Playing with Fire
Thank you, PPC!
By Gonzalo Duque
WE wish to thank the members of the revitalized Pangasinan Press Club for their vote of confidence in your columnist.
We assure them that we shall do our best to meet their expectations — the revival of a true and responsible press in this premier province.
As you well know, a lot of unsavory things were being hurled on the face of the club. We shall not allow that those to happen from now on, and we feel inspired by our co-officers’ show of trust and support.
We also want to thank the general public especially those in the officialdom who confidentially have assured us that they’d do their part in helping realize our mission and vision vis-à-vis a reformed and more responsible media.
Probably some colleagues do not know that many of these mayors and other local officials were keeping us informed about the activities of certain practitioners. After reflecting on their reports, we decided to offer to lead the club because it really would be a pity if this sector that is publicly praised but secretly criticized would not be able to keep pace with the times.
In our first board meeting at the Pedritos Restaurant, we were warmed by the excitement and vitality of the new officers. They, all of them, showed unanimity in our program to inculcate in every member his role in the community and the nation.
First in our drive is to have a strong membership which means, the so-called talibans — whoever they are — will have to go. Director and club past president Ruben Rivera will have his hands full in this drive. We don’t think it’s a tough one because if we try to plumb their feelings, 98 percent of our membership would want their club clean and free of a very few scoundrels. We’ve asked VP Jun Velasco, a past National Press Club director, to head the education committee. He and executive director Ging Cardinoza are abreast of the latest trends in journalism.
Our executive vice president Ashok Vasandani, who writes for Patrima president Lelia Chua Sy’s Northern Times weekly, has been very helpful in keeping the club in top financial health, and club treasurer Ike Palinar, a past president, is taking EVP’s challenge a fine opportunity. Club live-wire Orly Navarro, also a past president, topnotcher in the board election (“papaano dalawa ang kabayo,“) will help mobilize reforms in the broadcast side.
Our secretary Rhee Fer Hortaleza, also a past president, was overheard sighing “whew!” after our maiden board meeting because we’ve accomplished so much in so short 2-hour meeting.
Vice President for print, Raul “Ensyung” Tamayo, also a past president, a great singing and cultural talent would play a major role in our induction slated at the LNU gym, right after our oath taking in with President Pnoy in Malacanang very soon.
We thank past presidents Ruel Camba and Charles Tabayoyong, leaders of the “opposition,” for keeping democracy alive. Their partner, immediate past club secretary Andy Estrada, and immediate past president Allan Sison, for helping the new leadership clear up the records of the past.
Allan has been very supportive, and we thank him sincerely for that. We feel another past president, Jess Perez, now club auditor, and incoming directors Macky Delgado and Manny Celso are more than excited to share their wisdom in ensuring the success of the new administration. Jess, why don’t you ask Belen to give us an hour-long meet the press forum every week?
By the way, topnotch journalists Rod Rivera, also a pp, former Mayor and Board Member Nestor Pulido, also a pp, and former Philippine Graphic editor Cesar Carpio have been asked by Jun V to run a proposed club bulletin.
By the way, did you notice that most of our officers have served the club as past presidents. Now, it can be told. Even without spending campaign funds, our powerhouse team easily led us to victory in the polls.
We wish to announce too that Sunday Punch correspondent Phil Celi, past secretary general of the national YMCA, is Ging’s deputy.
Again, salamat ed suporta.
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