By Eva C. Visperas

 

IT happened a few months ago when out of the blue, us covering the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office’s activities were asked to form a new press corps by the police big bosses. We wondered why since there had been previous PNP corps some years back.

In two days, a meeting was set online and off we elected our officers, led by our president, Hilda Austria of the Philippines News Agency. We thought it was just for the heck of it then let it slumber, as in the past.

We had our formal induction with Vice Gov. Mark Lambino as our guest while police chiefs from different towns and cities, as well as PPPO officials led by P/Col. Jeff Fanged, police director, attended in full force.

Then next we had our courtesy visit to P/BGen Lou Evangelista, regional director of Police Regional Office 1 in his office in Camp Oscar Florendo in San Fernando City, La Union. Evangelista, a fellow Pangasinense who hails from Binmaley town, who presented his vision and mission for the Ilocos Region to us.

Thanks to the initiative of P/Col. Jeff, there was a shoot-for-a-cause event among responsible gun enthusiasts whose  proceeds were to support PNP Press Corps projects.

In the middle of May, a meeting was set in Dagupan with P/Col. Jeff in attendance and a few police officers. It was a fruitful discussion as projects of the press corps. were laid down for one quarter.

The first one was successful. It was a visit to our fellow former Pangasinan newsmen who selflessly served in the broadcast industry for a long time but physical challenges forced them to take a long leave of absence from the airwaves.

It was both a happy and sad reunion for us. We reached out Annie Daoana, Jessie Perez, and Cesar Mendoza, they who suffered physical challenges while pursuing their mission in media.

Despite the hectic media work, Dada, Violy Ferrer (Aksyon Radyo), Susan Yadao and Liway Yparraguirre of DWIZ, Yolanda Sotelo (Inquirer) and this storyteller from Sunday PUNCH, plus Alex Navarro of Aksyon Radyo who’s like a bunso in the group of mommas in media, took time out to visit Tita Annie, Kuya Jesse, and Kuya Cesar in their homes last week.

We were joined by PCapt Brenda Maure, PEMS Jose dela Cruz Jr, PCMS Maricel Perreras, PSMS Malou Cabico and CCpl Mark Angelo Sabado who were sent by Col. Jeff to assist us.

I must say “the secret operation” to surprise our sick colleagues was a success.. We “raided” them in their hone. They were unprepared, caught off-guard when we arrived one by one.

These popular radio storytellers have their beautiful stories to tell about their career, the memories they created during their active broadcast service, the friendships formed, and the lessons learned.

The grateful tears that formed in their eyes on seeing media colleagues again and visiting them in their homes, provide one happy, eternal remembrance. After all, the feeling of being forgotten while in denial of what befell them, helplessness, loneliness, pain in different aspects made them feel vulnerable and alone.

They were once super active like us only to find themselves isolated and alone because of lingering illnesses! That is surely a painful chapter in any media practitioner’s life.

Thanks to the special bonding that the PNP Press Corps officers and members, we managed to share pure love, joy, care, and brotherhood with our fellows, to make them know they are missed, and loved. We could tell they appreciated the surprise visits.

Thanks to our PNP friends who unselfishly and willingly extended a helping hand to people in need, including our own brothers and sister in Pangasinan media.

It’s a great feeling to make a difference in someone’s life and let them feel it while they still can.

Let’s continue to create a supportive environment and stay connected.

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