Catanduanes Forum

Hello everyone, my name is Katherine Uyan and I am from Dasmarinas, Cavite. I was assigned to propose a community newspaper in Virac, Catanduanes and to conduct a feasibility study about it.

In the course of my research, I found out that The Catanduanes Tribune is the oldest and the leading paper in Catanduanes today. Because of this, I sent them a message via e-mail but the message kept bouncing bacjk to me.

The information that I would gather from this letter would greatly help substantiate my research.

I hope you could help me.

Below, is the message that I sent to them:

May 4, 2010

The Editor
The Catanduanes Tribune
Rawis, Virac,
Catanduanes Philippines - 5001

Dear Sir/Ma'am:

Greetings in the name of St. La Salle!

I am a second year student of De La Salle University - Dasmariňas, taking up Broadcast Journalism. As a part of the final requirement in our subject – Newspaper Management and Production with course code BRJM204L this summer of S.Y. 2009-2010, we were assigned to do a community newspaper proposal and feasibility study. We draw lots and I was assigned to do a newspaper proposal and feasibility study for Virac, Catanduanes.

According to my research, The Catanduanes Tribune is the leading local newspaper in Catanduanes. Since it is the only prominent paper still in existence, I would like to use it as basis for my proposed newspaper for our feasibility study.

In this regard, I would like to request for information about the Catanduanes Tribune. Since it would be really difficult for me to interview people in Catanduanes in person, I'm seeking your help. The following questions about The Catanduanes Tribune would be a great help if answered:

1. What is the newspaper's circulation? (How many copies are printed per issue?) I've made a research on the internet, and the only data I gathered was the 1,000 circulation you had in year 2000 when Catanduanes Tribune was still a weekly publication.

2. How many times does the newspaper come out? (daily, weekly, bi-monthly, monthly)

3. How much is the paper's advertising rates? (the ad rates you give to advertisers) We were asked to formulate our own ad rates and we need a basis to check if what we have in mind is feasible.

4. How much do you charge per copy?

6. Is it a tabloid or a broadsheet?

7. How many pages do you print per issue?

8. What type of paper is used? (newsprint, etc.)

9. What is the paper's readership profile? (reader demographics)

10. What are the paper's editorial policies? (Is is pro-government, adversarial or neutral)

11. Are there other local newspapers or tabloids competing with the Catanduanes Tribune at present?

12. What type of newspaper/publication, do you think, Catanduanes needs today?

Please be assured that all information will be highly regarded and shall be used solely for academic purposes.

The deadline for our project is already this Wednesday, May 5, 2010. I am hoping for your immediate response.

You may contact me at (0916)5513824 and katherine.uyan@yahoo.com.

Thank you very much in advance for your help and consideration.

Sincerely,

KATHERINE GAIL V. UYAN
AB Broadcast Journalism student
De La Salle University, Dasmarinas, Cavite

If you feel that there is a particular need for a newspaper in your community (especially in Virac or Catanduanes, in general), or if you have suggestions or comments, feel free to contact me at 09165513824 or e-mail me at katherine.uyan@yahoo.com.=) I will eagerly
wait for your response!

Thanks in advance!=)

Katherine