With the 2025 Midterm Elections coming closer with each passing day, it becomes more important than ever for Filipino citizens to choose their candidates wisely. However, in the digital age, misinformation runs rampant, especially in politics and information about candidates. There is an increasing demand to ensure that the information one consumes is true. Gen Z and millennials make up 63% of the voting population for the coming year, highlighting the extent of the potential impact these two generations may have in shaping the political landscape of the Philippines.
To empower young voters for the upcoming elections, GMA Network Inc. held the GMA Masterclass Dapat Totoo Series in the University of San Agustin’s auditorium on 17 February 2025. The program was spearheaded by GMA Integrated News Senior Vice President and Head, Oliver Victor B. Amoroso.
Speakers of the activity included Hannah Petrache, Social Media Manager, GMA Integrated News; Zen Quilantang-Sasa, Local News Correspondent, GMA Regional TV; Martin Antonio, Sportscaster and Sports Analyst,GMA Synergy; Susan Enriquez, Broadcast Journalist, GMA Integrated News and GMA Public Affairs; and Mariz Umali, Broadcast Journalist, GMA Integrated News. Their talks ranged on various topics, spanning from the usage of social media in the current times to the importance of voters’ education.
Masterclass was attended by Grade 12 and Grade 9 students from the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo (UPHSI), as well as college and high school students from the University of San Agustin.
A student from the UPHSI noted that the talks were humanized, and detailed the importance of grit and resilience of people during midterm elections. Another student stated, “… After the Masterclass, I realized its importance and learned the best way to choose my leaders. That's why I am really privileged to be part of that Masterclass and very thankful also.”
Also in attendance was the Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), Dr. Clement C. Camposano, who received a certificate of appreciation from GMA for the Network’s collaboration with UPV for a clean and honest 2025 election. UPV is one of several educational institutions from all over the country that signed an agreement with the media network in support of the Dapat Totoo campaign.
The attendance of the youth emphasized the utmost significance of maintaining or increasing their engagement with the country’s politics, for the improvement of not just their lives, but also the people around them. It is extremely important that activities like the Masterclass continue to raise awareness about finding the right way of sourcing information about the candidates for the election - what can and cannot be negotiated, and what can and cannot be done for the future.
