SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
‘A fulfilling, noble journey with staff, readers and partners’ The Inquirer story for the last 32 years is not just about beating deadlines and closing pages. President and CEO Sandy Prieto-Romualdez shares her insights. I-2
STAYING TRUE @
I-2
S I N C E
Inquirer president and CEO Sandy Prieto-Romualdez links arms with (from left) GMA 7’s COO Gilberto Duavit, GMA 7 chair and CEO Felipe Gozon, PLDT-SMART boss Manny Pangilinan and GMA 7 news anchor Mike Enriquez after forging a partnership for the coverage of the 2013 elections. —ANDREW TADALAN
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
An advocate of reading, Sandy regularly joins the paper’s read-along sessions. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
‘A FULFILLING, NOBLE JOURNEY WITH STAFF, READERS AND PARTNERS’ FROM I-1 Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez President and CEO Dear readers, This year marks an important milestone, for the newspaper and also for me, because it’s been 25 years since I joined the Inquirer. I still remember as if it were only yesterday the first year I spent in the Inquirer immersing myself in the different parts of the operations. Those were hectic but highly exciting years spent in the two-story wood and concrete building on UN Avenue. I was so overwhelmed by everyone’s dedication and commitment to serve our readers’ thirst for information and truth. The staff spent each long day trying to ensure we had a paper that served our readers with passion. On my first year 25 years ago, our family felt welcomed and was drawn immediately to the passion of the mission: to be a catalyst for social progress and change. The Philippine Daily Inquirer has had 32 years of growth, heretofore unimagined, as well as challenges, and the enviable opportunity to contribute to the Filipino well-being. It is, therefore, with full gratitude that we celebrate this milestone, a sense of heartwarming gratitude that I am now trying to put in words. As we celebrate our 32nd year, I am deeply honored to have been part of it, part of a country’s heritage and commitment to help alle-
STAY TRUE TO BE FIRST, FAIR, AND FEARLESS Inquirer president and CEO Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, board chair Marixi R. Prieto and Trans-Radio Broadcasting Corp. and Inquirer.net president Paolo Prieto join reporters and staff during the relaunching of the Louies Inquirer Journalism Excellence Awards in March this year. The Louies is in honor of the late Inquirer president Louie Prieto.—PAUL R. AUTOR viate the plight of the disadvantaged, to help the country hurdle its natural and man-made obstacles, and to help advance the ideals of democracy. We have stood side by side with you through the many challenges, and you with us. It was so touching when a 10-yearold reader wrote us during the ad boycott—“Here is 20 pesos. I’m giving you half of my birthday gift to start a fund for press freedom, so you can continue to write.” Another time, a reader would buy
Sandy and then Philippine National Railways general manager Junio Ragragio try one of the PNR coaches after signing an agreement to distribute Inquirer Libre to passengers of the train company in December 2010.
five copies every time they would take a trip so they could share the newspaper on board. My heart fills with joy when people approach me to say that Inquirer has helped them grow or has been of help somehow in their lives. We try to write about understanding each other and about finding solutions. Someone once told me she was grateful to the Inquirer because, after reading our article about Alzheimer’s disease, she was able to understand better her grandmother. I am grateful for all the partnerships we’ve built in efforts to respond to the needs of the communities devastated by natural disasters and calamities. Notable among these were the Inquirer’s role in the multisectoral response to El Niño, called Tabang Mindanao, and later on in our joint efforts with you our readers, advertisers and suppliers to help the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” I am very proud of the culture of volunteerism we have nurtured in the Inquirer—employee volunteers to teach, to serve the community. For instance, an Inquirer program that runs on volunteerism is the multi-awarded read-along. We express gratitude also to our dealers and advertisers whose trust in and support for us have been amazing. It feels wonderful to see them on their path to achieving their goals, with the
help of Inquirer. Recently, some dealers related very touching testimonies, such as those who have been able to send their children to good schools and those who have been able to build homes, owing to their partnership with the newspaper. The same holds true for our advertisers. Many of them started with us—with one-fourth size, black-andwhite ad, that simple. Now their businesses have grown and are into yearlong plans, with strategic marketing goals at that. We and our partners have gone on this journey together, long and circuitous sometimes, but it’s been a fulfilling and noble journey. That we never missed an issue is, to me, simply amazing in itself. We grew from a newspaper to a multiplatform brand, from an audience of 300,000 to an audience reach of 30 million and growing across print, online, mobile, social, chat apps, OOH and broadcast platforms—an incredible stride we now acknowledge with gratitude and unwavering commitment to stay true to the Inquirer’s mission to tell the Filipino story, with honesty and courage, and to the level of excellence. I thank all who have been part of Inquirer the past 32 years. Thank you to all the Inquirers. You will always be in my heart in our journey as one. INQ
Marixi R. Prieto Board Chair Philippine Daily Inquirer On the occasion of the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s 32nd anniversary, I would like to congratulate the men and women of the organization for their unwavering passion and commitment to excellent journalism. We attribute our success to our readers, advertisers, dealers and partners for being magnanimous in their support. Throughout the 32 years, we have striven to reinvent ourselves, even adopting radical changes in our newspaper to be more relevant to you. We are fully aware of the change in the way people consume news—in how fast and viral it travels and in the way people engage and interact with news. Because of this reality, we changed from a single platform to different platforms so that readers can engage with us wherever they are and whenever they want it. But even with all the changes, we have stayed true to be first, fair, fearless. Whatever the platform, we always draw our strength from our commitment to empower Filipinos with information that will enable them to be touched, moved and inspired to take positive action. INQ
A PROSPECT IN THE FUTURE
DIGITAL MEDIA REVOLUTION FOR TRANSFORMATION By Danilo S. Venida Contributor Social media has set a fast clip against which institutional media must redefine its role. Traditional journalism in institutional media, where practitioners work with established rules and protocols for responsibility and accountability, continues to be besieged. Anyone can access and communicate “anything and everything” in the cyberage platform for a 24/7-and-beyond exposure, until deleted. The foundation of the trimedia—print/radio-audio/TV-video—has essentially been uprooted. The question is existential: Institutional media must respond to the challenge or hold its peace. Fake news, alternative facts, post-truth, exaggerated views and “foul-mouth” opinions or sheer lies and propaganda cannot be allowed to rule cy-
berspace. Institutional media practitioners must provide the capability for effective factchecking and responsible reporting. The challenge is formidable, and to not take it on is a cop-out. Various interest groups will always work to destroy the credibility of the “mainstream media” for their own agendas. Bloggers have become opinion and news bearers and are extensively present in the Web. They are active in Facebook and Twitter, Google and Yahoo, Instagram, Viber and WhatsApp. YouTube is a popular platform. Their following is monitored as a measure of their reach as information medium. It used to be just circulation for print and ratings for radio/TV. Today, hits make the difference. Presence in the cyberplatform is thus imperative. Developing the business model is the
big challenge. At the end of the day, there must be a market that will pay for the cost of providing the service. Advertising is the bread and butter of the media business. Diversifying the revenue pie will be the only way to sustain the venture. The most vulnerable among the trimedia at this time is print. Circulation has been the hardest hit in the digital regime. Radio and TV continue to keep their markets although the accelerated development of smart gadgets is forcing them to revisit their business models, too. There is no time to spare in keeping up with technology shifts in the communication infrastructure. Print must take on the digital challenge and decisively go digital. This is the only sustainable option. And the bottomline of going digital is to make institutional media a dominant
force once again in the reporting of factual news, fact-checking dubious reports, advocating well-argued views, and providing a platform for all points of view. Institutional media is called to be responsive to the dynamism in the communications world. And traditional print embracing the digital platform is the path going forward. Yet, the print edition cannot be totally set aside up to an undetermined turning point. Otherwise, the print identity is thrown out for the new venture. There is still a print market today, albeit on its way out. Presence in print, though the core is digital, can work on this traditional market and carry this segment in the transition. This can be a niche. The digital media revolution must happen. And the revolution is called in both form and
substance that will trigger a fundamental transformation in Philippine society. Strategic communication is the potent force available to institutional media to be able to reach out to every Filipino and various stakeholders, and initiate opportunities to make real change happen. The media are a very strong positive force, as well as a very strong negative force. It is time for the positive to overwhelm the negative. On Dec. 9, 1985, the Philippine Daily Inquirer Inc. printed and circulated its first issue. After 32 years, its majority ownership will change hands once again, for the fifth time. Originally, its structure was corporate but owned by its employees. The founders believed that it should be a media organization that could be spared the control of vested interests like business, politics and the gov-
ernment if the employees owned it. But it was not meant to be. The resource demands to sustain the business became too much for the employees to meet. Yet the editorial thrust continued from the time of its inception. The Inquirer identity has remained intact. But the pressure to play ball with society’s dynamic forces must be very strong. Today, as in 1985, the challenge continues: Develop and create a truly independent media organization whose only agenda will be societal transformation in freedom, for the benefit of all. The Filipino deserves no less.
Danilo S. Venida (danilosvenida@gmail. com) is a former president of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and now a business consultant.
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
Oct. 9, 2016
Dec. 29, 2016
I2-5
19 8 5
Feb. 18, 2017
February 26, 2017
Pages that talk, tell stories Some of the best designed pages of the Inquirer as compiled by the Art Department
Nov. 13, 2016
Oct. 16, 2016
May 7, 2017
STAYING TRUE @
I2-6
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
Pages that talk, tell stories FROM I2-5
Dec. 25, 2016
Nov. 6, 2016
Oct. 16, 2016
Jan. 29, 2017
Oct. 29, 2017
Oct. 9, 2016
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I3-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
No pity: That ‘Pieta’ drug war photo they tried to put down By Volt Contreras Metro Editor
A
s time passed, it became clearer that we were not just documenting for the story, but that our hopeful aim was for these photographs to serve as evidence to these crimes in the future.” This was how former Inquirer photographer Raffy Lerma would close a PowerPoint presentation on how he and his fellow “nightcrawlers” in the media have been covering President Duterte’s deadly war on drugs, where his camera has captured scenes like these:
I3-4
The killers of this man whose head was wrapped in duct tape had the time to draw a cartoonish face on the victim.
Police secure the site of a drug bust that left the suspect dead on Lapu-Lapu Street in Northbay Boulevard South, Navotas City. —PHOTOS BY RAFFY LERMA
Two photos taken of the July 23, 2016, shooting of pedicab driver Michael Olayres in Pasay CIty. The one on the right made it to the Inquirer front page as an iconic depiction of the drug war’s brutality that preyed mostly on the poor.
STAYING TRUE @
I3-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
DISTURBED, DESENSITIZED
1 1/2 years, 110 stories, 241 bodies By Jodee A. Agoncillo @jagoncilloINQ
tive as she held back tears. Despite our best efforts to cover all aspects of the crime and interview as many sources as we could, it can be very frustrating to see some of our compelling stories reduced to a few paragraphs as news briefs, the slain victims now mere statistics because of limited newspaper space.
M
y cell phone crashed. That’s after a year and a half of keeping hundreds of photos and videos of crime scenes and of bodies lying on the street or in coffins. My record keeping began in June last year after President Duterte took office. As a reporter on the Metro desk, I covered the President’s war on drugs, and the job took me to slums and funeral parlors in Eastern Manila, Rizal, Bulacan and Quezon City, where I visited wakes and listened to the stories of orphans and widows. At the start, I reported about interventions made by the local governments—from community rehabilitation programs like Zumba and Bible study sessions to self-enhancement seminars for drug surrenderers that concluded with the singing of “Bawal na Gamot.” Bodies piled up The light-hearted stories soon turned dreadful as the number of killings carried out by motorcycle-riding gunmen or by police officers in “legitimate operations” reached as many as seven a day. I will always remember the death of 53-year-old drug user Jose “Pepe Smith” Aldon. People outside the “drug den” were crying as we reporters covering the afternoon buybust operation in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City, were waiting for the head of the Eastern Police District Special Reaction Unit to signal us to go in. Aldon had been shot in the chest and right arm in an alleged shootout with police officers. He was still alive, though barely moving, as two police officers carried him like a pig to an ambulance. Later, the police announced that he was pronounced dead
A suspected drug pusher lies dead near Parañaque River after a drug sting on Jan. 13, 2017. —PHOTOS BY RICHARD A. REYES on arrival (DOA) at the hospital. Unlike other journalists covering the war on drugs, I chased stories only in daytime, talking to the families of the victims, inspecting the crime scenes and scrutinizing the police reports. Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula, Eastern Police District director, allowed reporters to see the police reports, but these did not always tell the whole story. Lapses Sometimes there were lapses. Reynaldo Ramirez, for instance, was recorded killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Mandaluyong. I looked for his house and found out he was alive. The man who was slain was another barangay worker in the area. There were incomplete police reports, prompting reporters to go to the places where the killings happened to
Investigators mark the crime scene where Christina Padual and her boyfriend were shot dead by masked gunmen in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, on March 4, 2017. dig up information, usually to verify the claim in the reports that the victims were drug pushers who put up resistance. The killings carried out by motorcycle-riding gunmen usually happened in poorly lighted
alleys in slum communities and, surprisingly, without barangay officials or police seeing the killers. Police and paramedics would arrive later, taking the victims to public hospitals,
where they would be pronounced DOA. The bodies were usually taken by Funeraria Quiogue, the government-accredited funeral parlor in Pasig City and Mandaluyong City. For lack of money, the families of most of the victims of unknown gunmen would refuse medical examination of the bodies. Others would stop cooperating with the police, saying “nothing would happen.” “Why him?” “Why kill?” were the questions I often heard from the families of the victims, who referred to them as “surrenderers starting to change,” “users whose first Zumba dance were their last” or “mistaken for somebody else.” Others had accepted death as the fate of victims who had been conquered by drug addiction. “But why 23 shots? Isn’t that overkill?” asked one rela-
Heartbreaking scenes Seeing the same scenes of blood and death and hearing the same narrative and plea for justice from relatives every day soon desensitized me. But seeing suddenly orphaned children staring at their parents in their coffins always broke my heart. Some of them would describe their slain parents as “just sleeping.” “Bea,” 8, pleaded for her mother’s life when armed men barged into their house in Barangay Malanday, Marikina City, in February. “Please, have mercy! Don’t!” she told one of the men who seized the head of her mother, who was then cradling a baby. But the man ignored her pleas and shot her mother in the mouth. Death came to the victims without warnings. Some were killed while eating, driving a tricycle, watching television or selling candies on a sidewalk. There were couples, siblings, parents and children killed together. I reported their stories, but there were stories that I could not write because the families feared for their lives. Outlet In my beat, minors are casualties too, like Emmanuel Lorica, a high school student from Eusebio High School who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while sleeping inside an evacuation center, and a 17-year-old who was playing the guitar when
I3-4
CHALLENGES OF DRUG WAR COVERAGE
WHEN QC BECAME A BATTLEGROUND By Jhesset O. Enano @JhessetEnanoINQ When I began as a reporter for the Inquirer three months after President Duterte launched the campaign against illegal drugs, there was a sense among the police and other journalists that the killings might be waning. In fact it wasn’t. Five people, sometimes 10, were still being killed each night in my “battleground,” Quezon City. The largest city in the Metro is home to over 3 million. It is fertile ground for the President’s war, but his words only took deadly form in the city’s slums, not inside its gated communities. My more aggressive colleagues chased every body bag that came out of the shanty neighborhoods at night. I wanted to find the victims to learn more about them and I could do that only during daytime, when the emotional exhaustion that accompanied the previous night’s bloodshed had eased somewhat. My search always led me to grieving children, mothers, fathers, siblings, wives and husbands, who were left to ask: Why did it have to be like this? There was “Mary,” the widow, and her seven children in Barangay Bagong Silangan, one of the city’s poorest districts. Her husband, “Joseph,” was killed after he allegedly shot it out with the police one midday in August. Mary said her husband was shot from behind, the bullet punching a hole through one of his fingers before smashing his brains, suggesting that he had
Children view the bodies of two men and a woman killed by unidentified gunmen in a shanty in Barangay Old Balara, Quezon City, on March 29, 2017. —RICHARD REYES placed his hands behind his head in submission before he was killed. Through a hole in the wall, the couple’s 7-year-old son, “Julius,” saw his father kneeling on the floor with his hands behind his head, pleading for his life as the police aimed their guns at him. The boy probably heard me asking his mother how Joseph was killed. Without any prompting from me or Mary, he suddenly reenacted his father’s last moments. Hands behind his head, he knelt and closed his eyes. Just as suddenly, he sprang up and rushed out of the house to join his playmates, oblivious to the implication of what he just dramatized.
The scene that Julius had depicted has haunted me since. It later dawned on me that I had met several Marys and Juliuses and the loss of their loved ones in such a brutal manner was the common thread that ran through all their stories. I had early on recognized a pattern in the official police reports about their antidrug operations, especially the buy-busts. They read like scripts for a deadly real life drama: police pose as drug buyers; the dealers “sense” a set up; suspects draw guns and try to escape; a firefight erupts; officers defend themselves; suspects fall dead. Autopsy reports—if reporters were fortunate to gain access to them—indicated the
suspected “drug personalities” were shot at close range, in the head or the chest. The police reports told strikingly different stories from the accounts of relatives of victims of the drug war. Many times I would challenge myself: Whose version should I believe? I knew, however, that my stories should cover different sides. But the greatest challenge for me was how to remind readers that lives had been lost in this war of annihilation—not insignificant numbers that were inserted in a statistical report. A year since I began reporting on crime and local government affairs, I remain fortunate that the Quezon City Police District has been transparent, al-
lowing me access to information for my stories. The police records listed over 550 homicide victims in what were considered “deaths under investigation” and more than 360 people killed by police in the antidrug campaign since July 2016. The records, if for nothing else, show that these were not “isolated cases.” Comparing those figures with the official nationwide death toll of close to 4,000 killed by the police shows that Quezon City had contributed a big number of casualties to this war on drugs. After a year on the beat, I have heard many stories and saw the impact of the antidrug drive firsthand. In one afternoon drug raid by the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, I witnessed people so struck by fear that they scurried away at the sight of the raiders and got out of their way. They were people who lived in shanties that were separated from each other by thin plywood boards or flimsy tarpaulins. They had no permanent jobs and survived mostly on one meal a day. With no regular income, Mary often fed her seven children instant pancit canton that she took from her ramshackle store. When he was alive, Joseph added his earnings as a barker at a jeepney terminal to raise their children. When I visited Bagong Silangan last month, I learned that Mary had gone to work overseas, leaving Julius and her younger children to the care of their elder siblings. The bullet
that struck Joseph also tore his family apart. My reports were not all blood and gore. There were also stories of redemption. One was about Kuya Ronnie, a former drug dependent who had also peddled “shabu” (crystal meth). Now, he works with the Church to lead others away from illegal drugs. There were brave mothers and wives who took their sons’ and husbands’ cases to court, seeking justice. Despite the legal system being stacked against them, they have persisted. It is in these stories that I find hope, as a human being and a journalist, that justice will be served to the victims whose lives were ended so early, so brutally. In this war where the number of deaths has quickly risen to an unprecedented scale, children seem to be the worst affected in the aftermath of the shots that felled their parents or siblings, the smeared reputations of their dead loved ones and the uncertainty of their future. Covering any war is never easy. It is even more difficult knowing the effects of this particular one will outlive its leading advocate. I wish reporters would always find the courage to tell the stories that need to be told. As a young journalist, I can only hope that my stories would help paint real faces and raise the pained voices to the staggering death toll, and that my readers would think of the Marys and Juliuses left behind by this war. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I3-3
19 8 5
My baptism of fire By Krixia Subingsubing @kasubingsubing
T
here were no more hogtied, cardboard-bearing bodies dumped on the sidewalk, nor wholesale killings of suspects in drug dens when I came onboard the Inquirer as a rookie reporter. I missed the height of the drug war’s carnage that many of my colleagues had seen earlier before raiding teams started bringing the bodies to hospitals to shut down the crime scene. My exposure to the drug war is better measured not in scale but in concentrated doses. During my first three weeks covering Camanava (the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela), three teenage deaths rocked the nation: those of Kian Loyd delos Santos, 17; Carl Arnaiz, 19; and Reynaldo de Guzman, 14. Kian and Carl’s stories fell on my lap as the areas where their bodies were found are in Camanava. Both were killed after allegedly resisting arrest and shooting it out with the Caloocan police—Kian on Aug. 17, Carl on Aug. 18. Their deaths were the result of the “OneTime, Big-Time” police operations that killed at least 80 drug suspects across Metro Manila and Bulacan in one week. Slew of evidence Their cases were crucial in that they marked the first real turning point in Mr. Duterte’s brutal crusade. Unlike other drug-related deaths that police easily dismissed as “under investigation” or vigilante killings, these two cases bore an overwhelming slew of evidence against the police: security footages, eye witnesses and forensic examination results. All that surfaced, thanks to the relentless efforts of media
The drug war found a young victim in Caloocan City—Grade 12 student Kian delos Santos—whose burial on Aug. 26, 2017, was marked with renewed public outrage over police abuses. —LYN RILLON
to go beyond the official explanation of the police involved. Otherwise, Kian and Carl would have become mere statistics in the drug war. I learned early on that it takes very little to take authorities at their word; digging out the truth, however, takes painstaking effort. In my case, it meant hurdling a lot of obstacles: Hitchhiking on four different occasions to get to Kian’s house because I kept getting lost. Wading through ankle-deep floods to leave Kian’s wake. Getting from Caloocan to Cainta—no mean distance—to get interviews on Carl. Walking up and down Rose Street for an hour, looking for the home of Caloocan cabbie Tomas Bagcal, a crucial witness in Carl’s case, only to find out that there are two such streets in Camanava, and I happened to be in the one near the Valenzuela border. Helplessness The exhaustion is nothing compared to my feeling of helplessness while listening to Kian’s and Carl’s parents. How
The wake of Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman, the 14-year-old from Cainta, Rizal, who was found with more than 20 stab wounds in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, on Sept. 5. —RICHARD A. REYES does one ask them, in the midst of their grief, if they thought their sons were indeed drug pushers? As reporters, we are required to keep a safe emotional distance from those we cover, but I would be lying if I said that seeing them cry over their sons’ caskets did not affect me in the slightest. I remember the night I first met Kian’s mother, Lorenza,
who had rushed back from Riyadh on Aug. 18 upon hearing that her son had been killed. Her voice was hoarse from being interviewed so many times and her eyes swollen from reliving Kian’s death again and again. Yet she willingly told me many things about Kian: about how he loved kidding around, how he had sheepishly asked for a bike, how he bragged about
the two-point increase in his grades. It’s knowing these little intimate bits about Kian that helped guide my research from start to finish, and I am thankful to Nanay Lorenza for sharing them with me. Carl’s story hit closer to home because like me, he was from the University of the Philippines (UP). He was a fellow Iskolar ng Bayan. His dreams—of passing the UP College Admission Test and graduating to serve the country—were also mine. His family and friends all say Carl was a bright young man, so I needed to understand how he fell victim to this grim campaign. Jarring realities Kian’s and Carl’s cases were undoubtedly big stories and I was fortunate to have covered them both. But I hate referring to their stories as my baptism by fire. It sounds dangerously simplistic, like they were mere bylines to earn rather than jarring realities that far outlive the news cycle.
What I am sure of is that I will be forever humbled and haunted by their stories. They may only be two among the thousands killed in the drug war, but they helped spark a consciousness whose blaze was much bigger than themselves. My only regret is I have lent them the eyes and ears of a novice. There are many things in the course of my research into their cases that I would have done differently. I’m still learning to be a better reporter. But if I had been able to contribute anything to fill in the gaps in their narratives, then I am honored. To date, however, the killings have not stopped. While the agents have changed, the victims have not. The only way to put an end to this long nightmare, it seems, is to treat every death like that of another Kian or Carl. If only every person slain was granted the same vigilance and effort given these young men, there is no doubt we’d uncover the grisly props enabling this war. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
I3-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
Some thoughts on how the Inquirer should meet the rising darkness By Jose Ma. D. Nolasco Executive Editor (Editor’s Note: Following is the speech—with some modifications— that the executive editor delivered during a meeting with editors and reporters on May 25, 2017.)
