desire to terrorize communities. 

Now, in the modern age, "horror" has stepped foot unto the thing that society always craves for and needs—information. 

So, in the latest iteration of its #NoToFakeNews campaign, Manila Bulletin has launched a video series on social media to help combat the spread of fake news and disinformation. 

This year’s campaign is titled ‘Parang Normal’, a contraction of the phrase “Para lang siyang normal na news (It’s just like normal news)." It aims to brings to the fore how inaccurate information are sometimes treated as if they are correct. 

Parang Normal is also a play on the word paranormal, which goes with the theme since the campaign launch is just days before Halloween. 

Divided into three parts, the campaign series unravels the evils of fake news in each episode through the lens of horror. 

“Ang similarity ng fake news at horror [ay] parehas silang nakakatakot. Nakatakot ang fake news in a way na posible tayong maging biktima nito. Wala itong pinipiling tao. At posible din na magbago ang buhay ng tao just by sharing and interacting with it,” Parang Normal creator Charles Bryan Bates explained. 

(The similarity of fake news and horror is they are both scary. Fake news is scary in a way in that it’s possible for us to be its victims. It doesn't choose its victims. And it may even change people's lives just by sharing and interacting with it.) 

MB’s video team took charge of making the Parang Normal series. 

The first episode, titled “Chismis”, explored the problem of misleading headlines; the second episode, “Spirit of the Coin”, underscored the importance of verifying sources; and the last episode, “Kalahati”, emphasized how spotting spliced videos works. 

The main character of the series Jem Manicad, who plays the character of a Parang Normal expert. The character was inspired by famed paranormal expert Ed Caluag. 

The Parang Normal expert helps various characters in the series by giving them advice on how to spot fake news. 

“Characters in every episode are not just horror elements dahil horror lang ang theme. Naging maganda silang representation and symbol to say that everyone can be a victim of fake news, mapa multo man, simpleng tao o 'manananggal',” said Bates. 

(Characters in every episode are not just horror elements because the theme is simply horror. They became a good representation and symbol to say that everyone can be a victim of fake news, whether it's a ghost, a simple person or a ‘manananggal'.) 

After establishing the #NoToFakeNews campaign in 2018, MB has since created several anti-fake news videos to raise awareness among the public. 

Throughout the years, these videos have received positive feedback from the public, educational institutions, and even award-giving bodies. 

Notable awards and recognitions include the Best Digital Ad for Public Service at the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards, the Communication Skills award under the Audio Visual Category at the 17th Quill Awards, and the Gold Award under Branded Communications Category at the 2020 Araw Values Awards. 

Known for its delivery of unbiased news, MB's continuing battle with the proliferation of fake news online and on social media is a testament to its dedication to telling the truth. 

“It was also an opportunity for the Manila Bulletin to communicate and inculcate to its audiences that it will not tolerate fake news,” MB video team head Johndel Semilla said. 

WATCH HERE:

https://youtu.be/ZAlz8JuuBIA?si=rrLNlxF2DZ1BVwZn 

https://youtu.be/PNfELxUmpdM?si=XyjcFtf3-cacrFMr 

https://youtu.be/AKnvVSAOQCw?si=CTPwiG6RH1ZD8Stx

In the modern age, monsters and creatures of the night are no longer the stuff of nightmares. They now exist in real life and in the digital world, waiting to claw on their victims. 

“Today, in these extraordinary circumstances, the importance of accurate information has become more critical than ever. Help protect yourself and others from falling victim to fake news, contributing to a more informed and responsible digital environment,” said Semilla. 

He further told readers to "be like a detective when you read or see news online". 

“And if you see fake news, report it to the website or social media platform,” he said. Indeed, everyone can be a victim of fake news. 

For more information on the dangers of fake news and how to spot them, watch MB's anti-fake news video series titled ‘Parang Normal’. --Dexter Barro II