By Farah G. Decano

 

FLORANGEL Rosario Braid honored her city of birth anew by naming her recently launched book, “TAGPO: Right Place and Right Time.” Her book chronicles her life and the opportunities she encountered at the right time and right place.

Dr. Braid is a much respected intellectual in the field of Journalism and Communications.  She did mostly research and writing during her younger days and at present, mostly painting.  One speaker during the launch of her book said that Dr. Braid just changed vehicles of her messages from on-paper to online, and now, on canvass.

This very accomplished Dagupeña activist did not live her youth for her own glory. She unselfishly taught the young to do ethical journalism. She still does, actually.

That she was bestowed by the Pangasinan provincial government the prestigious ASNA award for being an outstanding Pangasinan in 2013 ahead of her own city is such an oversight.  Dagupan is yet to honor her as an exemplary citizen.

This lapse is not the first time. Like Dr. Braid, the late Ermin Garcia Sr.’s heroism was immortalized by Quezon City by naming a street after him but his birthplace has not given him similar honorific recognition.

Perhaps, the city can declare an official day devoted to the commemoration of Mr. Garcia’s supreme sacrifice – his life- for the love of transparency and accountability in governance?

Mr. Garcia and Dr. Braid dedicated their lives in pursuit of truth. They should be celebrated by their own kabaleyans as uncompromising servants of this principle.

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What is the truth?

Pilate asked Jesus. But he was not really interested in finding that out. Without waiting for the answer, Pilate left Jesus and faced the crowd.

Many centuries later in 1597, Sir Francis Bacon called the Roman governor – the Jesting Pilate. He found him a representation of those who are unable to stand the harshness of truth. He finds Pilate, either lacking in profundity or courage.  His followers are those who prefer to have the truth embellished with euphemisms, or worse, those who abandon the same in favor of falsehood.

Unlike the jesting Pilate, Dr. Braid is known for her courageous and fierce pursuit of truth. She took Journalism from the University Of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City and her Masters degree from the Syracuse University in New York.   She later became one of the founders of Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Daily Inquirer and the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication.  She was member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission that drafted the present fundamental law which had the principles of Truth, Justice and Freedom in its preamble.  She staunchly advocated for the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act, and  became an  AMIC Awardee on Outstanding Research in 2008. 

Miss Braid is a classy maiden whose intellectual persuasion is enough to cause a stir in society. She is not among those who just complain loudly about the social illnesses in our country and do nothing more. Instead, she quietly provides solutions to what she sees as issues or problems.  Yes, even as a nonagenarian, Miss Braid has not stopped being an anti-thesis of Pilate.

The proceeds from the sale of her new book, “Tagpo” and her paintings shall be donated to the scholarship of students who wish to pursue Investigative Journalism.

This is another timely move by Dr. Braid.   We need more of those who are capable in uncovering the truths from the mountains of lies propagated by those who are affluent enough to pay hundreds of trolls. 

Thorough research, gathering of relevant information, their impartial analyses and the communication of the outputs are repeating events in her existence.   The pursuit and the conveying of truth – along this main theme is the poetry of Mrs. Braid’s life. May we all derive inspiration from her.

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