I
t has been a most trying time—especially these past two months—for the Inquirer under the Duterte administration. To borrow a line from “The Last Jedi,” darkness rises . . . and light to meet it. Like major newspapers the world over which are reeling from the collapse of the old business model, the Inquirer continues to struggle with a steady decline in revenue brought about by the mass migration of readers and advertisers alike from print to digital platforms. And, as if rebuilding a sizeable base of paying subscribers and seeking new revenue streams in a rapidly changing media landscape were not challenging enough, we’ve also had to cope with a President who keeps lashing out at what he claims is our dishonest, inaccurate and biased news reporting. This has shifted our focus from our strategy, goals and objectives to the burning question in our newsroom today: How do we deal with a populist strongman who seems bent on rubbing us out? Do we oppose or appease him? Do we just roll over and play dead hoping he’ll leave us alone in peace? Do we just whistle in the dark trying to convince ourselves that his rants and taunts are nothing more than ridiculous statements that shouldn’t be taken seriously? Here are my thoughts on this most urgent concern of our editors, reporters and other Inquirer colleagues. My thoughts are based on the Inquirer experience in dealing with Presidents
so call him out on his serious but unsubstantiated charges against certain people through rigorous fact-checking. As we continue to challenge his stand that he can’t do anything but bow to China’s might and power, we shall keep on reminding him of his sworn duty to defend Philippine territory.
the past 32 years and on the best practices of world-class media organizations in dealing with Mr. Duterte’s kindred spirits like Donald Trump. No. 1 rule of engagement First of all, we shall disprove what the President has been saying about the Inquirer with what we’ve been actually doing in practice. We shall deal with the Duterte administration in accordance with the Inquirer mission, vision, values and tradition. We shall cover the President as we had covered his predecessors in Malacañang: We shall remain fearless but fair, accurate, impartial and balanced. This shall be our No.1 rule of engagement with him—and this shall also apply to everyone else we cover. The President, for his part, has decided to engage us in a hostile way. Tough luck, guys. That’s his choice, and that’s his right. No less than our American counterparts conceded as much in their open letter to Trump. In the same letter, American journalists also acknowledged that the US Constitution—on which our own Constitution is patterned after—protects press freedom, but it doesn’t dictate how the President must abide by that provision. For our part, however, we shall persevere in reaching out and explaining to our own President through various channels that we are neither the enemy nor the opposition party. A higher standard of civility Whenever the President spews out expletives at us in his press conferences and his trolls curse us on social media, we will refrain from using gutter language in responding to them in our Facebook or Twitter accounts. Let’s not vent in public whatever ill-feelings we harbor inside us. As Inquirer journalists, we hold ourselves to
Jose Ma. D. Nolasco a higher standard of civility. (As I had texted a fellow journalist recently: In social media, there is no Juan de la Cruz the private person, only Juan de la Cruz the Inquirer reporter.) Better still, let’s stay away from petty fights and just ignore nasty comments; no reply is the best reply in such situations. Even so, we shall listen to what our readers have to say about our news coverage and engage them in intelligent discussion—unsullied from the mud. This way, we steer clear of mudslinging and elevate the quality of the public debate on important issues. We shouldn’t get intimidated or distracted from important stories, particularly the President’s pronouncements on major policies and positions on controversial issues. Rigorous fact-checking But even as we strive to get the President’s message across, we shall al-
Comprehensive, proportional In living up to our role as an independent monitor of power and as a citizens’ watchdog, let’s not be too negative in our coverage of the President. We shall report not only on his administration’s failures but also its successes. As much as possible, we shall do breaking news and/or do a front-page remat should he make a big announcement even at an ungodly hour. As we try to be comprehensive and proportional in our news coverage given our limited print space, let’s give the most value to our readers—not just click-bait for eyeballs on the web. We shall focus on what interests our readers and provide balance to the information they want with the information they need to make better life decisions. Let’s strive to make the significant interesting by producing first-rate work in different categories of journalism, focusing on exclusive content such as investigative, explanatory and special reports; excellent feature writing, grabbing infographics, outstanding photography, etc. Cutting edge journalism Recently, we launched the Inquirer Journalism Awards, nicknamed the Louies. Let’s give our all-out support to this key component of our new content strategy aimed at creating a viable business model. We intend to produce
more cutting edge journalism in the Duterte era. Even as certain sinister forces seek to cut our link with the public, we shall strengthen our ties with our readers through great journalism. Early this year, we received four international awards in news and feature photography. And this month, the Society of Publishers in Asia announced that Inquirer journalists were on its short list of finalists in four award categories this year: excellence in infographics, excellence in photography, best scoop and journalist of the year. Mindful of mistakes Let’s keep raising the quality of our solid reporting by religiously observing the journalism rules spelled out in our Blue Book, particularly the pertinent provisions on verification and the two-source rule. Remember: Every mistake we commit—like a batch of fake photos posted on our Facebook account down to an erroneous photo caption on our front page—bolsters the claim of the President and his die-hard supporters that we churn out nothing but malicious and reckless news with utter disregard for the truth. Even so, we shall acknowledge our errors and correct them promptly. Taking a long view at 32 In this period of great turbulence, uncertainly and disruption, we’re taking a long view. We’ve faced more formidable challenges these past 32 years and, in a testament to our resilience, we’ve always managed to bounce back. In the process, we got to know more who we are and what we are here for. As we’ve chosen the path of light, let’s meet the rising darkness. This, too, shall pass. INQ
NO PITY: THAT ‘PIETA’ DRUG WAR PHOTO THEY TRIED TO PUT DOWN One particular image, which appeared as the main front page photo of the Inquirer Sunday issue on July 24, 2016, has since earned local and international recognition as an iconic depiction of the brutality unleashed in the streets since Mr. Duterte warned that he would fatten the fish in Manila Bay with the bodies of suspected drug users and dealers. The photo shows Jennilyn Olayres cradling the body of her live-in partner, Michael Siaron, shortly after the 30year-old pedicab driver was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Edsa, near the Pasay Rotonda. Near the man’s body is a cardboard left by the killers and scrawled with the words “Pusher ako, wag tularan [I’m a pusher, do not imitate].” Olayres later admitted in media reports that her partner had used drugs but denied that he also peddled them.
happen? she had asked. “The family was never informed that the case had been considered closed, that there were follow-ups made and that there was supposedly this ballistics test,” Lerma said. “It’s so convenient to say ‘case closed,’ but did the family feel that justice was served? ... There were so many doubts. How can you claim to have found answers from people who have been killed?” he added. In his column, Tiglao parroted the police finding and quoted Lerma as having said in an earlier Inquirer story: “It was the third extrajudicial killing of suspected drug pushers that I covered on the graveyard shift last week.”
FROM I3-1
Scene of lamentation Siaron’s case was the third of four deadly shootings that the media covered that night in Pasay alone. But it stood out for having produced, through Lerma’s lens, a scene of lamentation likened to Michelangelo’s “Pieta.” Recalled Lerma: “The moment I saw the (photo) and the banner headline ‘Thou shall not kill,’ and on a Sunday issue at that, I knew it would be powerful. Ang lakas nito!” But while it reaped praise and awards, the photo also drew its share of hecklers and cynics. Among them were netizens who dismissed the nowviral image as “staged” and “the fakest fake news,” according to Manila Times columnist Bobi Tiglao. Mr. Duterte himself said it was too “dramatic.” A day after its publication, the President made reference to the photo in his first State of the Nation Address (Sona), where he told drug suspects not to bother running to priests or human rights defenders for
GRIM VIEW FROM THE TOP The Siaron killing was the third of four fatal shootings covered by the media in one night in Pasay City alone. —RAFFY LERMA succor, for “they can’t stop death.” Said Lerma in a recent Inquirer interview: “I was bothered, of course, for they were attacking not only the photo but also my credibility. I had supposedly hired actors for it and mounted a full production; the lighting (provided mainly by TV news crews who had set up equipment around the cordoned-off crime scene) was supposedly ‘that good.’” Added the photographer who has since been invited to talk about the drug war in media and civil society fora: “Where did that idea come from?! It’s sad that some people would rather spread or believe outright lies instead of looking at the photo and getting the message.” ‘Pity’ Calling the image “a la Pieta’” was not even his idea, Lerma said. The raw caption he submitted to the news desk carried no such labelling. “To be honest, (the shot) actually reminded me more of another photo (with a similar composition) that I took in Mindoro
last year.” But it was still fitting, he said, that his Pasay photo came to be associated with the Italian word for “pity.” Which, unfortunately, was something Lerma never felt in the President’s words when the photo got special mention in his Sona. “I was covering the Sona rally outside when I heard it on the radio,” he said. “I was surprised; I wished he hadn’t said such things because the family (of Siaron) was in mourning and should have been accorded some dignity.” But he had a second reaction, he added: “I knew (then) that the photo was reaching the people it was intended for.” In October this year, Malacañang tried to have the last word both on the photo and the killing it had recorded. “Authorities have put closure on the death of Michael Siaron, whose photo was compared to the Pieta image, after ballistic examination from a recovered firearm revealed that he was killed by a member of a syndicate also involved in the illegal drug trade,” then presi-
dential spokesperson Ernesto Abella declared. The statement came after Pasay City police said they had identified Siaron’s alleged killer as Nesty Santiago, from whom lawmen had supposedly recovered a firearm that was later subjected to a ballistics test. Santiago himself was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Dec. 29, 2016, five months after Siaron’s killing, the police added. The findings on Siaron’s death, Abella said, supported the administration’s claim that drug syndicates were behind many of the killings—that “(drug) traffickers and pushers (were) eliminating each other.” ‘Premature, unfair’ Abella added: “The relentless attribution of such killings to police operations was both premature and unfair to officers who risk life and limb to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs in our society.” Lerma was in New York for some speaking engagements when he got a text message from Siaron’s sister about the Palace statement. How did that
Unexplained killings Tiglao added: “Extrajudicial killing is defined as executions by the police or other state agents of suspected criminals without the sanction of a court.” In response to the columnist, Lerma said in a statement: “I never said Siaron’s killing was perpetrated by police. But I did say that it was a ‘vigilante killing,’ one of the thousands of unexplained killings in the war on drugs. But whether or not he was killed by police or vigilantes, one thing is clear in our country’s current scenario: the number of deaths under the war on drugs is overwhelming. And it does not help that our President promotes and encourages these killings.” Lerma added: “(For) someone who claims to be a ‘seasoned journalist,’ I find it disappointing that Tiglao did not read, or perhaps did not understand, my photo’s caption.” In the interview for this report, Lerma recalled that he also thought of posing a question to the columnist: “Are you still being haunted by the photo? Good.” He added: “The photo continues to be attacked, and in the process Siaron’s case is being discussed again. (But) what is important to me is whether his family really obtained justice.” INQ
1 1/2 YEARS, 110 STORIES, 241 BODIES similarly shot dead. Both were tagged by police as involved in illegal drugs, although witnesses and relatives said their deaths were a case of mistaken identity. While there were morbid stories, there were also comic ones, like that of funeral agents confusing a soap opera shooting with a real-life shooting of drug suspects. The stories can be a heavy burden on one’s shoulder, but writing them served as an outlet for me when I could not share them with my mother who was waging her own battle with cancer back then. The killings by gunmen on motorcycles have also prompted me to be extra alert in my driving, especially when men riding tandem on motorbikes draw close to my car. Covering the drug war has brought on feelings of fear and dread, but also anger and guilt for not having covered the story completely, for missing out details, for being unable to connect the dots, for not finding the answers.
FROM I3-2
110 reports, 241 bodies After one and a half years, I looked at my work and counted 110 reports and 241 bodies. Even with the cooperation of the victims’ relatives, going after the stories had not always been easy and at least one came with a threat to add me to the body count. One afternoon, while chatting with a ranking police official in Eastern Manila about another matter, he suddenly asked with a sneer, “Baka gusto mo nang magpahinga? (Maybe you want to rest by now?).” It was a threat, the senior reporter seated beside me said. The official was apparently irked with my story about a minor killed while sleeping in an evacuation center. But I refused to be intimidated. I had my cell phone fixed. On to the next story. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I3-5
19 8 5
Memories of a bloody Sunday By Aie Balagtas See @ABalagtasSeeINQ
M
y coverage of the war on drugs began on July 3, 2016. It was President Duterte’s third day in office. A Sunday. And what a bloody Sunday it was! I clearly remember how a supposed “bed weather” weekend turned into one of the most emotionally draining work days for me. By the end of the day, eight men lay dead—casualties of the war on drugs—and police resolved what could have been a deadly end to a standoff with an armed rookie officer who ran amok inside the Manila police headquarters. That Sunday began for me interviewing Farida Bonifacio, a lanky teenaged widow whose husband was one of five men killed in just one go in a police operation in Quiapo earlier in the morning. That was my first encounter with that notorious police justification for extreme prejudice called “nanlaban.” Bonnabelle Bonifacio, according to his wife, was fixing their home’s water meter when officers, some in plain clothes, swooped down and shot him. His wife swore he was unarmed. Police said Bonifacio was the target of a “follow up” of an earlier antidrug operation. That should have meant that the antidrug operatives were supposed to know who he was. But long after the smoke had cleared, Manila’s Finest still
A Manila police antidrug operation on July 3, 2016, killed five people, whose bodies were later carried out of a shanty on Arlegui Street in Quiapo. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
listed him as “unidentified.” This pattern of “unidentified” fatalities in police antidrug operations eventually emerged. Some of the targets of undercover operations were identified only after they had been killed. Smiling officer After Farida spoke with investigators about her husband, she and I moved to the lobby of the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters for an interview. An officer, smiling, passed by. Minutes later, this smiling policeman shattered picture frames hanging from the walls of the headquarters. He fired at officers who responded to the commotion and a gunfight erupted as he was chased all around the building. Farida and I sought cover, but in the confusion we got
separated. Members of MPD’s elite SWAT unit were deployed but failed to “neutralize” PO1 Vincent Paul Solares. Fully armed officers couldn’t get near him. It was a real case of “nanlaban.” In the end, Solares surrendered. He was unscathed and fortunately no one was hurt during the 20-minute standoff. It is worth keeping this incident in mind as a backdrop against accounts by relatives of suspected drug offenders who have accused the police of killing their quarries who were asleep or were begging for their lives. The police have defended the officers, saying they just acted in self-defense because their targets fought back—nanlaban. Accusations that Solares went berserk because he had used drugs were quickly hurled
Patterns in police antidrug operations emerged as early as the first month of the Duterte administration
at him by fellow officers and some members of the media without any evidence. Under custody, Solares appeared agitated, restless and anxious, his head moving left and right. Some officers yelled at him: “Palong palo ka (you’re so high)!” “Drug addict ka ’no? Mata pa lang, pulang pula na (You’re a drug addict, right? Your eyes are so red)!” they said. Lucky Others said he was “lucky” his life was spared because “he’s one of us.” To me, it was the first clear picture of how someone could easily brand another a drug user just from that person’s physical appearance. It was also my first time to see how some police officers could decide, just like
that, to spare or take the life of another human being. As it turned out, Solares never used drugs. Instead, he snapped from the bullying of fellow officers from his precinct under Raxabago police station in Tondo. Patterns in police antidrug operations emerged as early as the first month of the Duterte administration. The police spot reports, or the first written accounts of crimes and police response, showed this. They were practically all the same, as if in accordance with a template where one just fills in the blanks. A report about a “buy-bust” operation, a favorite police tactic to apprehend drug suspects, always starts with undercover officers buying “shabu” (crystal meth) from alleged drug dealers, who eventually realize that it is a sting operation. It ends with a shootout that leaves the bad guys dead. The suspects are often killed with shots to the head, and all the police operatives are unharmed. Bloody Sunday That day particularly struck me because of the sheer number of dead bodies that piled up in a matter of hours. On that Sunday, eight people were killed—five gunned down by the police in Quiapo, one in Tondo and two more found dead on Palanca Street, also in Quiapo, tagged with notes saying both were drug pushers. Solares could have been the ninth. And that was in
the city of Manila alone. The next day, the Inquirer headline called it Bloody Sunday. For supporters of the drug war, it was a good day. Since my drug war coverage started last year, I had reported eight dead in one 24-hour period, 14 in another, and a high of 26. Other journalists had reported 32 killed in a “One-Time, BigTime” police operation. And where did we find the casualties? In the slums, of course. Wasn’t it the President himself who said that shabu is “for the poor?” The rich, in their exclusive enclaves like Forbes Park, go for cocaine, heroin or cannabis (marijuana), which are plant derivatives, unlike shabu, which are manufactured from chemicals that “shrink the brain,” he explained to soldiers recently. Seven years ago, a report I wrote was also headlined “Bloody Sunday.” It was about two men who were killed separately in fights that broke out in their families in two cities in Metro Manila. A day that saw two killings in two cities was already considered a “bloody” day then. The body count in the war on drugs continues to rise, but there is a dispute between authorities and human rights advocates over what the real figure is. Someday, we’ll get the credible count—the count that would put human faces to the numbers, not the cold statistics that they are now. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
I-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
Lettyspeak No one in the editorial group typifies this year’s anniversary theme better than the Inquirer’s late editor in chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc. Through her many years at the Inquirer, she remained true and steadfast to the ideals of the paper and its mission to be a pillar of democracy and a watchdog for good governance. Read her thoughts on the subject:
The Inquirer is going to be there for more than a hundred years. It’s going to survive all of us. It’s going to be there for the Philippines, for the world. It’s going to be there, like a pillar of strength.
They say it’s not official if the Inquirer doesn’t come out with it. We’re an agenda-setter until now. It’s different [when it comes out in the Inquirer]. So we have to really keep our noses clean, so that they cannot throw anything at us. I think that’s very basic for our profession that since we throw stones, we should really keep our house in order. We don’t want to be, you don’t want to be, crucified like some politicians are. So you have to live a scrupulously clean life. I mean, it’s necessary for the job.
December 2005
Dec. 9, 2015 PHOTO BY THELMA SAN JUAN
The core values of the Inquirer should stay no matter how it evolves. The core values will have to stay, from generation to generation. I think the Inquirer is an institution now. Dec. 9, 2015
WOMEN ON TOP With Inquirer president and CEO Sandy PrietoRomualdez and chair Marixi Prieto
The core values of the Inquirer should have to stay. We have carried the torch from Edsa I. We have a history. It is a back story of excellence and commitment to democracy, to the public good and public welfare. At the end of the day, those are what we should remember as we invent and reinvent the paper every day. Dec. 9, 2015
I think just my enjoying the work. I think that’s it. I hope that I have infected the entire staff with that. That you enjoy your work because it’s contributing to the people . . . It’s so rewarding, like in the pork barrel scam, you get people to jail. You know, these things I cannot explain. It’s a privilege for me to be in a job like this. You can make a difference, you can make change. Dec. 9, 2015
COOSOME TWOSOME With daughter Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala
ASIAN HEROES. With Inquirer founding chair Eggie Apostol in Time Magazine’s issue on 60 Years of Asian Heroes, 2006.
HAIL TO THE CHIEFS With US President Barack Obama during the 2015 AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation dinner. —THELMA SAN JUAN
There are no men or women in the newsroom, only humans, the better to engage the public emotionally. Sexless in the newsroom works. When it doesn’t, let gut feel take over. Dec. 9, 2012 (delivered during the Inquirer Training Center’s Trainors’ Training Workshop on Oct. 9-11, 2012)
Like touchy-feely, but just right, not too-too. I always feel that, to communicate with your readers, you have to touch them. You have to touch them where it matters to them . . . Stories with a human face. The more abstract (the story), the more you should put a human face. MIZZOU AWARDEE In 1993, Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc received the Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, “for her dedication and perseverance in exposing government corruption.”
EYE ON THE FUTURE As a young editor at Manila Bulletin in the early 1980s
We accept government as a source of news but it is also its bounden duty not to deny news from other sources, no matter how unfavorable to its aspirations. It is unreal to even suppose that the government is the lone repository of the truth. Panorama Magazine, 1981 and “Philippine Press under Siege,” 1984
Dec. 9, 2015 COMPILED BY INQUIRER RESEARCH
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I4-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
It’s your business to read this By Daxim L. Lucas @daxinq
A
nyone can write a decent business story. Any journ grad can accurately take down quotes and numbers from business leaders and economists and assemble them into a news item. Any of the current crop of business reporters can broadcast a press conference live over Facebook using a smartphone, or tweet about the latest corporate acquisition of the country’s richest tycoon. But not everyone can make sense of the daily deluge of information and data from the spheres of business and the economy here and overseas, and present them in ways that are most useful to consumers of news.
That not-so-everyday skill —taking complex developments in business and packaging them into actionable information—is what the business news team of the Philippine Daily Inquirer does best. Because of this, the team has earned a reputation, from inside the Inquirer family and out, of being able to elevate news about the world of business and the economy to national level. Proof of this is the regularity by which business stories land on the Inquirer’s front page and, occasionally, become the subject of national interest and debate. $81-million cyberheist One such example was last year’s $81-million cyberheist on Bangladesh Bank, the central monetary authority of that im-
Not everyone can make sense of the daily deluge of business data poverished South Asian nation. It started as a business story in February 2016, but almost immediately moved to the front page—and national consciousness—once the magnitude of the brazen theft and its implications came to light. A nationally televised Senate probe ensued, which not only led to the filing of criminal charges against suspected conspirators, but also resulted in the closure of a legal loophole in the country’s antimoney laundering law that influential casi-
no industry players have resisted for over a decade. Another business story that immediately caught the interest of the nation was last year’s mega deal in the telecommunications industry, when the Inquirer broke the news about San Miguel’s decision to sell its 700 MHz broadband frequencies to Globe Telecom and PLDT. The P70-billion deal temporarily put an end to hopes that a so-called “third player” would help improve the local telecommunications landscape by breaking the
Globe-PLDT duopoly. In the wake of this development, the debate continues to rage on whether the government should amend the law to allow foreign investors to enter the country unfettered to help improve the speed of the country’s internet. More importantly, arcane economic concepts like gross domestic product, foreign exchange, inflation and interest rates regularly find their way to the Inquirer’s front page, written in ways that help ordinary readers understand concepts like why a weakening peso against the US dollar could be good for families of overseas Filipino workers, but bad for importers at the same time—an extra step of explaining concepts and jargon that few news organizations
bother with nowadays. Long experience To be sure, not all business development stories are published in the Inquirer. Our daily section in the paper is constrained by the high cost of newsprint which limits us to anywhere from four to maybe six pages a day, less the space allocated to revenue-generating ads. Not every corporate disclosure is published either. Not all the minutiae of the daily business grind is fit to see print, physically or online. That’s because not everything is relevant to the broader public. But the long experience of the business section’s bosses, business editor Raul Marcelo and assistant business editor Corrie Narisma,
I4-3
STAYING TRUE @
I4-2
19 8 5
CHRONICLING HEROICS OF THE NEXT SPORTING LEGENDS OF PH
GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
list of future icons is San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo. In just five seasons as a pro, the shy, soft-spoken Cebuano giant has reinvented the word “dominating” by collecting four Most Valuable Player trophies, tying PBA icons Fernandez and Patrimonio for most number of MVP awards. That means Fajardo won his fourth MVP award twice as fast as Patrimonio got to his and almost three times faster than Fernandez—arguably the best player ever to set foot in the PBA. But even if his career ends now, Fajardo can easily insert his name in the discussion of PBA’s greatest ever just by the way he has dominated the opposition. And going by the usual career arc of basketball pros, it looks like Fajardo is just entering his peak. “Barring any unforeseen injuries he can win eight or even 10 MVP trophies,” Fernandez once said. Fajardo’s rise to the summit has ran side-by-side with yet another dynastic run by the San Miguel Beermen. History has always cast Crispa and Toyota as the greatest teams in the PBA. But the Beermen have certainly earned their spot in the debate. The Beermen are already the winningest franchise in the PBA and, just like Crispa and Toyota, can lay claim to several legends having worn the team’s
KIMBERLY DELA CRUZ
F
or the past 32 years, the Inquirer has served as the gatekeeper to the pantheon of Philippine sports legends. Manny Pacquiao. Paeng Nepomuceno. The Philippine Basketball Association. Robert Jaworski. Ramon Fernandez. Alvin Patrimonio. Lydia de Vega. Gabriel “Flash” Elorde. Crispa Redmanizers. Toyota Super Corollas. Efren “Bata” Reyes. Django Bustamante. The Inquirer was present either at the birth of their greatness, at the pinnacle of their heroism or the validation of their legend. Their status as icons was cemented in the pages of the country’s No. 1 newspaper. And the Inquirer’s role in sports and its athletes doesn’t look to change in the next 32 years and beyond. As the newspaper moves into the next phase of its history and morphs into a multiplatform news organization that drives discussion and sets the agenda through all forms of media, its status as the chronicler of heroes continues. The Inquirer prepares to guard the gates of greatness, measuring each athlete that attempts to pass through it before according them the status of legend. And already, there are those that have risen above the glory of victory who deserve induction to the hall of Philippine sporting greats. Leading the
JILSON TIU
By Francis T. J. Ochoa @ftjochoaINQ
RECORD PACE Players with four MVP trophies and number of seasons (in parenthesis) it took to get No. 4.
JUNE MAR FAJARDO (5) ALVIN PATRIMONIO (10), RAMON FERNANDEZ (14)
SHERWIN VARDELEON
THE NEXT ICONS
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
HEROES ALL The new batch of legends whose exploits Inquirer Sports will continue to chronicle in the years to come: June Mar Fajardo and (top photos, clockwise) Alyssa Valdez, Krizziah Tabora, brothers James and Phil Younghusband, and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
colors. A Grand Slam in the ’80s, a dominating run entering the new millennium and another string of championships the past few seasons are enough to put San Miguel Beer in the same altar that Crispa and Toyota have occupied. Volleyball has been on a meteoric rise in popularity and a lot can be attributed to its most popular—and polarizing—figure. Alyssa Valdez has certainly been the sport’s pin-up princess, her combination of once-in-a-generation talent and easy charm making her the sport’s answer to Jaworski. Very few volleyball stars can match her fan base—and fewer still the power and game smarts she flashes on the court. And just like any alltime great, Valdez has her share of haters, making her the most talked about star of her sport. Aside from Valdez, there have been other female athletes who have cornered their share of greatness. Hidilyn Diaz stormed to the list of greats with her silver-medal showing in the weightlifting event of the Rio Olympics. Not only did her medal break a two-decade streak of fruitless Olympic stints by the Philippines, she also cemented her legacy by becoming the Philippines’ first female Olympic medalist. Diaz needs little else to ensure that she etches her name among the list of greats, but she will be under a lot of scrutiny for the next few years as she inches tantalizingly close to becoming the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist. Leaving the country for the World Cup with little fanfare, Krizziah Tabora returned nearly two weeks later to the same hoopla that greeted Diaz upon her return from the Olympics. The reason? Tabora came from out of nowhere to snatch bowling’s most prestigious prize.
