Brigada News Philippines
Brigada News Philippines was the most-read newspaper in Mindanao until it migrated to a digital version in October 2023. It was initially a two-page flyer of entertainment news, health and lotto tips, until its creator was accused of publishing a sham newspaper that was promoting illegal gambling. Once registered at the city hall and using PhP1,000 (around US$17 in 2005) borrowed capital, the six-page tabloid Brigada Tolendoy News and Tips was born in October 2005 and initially distributed in General Santos. It would eventually be known as Brigada News Philippines.
As it is Mindanao-based, the content was localized and written in the Visayan language, which made it popular with readers. From an initial print-run of 3,000 copies, this increased to 10,000 after they included Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Zamboanga City and Cebu City in the distribution network of the daily tabloid. Circulation even reached a peak of 26,000 during the early days of publication.
While the publication was not circulated nationwide, it had a strong readership in the region and Nielsen’s Consumer and Media View report in Q2 of 2023 had Brigada News Philippines posting 2.85% and 4.73% readership in Mindanao and Davao, respectively, which is significantly higher than other nationally distributed newspapers. In terms of nationwide ranking, Nielsen estimates that Brigada is No. 11 among all newspapers with a 0.44% audience share.
The decision to cease publishing print copies was in keeping with the trend of people turning online for their source of information and news. Publishing content online also expanded its market base, and from one website readers could easily access content from all areas where Brigada News Philippines has a presence.
Elmer V. Catulpos is the founder and co-owner of Brigada News Philippines. He used to be a contractual radio news reporter. He eventually expanded the business to put up Brigada Mass Media Corporation, operating TV and radio stations. The homegrown entrepreneur took interest in other ventures such as pharmaceuticals, construction, and a security agency among others, and created the Brigada Group of Companies.
Audience Share
0.44%
Ownership Type
Private
Geographic Coverage
National
Content Type
Paid content
Media Companies / Groups
Brigada Mass Media Corporation
Ownership Structure
Brigada News Philippines is owned by Brigada Mass Media Corporation of Elmer V. Catulpos and his wife Yelcy. The corporation is part of the Brigada Group of Companies of the Catulpos family.
Voting Rights
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Individual Owner
Group / Individual Owner
Froebel Kan M. Balleque
Froebel Kan M. Balleque is a Member of the Board and stockholder of Brigada Mass Media Corporation, incumbent City Councilor and member of Sangguniang Panlungsod of General Santos City and affiliated with the Achievement with Integrity Movement (AIM) party, the political party that also supported Elmer V. Catulpos’ mayoralty candidacy in 2022.
General Information
Founding Year
2005
Affiliated Interests Founder
started his professional life as an insurance agent, multi-level marketer, treasure hunter, and contractual radio news reporter. He founded the Brigada News Philippines daily with a P1,000 borrowed capital. His business expanded to Brigada Mass Media Corporation operating local TV and national radio stations. He then ventured into other industries such as pharmaceuticals, leisure, construction, and security, which made up the Brigada Group of Companies.
He and his wife, Yelcy, are the majority owners of Manila-based Baycomms Broadcasting Corporation, which operates the franchise of Brigada’s FM radio stations, and Media Serbisyo Production Corporation’s DWPM Teleradyo Serbisyo 630 – formerly ABS-CBN’s flagship AM station.
In 2022, Elmer V. Catulpos ran for the General Santos City mayoralty under the Achievement with Integrity Movement (AIM) party, founded by the Antoninos. He lost to Lorelie Pacquiao, sister-in-law of boxing champ, Manny.
Catulpos was also the president of General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2018.
Affiliated Interests Ceo
is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Brigada Group of Companies, and President and Chairman of the Board of the Brigada Mass Media Company and Baycomms Broadcasting Corporation.
Affiliated Interests Editor-In-Chief
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Affiliated Interests other important people
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Contact
Jacinta Bldg. -2, Guadalupe Nuevo,
1840, EDSA,
Makati City Metro Manila, Philippines
Website: www.brigadanews.ph
E-Mail: brigadammh@brigada.ph
Financial Information
Revenue (in Mill. $)
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Operating Profit (in Mill. $)
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Advertising (in % of total funding)
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Market Share
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Further Information
Headlines
Meta Data
Founding year based on date of incorporation as reflected in the Securities and Exchange Commission documents.
Audience share is based on Consumer & Media View survey for newspapers under Nielsen’s Philippine Media Landscape Report for Quarter 2 of 2023.
Sources
Media Landscape Report for Quarter 2, 2023, available upon purchase from Nielsen Company (US), LLC
