Journalists’ obvious edge

By Gonzalo Duque

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We overheard a chismis regarding our having been president of the Pangasinan Press Club and for how long? Ok, we said, dapat na mag-reorganized na ang club.

                  Those of you who have followed the press club event must be having thoughts, ano ba ang pakay ni Attorney Gonz na mag-president sa club na yan?

                  We’d like to say this. Even before the imposition of Martial Law in 1972, we were already writing a column in the defunct The Courier. The name of our column was “Dialogue.”

Panay katapangan ang mga sinusulat natin. Kamuntik nang na-libel tayo, but most of those who got hit by our hard-hitting pen and fiery prose knew our noble and good intentions.

We were merely tackling the burning issues for the sake of enlightening the public.

We used to kid our brothers and sisters who are all doctors. You know, we said, “talo tayo ng mga dyarista, yes, the print media people especially, kasi they are able to communicate to the entire world what they think, believe and feel!”

Dito na lang sa Punch, whenever we go abroad, one or two or more of our US-based kababayan would approach us and said they were reading our column. Yang mga columns ni Ermin, Al, ayon, ni Jun Velasco – bakit nga raw wala na siyang column? We said Jun is with a new paper.

What we mean is this, journalism career is something great! Let’s salute Sunday Punch founder, the late Ermin Garcia Sr., oh, yes, his buddies, the late Bayardo Estrada, Joe N Fermill, Hugo Estrada, Manny Cornel, Resty Basa, Manong Rod Rivera, they all started this industry in the province.  Where are they now? They must be in the pantheon of great journalists out there in God’s country! Ha?? Rod Rivera and Resty Basa are still around?

Sorry, nagco-column pa si Manong Rod sa Capitol Post? Sorry, we heard Resty is sickly and confined at Region 1 Medical Center?

Thanks, Jess Garcia for the info, Manong Resty daw is confined at the government hospital.  He must be in his 80’s now!!!

We remember these stout and admirable souls because they chose a career that is hardly income-generating.  No we don’t want to say they are poor, but their adherence to a career which is other-centered, upholding values, truth, info or news and views, hindi ba very impeccable yan?

                  Hindi makasarili, that’s it! And we saw this character very starkly when we have interactions  more closely. There’s Ging Cardinoza, Ding Micua, Rhee Fer Hortaleza, Yolly Sotelo, Eva Visperas, Liezel Basa, Jaime Aquino, the late Bhen Fer Hortaleza, Josie Lolarga (where is she now?), the late Rosie Concepcion… nakakataba ng puso, if you think about those others-oriented people!

You, too, must have experienced this: when you encounter an exciting experience anywhere, your first impulse is to share or relate it to someone… well, it’s the journalist or writer who can fill that vacuum, right?

Yon ngang mga super yaman na kaibigan natin na panay nag-aabroad…e, for what?  Just to indulge their selves? Para saan? Enjoy nga sila, but for what? Self-gratification lang! But if they were journalists, they can share their observations and make the world happier and better informed, hindi ba, Boss Ermin?

Salute them, journalists! May their tribe increase!

*   *   *

                  NOTES: Naging tourist spot iyong Paseo Belen a! The last time we were there, we saw how attractive it was, and how it magnetized people from all over! Hooray, Mayor Belen Fernandez!!!

                  Kuya Cesar will have a sentimental get together reunion with his elementary school classmates at the Dagupan City West Central Elementary School on Jan. 7 at Mang Peping Restaurant at 6 p.m.

                  Their class reunion will have a mass at St. John Cathedral at 6 a.m. Coordinator is his omnipresent classmate Molly Reyes!

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