“I still can’t believe until now that I’m a World Cup winner,” she told the Inquirer in a recent interview. But she is—and one of only five Filipinos to achieve that feat. Tabora has had a nice little run this year, winning the bronze in the Southeast Asian Games and the silver in the Asian Indoor tournament. And even if her resume doesn’t hold a candle to the likes of Nepomuceno and Bong Coo, the fact that Tabora owns one of the sporting universe’s most difficult trophy to obtain is enough to book her slot in the list of legends. Phil and James Younghusband may have seen their name slowly get lost in the slew of football stars that have emerged since the Philippines returned to relevance in international football. But they will always be branded as icons of the sport for the country after anchoring the rise of the Azkals in 2012 and blazing the trail for Filipinos born or raised abroad to play for the national team. There are also those waiting in the wings of greatness—athletes who need a win here, a dash of international relevance there, before also being accorded the status of legend. Gilas Pilipinas, as a team, after making a return to the world stage should easily make the list of icons when all is said and done. Two of its stars, Jimmy Alapag and Jayson Castro, are also among the players who will end up being icons that future fans will constantly read about. Miguel Tabuena has what it takes to line himself alongside the likes of Frankie Miñoza while Mary Joy Tabal could end up a future track legend. In boxing, Jerwin Ancajas has risen to superstardom and is being touted as the country’s next international star. In football, young turks like Jarvey Gayoso are slowly carving their niche. Volleyball’s rival leagues have given the sport the playground to create future legends and the likes of Jaja Santiago, Aby Maraño and Ara Galang possess the talent and charisma to be all-time greats. And in every step of the way, Inquirer Sports will continue chronicling their journey to greatness—just like it did for their predecessors the past 32 years. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
IT’S YOUR BUSINESS TO READ THIS means that everything that is important to our stakeholders—especially our audience—is put out there in a timely and accurate manner, and written in a way that makes even the most disinterested readers understand how a particular business development will affect their wallet. Over the years, the Inquirer’s business section has built up an illustrious roster of alumni reporters including Narisma and Arlene Chipongian, as well as other journalists like Elena Torrijos, Clarissa Batino and Gil Cabacungan, who have gone on to other media organizations. Current mainstay, Doris Dumlao-Abadilla, remains the backbone of the team by providing it with a steady stream of market-moving news.
FROM I4-1
Accolades All have produced big “scoops” (journalistic jargon for exclusive stories) and have had numerous accolades under their belt to prove the Inquirer’s business news team was, is, and will continue to be the best at what it does. But being able to elevate business issues to national consciousness is based on the premise that a news organization is able to find those important stories in the first place.
And definitely, the Inquirer excels when it comes to breaking big stories and giving them the attention they deserve. Indeed, most of the biggest business stories of the past three decades involved issues of corporate malfeasance that victimized small clients, depositors, stockholders and taxpayers. All of these play well into the Inquirer’s penchant for uncovering scams. The roster includes, among others: the Bancap scam in 1994; the collapse of Urban Bank in 2000; the accounting anomalies at Victorias Milling Corp. in 1998; the BW stock trading scandal in 1999; the slow death of the College Assurance Plan around the same time; the collapse of Pacific Plans Inc.; the Piatco/Naia Terminal 3 controversy; the Impsa-CBK power plant deal; the Philippine Airlines’ bankruptcy and closure in 1998; the longrunning saga of Banco Filipino; the Globe Asiatique scandal; the numerous “pyramid” or Ponzi schemes that victimize Filipinos year in and year out; the P24-million tax credit scam in the late 1990s; the Philippine Estates Authority-Amari scam; the P262-million tax diversion scam in 1997; the 2002 Land Bank of the Philippines tax diversion scam; the multibillionpeso financial mess at the Retirement and Separation Bene-
fits System of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the P14-billion Legacy preneed scam in 2008. National discourse Make no mistake about it: this is not just a case of the business section tooting its own horn. Its peers acknowledge it, as well. Ever since the Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines started giving out its “best news source” awards in 2011 (awarded to the news organization whose reporters garner the most number of business news beat awards on any given year), the Inquirer has won it the most number of times: four over a seven-year period. Apart from Marcelo and Narisma, the Inquirer’s business news team is currently composed of desk editors Tina Arceo-Dumlao and Ira Pedrasa; reporters Dumlao-Abadilla, Daxim Lucas, Ronnel Domingo, Miguel Camus, Ben de Vera, Roy Canivel, Annelle TayaoJuego, Karl Ocampo, and editorial assistant Princess Ominga. Indeed, few journalists are able to present business news in ways that are accessible, interesting and relevant to their audiences. Fewer still are able to present business news in ways that elevate their importance to the level of national discourse. INQ
19 8 5
I4-3
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
My heart fills with joy when people approach me to say that Inquirer has helped them grow or has been of help somehow in their lives. We try to write about understanding each other and about finding solutions. Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez President and CEO
INQUIRER ANNIVERSARY SUPPLEMENT Abelardo S. Ulanday Editor Pennie A. Dela Cruz Oliver G. Teves Francis S. Lagniton Guiller R. de Guzman Copy Editors Mary Ann A. Perido Tere Cruz-Tenorio Matthew Reysio-Cruz Meg Ela J. Adonis Christele J. Amoyan Editorial Production Assistants Elizalde V. Pusung Jerito R. dela Cruz Albert G. Rodriguez Maximillan N. Villanos Jake A. Seco Belen B. Belesario Steph B. Semilla Designers Noel Q. Cabie Jerry A. Ruiz Inocencio C. Francisco DPU Benigno R. Lati Noli T. Navarro Grace S. Pagulayan Support Team
19 8 5
I-5
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I5-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Scoops, major stories in 2017 Staying true to its mission, Inquirer produced most of the biggest agenda-setting stories
IS SOKOR BUSINESSMAN A VICTIM OF ‘TOKHANG FOR RANSOM?’ The Inquirer broke the story of the abduction of Jee Ickjoo in Angeles City in October last year by police officers at the height of the government’s antidrug campaign, “Oplan Tokhang.” Details of his grisly murder later trickled in: he was strangled to death in his car inside the national police headquarters in Camp Crame, his body was cremated and the ashes flushed down a toilet at a funeral home. By Tarra Quismundo Published Jan. 8, 2017
EX-ADDICTS TO JOIN ‘TRASLACION’ The Inquirer was the only newspaper that treated the subject this way. It was a nice angle that made our Black Nazarene story stand out against the backdrop of the government’s Oplan Tokhang, capturing the mood of the times. The Ermita police that came up with the idea said it was meant to “uplift” the former drug users and show them “there is hope.” By Aie Balagtas-See Published Jan. 9, 2017
PALACE, CONGRESS HIT FOR KEEPING PORK The Duterte administration ran under the slogan, “change has come.” But contrary to this, the administration retained the graft-ridden pork barrel in the 2017 national budget, according to Sen. Panfilo Lacson. It’s an exclusive story that exposed the decadeslong practice of lining lawmakers’ pockets with people’s money. By Christine Avendaño Published Jan. 9, 2017
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS BEHIND DEATH PENALTY The story puts the debate on the revival of death penalty in clear, proper context. It cites fluctuations in crime rates, soaring in 2009 after capital punishment was
I5-3
STAYING TRUE @
I5-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
S I N C E
Inquirer through the years: 300,000 to 30 million
O
ver 32 years, the Inquirer brand of journalism has grown: from being just a newspaper, the brand has become a staple in different news platforms, with a combined audience reach of 30 million. Since the founding of the Philippine Daily Inquirer broadsheet in 1985, the news organization has grown into a pioneering multimedia organization which includes its website Inquirer.net, Radyo Inquirer 990AM, the regional paper Cebu Daily News, national tabloid Bandera (which has three editions for Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao), the free paper Libre, as well as its social media and mobile chat apps. The Inquirer Group also includes Hinge Inquirer Publication which publishes lifestyle and niche consumer magazines; Megamobile, a digital content and applications developer; Inquirer Digital Outdoor which provides infotainment on the go; Print Town Group, the largest privately owned newspaper and commercial printer in the Philippines; DAG Xpress Courier Inc. which services the delivery and courier needs of publications and other companies through 5,000 delivery points, and Inquirer Academy which offers workshops on communication, marketing, leadership and business innovation. Today, the flagship PDI celebrates
Throughout the 32 years, we have striven to reinvent ourselves, even adopting radical changes in our newspaper to be more relevant to you Marixi R. Prieto Board chair, Philippine Daily Inquirer
32 years of excellent and credible journalism with its agenda-setting reports, incisive commentaries and editorials as well as news and information that affect the lives of Filipinos and shape the course of the country’s history. From 300,000 copies of its broadsheet, the Inquirer Group’s different news platforms provide credible and relevant news and information to 30 million readers through their smartwatch, smartphone, desktop, tablet, radio and TV sets, and the print media. INQ
INQUIRER.NET: THAT WOW FEELING By Abe Cerojano, Dennis Maliwanag and Celeste Flores-Colina Inquirer.net editors
ol; “P900-M internal fraud rocks Metrobank” by Dax Lucas; “WBO says it will rescore Pacquiao-Horn fight; result stands;” “#WalangPasok;” “The fall of the bigtime drug lord” by Ador Mayol, and “CIDG raids Parojinog houses, 8 reported dead” by Allan Nawal of Inquirer Mindanao. Mayol’s “Suicide on Facebook Live” was the top story of the month.
Inquirer.net staff at work
cially to millennials looking to make a difference. Marawi crisis When President Duterte placed the whole Mindanao under martial law on May 23 in response to the attack of the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute group on Marawi City, Inquirer.net’s editorial operations quickly kicked into high gear, delivering minute by minute news updates on the conflictstricken city. The site saw an overnight dramatic jump in page views that continued in the succeeding months. Inquirer.net’s Nestor Corrales and Inquirer Mindanao correspondents worked almost round the clock to meet the readers’ growing demand for
the latest developments in Marawi. But one story stood out: Ryan Rosauro’s narration of the sacrifices and courage of two Muslim women in defending Christians amid the turmoil and despite the risks involved. By that month’s end, Inquirer.net registered over 60 million page views, or a 21-percent increase compared to the previous month. More compelling stories The site’s 24-hour coverage of the Marawi crisis also kept Filipinos overseas abreast of fresh developments in the fighting between government forces and the IS-backed militants. In June, Inquirer.net produced stories that touched the heart while provoking criti-
cal thinking about often-ignored issues. A story uploaded by the Inquirer’s Super staff, “Young moms, fathers, beloved bosses among those killed at Resorts World attack,” became the No.1 story in June, with page views reaching over 70 million, a 16-percent increase over figures of the preceding month. Also one of the most shared stories on social media was Inquirer Visayas’ Ador Mayol’s story on the Bohol town mayor, a former pilot who was allegedly killed by her husband. Her body, dumped into the sea, has yet to be found. In July, six big stories marked a steady climb in Inquirer.net’s page views. They were: “Suicide on Facebook Live” by Ador May-
Videos, live coverage The video team has added a lot of punch to the site’s aggressive coverage of the day’s events. The social media team with its top-of-the line video gear has put Inquirer.net in good standing in the live streaming arena. Among its most notable video coverage was the 40-day nationwide tolling of the De Profundis bells in several Catholic churches in Metro Manila and in Central Luzon at 8 p.m., which the site featured in a live broadcast. The initiative was the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ way of appealing to the faithful to pray for those who had perished in the government’s bloody war on drugs. Sports section’s milestone Inquirer.net also hosted the Inquirer Sports section’s collaborative and multiplatform coverage of the 2017 Southeast Asian Games. With sports writer Marc
Anthony Reyes firing updates straight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the online sports desk presented breaking news, features, the latest medal standings and graphics that summed up the country’s performance in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Aside from news on the Filipino athletes, the SEA Games special site also provided stories on other nations competing in the regional sporting event. On top of its coverage of special international events, the online sports desk also helped produce an extensive coverage of major sporting leagues in the Philippines. From the PBA’s basketball games to other sports in the collegiate leagues like the UAAP and the NCAA, the online sports desk was a consistent source of content that told incredible stories about athletes and their game. But the sports online desk did not limit its coverage to stories; it also provided videos posted on the Inquirer’s video platform or its Facebook page, with live updates on Twitter (@inquirersports). Captivating graphics found their way across social media platforms, while photo galleries offered an alternative and more visual way of storytelling. Steve Jobs was right: When the going is good, just say, “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.” INQ
EMULATING BIG SISTER
BANDERA: A TABLOID WITH MULTIMEDIA MINDSET By Bella Cariaso Bandera Reporter Like its sister company, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Bandera has been living up to its core value these past 16 years. It may be tabloid in form, but Bandera has always aspired to be true and fair in its reporting to give its readers the paper they deserve. Reaching the common “tao,” or the average Filipino, is Bandera’s ultimate goal, which it carries out through the print medium and other platforms in these changing times. Over the years, Bandera has evolved from a tabloid into a paper that has a multimedia mindset ready to serve its readers either through print, broadcast, digital, mobile, or social media. Unlike other national tabloids, Bandera has its own
radio/television entertainment show. For more than a year now, “ShowbizLive,” a Wednesday program that airs via Inquirer Radio and Inquirer TV, has been delivering the freshest and hottest entertainment news. TBZoned To promote this weekly show, Bandera has been regularly doing its TBZoned, a Facebook live show that also discusses the latest news and not just show biz. To reach its readers nationwide, Bandera has three regional editions for Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, to enable people to get the news and information they need from accessible sources. These three editions also have their digital version on Inquirer Plus, which can be accessed via tablet, cell phone
Bandera staff does the regular TBZoned show as aid to its radio/television entertainment program “ShowbizLive.” and even PC. A few days ago, Bandera launched its website’s new image (www.bandera.inquirer.net) which offers entertainment
news and other information complemented by its social media accounts, from Facebook (InquirerBandera) to Twitter (@banderainquirer) to Insta-
gram (@banderainquirer) and Viber (Bandera). On top of all that, Bandera has its own app that can be downloaded for free via App
store and Play store. The app gives readers the latest news as well as Lotto and Karera tips and results. Aside from Bandera’s continuous efforts to be at par with its sister publication’s excellent news coverage, it has also committed to fulfilling its social responsibility. Among the projects the tabloid has implemented was the “Lapis at Papel” program that benefited indigent Grade 1 pupils from public schools. Only recently, Bandera acquired the operations of Inquirer Libre, the only free and reliable commuter paper available in LRT and MRT stations. Both Bandera and Libre are extensions of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and share the same DNA of providing accurate news and information that are always balanced and fair, and delivered first. INQ
I5-3
19 8 5
FOCUSING ON THE HYPERLOCAL
CEBU DAILY NEWS: JOURNALISM THAT BUILDS COMMUNITIES Cebu Daily News (CDN) looks back at 2017 as a year of many milestones as it heads for its 20th year in February 2018. Amid a changing media landscape and declining print readership, CDN began to aggressively beef up its digital presence in 2016 (via cebudailynews.in quirer.net, facebook.com/cebudailynews, twitter.com/cebudailynews), raising the bar of its news coverage, particularly breaking stories and delivering reports of significant events in Cebu as close to real time as possible. As the year ended, Cebu Daily News remained as the only community newspaper in Cebu in the Top Newspapers in the Philippines Web Ranking for 2016 of the 4 International Media and Newspapers, an international directory and search engine focusing on newspapers worldwide. [4imn.com includes 7,000 newspapers, ranked by web popularity, in 200 countries, according to information gathered from its website.] CDN’s official Facebook and Twitter pages ranked first among its peers in the local English language community newspapers. The page views of the CDN website nearly doubled from 11
INQUIRER.NET’S PAGE VIEW CLIMB
Three letters would aptly describe Inquirer.net this year: Wow! That wow feeling was amplified in July. At the start of an assessment meeting that month, the board room exploded in cheers after the traffic statistics report was splashed on the projection screen: Inquirer.net found itself within striking distance of the 100-million page view mark. Yeeeeess! The rise in page views might be explained by the state of the country these days. Who was it that said that in times of crisis, the news business thrives. This year the daily street bloodbath, the challenges to law and order, the conflict in Mindanao and the almost never-ending political storm have whetted the Filipinos’ appetite for more news online, with many of them visiting Inquirer.net as their primary source of information. The management and the editorial staff maintained their focus on efforts to protect and enhance the brand positioning of Inquirer.net in an industry faced with new challenges. With its expansive treatment of national news, the site’s “News for Filipinos” positioning statement has become more relevant than ever, espe-
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
million for the whole of 2016 to 20 million from January to November this year. As CDN’s digital presence grew, it bucked the trend of declining readership by doubling its audience reach year-onyear, ending in 2016 with at least 45,000. It continued to rise this year. Recognition The evolution continued through 2017, realizing that the “tweet-to-print” storytelling method delivered satisfying results for CDN. While it grew its online platforms, CDN was aware that it had to stay anchored to its “mother ship”—Cebu Daily News, as a community newspaper. This year, hewing closely to its mission of “journalism that builds communities,” CDN became more hyperlocal—focusing on narratives that are important to Cebuanos and explaining both national and local issues, and government policies that matter most to them. For its efforts, CDN, through senior reporter Ador Vincent Mayol, received from the Catholic Mass Media Awards in October this year the top print honors—Best in News Cover-
Cebu Daily News staff pose in front of their editorial office in Cebu City. age, for its series of stories that focused on rebuilding the lives of drug dependents; and Best in Feature, about the tale of young cancer patients who found hope amid their pain. Earlier, in September, CDN also received the Best in News Writing and Best in News Feature awards from the Cebu Archdiocesan Mass Media Awards; the Columnist of the
Year award given to environmental advocate and lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos by the Globe Media Excellence Award; and Reporter of the Year award to correspondent Cris Evert Lato for her article on a “Different kind of surrender” that saw print both in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and as part of CDN’s four-part special report on a different kind
of drug war—recovering from drug dependency. Bluechips Cebu Paying attention to the drivers of Cebu’s economy and recognizing the importance or the local business sector, CDN published this year the first quarterly business magazine in Cebu, BluechipsCebu, a publication that replicates the
magazine put out by the business section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. CDN also intensified its community relations by holding at least 20 signature events. To address the need for the youth to understand the work of journalists, CDN’s marketing department initiated the free Campus Journalism workshops that aim to educate high school students in public and private schools on journalism, with inhouse editors, photographers and reporters as trainors. Started in 2016 and offered only in Cebu City, the workshops were expanded this year to include public schools in cities south and north of Cebu province, benefiting over 1,200 students. To further promote literacy among children and youth, CDN also held reading programs in partnership with Basadours, creative workshops and school fairs. CDN also successfully staged two runs of the “CDN Conversations,” a venue for learning exchange on marketing and advertising topics (Level Up Your Brand, and Trends and Insights and Innovations on Digital Marketing) for CDN clients, business owners, marketing and advertising professionals. INQ
SCOOPS AND OTHER MAJOR STORIES IN 2017 AGUIRRE ORDERS REVIEW OF DUTERTE FINANCIER’S BANANA LEASE CONTRACT
JAILS FULL OF ADDICTS, REHAB CENTER HAS FEW
The Department of Justice’s order to “revisit” the 25-year lease contract between the Bureau of Corrections and Tagum Agricultural Development Inc. (Tadeco) later exposed a feud between President Duterte’s allies, Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr., whose family owned Tadeco, and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. By Gil C. Cabacungan Published Feb. 16, 2017
This story shows another face of the antidrug war: jails packed mostly with inmates facing drug charges while the rehabilitation centers are empty. It’s a reality that the government acknowledges, but hasn’t come close to addressing. By Philip C. Tubeza Published March 31, 2017
abolished in 2006, but dipping in the period 2010 to 2012, then rising again in 2013. More important, it traces the fluctuations to “changes in the system of crime reporting and inconsistencies in recording crime, not to actual spikes or dives in the number of crimes committed.” This story raises questions on the main argument for the revival of the capital punishment and prompts reflection by lawmakers pushing for it. By Ana Roa Published Jan. 29, 2017
FROM I5-1
POLICE VICTIMS’ KIN SHARE TALES OF WOE The lead paragraph was startling: police officers asked for P50,000 for the release of a jailed 27-year-old drug suspect but his mother managed to raise only P10,500. They killed him anyway. It’s the kind of lead that would catch readers’ attention. The rest of the story was heartwrenching, as she and other mothers spoke of their grief, outrage, even helplessness over the random killings of their children. They embraced hope in the company of other families of extrajudicial victims, and priests celebrating Masses for them. By Poch Concepcion Published Feb. 3, 2017
HAS MARRIAGE LOST ITS SHINE? This is a special report that explores the causes of the 30-percent drop in marriage rates in the last 12 years, such as the lack of a divorce law, the high cost of getting married and the growing acceptance of live-in arrangements and same-sex unions. By Cheche Moral, DJ Yap, Jovic Yee, Tina Santos, Julie Aurelio, Ben de Vera and Jhesset Enano. Published Feb. 12-14, 2017
BAUTISTA’S WIFE SEEKS PROBE OF POSSIBLE ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH Marital woes between Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Andres Bautista and his wife, Patricia, blew up in the media, thanks to the Inquirer that broke the story, complete with a video of an interview with the wife that was carried by some TV networks. Patricia filed an affidavit with the National Bureau of Investigation claiming her husband amassed ill-gotten wealth. The drama led to the filing of an impeachment complaint against Bautista in the House of Representatives, which later prompted the Comelec chair to resign from his post. By Nikko Dizon Published Aug. 7, 2017
YASAY: AMERICAN, FILIPINO OR STATELESS? It’s one of our biggest scoops for the year. It basically exposed Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay as a fraud: contrary to his claims that he had never been an American citizen, he actually took his oath as an American citizen. Because of the Inquirer story, the powerful Commission on Appointments rejected his nomination. By Juliet Labog Javellana Published Feb. 27, 2017
MANY FARMS LOST TO LAND CONVERSION This three-part special report sheds light on the conversion of agricultural lands for residential, commercial, industrial or institutional purposes. The rampant conversion of prime agricultural land, partly driven by rapid urbanization, population growth and speculation, has led to conflicting land uses. By Jinkee Cabildo, Matthew Reysio-Cruz and Krixia Subingsubing Published March 1, 2017 onward
MARIJUANA AS MEDICINE The two-part special report takes a look at proposals to legalize marijuana for its medical benefits. By Poch Concepcion Published Aug. 15-16, 2017
CHILDREN ARRESTED, ABUSED IN WAR ON DRUGS This special report shows the dark side of the government’s Oplan Tokhang that most of us don’t know. Even children are caught in the net cast by a government gung ho on rooting out the drug problem at the expense of human rights, or worse, life. For instance, a 15-year-old Angelo was picked out from a crowd, roughed up and charged with possession of drugs by the police. Others were not as lucky: they were shot to death. By Jodee Agoncillo and Mariejo Ramos Published March 9, 2017
DAVAO HIT MAN FLEES SINGAPORE—After testifying on the killings carried out by the Davao Death Squad under then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, confessed hit man Arturo Lascañas fled the country due to threats to his life, and information he would be charged in court. His lawyer later filed charges of crimes against humanity against President Duterte in the International Criminal Court. By Nikko Dizon Published April 10, 2017
MARTIAL LAW VICTIMS FIND NO JUSTICE IN ‘MOVING ON’ The three-part series highlights the kind of horror faced by martial law survivors: historical revisionism and whitewashing of the suffering under the dictatorship highlighted by Marcos’ burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani. By Jhesset O. Enano Published Sept. 20-22, 2017
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I6-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
‘Separating the grain from the chaff’ no easy task for the Inquirer Indie Bravo! Awards, Year 8 By Rito P. Asilo Entertainment Editor @ritoasilo
O
n its eighth year, the Inquirer Indie Bravo! Awards, which are given in time for the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s anniversary, have more exciting reasons to celebrate. With Filipino film practitioners still consistently winning awards on the international stage and reaping acclaim for their artistry and never-say-die spirit, it has become even more difficult for the Inquirer Enter-
tainment team—composed of Indie Bravo Project Director Bayani San Diego Jr., Marinel Cruz, Jennifer Santillan-Santiago, Oliver Pulumbarit, Allan Policarpio, Belle Bondoc-Roberto, Tcel Maramag and yours truly—to “separate the grain from the chaff.” The task is as exciting as it is daunting. But the Inquirer believes that our brilliant film artists deserve to be feted for bringing honor to the country. They don’t just help keep the Pinoy film industry afloat; they also defiantly demonstrate that the so-called “Third Golden Age
The honorees prove that the ‘Third Golden Age of Philippine Cinema’ is here to stay
of Philippine Cinema” is far from fleeting—and is here to stay. Heading this year’s honorees are film masters Brillante Ma Mendoza and Lav Diaz, as well as actress-producer Charo Santos-Concio, whose triumphant return to acting by way of “Ang Babaeng Humayo” has helped blur the divisive line between mainstream and indie filmmaking. But the achievements of the other Indie Bravo awardees in this year’s honor roll are just as outstanding—and we’re only too thrilled to introduce them to you:
BRILLANTE MA MENDOZA Cannes best director Brillante Ma Mendoza is no stranger to winning awards. His latest honor is the best director plum for “Ma’ Rosa” at the Malaysia International Film Festival and Golden Global Awards. He regards each victory as “a bonus.” “My motivation will always be the fulfillment I get every time I touch people’s lives through my films. I learn from my films, as well.” It’s like going back to school, he adds. “When I win abroad, I’m so happy be-
cause they always call me a Filipino filmmaker. Anyone can be a director, but it makes me proud to bring honor to my countrymen.” He learned this attitude of gratitude from his mentor, scriptwriting icon Armando Lao. “He’s a big influence on my life and career.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
I6-2
STAYING TRUE @
I6-2
S I N C E
19 8 5
‘DAGSIN’: ATOM MAGADIA AND JONA BALLARAN
AVID LIONGOREN
FROM I6-1
Avid Liongoren’s animated film “Saving Sally” has bagged the most number of international awards this year. At the Fantasporto in Portugal, it won Jury’s Special Award, Honorable Mention and Audience Choice. It also scored Special Mention at the Brussels Fantastic fest; Jury Prize at the Los Angeles AsiaPacific fest; Best Family Film at Bentonville (in Arkansas); and Jury’s Special Award at the Seoul car-
LAV DIAZ The winning streak of Lav Diaz’s “Ang Babaeng Humayo” continues with the best director prize at Dublin; special honor at the Asean fest; and audience award at the D’A in Barcelona. Diaz asserts that winning in Venice or Berlin doesn’t signify the end of the road for filmmakers. “Patuloy pa rin ako sa paggawa. Hindi ito para sa awards. Gumagawa ako ng cinema para sa cinema. Nagkataon lang na ibinigay sa cinema ko ang mga ’yon. Kaya, salamat!” He owns up: “Hindi ako ipokrito na ayaw ko ng award. Nagpapasalamat ako siyempre sa rekognisyon. Malaking bagay ’yun hindi lang sa akin, kundi pati na rin sa Philippine cinema.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
LOUIE IGNACIO Louie Ignacio is quite familiar with an Indie Bravo! trophy—and the Guyito stuffed animal that comes with it—having been bestowed with the honor in 2016 and 2015. Still, the feeling never gets old. “Getting another recognition from Indie Bravo! isn’t like doing a movie sequel; I’m just as thrilled and excited about it,” relates the television and movie director, whose film “Area” got the Special Jury Remi for docudrama at the Houston fest in the United States. The film, which stars Ai-Ai delas Alas, also won for Ignacio the best director award at the 3rd Asean International Film Festival and Awards. Says Ignacio: “Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
toon fest. Liongoren says that all those fests gave him the chance to “travel, eat yummy stuff, meet other film folks and learn how they get their films done.” He admits: “Animation is such a hard sell in our country, so I’m glad my team and I get to make another film.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
CHARO SANTOS-CONCIO For Charo Santos-Concio, winning an international citation, a Special Mention honor in acting at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for “Ang Babaeng Humayo,” is like coming full circle. “After all, my first movie role was ‘Itim,’ for which I won Asia’s best actress [in Sydney in 1978],” she recalls. “In the years between those two roles, I learned that awards
serve beyond one’s personal affirmation; they become beacons to point to the world the power of Filipino artistry.” These recognitions likewise push Filipino artists to reach for the stars. “They inspire our actors and filmmakers to look beyond our country: The whole world now truly appreciates our craft.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
AI-AI DELAS ALAS Known mainly for mainstream box-office flicks, comedienne Ai-Ai delas Alas took a major leap of faith with indie films and was richly rewarded with two international prizes for “Area”: best actress at the Queens fest in New York, United States, and at the Asean (or Aiffa) fest in Kuching, Malaysia. Delas Alas admits that the two honors are a big boost to her “self-esteem.” “The awards encourage me to make
more indie films and improve in my craft as an actress.” She enthuses: “Winning is a great blessing. To think there are so many actors in the world and yet I was singled out. It’s a gift from God!” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
JARED JOVEN AND KAJ PALANCA Jared Joven and Kaj Palanca started early, winning best film for “Contestant #4” at the Shanghai Queer fest at the ripe old age of 17. Joven admits that winning in an international fest is “very flattering… it’s heartening that people abroad appreciate our film and understand our message… and maybe even relate to it.” Joven asserts that he “feels proud for the film… not
just for us and those who helped us.” Joven likens the film to a sibling who has won “a medal in school.” Palanca is equally grateful for being “given a platform to tell this story to a wider audience.” He acknowledges that “the film is very special to me. It helped me realize and come to terms with who I am.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
JOHN TORRES JET LEYCO “This is a big deal for me. It inspires me and gives me strength to continue crafting meaningful and liberating movies,” cinematographer and filmmaker Jet Leyco says of being one of this year’s honorees. His short film, “Two Way Jesus,” bagged the Night Award in the documentary section of the 15th International Festival Segni della Notte Awards in Thailand. Meanwhile, the AQCCCamera Lucida tilt of the 21st Fantasia International Film Festival gave Leyco’s “Matangtubig” a special citation. “I want to thank Indie Bravo! for recognizing the work of those on the local alternativecinema scene—may it be directors or actors,” he says. —ALLAN POLICARPIO
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
“People Power Bombshell: The Diary of Vietnam Rose”—a documentary that had filmmaker John Torres weaving old footage from Celso Ad Castillo’s unfinished film, “The Diary of Vietnam Rose,” with new interviews with its cast and crew—was “a collaborative effort that was 30 years in the making.” Thus, being recognized by Indie Bravo! this year “feels good,” says Torres. “Celso Ad Castillo, Liz Alindogan and the cast poured their heart and soul into the project,” he points out. “Our current team that came up with the documentary had spent a lot of time figuring out how to finish a work that spoke of the many hardships and crazy ordeals the people behind it went through to make the film.”
