GMA Masterclass 2025: Dapat Totoo in a Time of Lies

By: Julia Francesca Dela Cruz

MANDALUYONG, Philippines – On March 12, 2025, the GMA Masterclass: Eleksyon 2025 Dapat Totoo Series Forum brought together media professionals, journalists, and students to highlight the significance of responsible journalism during the election season. Held at Jose Rizal University’s Centennial Hall, the event marked the conclusion of its Luzon leg, with Mapúa University represented by Mapúa Radio Cardinal, The New Builder, and The Cardinal Print, alongside 18 other academic institutions.

Top journalists from GMA Network shared their expertise to help the youth analyze information and spot fake news, making a point of the series’ message: “Dapat Totoo.” Oliver Victor B. Amoroso, Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy, spoke about the Dapat Totoo series, an initiative that began in Mindanao last January, moved to Visayas in February, and concluded in Luzon and NCR in March—JRU being the final venue for the Luzon leg. Originally launched in 2018, the series is part of GMA’s nationwide Panata-Kontra Fake News campaign.

The masterclass showcased a distinguished panel of speakers, including broadcast journalists Atom Araullo and Sandra Aguinaldo, GMA News Online editor-at-large Howie Severino, and GMA Integrated News Research experts Theodore Ortiz and Karen Mayrina. Joining them was celebrity and beauty queen Bea Gomez. 

Ortiz and Mayrina examined how digital platforms shape public discourse, while Gomez highlighted the necessity of advocacy and social responsibility in journalism. Meanwhile, Aguinaldo shed light on the importance of fact-checking, ethical reporting, and combating misinformation in an age where social media heavily influences voter decisions.

Conversely, Atom Araullo exposed the harsh realities of Philippine elections, criticizing political dynasties, corruption, and superficial branding in politics. He accentuated the need for a deeper and more comprehensive familiarity with Philippine politics, urging voters to watch the news, do their research, and stay informed beyond election day. "Ang demokrasya, hindi lang nasusukat sa eleksyon. Isang araw lang ang eleksyon sa ating democratic process," Araullo reminded the public, stressing that true democracy requires continuous engagement, vigilance, and accountability.

(“Elections do not define our democracy; they are merely a single day in our democratic process.”)

Veteran journalist Howie Severino, on the other hand, reflected on the evolution of media, contrasting the analog natives of the past with today's digital generation. He cautioned against technology's ability to distort reality and encouraged a "documentation state of mind" as a defense against disinformation. 

"You are already the most empowered generation in history." Severino stated during his segment, emphasizing the youth's critical role in combating disinformation and staying informed, now more than ever in light of the ongoing midterm elections season.

Despite covering diverse topics—misinformation in social media, voter data, media technology, and industry insights—the speakers delivered a unified message: take action and shape the nation by voting.

Mapúa University, as an institution and with its entire student body, must actively recognize its role in safeguarding democracy especially amid the evolving political landscape of the Philippines. Open discussions, such as the GMA Masterclass, are thus essential in uniting the youth to promote fair and informed participation in the 2025 Midterm Elections to ensure a more engaged and responsible electorate.

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#Eleksyon2025