BIG CHANGES COMING, BUT ONLY FOR A FEW YEARS!: Digital news outlet 'OneNETnews' temporarily transition to 'Channel 8 News' with a new website, ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 - A New Era for Local Journalism in the Negros Island Region
(Written by Miko Kubota-Nieves & Pacifica Elise Northwest / Ka-Serbisyo Patrol #4 news reporter of Channel 8 News, Station Manager of ONC Holdings, and Business Reporter of The Brighton Bugle)
DUMAGUETE, NEGROS ORIENTAL -- For almost 20 years, the name of one has been constant in digital journalism in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. That legacy is taking a brand-new turn with the approach of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Since the start of the 2010s, a staple of our online community. One Network News (or OneNETnews) is getting ready for a big change. It's a new identity, a new site, and a new pledge to make an independent, family-run public broadcaster and news organization from the heart of The City of Gentle People.
In the fast-paced world of digital media, however, longevity is rare, and ONC Holdings made its debut nearly 2 decades ago. Since late-Q1 2013, ONC Holdings has depended on Tumblr (our parent microblogging and corporate social platform) to power OneNETtv (One Network Television) Channel and OneNETnews that features local & regional news, police reports, community updates, and live events. As the world continues to watch the aforementioned international sporting event later this year, the station is also making its own bid for the future.
Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong, founder of ONC Holdings and Barangay President of Pulantubig PWD Association (PPDA), got his start running an internet cafe called MUSUMECI, with locations on Jose Pro Teves Street and on the 2nd floor of Zone Two at Silliman Avenue corner Perdices Street.
All the extreme learning difficulties encountered at West City Elementary School (WCES) and Piapi High School (PHS) had complicated matters in several lessons: Filipino, Algebra (for Math), MAPEH (or Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health), Science, History, and even in public life after Grade 5 in 2015 onwards. His guidance into the world of Philippine technology, in which he had limited experience since he was a late bloomer in the world of mass communications, was invaluable.
Rhayniel championed the cause of providing the people of Negrosanons with easily accessible, reliable information, and his goal was to build a permanent, professional space for them: "Our legacy is built on being an independent free press. This move isn't just about a website; it's about establishing a permanent, professional home for the people of Negros Island", he noted.
That permanent home will be "negrosislandtv8.org". The online public broadcaster and news organization's leadership points out that the mission is the same, although the new website domain will not be live until later this year. The site's content and its commitment to every news reader like you are pieces of history. The digital address is moving but nothing else.
Our official indie news outlet will operate as Channel 8 News through the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California. It's a bridge to the future in accordance with their broadcast identity of DYDZ-DTV Channel 8. This family-run and independent public radio station made a major leap.
The new domain "negrosislandtv8.org", is slated to launch during or just after the World Cup festivities. For this story, it will be our last for today until 2028 on OneNETnews Online. Until then, you can still find all your local updates at this familiar website. Our financing and technician teams are working hard with a limited budget and several unpaid debts, ensuring a smooth transition to the same microblogging platform on or before the year-end.
PHOTO COURTESY: TV8 Creatives
-- Channel 8 News Publication Team