Ricky Davao has been more of a teleserye director than an actor for the past eight years. That’s why he’s grateful he was able to star in Bor Ocampo’s “Dayang Asu,” which won for him the best supporting actor award at the 3rd Asean International Film Festival and Awards. “I have been more active as a director, so this came as a big surprise for me,” Davao says, adding that, being recognized for his work as an artist is “priceless.” “It’s something that can’t be bought. It inspires you to work harder and makes you more serious about your craft,” he says. “Things are paying off and I’m thankful for all the blessings.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
SHERON DAYOC Apart from topping the QCinema and Gawad Urian, Sheron Dayoc’s “Women of the Weeping River” has won best director at the War on Screen fest in France and the Fasken Martineau Best Feature Film prize at the Toronto Reel Asian fest in Canada. “As a filmmaker, there is always a constant quest to tell stories that are unique and compelling, Dayoc explains. “I hope that these recognitions will somehow translate into something concrete and result in a thinking society.” These honors have opened doors to tell more Filipino stories, he remarks. “There are more uncharted territories to explore. It will never be easy…[but] it’s a worthwhile journey that never ceases to amaze me.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
RAYMUND RIBAY GUTIERREZ For Raymund Ribay Gutierrez, an award or recognition is a validation of a job well done. But it stops right there. “More than that, I don’t give it any deeper value, because it will just go to my head and make me lose focus on my craft, which is filmmaking,” he explains. Gutierrez’s “Imago” was hailed best short film at the 27th Stockholm International Film Festival in Sweden. It won the Edward Snowden Award at the 15th Internationales Festival Zeichen der Nacht in Germany, as well as the Night Award at the 15th International Festival Signes de Nuit in France. —ALLAN POLICARPIO
ALLEN DIZON AND ANGELLIE SANOY For the fourth consecutive year, Allen Dizon is an Indie Bravo! honoree—this time, for winning the Special Jury Award at the A-list Warsaw International Film Festival in Poland for Ralston Jover’s “Bomba.” “This is a validation of Filipino talent... Winning acting awards in prestigious film festivals proves that Filipinos are world-class,” Dizon says, adding that he loves the fact that, in the eye of foreign juries, there are neither big nor small stars. “No biases—what matters is not your popularity, but your acting prowess,” says Dizon, who shares the said award with young actress and “Bomba” costar Angellie Sanoy, who looks up to the senior artist as an acting idol. Says Sanoy: “Making this film deepened my knowledge of acting. I was challenged, acting with Mr. Allen. He is a talented actor and I wanted to be as good as him in this movie.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
PAOLO VILLALUNA The film won special mention in the New Views section of the 6th Olhar de Cinema: Curitiba International Film Festival in Brazil. “I hope this inspires other filmmakers to look at creative documentaries as an alternative way of expressing themselves. Now, many others are exploring this form to reformulate what [conventional] narratives can’t reach,” Torres adds. —ALLAN POLICARPIO
MARICEL CABRERA-CARIAGA While Maricel Cabrera-Cariaga knows that she has still a long way to go and a lot to learn about filmmaking, winning international awards, she says, has boosted her confidence. “I go forward not only for myself and my family, but for all the people and students I want to inspire,” she relates. Her movie, “Pitong Kabang Palay,” won best children’s film at the 15th Dhaka International
RICKY DAVAO
“The year 2017 has been kind to ‘Dagsin,’” says filmmaker Atom Magadia. The Cinemalaya film won best narrative feature at the World’s Independent Film Festival in San Francisco and best costume design (for Jona Ballaran) at the Madrid fest. “We are deeply honored by these awards,” Magadia relates. “It is deeply gratifying to represent our country abroad and find an enthusiastic audience for our micro-budget film. The citations “inspire us to tell more Filipino stories with universal themes and multicultural appeal.” Says Ballaran: “It shows that my work’s quality stands up to world-class scrutiny. It’s a huge encouragement for me to go on. I’ve been in the industry for eight years and, finally, I feel validated.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
Film Festival in Bangladesh, and bagged the Golden Owl Award at the Aichi International Women’s Film Festival in Japan. Being one of this year’s Inquirer Indie Bravo! honorees, the director adds, makes her proud of her “humble achievements.” “I would never have thought I’d go this far. This has truly exceeded my expectations.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
As he collects his second Inquirer Indie Bravo! trophy seven years after his first, filmmaker Paolo Villaluna can’t help but feel like he’s being “hugged, accepted and welcomed back by an old friend.” “I haven’t made a fulllength film since 2010. After an absence of seven years from filmmaking, it’s hard to articulate the joy of being recognized by Indie Bravo! once again. It’s more than humbling,” says Villaluna, whose film “Pauwi Na” bagged the top prize in the
main section of the A-list Shanghai fest in China. The film and television director noted that Indie Bravo! has become a “canonical
event” for independent cinema, and that the Inquirer was the “first mainstream media outlet to recognize and honor its achievements.” “It was both a validation and a proud moment; it legitimized the movement as cultural movers,” he says. “Not only is it a recognition of excellence but, more importantly, a beautiful affirmation that you belong to a community of vibrant, thought-provoking and relevant storytellers.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
MARIO CORNEJO AND COREEN JIMENEZ For “Apocalypse Child” director Mario Cornejo, being recognized for his work is always gratifying. But, an award “is not as important as knowing that the movie was able to connect to an audience or a jury in a meaningful way,” he points out. His film won the Fasken Martineau best feature film honor at the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival in Canada, as well as best film at the 10th Five Flavors Film
Festival in Warsaw. “We made a very specific, personal film about a surf instructor in Baler, and to think that people around the world could relate to its characters and themes is really amazing,” says Cornejo. “It’s a tribute to the hard work that everyone put into it. If the film works at all, it’s because the actors were willing to be so honest onscreen and lay it all out there.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
I6-3
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I6-3
19 8 5
ANA CAPRI
RONWALDO MARTIN
FROM I6-2
‘PAMILYA ORDINARYO’: EDUARDO ROY JR. AND HASMINE KILLIP Eduardo Roy Jr., who wrote and directed “Pamilya Ordinaryo,” says winning an award “validates the reason I made the film.” Roy’s gritty urban drama bagged the best film honor at the Fantasporto in Portugal. As a filmmaker, Roy says the award “inspires me to dream more, to make more movies that are timely and reflective of the
culture, people and events in my homeland,” he declares. Lead star Hasmine Killip also won best actress at the Fantasporto for Roy’s film. “I’m proud to be a part of this amazing movie. I’m thrilled to have received such a prestigious award,” says Killip. “I gave my very best to this film as it focuses on important lessons for teenagers.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
SAMANTHA LEE Samantha Lee says the script for her film, “Baka Bukas,” was created from “the need to see a better representation of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community in Philippine cinema.” The film’s title, says Lee, “evokes a feeling of hope that, maybe tomorrow, things will get better for the LGBTQ community.” It won the 2017 OUTtvGo People’s Choice Award for Best Feature at the 29th Vancouver Queer Film Festival. Lee also won the Emerging Talent Award at the Outfest, in the United States. “Winning awards gives me hope that perhaps we’re getting closer to living in an equal world, where people are free to love whoever they want to love,” says Lee. —MARINEL R. CRUZ
Ronwaldo Martin says he is grateful to his more accomplished elder brother, Coco Martin, for his support in his decision to become an actor. This is why Ronwaldo dedicates his first acting award (best actor for “Pamilya Ordinaryo,” at the 12th Harlem International Film Festival in New York) to Coco, whom he says was thrilled to have learned about his victory. “I’m happy because I won in Harlem; it was one of my dreams when I finally decided to pursue acting,” Ron-
To be able to share to the world the story and culture of the Aeta people in Zambales is a victory in itself, says director Zig Dulay. Therefore, winning awards for “Paglipay” is a blessing, Dulay points out. The film, which tells the story of a farmer, won the Platinum World Award for International Feature Film at the World Film Awards, as well as the International Award of Excellence at the International Film Festival for Environment, Health, Culture (IFFEHC),
“I was born and grew up in Malaysia, but it was only when I moved to the Philippines that I found my voice and soul in cinema,” Liew said. “[It] was a great honor to represent both countries. I hope this helps push Southeast Asian filmmakers to fight for free cinema.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
—MARINEL R. CRUZ
your performance,” she explains. “This helps an actor professionally because people, especially those involved in film production, are reminded of how much hard work you put into your job. Also, your value as an actor increases, especially if you win an international award.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
ZIG DULAY
BRADLEY LIEW “For me, the win in Malaysia was extremely emotional,” says Bradley Liew of “Singing in Graveyards’” best film prize at the Malaysian International Film Festival. The Philippine-Malaysian coproduction also won Netpac best film at the Kolkata International Film Festival in India.
waldo declares. The young actor wishes to express his gratitude to director Eduardo Roy Jr., “for trusting me” and to costar Hasmine Killip “for guiding me throughout the filming... I also appreciate all the directors who got me to act in their films.”
Ana Capri says that other than getting a pat on the back for her performances from viewers, winning awards gives her self-fulfillment. “It’s hard to describe it—you feel like your heart will burst anytime. You say to yourself, ‘Bravo, Ana! You really are a good actress!’” Ana won best supporting actress for Louie Ignacio’s “Laut” at the 3rd Asean International Film Festival and Awards in Kuching, Malaysia. “Winning means you’ve passed the uncompromising taste of critics, who evaluate the merits and demerits of
IZA CALZADO
both in Bali, Indonesia. “The feeling is strange and overwhelming,” says Dulay of accepting awards, “especially because you know you’re able to contribute in promoting Philippine cinema to the world.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
Iza Calzado says winning her very first international award for her performance in “Bliss” has “reaffirmed my commitment to do more compelling films out of my comfort zone as an actress.” Iza bagged the Yakushi Pearl for best performer at the 12th Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan. This is for her portrayal of an actress who is trapped in a nightmarish world she can’t seem to escape from.
SUE PRADO For actress Sue Prado, having her work acknowledged and recognized is a “humbling experience.” For her portrayal of a woman faced with the difficult task of bringing home the remains of her recently departed sister, a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia, she was given the Achieve-
ment in Acting award, for Joseph Israel Laban’s “The Sister” at the 6th Guam International Film Festival. “[The award] is a reminder that we should always aspire for excellence, no less—every single time,” she declares. —MARINEL R. CRUZ
I6-4
“It was a good chance to represent our country and its talented filmmakers and artists,” declares Iza, “to show the world that we Filipinos have truly gone far in terms of storytelling and filmmaking.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
STAYING TRUE @
I6-4
S I N C E
FROM I6-3
BABY RUTH VILLARAMA “It’s about the people we’re representing, so maybe the awards are meant for them. But, for whatever it’s worth, I share the recognition with my cocreators who tell real stories,” Baby Ruth Villarama says of “Sunday Beauty Queen,” which won the audience choice award for best documentary at the CinemAsia film festival in Amsterdam. “We hope that the local film industry can have a more balanced distribution system, to give audiences the option to see films that are recognized abroad.” Villarama’s film, which won best picture at the Metro Manila Film Festival last year, recently won best international docu at the London Labour Film Festival. —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
19 8 5
JP HABAC JP Habac’s “Maria” won the Special Jury Prize at the 14th Bogota Short Film Festival in Colombia. “The recognition strengthens my resolve to show how narratives can be told, and how my vision as a filmmaker translates into an art form that connects not only with local audiences, but also with
‘1ST SEM’: DEXTER HEMEDEZ, ALLAN MICHAEL IBAÑEZ AND LOTLOT DE LEON
the international community,” says the director. “Maria” also won the top prize in the Short Narrative category of the 44th Athens International and Video Festival, in Greece. Habac discloses, “It reinforces my drive to tell stories, and [reassures me] that I am on the right track.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
PR PATINDOL Youth Jury Prize winner at Singapore’s Silver Screen Awards, “Hilom (Still)” was director PR Patindol’s first screenplay. He recalls, “I was working mainly in the cinematography department. I felt frustrated because I wasn’t doing the work that I wanted.” Patindol points out, “It’s
an honor I share with the production’s cast and crew.” He says of his “deeply personal” film: “We wanted to tell this story, so that [viewers] may realize that a modicum of empathy—and of love—can be more than enough to save a life.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
PETERSEN VARGAS Petersen Vargas’ comingof-age film, “2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten,” didn’t reach its intended crowd. But, the director says, “Taking home an audience award from a film fest—the 32nd Lovers Film Festival, Torino LGBTQI Visions—in Turin, Italy, shortly after my first narrative feature’s limited local release, following its unfortunate R-18 rating,
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
made the victory particularly bittersweet.” Vargas adds, “Losing the opportunity to show the film to the Filipino youth defeated my spirit, but knowing that it did find an encouraging audience from a foreign city strengthened my resolve to keep fighting the good fight.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
“The awards that ‘1st Sem’ got from various international film festivals are very meaningful, especially for independent filmmakers like us,” Dexter Hemedez tells the Inquirer. “1st Sem” received the Gold Remi (Coming of Age) award at the Houston fest, where Lotlot de Leon also won in the best supporting actress category. The film also netted the awards at the San Diego kids’ fest and the Angaelica event
in California, and at the Buffalo Niagara fest. Codirector Allan Michael Ibañez says of their
triumphs, “I feel that all the hard work paid off because the film meant something to viewers. It gave us a little pat on the back… that we were on the right path.” Says De Leon: “To be invited to compete was already a blessing... [and] to win was such a humbling experience. As an actor it gives me so much inspiration to continue to do better and crave for more films that mirror the lives of audiences.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
‘FATIMA MARIE TORRES AND THE INVASION OF SPACE SHUTTLE PINAS 25’: CARLO FRANCISCO MANATAD AND CHE ESPIRITU Carlo Francisco Manatad’s “Fatima Marie Torres and the Invasion of Space Shuttle Pinas 25” won Best Comedy at the 26th Aspen Shortsfest. “It gives me validation that people outside the Philippines understand what I’m trying to impart,” he says. “Short films tend to be underappreciated. Awards would give confidence not just to me, but also to other young directors.” It also won best short film in Brazil , and best cinematography (for Che Espiri-
VICTOR KAIBA VILLANUEVA
tu). Says Espiritu: “Shooting with friends is a great experience in itself and being recognized for it is a big, happy bonus. It’s an affirmation for a newcomer like me.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
“Patay na si Hesus” director Victor Kaiba Villanueva had apprehensions about his film, but only prior to winning best narrative feature/honorable mention at the Twist: Seattle Queer fest. “We were worried that its humor might be hard to translate.” He hopes the award will open more doors: “That it paves the way [for] more Cebuano, regional films. The country has a lot of good stories—the more local, the more universal!” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I7-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Covering the provinces 32 biggest stories of the Inquirer news bureaus By Robert Jaworski Abaño Acting Regions Editor
C
ontrary to common perception, the Inquirer bureaus have consistently covered significant news outside Imperial Manila, with 32 of the biggest stories in the past 32 years discussed here. Selected by the Inquirer’s bureau chiefs and staff, these stories represent a range of topics that touched on governance, corruption, crime, politics, manmade and natural disasters, conflict, environment, food security and health. The Inquirer’s correspondents pursued these stories no matter the odds. Most of them landed on the Inquirer’s front page and have become part of the nation’s history. They have also moved readers and leaders, and have, in many cases, prompted policy changes. Scanning these stories gives us a glimpse of how the Inquirer’s network of correspondents covers the nation. With its four regional bureaus strategically located in major cities to direct coverage and news gathering, the Inquirer is able to bring to its readers breaking news, features and multimedia stories that matter to both its national and local readers. Today, the Inquirer has a network of about 100 correspondents, photo correspondents and contributors. Two reporters are assigned in Northern Luzon (Baguio City and Pangasinan) and one each in Southern Luzon (Laguna), the Visayas (Iloilo City) and Mindanao (Zamboanga City). The Inquirer’s first regional bureau covering the Visayas was set up in Cebu City in 1991, with Cerwin Eviota as chief. The following year, the Mindanao Bureau operated out of Davao City, with Carol Arguillas at the helm. In 1993, the Northern Luzon Bureau, under Rolly Fernandez, and based in Baguio City got its baptism of fire with the coverage of the return of strongman Ferdinand Marcos’ remains from Hawaii to Ilocos Norte. It took four years before the fourth regional bureau, covering Southern Luzon, was set up in Legazpi City under Floreño Solmirano. This completed the Inquirer’s vision of being a truly national newspaper. In a message written in 1993 and published in “The Inquirer Story,” Ralph Chee Kee, then national editor, said: “It is safe to say that we lead the industry in the setting up of full blown bureaus and in our commitment to the professional treatment of news gathering across the nation.” In 1994, when the Inquirer allotted more pages to accommodate stories from the provinces, columnist Conrado de Quiros, wrote that, among others, it was aimed at curing “what many readers call an ‘Imperial Manila’ outlook.” De Quiros described the bureaus as the Inquirer’s “distinct advantage” over other newspapers. INQ
I7-2
STAYING TRUE @
I7-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
32 biggest Bureau stories As the Inquirer celebrates its 32nd anniversary, here are 32 of the biggest stories covered by its provincial correspondents in its four regional bureaus located in the cities of Baguio, Legazpi, Cebu and Davao:
The hull of the capsized Princess of the Stars in Romblon. —ROGER MARGALLO
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL LUZON Supporters cry justice for slain transgender Jennifer Laude. —ALLAN MACATUNO
Sex and Subic | 2014 The death of transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude in an Olongapo City motel made headlines because it involved an American serviceman. US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton was convicted of homicide in 2015 and sentenced to a minimum of six years’ to a maximum of 12 years’ imprisonment.
Tragedy at Romblon sea | 2008 On June 21, 2008, Sulpicio Lines-owned MV Princess of the Stars sank at the height of Typhoon “Frank” (international name: Fengshen) off Sibuyan Island in Romblon, killing more than 800 passengers and crew, most of whose remains were never recovered. Sulpicio officials claimed that “an act of God,” not engine failure, sank the ferry, but investigations by the Board of Marine Inquiry found Sulpicio Lines liable and called for the suspension of its license to operate.
Xevera housing project in Pampanga. — TONETTE OREJAS Globe Asiatique housing scam | August 2010 The Inquirer’s three-part report on a housing scam in the Xevera projects of Globe Asiatique Realty Holding Corp. in Bacolor town and Mabalacat City in Pampanga province led the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig) and a number of home buyers to charge developer Delfin Lee and several company officials with syndicated estafa.
Protesters gather in front of the so-called Erap mansion in Baguio City. —ELMER KRISTIAN
‘Erap Mansion’ in Baguio | October 1999 The Inquirer’s first clue as to the ownership of the so-called Erap Mansion, Baguio’s bestkept secret, came from a gardener who tipped the paper about a mansion reportedly owned by a powerful official that was being built in the lot next to his landlord’s. Through documents and interviews with official and unofficial sources, the Inquirer learned that the log cabinstyled mansion on Paterno Street in Barangay South Drive, considered as the city’s “Millionaires’ Row,” was being built for Estrada. However, all papers pertaining to the 3,718-square meter property were traceable to Estrada crony, Manuel Zamora Jr., brother of then Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora.
Albay residents feel the impact of Supertyphoon “Reming.” —EDWIN BACASMAS
Rebel priest Conrado Balweg (center) is a symbol of Cordillera autonomy. —CORDILLERA NEWS AGENCY Balweg and quest for Cordillera autonomy | 1990s Fr. Conrado Balweg fought for Cordillera autonomy and founded the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army, the first rebel group to formally start peace talks with then President Corazon Aquino’s revolutionary government, after the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. In 1999, he was killed by communist rebels at his home in Abra province.
How tilapia became PH Cinderella story | 1990s-200s Ridiculed and disliked by fish growers and consumers, tilapia underwent breed improvements and emerged as the Cinderella among freshwater fish species in the country. The Philippines now ranks No. 4 in the production of tilapia after Colombia, China and Egypt.
