DAVAO CITY – A new media platform dedicated to presenting authentic images and stories, including people, cuisine, rich culture, and thriving industries of Mindanao, was officially launched on Wednesday morning, April 2, in a mall here.

Speaking at the Wednesday's Media Forum, Davao resident and MindaNow Network chief executive officer Carl Lorenzana Magno introduced the MindaNow Network, which aims to present the real Mindanao beyond its festivals and scenic beaches and peaks.
“MindaNow aims to showcase the population – the real stars for this platform – and Mindanao as a land of rich traditions and a center for innovation and growth, sharing the diverse stories in the region, the Philippines, and the rest of the world,” Magno said.
Unlike mainstream media, Magno emphasized that their network is independent, family-friendly, and focused on facts. He said they also plan to relaunch MindaNow Network News in July as a news magazine program, including those who impact society.
He added that bloggers and vloggers will be encouraged to contribute accurate and factual stories with incentives for any credible content. He said one of the ideas for the network’s news magazine program is to allow bloggers and vloggers to participate.
Magno said MindaNow Network partnered with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to ensure the content’s accuracy and fairness before being broadcast and address false information about Mindanao.
When asked why the network launched here only now, Magno highlighted the importance of the current administration’s support and the opportunity to showcase more of Mindanao’s progress. He said that the network officially began rolling out on Dec. 2, 2024.
“To build a substantial content library, the team traveled to more areas – Cotabato City, General Santos City, Dinagat Island, Koronadal, and Siargao – capturing stories that reflect the heart of Mindanao,” Magno said, adding that the region is far different from the past.
“With all of these developments and peaceful initiatives, we can visit the region freely and show the world how peaceful it is here. We are not the old Mindanao they are talking about,” the MindaNow CEO said, referring to the earlier comparison of Mindanao to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Among the MindaNow Network programs are travel features which explore Mindanao’s scenic landscapes from beaches to mountains; lifestyle segments (about artisans, entrepreneurs, and change-makers of Mindanao); business insights (economic trends and progress), and sports.
Magno is no stranger to pioneering media ventures. He said he launched Lakbay TV, the world’s first travel channel, in 1997, later becoming the Living Asia Channel. After moving to Las Vegas, he founded Asian Culture TV and Fil-Am TV for Asians and Filipinos to be media-represented.