The Philippine STAR

INTPRIN A52

Redjine Boller
Andrew Aniceto
Martie Plaza


The newspaper assigned to us was The Philippine STAR. Its corporate name is PhilSTAR Daily, Incorporated. The Philippine STAR is regarded as a vaunted pillar of Philippine media and is the only broadsheet with an established circulation in Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. The office of The Philippine Star is located in 202 Roberto S. Oca Railroad St. Port Area, Manila. Its direct line is 527-7901. Its fax number is 527-5819 and its website is www.philstar.com.
We interviewed Mrs. Donna Velasco, a section editor of the publication and the one in charge of visits in their office. After we were given a tour of the whole place, we interviewed her regarding the differences in the roles of editors, reporters, correspondents and columnists. The editor-in-chief Miguel Belmonte is the one who approves what news is to be written as the headline. The executive editor is the vice of the editor-in-chief and he/she takes the turn to close the front page. The managing editor manages the affairs of the daily output. The associate editors take over in cases of absences of copy editors or section editors. There are 36 reporters all in all covering all possible bits of information all over the country. There are a range of 50-54 correspondents of The Philippine STAR covering bits that are assigned to them and they are given incentives and bonuses for their work. There are around 20 columnists [inclusive of guests] but then it depends on the day.
Founded on July 28, 1986 by veteran journalists Max Soliven, Betty Go-Belmonte and Art Borjal, The Philippine STAR has lived up to its mission of informing and inspiring the Filipino people by upholding truth and fairne
ss at all times. Its integrity as a newspaper is anchored on the biblical motto, ‘the truth shall prevail’.
Throughout the whole week, The Philippine Star produces 330,000 copies of its publication every day regardless of its marketing capacity. Its circulation vans leave as soon as the copies are ready for distribution. As for the deadlines;

World and Provincial news- 7:00PM (7:30PM if there is no ad placement)
Main Section- 9:00PM- 9:30PM
Whole Newspaper- 10:00PM-10:30PM
Breaking News- 11:00PM

As for the printing, it is done in the same location as the editorial. Here is a photo of the page measurements or the ‘dummy’. Click on the link to view the photo http://redjboller.multiply.com/photos/album/87/The_Philippine_STAR#1
For typesetting, they use their computers which are very hi-tech and updated. Here is a photo of the work stations of the proofreaders, typists, etc…http://redjboller.multiply.com/photos/album/87/The_Philippine_STAR#2
For their page layouts, they print plates that contain the layout of each page of the newspaper. Here is a photo showing a sample of a plate. http://redjboller.multiply.com/photos/album/87/The_Philippine_STAR#3
For images, they use chemicals to print large images and edit them using scanners then later using photoshop for minor editing. This is the room where they strip images. http://redjboller.multiply.com/photos/album/87/The_Philippine_STAR#4
For platemaking, The Philippine STAR uses a printer called the Polaris which is enormous. It makes use of color but only ones that suit the plate such as blue or black. http://redjboller.multiply.com/photos/album/87/The_Philippine_STAR#5
For the printing itself, here is an image of the mechanism they use. Printing starts during the morning. It goes non-stop until they reach their quota of 330,000 copies. http://redjboller.multiply.com/photos/album/87/The_Philippine_STAR#6

Here are the advertisement rates

Advertising rates WEEKDAYS SUNDAYS
Effective July 1, 2007 PHP 330.00 PHP 380
DISPLAY AIDS per col. cm. per col. cm.

Centerspread (18col x52cm) PHP 401,544.00 PHP 462,384.00
Full Page (9col x52cm) PHP 154,440.00 PHP 177,840.00
¾ Page (9col x40cm) PHP 118,800.00 PHP 136,800.00
Jr Full Page (7col x40cm) PHP 92,400.00 PHP 106,400.00
¼ Page(4col x30cm, 5col x12cm, 3col x20cm)PHP 19,800.00 PHP 22,800.00

PANA members less 10% All rates are subject to 12% EVAT

SURCHARGES
PREMIUM PAGES
Pages 2,3,5 and 7 (Main) +15%
Front Page, all sections +15%
Back Page, all sections +15%
Centerspread +30%

COLOR
One (1) Color +30%
Two (2) Color +50%
Full Color +80%
EAR AD (2 col. x 5.5 cm)
Black and White PHP 7, 500.00 per insertion
Full Color PHP 13,000.00 per insertion

FOOT AD, MAIN SECTION
Front Page (9 col x 4 cm, FC) PHP 50,000.00

KIDS ONLY (Saturdays)
Full Page, B&W PHP 56,700.00
Full Page, Full Color PHP 102,060.00

STARWEEK (Sundays)
Full Page, B&W PHP 50,000.00
Full Page, Full color PHP 75,000.00

Special thanks to our sources namely Mrs. Donna Velasco, a section editor of The Philppine STAR for giving us snacks and entertaining our questions and the people from the printing, advertisement, and circulation staff for providing us with copies of a few sections of the newspaper for the following day and for allowing us to take pictures of their facilities.