Mayon Volcano in Albay. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
Daragang Magayon awakes | 2001, 2009 After two weeks of restiveness, Mount Mayon, the country’s most active volcano, erupted in June 2001 and forced 11,000 people to flee their homes. More than eight years later, in December 2009, about 47,000 residents living within Mayon’s 6-kilometer permanent danger zone were again asked to leave their homes because of a possible eruption.
Residents of Botolan, Zambales, seek safer grounds. —BOY CABRIDO
Shaken but not rattled | 1990s Baguio, the only city built from the ground up by the American colonial government, was devastated on July 16, 1990, when a magnitude 7.7 earthquake tore through Luzon, toppling buildings and killing more than 1,000 people. The Inquirer documented the government’s rebuilding efforts, focusing on civic leaders, scholars and businessmen, who banded together to plan a more conservative, environment-friendly development policy for the summer capital.
Quest to save Laguna de Bay | 2016 The Inquirer’s three-part special report took off from President Duterte’s promise to reclaim this lake for small fishers in lakeside communities in Rizal, Metro Manila and Laguna. It also exposed how government regulatory agencies had failed in handling the affairs of the 90,000-hectare lake.
Tilapia grilling in Dagupan City. —WILLIE LOMIBAO
SOUTHERN LUZON
Saving Botolan after Pinatubo blast | 2001 In 2001, or 10 years after Mt. Pinatubo erupted, the 3-kilometer lake that formed at the volcano’s summit was filled with water, rising to the lowest rim on the Maraunot notch facing Botolan town in Zambales province. More than 40,000 people were in harm’s way—a story first run by the Inquirer based on the alerts issued by geologist and Zambales native Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo and then Central Luzon police director, Reynaldo Berroya.
‘Reming’ pummels Albay | 2006 Supertyphoon “Reming” (international name: Durian) which entered the Bicol region in November 2006, left more than 700 people dead and 700 more missing in its wake. Its impact on Albay further brought to light the issue of climate change and environmental abuse.
Bullet-riddled SUV used by victims of the Atimonan massacre. —RAFFY LERMA Massacre on Atimonan highway | 2013 On Jan. 6, 2013, 13 men on board two vehicles were killed by policemen in a checkpoint along Maharlika Highway in Atimonan town, Quezon province. Head of operation and then deputy chief of intelligence of the Calabarzon police, Supt. Hansel Marantan, said the target was Victor Siman whom police said headed an illegal gambling and gun-for-hire syndicate. Marantan claimed Siman and his group opened fire at the police, but the National Bureau of Investigation concluded that it was a rubout.
Losing Jesse | 2012 On Aug. 18, 2012, Interior Secretary and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Jesse Robredo was on board a light plane that took off from Mactan on his way home to Naga City. The plane never made it. It crashed into the waters off Masbate, killing Robredo and two others. Only Robredo’s aide, June Abrazado, survived the crash.
Jesse Robredo values good governance practices. —LYN RILLON
THE VISAYAS
Health scare from abandoned mine in Palawan | 2017 Through a freedom of information request in June, the Inquirer was able to obtain a copy of the summary of a study by the health and environment departments, which reported widespread cases of mercury poisoning among residents of two villages in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province. Residents of the villages of Sta. Lourdes and Tagburos, which were near an abandoned mercury mining site, had to be relocated.
Catholic priest Eddie Panlilio is game-changer in Pampanga politics. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA The priest who beat moneyed politicos | 2007 The 2007 election in Pampanga province was historic as it was unique. Kapampangans who were against corruption and “jueteng” fielded Catholic priest Eddie Panlilio in that year’s gubernatorial race. He won over reelectionist Gov. Mark Lapid and Board Member Lilia Pineda, but his crossover from the Church to politics also came at a high price: he remains suspended from officiating Catholic rites.
Residents walk through debris left by a flashflood in Real, Quezon province. —REM ZAMORA
Sierra Madre floods in Quezon | 2004 More than 1,500 people died in flash floods that hit the towns of Real, Infanta and General Nakar in Quezon province in 2004 after continuous rains brought about by three successive typhoons caused the overflow of Agos River. The three towns were inundated with mud and water that carried along logs and other forest debris from the Sierra Madre where the river originates.
Sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong. —CEBU DAILY NEWS
Chiong double murder | 1997 Siblings Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong were forced into a vehicle by a group of men while waiting for their father to pick them up outside a mall in Cebu City on July 16, 1997. Two days later, Marijoy’s body was found at the bottom of a ravine in Carcar City, 42 kilometers south of Cebu City. Jacqueline’s body was never found. With the confession of a participant-turned-state witness, investigators zeroed in on scions of prominent Cebu families led by Juan Francisco “Paco” Larrañaga, a great-grandson of the late President Sergio Osmeña Sr.; Josman Aznar, a scion of a wealthy family in Cebu; Rowen Adlawan, Alberto Cano, Ariel Balansag, and brothers James Anthony and James Andrew Uy.
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
Ruben Ecleo Jr. —DENNIS SABANGAN
Ecleo’s bloody trail | 2002 The trial spanning 10 years saw seven judges and 23 deaths, and had enough drama for a movie. It all started when Alona Ecleo’s body was found stuffed in a garbage bag and dumped in a ravine in Dalaguete town, 90 kilometers south of Cebu City, on Jan. 8, 2002. Police investigated her husband, cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr., after a woman reported seeing him and his bodyguard dumping a garbage bag in the area where Alona’s body was recovered. Ecleo faced charges of parricide but was released in 2004 after posting a P1-million bail. A fugitive since then, he had been sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Tarp war in Negros Occidental. —CARLA GOMEZ
I7-3
19 8 5
‘Patay-Buhay’ tarps | 2013 In February 2013, as the Team P-Noy senatorial candidates were set to hold lightning rallies in Negros Occidental, the Diocese of Bacolod decided to make its stand against the reproductive health law, with a tarpaulin titled, “Team Patay, Team Buhay.” The Diocese of Bacolod called on the faithful not to vote for six senatorial candidates it had tagged as “Team Patay” (Team Death) for supporting the controversial law. At the same time, the diocese identified six candidates who it said belonged to “Team Buhay” (Team Life) and should be supported. Burial of food poisoning victims in Bohol. —TONEE DESPOJO
Mega ‘shabu’ lab in Cebu | 2004 In March 2004, government agents seized a shipment of pseudoephedrine—the main ingredient in “shabu” (crystal meth)—worth P3.6 billion at Cebu International Port, which led police to step up their raid of shabu labs in the province. On Sept. 24, 2004, law enforcers discovered a rented warehouse in Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City, where packs of shabu valued at P1.3 billion were produced.
Overpriced lampposts in Cebu. — LITO TECSON
Overpriced lampposts for Asean meet in Cebu | 2007 After businessman-turnedwhistleblower Crisologo Saavedra found some irregularities in the construction of Cebu International Convention Center meant for the Asean Summit and the installation of lampposts along the routes where the summit delegates would pass, he filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman. In April 2016, the Ombudsman indicted former Cebu governor and now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia for 11 counts of graft over the alleged irregularities in 2006. Ten former provincial officials were also indicted.
Bohol food poisoning | 2005 At least 27 children died and some 100 others fell ill because of food poisoning in Mabini town, Bohol province, after eating cassava that investigators said was contaminated with pesticide. Because of the incident, street vendors were banned from selling food in areas close to schools nationwide.
A dirty coastline in Guimaras after the 2006 oil spill. —ARNOLD ALMACEN
Guimaras oil spill | 2006 When the oil tanker Solar I sank off the southern coast of Guimaras Island on Aug. 11, 2006, it spilled 2.1 million liters of bunker oil that devastated the island’s rich marine resources and dislocated thousands of residents dependent on fishing and shell gathering. The spill led to the passage of Republic Act No. 9483, or the Oil Pollution Compensation Act, which requires all oil tankers and oil companies to contribute 10 centavos of imported oil as seed money to an oil pollution fund.
A father carries his dead daughter after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” hit Tacloban City. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
Nature’s fury in the Visayas | 2013 Several powerful storms have battered the Visayas in recent times. In 1991, Tropical Storm “Uring” (international name: Thelma) unleashed flash floods in Ormoc City, Leyte, and killed more than 5,000 people. In 2006, continuous rains triggered a massive landslide in St. Bernard town, Leyte, and buried the entire village of Guinsaugon and more than 1,000 residents. In November, 2013, Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) pummeled Eastern Visayas and flattened everything in its path. It came just three weeks after Bohol and Cebu were rocked by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Oct. 15, 2013, which killed 201 in Bohol.
STAYING TRUE @
I7-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
MINDANAO Little League scandal | 1992 In 1992, the Inquirer ran a series of reports on cheating committed by the Philippine team from Zamboanga City, which won the Little League World Series Championship. The stories revealed that six of the 13 team members were overaged and assumed identities that qualified them to the competition. The Philippine team was eventually stripped of the title.
MILF’s justice by firing squad | 1997 On Oct. 6, 1997, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) publicly executed by firing squad two persons convicted of frustrated murder, car theft and robbery by its Shariah Court. The execution in Lanao del Sur was witnessed by more than 1,000 people. Public reaction against the incident forced the MILF to stop the executions.
MILF fighters gather at Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao. —GENE BOYD
The Maguindanao massacre is the country’s worst election-related attack. —JEOFFREY MAITEM
Maguindanao massacre | 2009 On Nov. 23, 2009, 58 mostly media workers were killed when armed men, led by Andal Ampatuan Jr., then mayor of Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao, waylaid a convoy of vehicles on its way to file the certificate of candidacy of now Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu.
Soldiers battle MNLF rebels who laid siege to Zamboanga City. —EDWIN BACASMAS Mamasapano encounter | 2015 Forty-four members of the police’s Special Action Force were killed in the dawn raid on the lair of regional terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao in 2015. Government troops found themselves outfought by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front who were based in the area.
War vs MILF | 2000 Then President Joseph Estrada declared an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2000, which led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao. After months of fighting, the military took control of the MILF main camp—Camp Abubakar.
LUMAWAG
Soldiers battle MNLF rebels who laid siege to Zamboanga City. —EDWIN BACASMAS
Couple Martin and Gracia Burnham.
Dos Palmas kidnapping | 2001 Abu Sayyaf bandits took 20 people from Dos Palmas resort in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan in May 2001, and brought them to Basilan. Rescuing government troops engaged the bandits in deadly encounters for more than a year. A military operation led to the death of American Martin Burnham and the rescue of his wife Gracia.
Zamboanga siege | 2013 On Sept. 9, 2013, about 200 rebels from the Moro National Liberation Front faction led by Nur Misuari stormed into Zamboanga City in boats and took over several coastal villages, triggering a standoff between government forces and the rebels who held civilians hostage. The assault, apparently aimed at thwarting a government peace plan with another separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, paralyzed the city of over a million residents, razed 10,000 homes and reduced 30 to 40 hectares of once-thriving communities to rubble.
Marawi City in ruins following the government’s fivemonth battle with terrorists. —JEOFFREY MAITEM Marawi war | 2017 On May 23 this year, fighting erupted between government troops and Islamic State-inspired gunmen who laid siege to Marawi City. Hundreds of thousands of people evacuated to nearby cities and towns. Although the military prevailed after five months of fighting, the city was left in ruins.
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I8-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Forget ‘petmalu’ and ‘lodi.’ Update your vocabulary with these words By Pam Pastor @turbochicken
O
ne of the joys of working in a newspaper is witnessing the constant, sometimes confusing, evolution of language. Once upon a time, I was the young ’un patiently explaining to an older editor that we no longer needed to spell out
SMS every time we used it, as everyone already knew what it meant. In the interest of updating our vocabulary and yours, we asked (bugged, stalked, forced) millennials to give us a crash course on millennial speak. If, like us, you were tickled when Merriam-Webster added words like binge-watch and
photobomb to the dictionary, then you might enjoy this. ‘Good game’ Let’s start with something easy. G. “‘G’ stands for ‘game.’ Like if someone asks you if you want to go out tonight, you can literally just answer ‘G.’ When you’re super excited, you could say ‘GGGGGG,’” said Janna
Lejano, a college student. But, she warned, “GG” means something else. “It means ‘good game.’ After playing a game or if your friend is too drunk, you say ‘GG,’ game over.” Louie P., who calls himself a basic dude, gave us an example that we couldn’t understand. “G ba? Mski.” “Maski ano, Louie?” we al-
most asked. But it turned out that “mski” is short for Mineski, a professional gaming organization. So we guess Louie was trying to ask if we wanted to play video games? (But we only know Mario. And Tetris.) Another word gamers use? Imba. Miggy, a 23-year-old student explained, “Imba means imbal-
ance, particularly used in online gaming. ‘Hindi natin mabasag yung armor niya, masyadong imba yung attributes.’ Can also be said when someone is left speechless by something. ‘Grabe yung concert ni Bruno Mars!!! Imba.’” Apparently, BFF is old news. You call those near and dear to you “beshie.”
I8-2
STAYING TRUE @
I8-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
32 millennial expressions you should know, according to millennials
Mikee Jocson, a 24year-old account manager, explained, “‘Beshie’ is a term of endearment. It adds a loving and comical feel to any sentiment.” Synonyms include “besh,” “mamsh,” “mamshie” and yes, “fam.” “Fam!! It’s like our generation’s version of bro, pare or dude. I like it because it’s gender neutral. It’s just a way of addressing someone. I think everyone should know about it because it’s a lot more inclusive—you could call pretty much anyone fam!” says 18year-old girl boss Tana Verzo.
FROM I8-1
‘Slay’ “Adulting” is the act of behaving like a responsible grownup, something we all have to do. “We never knew adulting was gonna be this hard. No one really taught us the 101s of being an adult,” said Jeanine Beatrice Tsoi, a model and broadcast professional in her 20s. But more than just successfully adulting, millennials think you should “slay.” “No, honey, this doesn’t mean killing somebody anymore. Now, it means doing something so amazing that it kills everybody. Everyone should not just know this word but they should embody it. Slay everyday, people! SLAAAAAAY!!!!” said Gelo Arucan, a 28-year-old multihyphenated unicorn. Sickening—oops, sorry, “sick’ning”—is no longer a negative word either. “Sick’ning is when someone looks sooo good, it makes you gag and vomit due to envy. Sick’ning is beyond fierce,” said Jay Salvador, a 37year-old sales support administrator. If someone is (or goes) above and beyond what is expected, they’re extra. Ira uses it in a sentence: “My sister is so extra, right?” Maryanne Mendoza, a 30year-old program manager for an international nongovernment organization, chose the word ‘disruption.’ “It’s a buzzword across industries and
people are taking more notice of it. It simply means a disturbance in the status quo. Most would associate it with technological disruption, an introduction to an innovation. Think the emergence of Airbnb, Uber and Alibaba … Everybody should be more aware of it because, one way or the other, these disruptions would challenge how we regularly do things. It pushes our generation and the younger generation to be more agile and critical and become creative thinkers.” Fandom Let’s get to the words inspired by fandoms; there are a number of them. Cake, a 29-year-old pop culture writer, explained ‘OTP.’ “‘One True Pairing,’ often used in fandoms to distinguish one’s favorite fictional couple/love team.” Ship isn’t a big boat, Cake said. “‘Ship’ is short for ‘relationship.’ It’s used in fandoms to denote romance between two characters. The verb ship means to support a romance between two people.” And then there’s stan. “There’s actually a hierarchy in being part of a fandom. There are occasional fans, legit fans and there are those we refer to as ‘stans.’ Stans are what the older generations call the ultimate die-hards,” said Vinz Lamorena, a 23-year-old Super writer.
And, she says, in this digital age, there are so many ways to be a stan. “These are the people who create messaging app group chats, Facebook pages and groups. They are the keyboard army controlling online voting polls and Twitter worldwide trending topics … Most stans would be burning their paychecks on various merch and tickets.” Another word that looks like a typo but isn’t is ‘af.’ “Acronym for ‘as fuck,’ it’s used to emphasize or intensify something,” said Nikka, who calls herself a “no to fake news advocate” and says she is “extra IRL.” (IRL=in real life, ha, we knew that!) Nikka gave an example that will surely get people triggered. “Mocha tweets destabilization. Me: Girl that’s fake AF. Also me: GUYS STOP RETWEETING HER.”
“Agit” is the short form of agitated that is used to express frustration or annoyance. “‘Agit’ means mad or angry. Example: I’m so agit with the traffic! Nakaka-agit ka!” said Ira Pablo, a budding entrepreneur in her 20s. We’re pretty sure Anton Roxas, a 20-year-old sports broadcaster/journalist and athlete was triggered by our question. His millennial word? “‘Google.’ It has the answer to everything.” ‘Shookt’ We know we can Google it but we asked Irene Perez, Super Squad member, to explain “shookt.” “Shookt means ‘shaken.’ Being shookt means being shocked, surprised or frazzled by either good or bad reasons. It also means having too many ‘feels’ at the same time. ‘We won the game with only one point! Shookt!’”
Shooketh is not the same as shookt. “‘Shooketh’ is to be extremely shookt,” said Irene, using the word in this sentence: “Is it true that they sold the game? OMG, I’m so shooketh!” And Irene warned, “Shooketh shouldn’t be confused with the word ‘shokot’ which is beki-speak for ‘takot’ or scared.” Thanks to Dexter, a reporter, we now know never to say that we’re thirsty in public—even if all we wanted was a glass of water. Because thirsty now means “sexually needy.” Or really, really horny. This word isn’t exclusive to millennials though. I do know a lot of thirsty titas. ‘Fuccboi’ How about fuccboi? A thesis can be written about this. “Fuccbois think they’re cool but they’re not. They’re douchebags, they’re losers who don’t know they’re losers which are the worst kind of losers,” said Amy, a 24-year-old entrepreneur. Basically, fuccboi= not a good thing. Fleek, born in a Vine video, was first used to describe perfectly groomed eyebrows but Niarchos explained, “It has since been used to describe anything that’s cool, trendy, desirable.” And his explanation came with a disclaimer. “Hindi ako yung gumagamit niyan, yung millennial kong kausap.” Aesthetic, Cake said, is “the millennial version of ‘vibe,’ vi-
sual style or overall look.” Lit is not the past tense of light, it’s not even someone intoxicated—it means exciting or excellent. OG is original gangster (or gangsta). “Enrile is the OG of the Philippine Senate,” said Nikka. Low key is exactly that—to keep something quiet, to do something discreetly. “I am low key stanning on James Reid,” said one millennial who refused to be named. Two words millennials already know but need to be reminded of: driven and empathy. “Driven! A big part of what I love about the culture today is that we’re not only encouraged to go for what we want, but we’re supportive of others’ goals as well,” said Gabby Dario, a wellness coach, badass dancer and multimedia artist in her early 20s. Student Nica Alivia said: “I think everyone knows this word, but I believe we should all act on it: empathy—understanding another person vicariously. I think this is what this generation lacks, so I think it’s about time to think of one another once again.” And perhaps the most heartening part of this entire exercise: the number of millennials who wanted to teach us the word “woke.” “It isn’t about getting up in the morning. It’s about being aware of issues. About not having ignorant political opinions. Worried about gender issues? Woke. Active in civic groups? Woke. Pro-due process and antiEJK? Woke. #MarcosNotAHero? Woke. And these days, that’s just what we need,” said Ceej Tantengco, a journalist, broadcaster, public speaker and advocate for Women’s Rights in her 20s. Carl Cuevas, a 28-year-old public relations manager added, “It’s important since it acts against the older generation’s perception that millennials are passive and indifferent … It also acts as a reminder for millennials to remain vigilant since we live in the modern ‘dark ages.’” INQ
A WELCOME RESPITE
FACING NEW CHALLENGES, REACHING NEW MILESTONES By Cynthia D. Balana @cynchdb Truth in the narrative. This has always been the guiding principle that chartered my career path as a journalist and as a senior reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer for 30 years. Unlike other employees, I never dreaded the prospect of retirement. In fact, I was looking forward to it as a welcome respite from the daily grind of finding stories and reporting the news. So, as early as five years ago, I made sure I would be prepared to face new challenges in the latest chapter of my life. All things, even the good ones, must come to an end. On July 26, 2017, I wrote “30” to 30 years of hard work, dedication and perseverance in bringing news to the people. It was time to turn the page but remain relevant. Two years ago, I obtained my
What I don’t, and won’t, handle, however, is what PR and media practitioners often refer to as ‘special operations,’ otherwise known by a less complimentary term— ‘dirty tricks’ Cynthia Balana Retired Inquirer reporter
Cynthia Balana is now her own boss.
MA in Journalism as a fellow of the Konrad Adenauer’s Asian School of Journalism at Ateneo de Manila University. I thanked PDI management for being so gracious as to give me a year of sabbatical leave with full pay and benefits so I could complete the course. I also finished short courses on Trends in Visual Journalism, Digital Publishing, Social Media Live, Copyright Law and Feature Writing at Ateneo. Having mastered how to write content for 30 years, I then worked on honing my technical skills. I enrolled in Adobe Photoshop, Web Design, and Adobe Illustrator courses. On August 1, I launched my own company, CBCOMM Public Relations Services, which is based on the ground floor of a condominium unit just across the school of my only child. This way, I can keep track of her while I do my work.
The focus of CBCOMM is image-building, reputation management and corporate social responsibility. What I don’t, and won’t, handle, however, is what PR and media practitioners often refer to as “special operations,” otherwise known by a less complimentary term—“dirty tricks”—to promote a client’s interests or objectives. But old habits are hard to break. I still wake up late at night and find the urge to write about my favorite subjects—defense and military issues. Thus, the birth of defensejournalph.com. I am the owner and publisher of this online news magazine. Looking back, I am happy to note that I reached this milestone because I made sure always to enjoy every journey that I had taken. For this, I am forever grateful to the Inquirer. I will make sure that the Inquirer DNA will stay with me forever. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I8-3
19 8 5
After 15 years, enjoying life without deadlines By Leti Boniol @letsgo_manila
A
lmost two years after I left this paper, some friends still introduce me as somebody “from the Inquirer.” While I’m not overjoyed at the description, I notice that this facilitates things and lights up people’s faces. But while I’m sometimes still identified by my previous work affiliation, I have broken free from the demands and constraints of the job that had me processing stories from the regions for almost 15 years, and doing sundry desk work for more than two decades before that. Without the daily deadlines that ruled my life at the Inquirer, I now find myself with enough time to do what I want when I want, and however I want to do them. A year before I was due to retire, I had already planned what I’d do and years before that, had saved for the eventuality. I also checked and revised my bucket list a few times to reflect my fondest wish at the moment. In November 2015, I bought plane tickets to Amsterdam and in the spring of 2016, began my 35-day tour of six countries in Europe with a friend. Encouraged by the invitation of a friend in Germany, we toured the continent that first fascinated me when I went to Switzerland 28 years ago. This time, we joined tours and visited museums, and marveled at centuries-old opulent churches, lush gardens and parks where peacocks freely roamed. Trains, buses, cable cars and river
My Inquirer training, it turns out, will always be with me Leti Boniol Retired Regions editor
cruises—we made sure we enjoyed them all. Uncontrollable Traveling teaches you not just about other people’s cultures, but also how to manage your luggage, your health and your fears. I’d start traveling light with just a small rolling luggage and a carry-on, but always ended up buying a bigger luggage along the way because our controlled shopping was, well, uncontrollable. Health concerns were unavoidable as well. I had not experienced windburn before, but there I was, face red with rashes. I had to get a doctor’s prescription for an ailment neither I nor the doctors knew the name of, except that it threatened to take the joy out of my travels. In October of that year, I traveled with three friends to Ubud, the spiritual and cultural center of Bali, Indonesia, and appreciated the soft-spoken and kindred people there who were much like Filipinos, with their rich culture and their
Leti Boniol poses with tulips in bloom and beside murals of great artists in her recent trip to Europe.
affordable food, guest houses and souvenirs, like clothing. From Ubud, we went on a retreat in Mt. Abu in Rajasthan, India, where the Academy for a Better World offers a respite from the hassles of this old world as it teaches people how to manage their life amid conflicts. Friends and I also went local, traveling to places we had not visited before, like Samal Island, Tagum City, Davao City, Boracay and Bohol. We also revisited Puerto Princesa, Cebu and Zambales. In most of these places, there were friends who welcomed us, toured us, cooked for us and treated us to local food,
music and hospitality. Full, rough life Like most retirees, I regularly touch base with long lost friends and relatives, recounting past lives and slimmer days when we all had a healthy head of hair. Later, we’d wander off to our more recent life and enjoy each other’s company over food and drinks. A few would show me their art galleries or thriving businesses, which make me wonder how they managed these ventures while having a full, sometimes rough, life. Back in my cozy home outside Manila, I find time to indulge myself in affordable hot
springs and healing spas, while exploring the locality’s forests, museums, gardens and parks. There is enough energy to spend learning how to grow food naturally using vemicasts and biopesticides in my garden, and how to source and cook my own food. There’s also time left to volunteer for causes, join rallies, and attend symposia and similar activities. I always look forward to learning new things, like cooking vegetarian dishes such as Spanish sardines using jackfruit, or steak using coconut meat. Without pressing deadlines and appointments, and the convenience of having househelp, I find myself doing chores, stuff that I often put off. I do a million
other things before plunging into the inevitable cleanup. With Christmas around the corner, I prepare to give away preloved clothes and knick-knacks, while encouraging friends to organize a visit to nearby orphanages to share our blessings. While I want to enjoy my days while my legs are still sturdy and my mind clear, I realize that my resources might run dry before I do. So occasionally, I resurrect the old skills that defined my other life: I accept invitations to lecture on writing, or write and edit stories for newsletters and sundry publications. My Inquirer training, it turns out, will always be with me. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
I8-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
LIFE AFTER INQUIRER “Moving on is accepting reality” By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasINQ
T
hat all good things must come to an end is an eventuality that Cita Goyagoy had prepared for long before her 31-year journey with the Inquirer concluded in April this year. “Retirement has always been a reality for me. I’ve conditioned myself for it. Everything in life is temporary after all,” said Cita who had served as secretary to Inquirer chair Marixi Rufino-Prieto and former publisher Dean Raul Pangalangan. While she misses dressing up and going to the office, she has come to enjoy the free time that she spends going out with friends and traveling, Cita said. She now shares a lot of fun times with four circles of friends: the Chemco Ladies, her former colleagues at the Far East Chemco Leasing and Finance Corp.; Batch ’73 from Calasiao High School in Pangasinan; her Inquirer friends and coretirees, and her “tour group,” people she met during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October. It was a “fruitful” trip, she said of her 14-day trip to the Holy Land with 44 others—her tour group composed of doctors, surgeons, a dentist, and a chaplain, among others, who traveled across Jordan, Israel and Egypt. From being baptized at the Jordan River to riding a camel and braving the freezing temperature at the top of Mt. Sinai where the Ten Commandments were given to Moses, Cita said she felt blessed to had checked it off
Cita Goyagoy now enjoys the free time she spends with friends and traveling.
her bucket list. Travel goals Her trip also brought her to Nazareth, Bethlehem, the Nile River, the Dead Sea, the Western Wall, the Sea of Galilee, Petra, and the Pyramids of Egypt. Traveling with her fellow Inquirer retirees during the initial months of freedom from work brought her to Baguio, Baler,
Iloilo, Bacolod, and her hometown, Pangasinan. She has always loved traveling, said Cita who admits that her travel goals include visits to Rome, the Vatican and Spain. When she’s not packing her bags, she’s fixing up and declutterng her room, said Cita. Finally, she has found the time to tend to her garden and to organize her photographs
in an album. The rest of the time she spends pampering herself in a spa, grocery-shopping, exercising, and malling with the family. Eight months after retirement, Cita said she had accomplished a lot of things, but had yet to push through her ultimate retirement plan, which is to put up a profitable business. For those who are about to
welcome the next chapter of their life after Inquirer, Cita has some words of advice: “Prepare yourself, save money for retirement and look for other ways to enjoy your time. Interact with relatives and friends.” These days, she defines happiness as focusing on herself and her family. “Life is always moving on. (It is about) accepting changes and
reality. I’m looking forward to what makes me stronger and more complete. I’m happy now. I’ve learned to appreciate what I have,” she said. To maintain that state of mind, she said people should “always feel privileged. Give without expecting anything in return. Most of all, learn to appreciate God’s blessings and thank Him in return.” INQ
Congratulations! on your 32nd anniversary from
/SEAOIL @SeaoilPH SeaoilPH
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I9-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
30-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
‘There will always be room for a good newspaper’ HOORAY! On Thursday, Philippine Daily Inquirer honored 57 employees for their work and service to the company over the years. They included 4 employees who had worked for 30 years, 6 who had worked for 25 years, 20 for 20 years, 4 for 15 years, 14 for 10 years and 9 for 5 years. Their scope of work cut across the various departments and operations of the Inquirer—from editorial to marketing and advertising, and financial and general services. Those who had worked for more than 20 years admit to having spent the best years of their lives with Inquirer. Read their stories in this section.
By Artemio T. Engracia Jr. News Editor
F
or the past five years, I’ve been looking forward to this; at the same time I’ve been dreading this moment. It is therefore with mixed emotions that I speak here in behalf of the three other loyal Inquirer employees—Ely Fugaban, Cynthia Balana and Tino Tejero—who have devoted a good portion of their lives—30 years at least—in the service of this company. This speech signals my emancipation from the slavery of deadlines, from the daily grind of newspaper work, and from a lifelong addiction to this substance called news. Finally, I will soon be able to drive my car with music, not news, on the radio, and have dinner with my
family on a daily basis. For the past 45 years, I never got to be home for most of the holidays, Christmas in particular. I was never home when the kids would come home from school, and I was never of help with their homework. I hope it’s not too late to make up for lost time. Otherwise, as one retiring journalist once said, I will just be another pretty face with plenty of money to buy maintenance medicines with. I have long dreaded this moment, for I will soon be bidding goodbye to my other family—the Inquirer and the dedicated men and women who, for more than three decades, turned what was once a ragtag operation into an organization that, as I have said many times before, has become the yardstick by which all other media—print, broad-
cast or online—are measured. Many years ago, I attended the party to commemorate the 50-year journalism career of the respected editor Rod Reyes. I wondered then if I would ever reach that milestone, the way I once wondered if I would ever finish an Ironman Triathlon. Today, I’m five years away from that milestone, and I’m determined to reach that summit one way or the other. Loyal service Also today, I want to reintroduce to you the three other Inquirer employees who had rendered 30 years of loyal service to the company. Ely Fugaban of DPU was part of the editorial team that I organized when the Inquirer bowling tournament switched from duckpin to tenpins years ago. I asked a
friend of mine to teach the team the rudiments of tenpin bowling and I’m proud to say that Ely and the other members of that team went on to become among the Inquirer’s top bowlers. Ely was as dedicated as a bowler as he was as an Inquirer worker. I never saw much of Tino Tejero in the last 30 years. Although we shared the same newsroom, it’s no exaggeration to say that we shared no more than 30 words in conversation for 30 years. I heard he would sneak into the office and work well into the night when everyone else had gone home to sleep. Once, Letty Magsanoc, our beloved editor in chief, asked Tino to join the newsdesk but he refused. His reason: Life is too short to be correcting other people’s mistakes. Tino, as you probably know by now, is a man of
I9-2
Artemio T. Engracia Jr.
STAYING TRUE @
I9-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
S I N C E
‘THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ROOM FOR A GOOD NEWSPAPER’ few words. His elo-
is in his FROM I9-1 quence writing and the In-
quirer is a much better newspaper today because of the quality of his work. Cynthia Balana was one of the reporters who made life exciting for me and the other editors for 30 years. Her passion for her stories is legendary. It was therefore inevitable that she would have run-ins with the editors who were as passionate with their work as she was with hers. I was Cynthia’s favorite editor to torment, and I’m sure she believes she was my favorite reporter to torment. But unknown to her, I liked Cynthia’s copies. She wrote her stories the way I wanted to present them to the readers—short, simple, direct to the point, uncomplicated and most of all, grammatically flawless. Of course, I never told her this. Otherwise, she probably would have liked me too and that would have made working in the newsroom less exciting. So today, I make my peace with Cynthia. Newsboy How I got to become a journalist is a long story, but I’ll try to make it short. Let me take you back 65 years; that’s right, six and a half decades. Very few people know that I was born into the newspaper business, with printer’s ink in my veins and newsprint in my cereals. My maternal grandfather was a newsboy who went on to become the exclusive newspaper dealer in my hometown. Newspapers sent my mother and her seven siblings to college. I remember seeing my grandfather deliver newspapers to subscribers on foot and so it was just natural that I would later join the family business, as a newsboy. During
From left: Cynthia D. Balana, Eligio S. Fugaban and Constantino C. Tejero the summer, I sold almost everything printed—newspapers, magazines, comic books etc. Later, I was promoted—I inherited the newspaper route of my grandfather, delivering newspapers to subscribers on a bike. Until one day, a subscriber complained that he had not been getting his paper for a month. It turned out I had delivered his paper to his neighbor. That was how I got fired from my first job. My father was a voracious reader. He read everything that I sold. He also read the Philippine Free Press, Time, Newsweek, Readers Digest, and when there was nothing else to read, he also read comic books. Anything printed, he read. He was my No. 1 customer. His favorite newspaper to read, and my favorite newspaper to sell, was the Manila Times. That was, of course, when the Manila Times belonged to another era. From high school, my career path was laid out very clearly in front me. I became a campus journalist as staffer of the High School Advocate, the school organ of the Far Eastern University boys and girls high school. My title was society editor; I had ab-
solutely no idea what I was supposed to do as society editor of a high school paper. But when one of the editors dropped out of school, I was promoted to news editor. Prophetic, isn’t it? My first real job as a journalist was as a sportswriter in the Daily Express where I learned from the best mentors—Bert Cuevas, Tony Siddayao, Neal Cruz and of course, Pocholo Romualdez, the editor of editors who has outlived his contemporaries and still practices his craft to this very day. I was a big sports fan and being a sportswriter was a dream job. It was like watching the big games for free and getting paid for it. To be exact, my salary then was P350 a month plus P150 transportation allowance. I felt so rich I thought I could get married and start a family, if only I had a girlfriend at that time. Martial law A few months into my job, martial law was declared and the Express became one of three newspapers allowed to continue publishing. The Express was printing so many copies that the presses were running well into
the afternoon. This prompted the paper to put out an afternoon edition, the Evening Express where, as a 19-year old college dropout, I became the sports editor, one of only two titles that I want my name to be associated with. At the ripe old age of 32, I retired from the Express to be editor in chief of the afternoon newspaper that the Bulletin group was going to put out. Aptly named PM, the paper did not last long. I went back to the Express after a year and was later invited to join a post-Edsa newspaper trying to replicate the Inquirer’s phenomenal rise. But that too did not last long and the publisher still owes me four months’ salary. I was between jobs—meaning I was jobless—for the next three months during which I lowered my golf handicap to a single digit and made money hustling in the fairways. I made more money—and lost more friends—in three months in the fairways than I did in my first six months in the Inquirer. In early 1987, Dick Pascual invited me to the Inquirer and offered me the job as national editor, a position he created to lure me out of gainful unem-
ployment. It turned out that the title was just a euphemism for provincial news editor, night editor and desk editor rolled into one. Four years later, when Letty Magsanoc took over as editor in chief, I was promoted to news editor and that, my friends, was the last time I was ever promoted. Not that I wanted to be promoted. I fell so in love with the title I refused to give it up. In fact, when Letty tried to change my title to something else (I’m not sure if it was a promotion), I told her this: Letty, the day I cease to be news editor of this newspaper is the day I leave the Inquirer. She relented. She said: OK, you keep the title, but please don’t leave. Turbulent year The year 1987 was a turbulent one in our country’s history. The country had just emerged from a long period of darkness, our democratic institutions were just beginning to flourish, and the new government was facing coup attempt after coup attempt. The Inquirer was in the thick of things not only as chronicler of this transition but also as an active participant in the momentous, and sometimes convulsive, events that shaped this important part of our history. For 30 years, the Inquirer never relinquished that dual role and I take pride in the fact that we—Ely, Cynthia, Tino and I—were all part of this. We stood up to Presidents, we fought criminals, both in an out of government, we exposed the ills of society, and at the same time raised hope for our people. We did what every great newspaper was expected to do. For the opportunity to be part of all these, we thank the
25-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES Inquirer management, led by Sandy Romualdez and Marixi Prieto, and the rest of the Inquirer family. It has been a pleasure and an honor. Wherever we go from here, we will be carrying with us the DNA of a great newspaper. In good hands The Inquirer will be around for another 30 years. This confidence comes from the words of two journalists who inspired me to endure in this noble profession. When I was a student, we presented our laboratory paper in journalism to then UP president Salvador P. Lopez. He obviously was not impressed by our effort, but he told us to always remember this: THE PRINTED WORD WILL ALWAYS BE KING. Years later, when I was vacillating about an editing job offered me, I consulted Pat Gonzales, the then editor in chief of the Bulletin, and asked him if there was room for another afternoon paper in the market. His reply: There will always be room for a good newspaper anytime. In this age of fake news, their words carry a lot weight and offer great hope for the future of the Inquirer. Finally, we can all rest assured in the knowledge that, in the words of Executive Editor Joey Nolasco when he made a similar speech two years ago, the Inquirer is in good hands. The Inquirer has had its ups and downs. But I am most proud of this great newspaper when the chips were down; when it had to reach out from the depths to remain true to its mandate; when it remained steadfast when buffeted by storm after storm. Today, more than ever, I am proud of the Inquirer. INQ
IN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY Rosario A. Garcellano Opinion Editor Called to a photo shoot on the roof deck, this small group of 25ers could not do much more than giggle nervously and make things difficult for the multiawarded photographer Lyn Rillon. It was a sad-happy event: We were glad to mark a milestone, but we were catching ourselves at turns distracted and pensive under the bright, blistering sunlight—John Updike’s “El Greco sky”—watching the sand thinning in the hourglass ... Told to say what he could for this milestone, Ernie Manlapaz of Production recalls that he started at the Inquirer in 1992 at its old office on UN Avenue. In fact we, the 25-ers, all did, but he makes a point to point it out: “Dati maliit lang ang opisina,” he says. Quite right. I remember how small it was, how cramped, how, after smoking was banned in the newsroom, smokers like myself lined the hallway, cheek by jowl with LJM, and grumpily flicking ash on the potted plants. And also how mice brazenly leaped out of desk drawers and occasionally even stopped to glance at how startled we were. We moved to this glass-andsteel building in 1995—“maganda
From left: Marc Anthony E. Reyes, Ernie M. Manlapaz, Rosario A. Garcellano, Charles E. Buban, Joel I. Dela Cruz and Delson C. Tangcora at malaki ang opisina,” in Ernie’s words. Big and beautiful, with a staircase to inspire legend (and also to render the oldies breathless and wheezing). And here we are now, a quarter of a century after we began. For three of us—Marc Anthony Reyes of Sports, Delson Tangcora of IT, and Charles Buban of Motoring, Health and Property—it’s their first job. There has to be something to this office that young men like them would not yield to the temptation of wandering away. Delson started out providing tech support for the 1992 election coverage—the first time, he says, that the Inquirer would be “trans-
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
19 8 5
20-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
STILL PASSIONATE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS By Robert Jaworski L. Abaño Acting Regions Editor Princess Diana died in a car crash and her funeral in London, beamed live on television, drew millions of mourners. A week later, the world mourned Mother Teresa’s death. In Scotland, scientists cloned Dolly the sheep. In the United States, Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace was murdered by Filipino-American Andrew Cunanan, while in Hollywood, “Titanic” secured a place in film history for its box office earnings. Closer to home, the United Kingdom handed over Hong Kong to China; the Thai baht crashed and triggered an Asiawide financial crisis. In the Philippines, a landmark law protecting the country’s indigenous peoples was passed. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front carried out a public execution in Lanao del Sur. The original “Ang Probinsyano” film, starring the late Fernando Poe Jr., was shown on the big screen. The country also saw the deaths of former President Diosdado Macapagal, poets Jose Garcia Villa and Rolando Tinio, comedian Chiquito and character actor Max Alvarado. These were among the biggest events of 1997, the same year when a group of 21 young men and women, including myself, found a home in a concrete, steel and glass building on Chino Roces Ave. in Makati. The building, then two years old, was and still is the Inquirer main office, and became, over the years, a symbol of our still unfolding journey. We joined the Inquirer in our 20s and early 30s, some of us fresh graduates itching to start first jobs or waiting for another that would hopefully be the “one.” Learning the ropes Twenty years later, we are now holding positions of responsibility in the Inquirer’s newsroom and other departments—a testament to how the company has nurtured our growth and opened doors. For all of us, learning the ropes from our editors, supervi-
Jerome Joeffrey B. Aning
From left foreground: Marites P. Dela Cruz, Ma. Lourdes C. Montegrande, Michael L. Ubac, Abelardo S. Ulanday, Edwin E. Bacasmas, Menelyn L. Monreal. Standing, from left: Josephine A. Samonte, Robert Jaworski L. Abaño, Laura Josephine A. Mansilla, Jesus M. Cayabyab, Ma. Carmen S. Abis, Ma. Aileen C. Corales and Arnel B. Francisco sors, managers and senior colleagues was enough to keep us going. We inched our way up the editorial and corporate ladders through their guidance. What made us stay? We stayed for various reasons, but were linked by a common passion for the jobs we were doing. We stayed in the belief that we were doing something that matters, that we were part of an institution critical to nation building. Fellow 20-year colleagues Jojo Samonte and Tsai Montegrande described the Inquirer as home and said that they feel like valued members of the family. Icar Abis treasured the friendships she forged in the Inquirer. Day Desk chief Mike Ubac cited passion for outstanding journalism and the opportunity to work with, and learn from, some of the best minds and talents in the field as the main reasons he has stayed. For Natty Cayubit and Aileen Corales, it’s the pride and honor of being part of the country’s leading newspaper that makes a difference. Bodeng Valencia cited finan-
cial security, and indeed, we are all witnesses to the generosity of the Inquirer management. All of us remember how, some two years after we became regular employees, we received the biggest profit share in Inquirer history—six digits before taxes. But working for the Inquirer is not just about shelter, food, clothing and education for our families. More than the material things, being an Inquirer employee entails a huge responsibility. We are duty-bound to protect its legacy as the leading light in the fight against wrongdoing, oppression and tyranny. Whether at the frontline or in the background, we are witnesses to history as it is drafted by Inquirer reporters and polished by its editors. Adversity It is also an affirmation of our faith in our mission, even in times of adversity. One of those times was in 1999, when then President Estrada pushed for an advertising boycott
of the Inquirer for what he believed was a critical and adverse coverage of his administration. One November morning that year, fresh from a trip from Baguio City where I was then based, I found myself alone in the newsroom, too early for a scheduled training. While waiting for the designated hour, I scanned a bulletin board and started browsing faxed letters from readers sympathetic to the Inquirer. These readers promised to help the Inquirer by buying multiple number of copies of the daily. Such words of encouragement from faceless readers strengthened the Inquirer, and united and inspired us to carry on and weather the storm. The Inquirer, I would like to believe, still has those core readers, the same kind of readers who believe as we do, and who continue to inspire us. We strive to stay relevant for those very readers, even in this age when technology is revolutionizing the distribution and sharing of information. And yes,
I9-3
19 8 5
Nelson G. De Gracia
Maria Natividad A. Cayubit
Maria Doris C. Dumlao-Abadilla
Invicratus H. Valencia
even when multiple sources of news distract and confuse readers, and when disinformation and fake news on social media gain traction because of their sheer ubiquity. Through the years, we’ve aspired to live what journalists Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, in their 2001 book, “The Elements of Journalism,” identified as the first element of our craft: “Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth.” Truthtellers We are truthtellers. It’s our obligation to our readers to strive to get the best obtainable version of the truth despite the proliferation of fake news. It won’t help to press the mute button. Crank up the volume and let the truth be heard, even if it hurts. In 2012, 21 of us celebrated our 15th year in the Inquirer. This year, as we receive recognition for our 20th year of service, we are down to 20. Let us offer a few moments to remember the late foreign news editor Luverne Gueco. Let me also recognize our longtime provincial correspon-
Marie Joselle R. Badilla
James S. Jacosalem
dents who have faithfully spent the past 15 to 30 years as the paper’s standard-bearer and human face around the country. Even today, our pioneer correspondents Anselmo Roque of Nueva Ecija and Carla Gomez of Bacolod City, as well as Tonette Orejas of Pampanga, Delfin Mallari Jr. of Quezon, Juan Escandor Jr. of Camarines Sur and Yolanda Sotelo of Pangasinan have maintained the passion for their craft. My special gratitude goes to my first Inquirer editor and mentor, Northern Luzon Bureau chief Rolly Fernandez, for guiding me during
the 18 years that I spent in Baguio. I will forever be grateful to the Inquirer’s corps of provincial correspondents and the bureau chiefs and staff, present and past, in Northern, Central and Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, for making the Inquirer a truly national paper. In five years, I hope to see most of us still in the Inquirer. And I hope that the same wideeyed excitement of being part of something big, that sense of mission, that passion to change the world, that fire that led us to the Inquirer, will still be there. INQ
mitting news reports through dial-up connection, making stories available in a couple of minutes.” He eventually applied to fill a vacancy, and has stayed put since. “How is it possible to work for 25 years with the same employer?” Charles asks. “It’s easy when work presents itself as a challenge to improve one’s skills and to keep learning.” And he found such a challenge in the Inquirer. Budget’s Joel dela Cruz describes his 25 years as an “exciting and fruitful journey” that has made him “a better and wiser person” and given him “the courage and strength to face the realities of work and life.” Myself, looking back at these
two-and-a-half decades, I find that I am no less brimming with superlatives. This lengthy chapter in our collective narrative is a life lesson, and not a mere plus point in my CV. To be a cog in the wheel of the Inquirer work force, to carry this great newspaper’s name like a badge, to “enjoy” it, as Ernie says (on two points, according to him: equal treatment of and benefits for officers and regular staff, and harmonious relations between union and management), is a matter of pride, especially now that we are, as in the song, “trembling on the brink,” and an era is close to ending. Delson calls the Inquirer “my second home.” Joel is “proud and
grateful to have worked with the best men and women in the Inquirer for 25 years.” Marc delivers the clincher: “I have spent more than half my life with the Inquirer. Those were prime years. And it's been worth it.” This quarter-century has been, and is, a distinctive period for us who work in the Inquirer. To lead the national conversation, to present factual information and reasoned opinion to its readers in order to enable and empower them to make correct decisions: This is our work and our privilege. Now, to answer the question “For whom do you write?”
Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer cited Albert Camus’ “courage in one’s life and talent in one’s work” and Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “The best way a writer can serve a revolution is to write as well as he can.” Gordimer was pondering on that question that, she said “plagues the writer,” and she believed that these two statements might be “the credo for all of us who write.” These can serve as our credo as well, all of us women and men who work in this newspaper: “They turn the face of the writer squarely to her and his existence, the reason to be, as a writer, and the reason to be, as a responsible human, acting, like any other, within a social context.” INQ
STAYING TRUE @
I9-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
10-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
15-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
From left: Jasmine W. Payo, Normandy A. Dela Paz, Richard S. Marasigan and Irene Andrea C. Perez
5-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
From left: Napoleon M. Sarez, Jr., Rudyard S. Arbolado, Mark Anthony F. Lopez, Arlene G. Astapan, Pocholo M. Concepcion and Roderick C. Villanueva From left: Sunshine I. Velasco, Glorielyn N. Ebayan, Rolando D. Leonardo, Jeannette I. Andrade and Roy Raul C. Mendiola From left: Elizalde V. Pusung, Raoul Isagani J. Chee Kee, Sara Isabelle A. Pacia, Raymund Caesar S. Soberano, Jea Jean A. Esperas, Glenn Mark M. Velasco, Jennifer S. Santiago, Jovic Maurice L. Yee and Raul J. Palabrica
SIDEBAR TALE
MY 20-YEAR JOURNEY WITH THE INQUIRER From left: Marvin L. Isorena, Michael C. Quinao and Ronald E. San Jose
By Michael Lim Ubac Day Desk Chief Home is where the heart is. Sounds like a cliché, but this was the lead paragraph of the very first essay I wrote for the Philippine Daily Inquirer in 1996 as part of the admission requirement for its scholarship program. When the late publisher Isagani Yambot saw what I wrote, he promptly asked his staff to book me for an interview. I got the scholarship. Two decades later, I realize that my journey with the Inquirer has been far from boring. Rising from the ranks, I practically covered all news beats, and even headed the paper’s labor union at one time. After I ‘graduated’ from the Metro section and began covering for the National News section, travels for coverage became routine. Foreign assignments took me to the United States, Europe, South America, Southeast Asia and East Asia, China, India, Australia and New Zealand. Under the able guidance of City Editor Gerry Lirio, who has given me lots of career breaks, I managed to turn in scoops for the paper. My passion for truth took me to the hinterlands of Maguindanao in 2005, in search of Virgilio Garcillano, the man at the center of the alleged ballot fixing in the 2004 presidential election that became known as the “Hello, Garci” scandal. The exclusive interview would not have happened had I resisted the cloak-and-dagger approach of his handlers. I was ‘snatched’ by five heavily-armed men from a taxi on a highway in Cotabato, blindfolded, and forced into a waiting van. The circuitous trip felt like forever. The bumpy ride eventually led me to a deserted hill overlooking the Moro Gulf where I, thankfully, found Garcillano. That was a hair-raising experience that may have defined my career on some level. It dawned on me that no story was worth one’s life—a journo should always live to tell the tale. Earlier, in 2001, I was nearly mobbed by Estrada supporters during the siege of Malacañang. The scandals that rocked the Estrada and Arroyo administrations defined a tumultuous decade that, however, became the fieldwork for honing my investigative and reportorial skills. Transition plan In 2011, with the heady days behind me, I took a breather and left posthaste for the Unit-
Michael Lim Ubac ed States. I was at the crossroads, a confused guy in his 30s looking for a deeper meaning to life. It was LJM (the late Editor in Chief Letty JimenezMagsanoc) who encouraged me to take further studies abroad, telling Inquirer management that someday, “it will redound to the benefit of the paper.” When I returned in 2013, LJM sent word through former Day Desk chief Juliet LabogJavellana that I had been promoted to desk editor. Little did I know that she was already drawing up a “transition plan” for her graceful exit from a life that was inextricably linked to the nation’s democratic process itself. One of LJM’s favorite mantras was “speaking truth to power.” I was one of the privileged souls who worked with her through the dead of night. She was a light that burned so brightly, and I enjoyed that light. LJM died on Christmas Eve in 2015, five months before I finished my master’s degree in liberal arts (concentration: international relations) at Harvard University. In honor of her memory, I wrote these words on the acknowledgment page of my master’s thesis: “You may have crossed over to the great unknown, but your passion for knowledge and search for truth have left an indelible mark on my life.” The thesis, which highlighted supertyphoon “Yolanda” as a textbook example of climate change, won the “Director’s Prize for Outstanding Thesis” in 2016. ‘Pay my dues’ My original plan had been to work for the Inquirer for five years just to “pay my dues,” a phrase I pilfered from the late Sen. Joker Arroyo, one of my mentors. But I stayed. Why? When we love what we do, we’re oblivious to the passing of time. Maverick Senators Raul Roco and Arroyo exposed me to genuine public service: always work for the common man, they said. Roco and Arroyo, both pride of Bicolandia, belonged to a different era but saw the world sans rose-colored glasses. The two brilliant lawyers and human rights' advocates saw justice—when dispensed liberally
to the hoi polloi—as the beacon of hope and democracy. When I became president of the Philippine Daily Inquirer Employees Union in 2007, Arroyo gladly acceded to my request for him to administer my oath of office. “You told me to pay my dues, right?” I chided the Senate’s jester. Working with some of the best editors, brightest minds and amazing talents in the profession today, I realized that I have had much to learn from my Inquirer colleagues. Admittedly, journalism is not the most lucrative and appealing offshoot of the invention of writing. Every day, one has to maneuver his or her way through a highly stressful environment where the story deadline is king. Winds of change But, perhaps, my journey mirrors that of my fellow 20-year awardees. I believe that all of us have the passion for finding the truth that drives us to walk the extra mile; we’re perpetually searching for compelling stories and multimedia content that will empower our readers. Transitions may be difficult, but they are avenues for great opportunities, too. As we go through this winnowing process, I hope my Inquirer family will survive the winds of change now sweeping us. The Inquirer remains credible because it’s relevant, fearless and transparent. Beyond its watchdog role in our society, its bias for truth and justice consequently gives us a moral compass and a seat at the head of the table. The Inquirer prides itself with its unflinching dedication to running stories that make a difference in the life of the nation. Lending its voice to the marginalized sectors, besides periodically holding to account the powers-that-be, the Inquirer marches on, with its own story forever intertwined with the narrative of a rising nation. That, I submit, is our DNA that distinguishes us from the rest of the lot. I told a dear friend on July 8, my anniversary date, that the past two decades had been “the best years of my life!” But she promptly but lovingly corrected me, saying: “Best years yet.” Indeed, those were 20 years of success nurtured with love by my parents, Arlene and Fidel Jr., and brother, Crisostomo, and forged through the liberating power of the pen. But above all, I firmly believe that it was the hand of the Lord that plucked me from the sleepy town of Masbate and brought me to my second home, the Inquirer, 20 years ago. INQ
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I10-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Most award-winning newspaper in the country
T
he Philippine Daily Inquirer has bagged over 570 awards since December 1985 for its comprehensive news coverage, investigative reports, insightful opinion pieces and attention-grabbing photographs. This year, it received awards in new categories like infographics and page design, making the Inquirer the most award-winning newspaper in the country in editorial content and form. Since January this year, the Inquirer has received 38 awards from local and international groups. The first for the year went to “Lamentation,” the Inquirer’s front page photograph on July 24, 2016, showing a young woman cradling the lifeless body of her partner, which won for Inquirer photographer Raffy Lerma the silver medal for Breaking News (Photography) from the
prestigious Society for News Design (SND). The alleged drug user was killed by suspected vigilantes in the government’s unrelenting war on drugs, which Lerma had been documenting. Lerma’s silver medal, the highest given for this category by SND this year, is granted for work that rises above excellence representing “an elevated level of execution, originality of concept, or high-end work done with a high degree of difficulty,” SND said. “The gripping image stops you immediately and pulls you into studying its details, which make you feel like you are witnessing a tragedy in person: their bare feet, the sidewalk, the signs,” the SND judges said. “The photograph is perfectly composed, the lighting is gorgeous, and the emotion is potent.”
Lerma’s “Lamentation” also won Best News Photograph from The Society of Publishers in Asia (Sopa) in awards it handed out in 2017. Writing editor Daxim Lucas, who was a finalist for Journalist of the Year, bagged an honorable mention in The Scoop Award category for breaking the story about the 2016 Bangladesh central bank heist, while Inquirer Briefing received an honorable mention for information graphics category in the same event. Lerma’s award gave the Inquirer a “three-peat” win at the prestigious Sopa in the news photography category, following wins by Edwin Bacasmas and Marianne Bermudez in 2015 and 2016, respectively. “The journalist captured a powerful emotional moment that depicts the human cost of the
I10-2
Some of the awards the Inquirer received this year. —EDWIN BACASMAS
STAYING TRUE @
I10-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
The Inquirer’s chief operating officer, Rene Reinoso (center), and Central Desk chief Juliet Labog-Javellana (sixth from left) lead other officers and employees of the Inquirer and its magazine arm Hinge Inquirer Publications (HIP) in receiving the Tinta Awards at the Manila Hotel. The newspaper won the grand prix, one gold, three silver and three bronze awards, while HIP bagged a total of seven silver and bronze awards.
MOST AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER IN THE COUNTRY FROM I10-1 Philippines’ war on drugs,” Sopa judges said of Lerma’s picture. “This is an outstanding work of photojournalism not just for the impact of the harrowing image but for its ability to raise questions about a government’s controversial use of extrajudicial killings,” they added. The same photograph by Lerma also won the Grand Prix at the Tinta Awards, where the Inquirer also won one gold, three silver and three bronze awards in newspaper design, layout and photography categories. Another multi-awarded photograph was Lyn Rillion’s “Savior to the Street Oldies,” which won the gold for feature photography at the Asian Media Awards, gold for newspaper photography at Tinta and best news photograph in the Catholic Mass Media Awards. Rillon’s award recognizes visual creativity (originality of perception and treatment), as well as ability to expand knowledge or understanding of an issue through the effective use of the medium and technical skills. Capturing genuine compassion in a single image may be difficult, but Rillon’s “Savior to Street Oldies” made it seem so effortless. The photograph, which accompanied the Oct. 9, 2016, story about a former bank teller, Bennielita “Bennie” Sanchez, showed an elderly bedridden woman smiling faintly during Sanchez’s visit. The photo resonated with the kindness, caring and purity of intention of this young woman who picked up abandoned old folks off the streets and took care of them until they are reunited with their families or are “rescued” by social welfare workers. The Inquirer was also recognized by the academe for its news content, receiving the Best Newspaper award from Gawad Tanglaw, Best in Editorial Content from Lyceum of the Philippines University and Most Outstanding Broadsheet in the Philippines from De La Salle Araneta University. “The Philippine Daily Inquirer was chosen (as) best newspaper (broadsheet) for its fearless views, truth and fairness in its news reports, and credible and highly respected columnists,” said Dr. Jaime Gutierrez-Ang, president emeritus of Gawad Tanglaw, an academe-based media critic. The Inquirer’s award for the Most Outstanding Broadsheet in the Philippines in the Gawad Lasallianeta 2017 organized by De La Salle Araneta University
The Inquirer’s business news team was named Best News Source at the 26th Business Journalism Awards night of the Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines (Ejap) in Makati City. Ejap president Chino Leyco (leftmost) presented the award to the group, which included business features editor Tina Arceo-Dumlao, reporter Miguel Camus (reporter of the year for telecommunications and transport), business editor Raul Marcelo, assistant business editor Corrie Narisma, reporters Amy Remo (reporter of the year for trade) and Ronnel Domingo, and writing editor Daxim Lucas. —CLARISSA BATINO/BLOOMBERG
Reporter Maricar Cinco bags a Special Citation in the investigative report category at the 39th Catholic Mass Media Awards. Philippine Daily Inquirer was awarded Best Newspaper for 2016. —ERIKA SAULER was for being “the most balanced, the most fair, and the most informative newspaper among its competitors.” Sheila Cabidog, head organizer for the award, said that “at present, our millennials are loaded with information because of their exposure to various forms of media and so it is important that they are given the chance to choose the ones they find credible and Inquirer is one of those.” The Inquirer received the Best News Source for business award from the Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines (Ejap) after giving the Best Reporter award to Miguel Camus for telecommunications and to Amy Remo for trade. Reporter Doris DumlaoAbadilla won the Best Feature Story of the Year. This was the fourth time the Inquirer has won the best news source award, the top award given by Ejap to the media organization whose reporters have garnered the most number of awards for best coverage of the various business beats and for best feature story of the year. Inquirer Executive Editor Jose Ma. Nolasco was named
Inquirer Metro reporter Jhesset Enano wins the Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education at the 2017 Lasallian Scholarum Awards. Journalist of the Year by the Rotary Club of Manila for being “a grizzled veteran of such a veritable combat zone where skirmishes flare day to day.” The Philippine Daily Inquirer’s redesign initiative and communications campaign “#MyInquirer” also got the Bronze award in Best in Newspaper Marketing in this year’s Publish Asia conference. The #MyInquirer campaign was part of Project OMG of the Inquirer Group of Companies that highlights how the paper has embraced the evolving behavior of its readers through its different platforms. The campaign was recognized for how it managed to connect with various audiences of the Inquirer: from the core mid-
"The Inquirer Story" publishing team wins platinum at the 52nd Anvil Awards. —JILSON SECKLER TIU
Daxim Lucas is cited by the Society of Publishers in Asia for his story on the 2016 Bangladesh central bank heist. dle-aged readers to the vibrant and social media-savvy millennials, and even to advertisers. Inquirer Briefing got the first four awards in different infographics and newspaper design categories, namely: honorable mention for excellence in information graphics from Sopa, silver and bronze for best infographics from Tinta Awards and bronze for magazine and newspaper design from Adobo Design Awards. Started on Oct. 16 last year, the infographics section of the Sunday Inquirer looks at an issue, institution, process or event, to provide factual, historical and thematic context through the use of infographics, maps and charts.
Photographer Lyn Rillon (center) leads the Inquirer awardees in the 39th Catholic Mass Media Awards. With Rillon are correspondent Juan Escandor Jr. and Eline Santos, cited for their feature on a Church-supported rehabilitation center in Masbate province.
Inquirer editors Abelardo Ulanday and Rolando Fernandez receive the Glory Medal of Distinction from the UPCMCAA for their outstanding work in journalism.
LIST OF 2017 AWARDS BY AWARDGIVING BODIES, DATE AND CITATIONS Society for News Design awards on Feb. 18 - Raffy Lerma’s “Lamentation,” silver award for Breaking News (Photography) - Lerma’s “Dead Serious,” silver award for single-day photo series UmalohokJuan awards of the Lyceum of the Philippines University on March 3 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best in Editorial Content - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best in Readership Anvil Awards on March 10 - Inquirer coffee table book, “The Inquirer Story: 30 Years of Shaping History,” Platinum Anvil Asian Media Awards of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-Ifra) on April 19 - Lyn Rillon’s “Savior to Street Oldies,” gold award for Best in Feature Photography - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” silver award for Best in News Photography - Inquirer’s redesign and campaign initiative, “#MyInquirer,” bronze for Best in Newspaper Marketing Adobo Design Awards Asia on April 19 - Inquirer Briefing, bronze for magazine and newspaper design Gawad Tanglaw awards on April 25 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best Newspaper - Dolly Ann Carvajal, Presidential Award (for entertainment writing) The Society of Publishers in Asia on June 15 - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” Best News Photograph of 2016 - Daxim Lucas, finalist, Journalist of the Year; honorable mention, The Scoop Award - Inquirer Briefing’s “21st Century Vision,” honorable mention, Excellence in Information Graphics Rotary Club Manila on June 22 - Jose Ma. Nolasco, Journalist of the Year Annual Southern California Journalism Awards on June 25 - Ruben Nepales, third prize, Best Columnist or Critic (foreign correspondents) De La Salle Araneta University on Sept. 19 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Most Outstanding Broadsheet in the Philippines
- Ambeth Ocampo, Zeal for Lasallian Excellence in the Field of Print Media Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility on Sept. 28 - Aie Balagtas See, Award of Recognition Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines on Oct. 20 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best News Source - Miguel Camus, Best Reporter (telecommunications and transport) - Amy Remo, Best Reporter (trade and industry) - Doris Dumlao-Abadilla, Best Feature Story of the Year Lasallian Scholarum Awards on Oct. 23 - Jhesset Enano, Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education in a Nationally Circulated Publication Tinta Awards on Oct. 24 - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” grand prix for Newspaper Best Photography - Rillon’s “Fistful of Panic,” gold for Newspaper Best Photography - Inquirer’s President Duterte Inaugural Special, silver for Best Illustration - Inquirer Briefing’s “Unfinished Justice,” silver for Best Infographics - Marianne Bermudez’s “Holy Cow,” silver for Newspaper Best Photography - Inquirer Briefing’s “Nativity as Faith and Fact,” bronze for Best Infographics - Jeoffrey Maitem’s “Clearing the Route,” bronze for Newspaper Best Photography Catholic Mass Media Awards on Oct. 25 - Rillon’s “Savior to Street Oldies,” Best News Photograph - Maricar Cinco, special citation for Best Investigative Report - Juan Escandor Jr. and Eline Santos, special citation for Best Special Feature - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” special citation for Best News Photograph University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication Alumni Association (UPCMCAA) on Nov. 11 - Abelardo Ulanday, Glory Medal of Distinction - Rolando Fernandez, Glory Medal of Distinction COMPILED BY KATHLEEN DE VILLA AND MINERVA GENERALAO, INQUIRER RESEARCH
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I10-3
19 8 5
Ten years of spreading the joy and love of reading By Minerva Generalao Inquirer Research Head, and Inquirer Read-Along, founding member, and coordinator
A story behind every Guyito
2
017 also marked the 10th anniversary of the Inquirer’s Read-Along program with its initial session on January 27 drawing the most participants in a single session since the program began in 2007. Over 1,000 students had fun and laughter during the session held at Saluysoy Central School in Meycauayan, Bulacan, on January 27 this year, stressing that the key messages of the Read-Along program need to be told and retold to more children. The Inquirer Read-Along messages for children aged 7 to 12 have been: Reading is cool and reading is fun (Sarap magbasa). Celebrities, role models for the youth, and trained wacky storytellers have helped make these messages come across. The overriding aim is to promote the love of reading among children who know how to read but do not read on their own. Five years into the program, Inquirer president and CEO, and Read-Along ambassador, Alexandra PrietoRomualdez, said: “It has now come to a point where people recognize and realize what this program does. It gives me hope that we could build a nation of readers.” One of the innovations of the program was the annual Inquirer Read-Along Festival. Started in 2011, the festival features a two-day marathon of reading sessions at a single venue and storytelling competitions for students. Contestants have to undergo a storytelling workshop conducted by veteran Read-Along storytellers Ann Abacan, Rich Rodriguez and Dyali Justo. The workshop emphasized book-based storytelling techniques, as well as the proper use of body language, eye contact, facial expressions, voice, volume, diction, poise and pacing. This requirement is to help train children to read to their fellow kids. “What we really want to say is that the joy of reading is something that should be continuously nurtured and that in the learning process, even in our very high-tech world, reading should still be a part of our lives,” Romualdez said during the Inquirer Read-Along Festi-
Inquirer CEO and Read-Along Ambassador Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez tells the story of “Ang Huling Puno” complete with costume and props during the 7th Inquirer Read-Along Festival.
Students of Saluysoy Central School act out a scene in the story being read by Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong.
val in November last year. This year’s festival, held on October, carried the theme: “Hope for the Children, Hope for the Country.” It included a special session for older students in Grade 12, where the tragic story of a 17year-old victim of the government’s war on illegal drugs took center stage. Award-winning actress Cherry Pie Picache read “Si Kian,” a children’s book inspired by the life of Kian Loyd delos Santos, the Grade 12 student killed by Caloocan City police during its “One-Time, Big-Time” drug raid on Aug. 16. “Kian’s story is special because it reminds us to be aware of what’s happening in the community, and to be vigilant and cautious,” Picache said in an interview after the event. Through themed sessions, the Read-Along has also been promoting, through selected mix of storybooks being read, Filipino and global values such as respect for elders, love for peace, care for the environment, respect for diversity and,
in the case of the reading of Kian’s story, the value of kindness and respect for life. For its advocacy, the ReadAlong has been honored here and abroad. In 2013, it won the silver award of the World Young Reader Prize for enduring excellence given by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers. In 2011, it was also declared overall grand winner in the communication management division of the 10th Philippine Quill Awards for staging 25 simultaneous storytelling sessions across the country on Dec. 4, 2010, in time for the Inquirer’s 25th anniversary. The program has also been recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Reading Association of the Philippines. The story so far: 21 – Number of Inquirer ReadAlong sessions held in 2017 Over 20,000 – Number of kids who have participated in ReadAlong program Around 400 – Number of
MOBILE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ARM
MEGAMOBILE: IT’S APPS TO YOU By Miko Morales Megamobile Subeditor As the Philippine Daily Inquirer celebrates 32 years as the leading newspaper in the country, Megamobile, Inquirer’s mobile technology company, looks back at its own achievements and innovations as a pioneer in merging news with the latest technologies for a new generation of readers. Known as Inquirer Mobile in the media and advertising industries, Megamobile has been recognized for its innovations in the mobile digital industry over the past 12 years. In 2011, it launched InqSnap, Inquirer’s groundbreaking augmented reality app for newsprint. InqSnap allowed readers to see supplemental material from the Inquirer using their smartphones to snap QR codes found on the pages of the broadsheet. It was one of the first forays of Megamobile to successfully merge print and mobile content. Eventually, Megamobile developed apps for the other publications of the Inquirer
Inquirer is the first media company to establish presence across all messaging apps Group, beginning with the Inquirer Mobile app. With over 200,000 downloads, it is one of the apps most used to obtain news reports in the country. In succeeding years, Megamobile created other apps that offered a variety of content to cater to the varied tastes of readers, ranging from current affairs and regional news to entertainment and lifestyle. The Radyo Inquirer, Inquirer Bandera, Inquirer Libre, Cebu Daily News and Inquirer To Be You apps are proof of Megamobile’s strength as one of the pioneers in app development and as a
provider of digital content for different demographics. From 2014 to 2015, Megamobile enjoyed a streak of successes and exposures. It was able to develop an app for the popular Mind Museum, the first app for a Philippine museum. In the same year, Megamobile was also a major sponsor of the 1st AdSummit and launched its first multiplatform campaign during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. Megamobile also enabled Inquirer to be the first news media company to launch in all chat apps. Through Megamobile, Inquirer became the first news organization to establish a presence across the major messaging apps—Viber, Line, WeChat, Kakao Talk and Firechat. That breakthrough has opened a new stream of followers of the Inquirer brand. In recognition of its work, Megamobile was awarded the Silver Tinta Award in 2015 for Best Integrated Marketing campaign for the Pacquiao Fight Series featured across Inquirer’s multimedia platforms. INQ
celebrities who have read in Read-Along sessions 600 – Number of local titles read in Inquirer Read-Along More than 50 – Number of cities Inquirer Read-Along has visited More than 400 – Number of stories that have been written about the sessions, most of which are also published online at Inquirer.net 13 – Number of special events held by the Read-Along team: the holding of 25 simultaneous Read-Along sessions from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi (2010), seven Read-Along Festivals (2011-2017) and four Reading for Healing sessions (for the survivors of “Ondoy,” “Sendong” and “Yolanda”) and school tours 8 – Number of awards won by Inquirer Read-Along program 19 – Number of storytelling workshops held for students, teachers and volunteers in Metro Manila, and in Negros, Marinduque, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Cebu Around 2,000 – Number of students, teachers and volunteers who have participated in ReadAlong workshops since 2008 INQ
For Ann Abacan, there is a story behind each Guyito doll she has received. And there are over 100 of them. She has been one of the active volunteer storytellers and partner of Inquirer ReadAlong program since it started in 2007. For 10 years, Abacan has received a Guyito doll for every storytelling session as a token of appreciation for promoting love for reading among children. “Each Guyito reminds me of the time and effort in sharing stories, and seeing the kids smile and learn from them is the best part of the experience,” said Abacan, principal of Sophia School in Meycauayan, Bulacan. As a prelude to the school’s 25th founding anniversary in 2020, Abacan said students, with the help of teachers and parents, dressed up 25 Guyito dolls to represent colorful festivals in the country for a project exhibit today (Dec. 9). Recycled materials such as newspapers, wooden sticks, plastics and old clothes were used for the costumes to emphasize the school’s core values of love for country and care for the environment, Abacan said. Among the featured festivals included the Moriones Festival of Marinduque, Singkaban Festival of Bulacan province, Ati-Atihan Festival of Aklan, Pahiyas Festival of Lucban, Quezon, and Vinta Festival of Sulu. To date, more than 20,000 children aged 7-12 from more than 50 cities nationwide have joined the program, which has featured 400 celebrities and role models as storytellers. Guyito, the carabao, is Inquirer’s mascot. It originated from cartoonist Jess Abrera’s comic strip “A. Lipin” where it was depicted as the loyal, if somewhat sassy, companion to farmer Alipio A. Lipin as they talked about the situation in the country. RAFAEL L. ANTONIO, INQUIRER RESEARCH
I10-4
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
DZIQ-AM evolves into Inquirer 990 TV By Jake J. Maderazo Station Manager
S
even years from inception, Trans-Radio Broadcasting Corporation’s (TRBC) radio station dzIQ, also commonly known as Radyo Inquirer 990/Inquirer 990 TV, is at the forefront of evolving technological and journalistic challenges in the digital broadcast, mobile and streaming industry. The journey to be a broadcasting and digital media orgaA happy Radyo Inquirer 990 staff flash the “No. 1” sign as they pose with Inquirer CEO and president nization was realized in 2016 Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, board chair Marixi Prieto, TRBC president Paolo R. Prieto and Mr. Alex Prieto. with an actual TV broadcast on May 8, 2016, on BEAM Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), at the eve of the presidential elections. This was a milestone which allowed the station to engage the broadcast giants in the highly competitive Tagalog teleradyo on digital TV. We have our own mobile app, and streams our programming via Facebook and YouTube livestreaming. We are ready for cable satellite and will soon be streaming on internet-based “Multichannel Video Programming Distributors” such as Comcast and Verizon, when full service Facebook and Google TV arrive in the country in 2019 through its undersea cable landing in Baler-Quezon-Poro Point, La Union, onto Hongkong. Today, Radyo Inquirer 990/Inquirer 990 TV airs original news content for 18 hours, with programming focused on breaking news, talk and analysis. We sign on every 6 a.m. until midnight on BEAM DTT which is now available on all six million ABS-CBN digiboxes and generic digital boxes. We are seen in digiboxes in Cebu and Davao, and soon in Baguio City and Dagupan. This year, we won Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Best AM Radio station for Metro Manila,
Jake Maderazo, station manager of Inquirer 990 TV, holds the trophy received by the company from the KBP as the best AM radio station in Metro Manila.
beating dzMM, dzRH and dwIZ. In the September ratings also this year, we were Top 8 news radio station in the Kantar-KBP ratings for Metro Manila, while per reports, our Inquirer 990 TV is performing well in DTT ratings via BEAM. dzIQ’s lineup of talk radio format and anchorpersons are highly formidable in today’s era of endemic fake news and knee-jerk reactions on issues. Deep experience and automatic fact-checking of developing stories enlighten our listeners and viewers on the appreciation of real issues for their own discernment and disposition. Leading is our early morning news and public affairs program “Banner Story” by the undersigned and News director Arlyn dela Cruz from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. “Good Morning Inquirer,” hosted by veteran broadcast journalists Ira Panganiban and Den Macaranas, follows until 10:30 a.m. These programs are heavily peppered with breaking news, flash reports and live
TV reports on developing stories. From 10:30 a.m. until noon, the multiawarded public service show, “Bantay OCW,” hosted by Ms Susan K and JC KWADS airs. At 6 p.m., seasoned journalist Caesar Soriano hosts “Punto de Bista,” a public commentary show. Our sister company, I DO, will air our radio TV broadcast, with closed captioning on installed digiboxes on more than 100 buses including public railway systems. Next year, TRBC together with Inquirer.net, will be at the forefront of 24/7 news and long form coverages. We are ready to engage the competition in breaking first important news stories as well as videos. As we progress, the new TRBC, now a broadcasting and digital media and outdoor company, according to our president Paolo R. Prieto, we are challenged to impart on the citizenry our brand of balanced news, fearless views, first and fair. INQ
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I11-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
32 landmark theater productions in the last 32 years By Gibbs Cadiz Theater Editor
T
hough it has always fought to survive, Philippine theater has gone way beyond survival mode the past three decades. As it has doggedly shed light on the stark realities, stories and aspirations of Filipino society, along the way—and just as important—it
has developed a bigger and more engaged audience, resulting in the diverse, vibrant scene we see today. 1. Evita (1986, Repertory Philippines). Why “Evita”? Because of the historical quirk that, for the longest time, with Imelda Marcos around, the musical could not be performed anywhere in the country, because the then all-powerful
First Lady felt Eva Peron’s controversial life story too closely echoed her own. But, in the wake of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, Rep was finally able to mount “Evita” (Baby Barredo and Joy Virata alternated in the role)—further confirming that democracy was, indeed, back in the country. 2. Bongbong at Kris (Bulwagang Gantimpala, 1987). Writ-
ten just months after the end of the Marcos era, Bienvenido Noriega’s funny, pointed satire imagined the scions of the most consequential feuding families in Philippine history—Bongbong Marcos and Kris Aquino—falling in love a la Romeo and Juliet in 1991, when rebel leader Marcos Jr. kidnaps superstar Aquino to force her president mother to allow the
Marcos family back into the Philippines. Noriega characterized his play as a “Romansa’t Komedya sa Pelikula’t Politika”—highlighting the uniquely intertwined worlds of politics, celebrity and pop culture at the heart of Pinoy society. 3. Dalagang Bukid (1987, Tanghalang Pilipino). The collapse of the old order ushered in new configurations at Imelda’s
old playground, the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The erstwhile resident theater companies, Rolando Tinio’s Teatro Pilipino and Tony Espejo’s Bulwagang Gantimpala, were eased out, replaced by a new company—Tanghalang Pilipino, with Nonon Padilla as artistic director. TP’s inaugural show was a revival of the sarsuwela “Dalagang
I11-2
STAYING TRUE @
I11-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
32 LANDMARK THEATER PRODUCTIONS IN THE LAST 32 YEARS Bukid,” which reminded the public about pioneering sarsuwela queen Atang de la Rama, also the Philippines’ first film actress; that year, she would be conferred the National Artist Award for Theater. 4. Macli-ing Dulag (1988, Peta). Malou Jacob’s play shone a light on the excesses of Marcos’ martial law and paid tribute to the heroism of the Cordillera peoples in their struggle to preserve their domains and culture, specifically through the story of Kalinga leader Macliing Dulag (played by Nanding Josef, under Soxy Topacio’s direction), who was slain for his opposition to the Chico River Dam Project. 5. Katy! (1988, Musical Theatre Philippines). The work of a raft of top-flight talent—music by Ryan Cayabyab, libretto by Jose Javier Reyes, direction by Nestor Torre, and lead performances by Mitch Valdes, Celeste Legaspi, Marco Sison and Bernardo Bernardo—“Katy!” celebrated the life and legacy of bodabil queen Katy de la Cruz. The show, hailed by then Inquirer columnist (later editor in chief) Letty Jimenez Magsanoc as having created “the prototype for the Filipino musical,” birthed the now-classic anthem “Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako.” 6. Twelfth Night/Ikalabindalawang Gabi (1992, Teatro Pilipino). Shortly before Rolando Tinio was to open his Filipino translation of “Twelfth Night,” his wife and muse, the revered actress Ella Luansing—who was slated to play Viola—died in a car accident. Tinio, instead of canceling the performances, reconfigured Shakespeare’s comedy into a haunting elegy for his wife. It also marked the final curtain call for Teatro Pilipino, the company Tinio had founded and nurtured for 17 years with an incomparable repertoire of original translations/adaptations of classic world drama for Filipino audiences. 7. M. Butterfly (1990, Dulaang UP). David Henry Hwang’s Tony-winning play made its Philippine premiere via a much-buzzed-about staging by Tony Mabesa. Starring Behn Cervantes as the French diplomat Gallimard and R.S. Francisco as the opera singer Song Liling, “M. Butterfly” became a certified blockbuster for Dulaang UP, both critically lauded and extensively toured around the country. 8. Ang Memorandum (1990, Tanghalang Pilipino). Vaclav Havel’s satire of the bureaucracy, translated into Filipino by Orlando Nadres, was staged by Nonon Padilla in 1990—with no less than the world-renowned Czech playwright, dissident and by then president of his country in the audience, as part of his official visit to the country. 9. Minsa’y Isang GamuGamo (1991, Peta). The 1976 Lupita Kashiwahara film, touching on the US bases and pervasive American influence, was transformed by Peta into a play that marked the theater debut of the movie’s original star, Nora Aunor—at about the same time that the Philippine Senate was deliberating on and making the historic vote to kick out the American military presence in the country. 10. Kung Paano Ko Pinatay si Diana Ross (1991, Peta). Rody Vera’s Palanca-winning play explored, in harrowing and revelatory ways, his evolving Filipino gay identity via a semi-autobiographical story he described in his notes as “halos din maging isang pangugumpisal”—an exercise in confessional honesty that, in a period still bereft of thoughtful gay representation in the public consciousness, helped stir the conversation on issues of gender, patriarchy and social prejudice. 11. DH (1992, Peta). Nora Aunor’s second collaboration with Peta tackled another burning issue of the day—the oppressive conditions experienced by many Filipino domes-
FROM I11-1
Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Himala, The Musical” (2003) —JONJON VILLAREAL
Marco Sison, Mitch Valdes, Katy dela Cruz, Celeste Legaspi and Bernardo Bernardo at the premiere of “Katy!” (1988)—INQUIRER PHOTO
SK Productions’ “Rama at Sita” (1999)—SK PRODUCTIONS
tic helpers abroad as a consequence of the country’s labor export policy. Conrado de Quiros was moved to wax eloquent afterward: “They don’t give awards for plays, but [Nora] will have all the awards she needs in the warmth she gives to the lonely, the balm she gives to the wounded, and the hope she gives to the grieving.” 12. Hard Times (1993, Actor’s Actors Inc.). A Charles Dickens adaptation, AAI’s first production, directed by Jaime del Mundo, just had four actors—Robbie Guevara, Gina Wilson, Mylene Rosal and Bart Guingona—playing 16 characters. It’s hardly remembered now, but where would the likes of Red Turnip Theater and similar companies be today without the template set by Guingona and co.—the boutique theater company, as it were, specializing in “serious,” idea-driven, nonmusical plays? The banquet of such fare today is thanks to AAI’s beginnings. 13. Les Miserables (1993, Repertory Philippines). In gratitude for the gold mine of fully-formed talent he was able to poach from the Philippines, mostly from Rep, Cameron Mackintosh gave special permission for the country’s premiere English-language theater company to mount an all-Filipino “Les Miserables.” It was a colossal undertaking, but Rep more than delivered with a show, directed by Bibot Amador, that was hailed as a milestone in Philippine professional theater for its unstinting production values and performances by the industry’s cream of the crop, among them Cocoy Laurel, Michael Williams, Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, Jaime Blanch, Jon Jon Briones (now the Engineer in “Miss Saigon” on Broadway). 14. St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos (1993, Dulaang UP). Floy Quintos’ provocative look at a largely forgotten but illuminating moment in Philippine history—the display of a number of Filipino tribes people at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, to show Americans their government’s supposed civilizing ways in their
new colony in faraway Asia—was a heavyweight production from its subject matter to its sprawling cast, which included such luminaries as Joel Lamangan, Ronnie Lazaro, Amiel Leonardia, the late Rolando Tinio, Mario O’Hara, Ogie Juliano et al., under Tony Mabesa’s direction. The play was remade into a musical in 2005. 15. Ang Paglalakbay ni Radiya Mangandiri: Isang Pilipinong Ramayana (1993, Peta). “Ang Paglalakbay ni Radiya Mangandiri,” subtitled “Isang Pilipinong Ramayana,” was based on an old Maranao version of the Indian epic. Peta’s production of it underlined the Philippines’ ancient cultural connections to the Asian heartland. According to scholar and playwright Nicanor Tiongson, “Through imaginative use of ethnic movements and music, Peta's ‘Mangandiri’ succeeded in raising crucial questions about the nature and direction of leadership, seven years after the fall of the Philippine Lawana (the Marcos dictatorship) in 1986.” 16. Noli Me Tangere, The Musical (1995, Tanghalang Pilino). A new Filipino musical mainstay was born when Ryan Cayabyab and Bienvenido Lumbera, now National Artist for Literature, teamed up to retell Rizal’s novel in musical fashion. Nonon Padilla’s original production, starring Audie Gemora and John Arcilla alternating as Ibarra, and Monique Wilson as Maria Clara, has spawned a number of revivals through the years, and was also toured in Japan and Malaysia. 17. Angels in America (1995, New Voice Company). The Asian premiere of Tony Kushner’s masterpiece—a “gay fantasia” on the Reagan years, as the playwright called it—happened in Manila courtesy of the bold and fresh theater-making of Monique Wilson’s New Voice Company. The detailed Americana and often explicit nature of “Angels”—or even its length—didn’t deter New Voice’s young actors; a one-off schedule saw the company performing Part 1 and Part 2 of the play consecutively at the Music
Museum, with only a break in between—truly a groundbreaking seven hours in Manila theater. 18. 1896 (1996, Peta). Peta’s thundering musical production (music by Lucien Letaba, libretto by Charley de la Paz), staged in the run-up to the Philippine centennial celebrations in 1998 and reran a number of times after, starred Rody Vera as Andres Bonifacio, Ariel Rivera as Emilio Jacinto and Bodjie Pascua as Emilio Aguinaldo. It was, in the words of political commentator Manuel L. Quezon III, “the highlight of the Centennial celebrations and a musical I wish would be constantly performed.” 19. Ang Larawan (1997, Musical Theatre Philippines). Rolando Tinio’s swan song was this play—a musical version of Nick Joaquin’s “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino,” generally regarded as the most important Filipino play, now set to Ryan Cayabyab’s soaring, melancholy melodies, with translation and direction duties by Tinio himself. Celeste Legaspi played Candida, Zsa Zsa Padilla was Paula and Ricky Davao was Tony Javier; also in the cast were Hajji Alejandro, Louie Reyes, Fides Cuyugan-Asencio, Armida Siguion-Reyna, Dawn Zulueta ... Tinio died a few days before “Larawan’s” opening, making this essential musical his last masterwork. 20. Rama at Sita (1999, SK Productions). An independent production, “Rama at Sita” is still remembered by many theatergoers as the most lavish theater production they have ever seen. The musical, which combined the Cayabyab-Lumbera libretto from Ballet Philippines’ “Rama, Hari” with new music by Danny Tan, Roy Iglesias and Dodjie Simon, spared no expense, from its opulent costumes and sets (at one point, a full-size elephant ambled its way to the stage carrying a resplendent Rama, played by Ariel Rivera) to its star-studded cast that included Lani Misalucha, Raymond Lauchengco, Robert Seña, Jaya, Nonie Buencamino, Franco Laurel, Pinky Marquez. 21. Rent (1999, New Voice Company). Monique Wilson’s New Voice Company electrified Manila audiences when it staged Jonathan Larson’s triumphant musical, directed by Bobby Garcia, at the Music Museum in the dying days of the last century—the closing months of 1999, when the world was welcoming a new millennium, and “Rent,” meanwhile, seemed to be speaking to young audiences with a new voice. Bituin Escalante, Ricci Chan, JM Rodriguez and Michael de Mesa (who, before this, was known more as a film actor) were among the original cast’s breakout actors. The show would have several more Manila iterations over the years. 22. Miss Saigon Manila (2000). Ten years after the Filipino invasion of London’s West End led by Lea Salonga’s star turn in “Miss Saigon”—and the ensuing international opportunities that seminal door opening would offer several generations of other Filipino artists—the Boublil-Schonberg musical that started it all finally played in the Philippines, with the original Kim herself reprising her iconic role. 23. Luna, An Aswang Romance (2000, Gilda Cordero Fernando). Produced by literary and arts doyenne Gilda Cordero Fer-
CB Garrucho and Audie Gemora in Peta’s “Ang Paglalakbay ni Radiya Mangandiri” (1993) —PETA
nando, “Luna” was another Palanca-winning play by Rody Vera that, as directed by Anton Juan, became a conversation-piece production melding together Cordero-Fernando’s lifelong pursuits: theater, literature, fashion (specifically Filipiniana), Pinoy melodrama and mythology. As she wryly recalled in her Inquirer column: “For director I wanted Anton Juan, the only one I could imagine to be devilish enough to give it fangs ... It was an unforgettable piece and won an award as well. I was its producer again, and lost my pants as well.” 24. The Vagina Monologues (2001, New Voice Company). Wilson once again blazed a trail when she brought Eve Ensler’s taboo-breaking “The Vagina Monologues” into the country. At first, audiences and venues alike tiptoed around the play’s frank talk on women’s sexuality and identity, but, in time, Wilson’s strategy of inviting diverse groups of well-known women from theater, film and other fields to perform the play would be embraced, the public readings themselves becoming high-profile advocacy events for women and community empowerment. 25. King Lear (2001, World Theater Project). In an audacious case of gender-bending casting, director Anton Juan cast Repertory Philippines founder Zenaida “Bibot” Amador as Lear—perhaps the first female Lear in the world (Glenda Jackson tackled the part at the Old Vic in London just last year), and certainly in this country. One lifestyle editor would recall that “her portrayal stirred shock waves in the theater industry”—the good sort of shock, of course, with observers validating the unconventional but brilliant casting. 26. Himala, The Musical (2003, Tanghalang Pilipino). Ishmael Bernal’s cornerstone film about faith and superstition, starring Nora Aunor and written by Ricky Lee, was reimagined as a musical in 2003, with Lee himself collaborating with songwriter Vince de Jesus on the libretto. The result was a powerful musical production whose stature has only grown with time, acclaimed these days as a contemporary masterpiece. A 10th-anniversary concert version was staged in 2013; the full show will be restaged next year with an entirely new cast. 27. Kanjincho (2003, DUP). A Kabuki play by an all-Filipino cast? Dulaang UP’s Tony Mabesa attempted such an unprecedented undertaking in 2003, based on a Filipino translation by Jerry Respeto of the classic Japanese text “Kanjincho.” The cast—among them Neil Ryan Sese, Romnick Sarmenta, Lex Marcos and the Dulaang UP Ensemble—trained rigorously under two Kabuki experts, learning the performance elements and techniques of the age-old art form; student musicians also learned how to perform as a Kabuki musical ensemble with Japanese drums, flute, shamisen and vocals. 28. Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah (2006, TP). Beginning as a cult comic book and then transition-
ing into a wildly popular musical, “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah”—directed by Chris Millado, with music and lyrics by Vince de Jesus and book adaptation by Chris Martinez—proved to be a joyous, unbridled celebration of Pinoy camp and kitsch, and would itself become an entry in local pop culture with its adaptation into a mainstream comedy movie. Several runs later, the beloved musical remains Tanghalang Pilipino’s biggest blockbuster. 29. Orosman at Zafira (2008, DUP). Dexter Santos, in his first directorial job for Dulaang UP, made a splashy debut with “Orosman at Zafira,” in which he completely reconfigured the Francisco Baltazar komedya into a galvanizingly danced and sung spectacle of warring tribes and mercurial lovers (Carol Bello provided the rousing neo-ethnic music). Any play in the city these days that features extensive storytelling choreography probably owes its inspiration to Santos’ movement-led body of work, especially “Orosman at Zafira.” 30. Sa Wakas (2013, Culture Shock Productions). A work by first-time theater producers, “Sa Wakas” was an enormous surprise hit in 2013, fuelled mainly by a distinct new congregation of theatergoers: millennials. Young people who grew up on the featured songbook of the pop-rock band Sugarfree, on John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo rom-coms and all the other trappings of the zeitgeist found their lives mirrored in the musical’s urban, buoyantly modern take on relationships and manners in the social-media era. So strong was the clamor for a rerun that “Sa Wakas” returned for an encore in January this year. 31. Rak of Aegis (2014, Peta). Peta struck gold with “Rak of Aegis,” an unlikely jukebox musical that—through “musical director Myke Salomon’s brilliant reworking of the Aegis songbook and a crackerjack cast responsible for what Lea Salonga has called ‘probably the best ensemble singing I’ve heard in a local musical in a very long time’” (as we wrote in our 2014 yearend theater roundup)—became the company’s most commercially successful production, a bona fide phenomenon that simply went on and on. 32. Virgin Labfest. Not a play, but an annual festival of “untried, untested and unstaged” one-act works that has become the prime driving force for the flowering of contemporary Filipino playwriting. Since 2005, over a hundred new plays by emerging and established playwrights have been staged, a development that has also propelled the growth of actors, directors, other allied creatives, and the theatergoing community itself. And the canon is now richer with stalwart works such as Nicolas Pichay’s “Isang Araw sa Karnabal,” Floy Quintos’ “Ang Kalungkutan ng Mga Reyna” and Layeta Bucoy’s “Doc Resurreccion: Gagamutin ang Bayan.” INQ (With inputs from Dennis Marasigan and Arturo Hilado.)
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I11-3
19 8 5
From one food craze to another A rundown of trends in the local foodscape that defines the eating habits of Filipinos By Vangie Baga-Reyes @vangiebagareyes
F
rom shawarma to lechon manok to milk teas to ramen, Manila goes from one food craze to another every few years. Some of these trends continue to thrive, while others have faded away. Here’s a quick look of what has in recent years transpired in the foodscape that, in one way or another, define the eating habits of Filipinos and the way we regard food. Shawarma. In the 1990s, this Persian was so hot, everywhere you went, people crowded around smokey roadside shacks to get slices of roasted meat with onions and tomatoes gingerly wrapped in warm pita and smothered with garlic and hot sauces. Donut/Cronut. Filipinos can’t resist sweets, so this fried and sugary confectionery took Manila by storm. Brands like Dunkin’ Donuts, Mister Donut, Go Nuts, Krispy Kreme and J.Co, to name some, have become a household name. Cronuts, a donut and croissant hybrid, have also driven the world nuts. People like the crisp, flaky and airy texture of cronuts with a burst of pastry cream. Pearl shakes. This cold concoction has spawned a host of small neighborhood businesses. The refreshing drink with “black pearls,” made from yam and tapioca balls similar to the chewy gulaman at sago, comes in different colors and flavors that are mixed with crushed ice and blended to a creamy sherbet. Lechon manok. This grilled chicken, marinated in spices, has become a fixture of the country’s food scene, found in almost every street corner. Andok’s and Baliwag are two survivors of the lechon manok craze that started more than a decade ago. They run a string of branches all over the city, all of which are doing well. Other brands have also sprung up, an indication that lechon manok is here to stay. Starbucks. A trend unto itself, Starbucks popularized café culture in the country. When Rustan’s Coffee Corp. opened Starbucks’ first Manila outlet, it instantly became a
hub of students, executives and people who are not even coffee drinkers who line up for a cup of Americano or Cappuccino. It became fashionable to be seen at Starbucks coffee shops. Designer coffee shops. The emergence of various coffee shops in the metropolis has been attributed to the unique café experience in Starbucks. Walk around the city and you will likely see them, small shops with shiny silver roasting machines offering their own gourmet blends and brew. Salted egg. Salted egg as snack—mixed in potato chips, ice cream and steamed buns—has drawn a cult following among Pinoys. Suddenly, this humble ingredient is appearing in all sorts of dishes, morphing into something delicious that builds up layers of flavor, savory and sweet, in one’s taste buds. Tapsilog/Pares/Goto. They didn’t take off until the past 30 years or so—hole-in-the-wall carinderia types offering these quintessential Pinoy comfort food—quick to prepare, salty, greasy. Best of all, they remind you of home. Sisig. Back in college for GenXers (or Titos and Titas as they are called nowadays), sisig used to be classified as pulutan (bar chow)—pig’s face and cartilage sizzling hot on a steel plate, made creamy by chicken liver. With all its savory and artery-clogging goodness, it deserves its current status as a staple in Pinoy mainstream cuisine. Drive-thru. With the advent of fastfood came the drive-thru, a convenient innovation that affords you to dispense with the hassle of parking, finding a clean table and meeting other people. Nowadays there are efforts to have drive-thrus for medicine. But that’s another story. Food delivery. If you belong to the generation preceding the millennials, chances are, you haven’t experienced having food delivered at your doorstep as kids having a latenight Betamax-watching binge. Food delivery is a godsend especially during typhoon season. Convenience store meals. Convenience stores are themselves a latecomer in pop cul-
Anthony Bourdain
Starbucks Frappuccino —RICHARD REYES
ture. But having to buy dinner—or even breakfast and lunch was something unthinkable for Pinoys back then. Now all you need is a microwave oven and dinner is ready. Pizza joints. In the postMartial law era, there were only three: Pizza Hut, which was more of a family dining place; Shakey’s for beer and live band evenings; and 3M for tightbudget days. These days, a whole plethora of stores cater to all kinds of pizza cravings—some have closed shop, others are struggling, but several are still going strong: Domino’s, Joey Pepperoni Pizzeria, California Pizza Kitchen, Yellow Cab, Project Pie, to name a few. Inquirer Lifestyle “Best Desserts” Book. For the past three years, desserts have trumped the main course, occupying centerstage at the dinner table through the Inquirer Best Desserts book launches. The emerging trend spawned from yet another brainchild of Inquirer president Sandy P. Romualdez and Lifestyle editor Thelma S. San Juan, and compiled in book form by this reporter. Burger. A recent mad rush promo for burgers turned into a marketing success for Zark’s. But it was hardly groundbreaking when it comes to selling hamburgers. Scott Burger—yes, that small, street-corner joint with a statue of a fat kid hoisting a giant burger—shifted tectonic plates with its buy-one, take-one promo. That was so successful, it’s still ongoing. Having said that,
Pinoy Burger culture has expanded to sophisticated levels that has brought us the likes of 8Cuts, Brother’s Burger, among many others, as well as something as pedestrian as Angel’s Burger. Maginhawa Street/Aguirre Avenue food strips. What were once residential streets in the heart of suburbia have transformed into rows of chic restaurants. Never mind parking space, let alone traffic jams, what’s important is the food experience in these two of the liveliest, trendiest hotspots these days. Artisanal spirits. Until recently, the bar scene was dominated by San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen, hard liquor brands and maybe cocktails. But there’s now a remarkable change with the emergence of San Mig Light, Red Horse and bottled cocktails like Smirnoff Mule and Tanduay Ice. More sophisticated, locally produced and flavored liqueurs and rums include Manille Liqueur De Calamansi and Paradise Mango Rum. Celebrity chefs. As food took its rightful spot in mainstream pop culture, it likewise saw the rise of celebrity chefs. Suddenly, the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver, Woflgang Puck and Anthony Bourdain became virtual rock stars with their own reality TV shows and a huge social media following. Cooking tilt shows. Just when did cooking competitions become a spectator sport?
I11-4
Stone bowl bibimbap, Namoo House —INQUIRER PHOTO
STAYING TRUE @
I11-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
FROM ONE FOOD CRAZE TO ANOTHER Through tight editing and just enough realism, these TV shows became a big hit. Local spinoff shows were borne out of such popular programs as “Top Chef,” “Master Chef,” “Junior Master Chef,” “Iron Chef” and “Hell’s Kitchen.” Eat-all-you-can buffet. Trailblazing restaurateur Vicvic Villavicencio introduced buffet in restaurant dining. Decades later, he introduced the no-leftover buffet, a marketing strategy that reshaped Filipino family dining. Today, almost all hotels and restaurants offer a buffet. Weekend markets. They are a good addition to the food arena. Salcedo Market, Legazpi Sunday Market and Sidcor at Eton Centris Walk, to name some, are the most talkedabout and frequently visited places among foodies and nonfoodies alike. Vendors offer fresh produce as well as cooked food. There’s also a visual feast of grilled meats and a variety of organic and ready-to-eat food from new entrepreneurs and weekend home bakers themselves. Stalls are well-arranged, according to merchandise—plants and potted flowers and herbs, clothes, food etc. Jollibee-McDonald’s rivalry. The competition between the two fastfood giants has been ongoing over the years, vying for consumer loyalty by outdoing each other in celebrity endorsements, value-meals and promotional toys. It’s amusing to watch how their creativity is applied to outsmart each other. Al-fresco dining. It has become a trend to eat in covered patios, some of which have misters to cool down the area. Hotels and restaurants make
FROM I11-3
Eastwood Richmonde Hotel is Your Home for the Holidays Make your way to Eastwood Richmonde Hotel for warm and intimate celebrations this Yuletide season! Savor the comforts of your home while enjoying comfortable hotel facilities, sumptuous holiday buffets, and a fun-filled New Year’s Eve party especially made for the family! Have a wonderful time with Richmonde’s awesome room offers for your holiday break. The NoFrills Christmas Rates, which come with a delightful breakfast buffet for two, start at only Php7,350nett. With the Christmas Holiday Package which starts at Php 9,650nett, get to experience a traditional feast as the package includes delectable dining options of either the Christmas Eve dinner buffet or the Christmas Day lunch buffet good for two persons. These fantastic Christmas rates are valid on December 24 and 25 only. Longing for a little more rest and relaxation after the holidays? Book from January 2 to 7, 2018 and enjoy budget-friendly Extended Holiday Rates starting at Php4,500nett with breakfast buffet for two. Nothing beats sharing fabulous feasts with your loved ones. Make your reservation at the newly opened Eastwood Café+Bar, where mouthwatering cuisines for special gatherings are prepared by Executive Chef Patrick Obia, with the help of his very talented kitchen team. Relish in the tasteful flavors and tempting aromas of various
dishes and carvery with Richmonde’s Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet, Christmas Day Lunch Buffet, and New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet, each priced at Php1,650nett per person. Say goodbye to 2017 and welcome the upcoming year with nothing less than a stellar New Year ’s Eve Countdown Party happening at the Hotel Lobby from 10pm to 1:30am this December 31. For only Php1,150nett, revel in overflowing drinks and cocktail buffet, with a glass of sparkling wine for the midnight toast. Live band performances are sure to make you forget sorrows from the past year as you jive to vibrant music and toast to new beginnings with friends and family. After a splendid night of festivity, keep the ball rolling with a hearty New Year’s Day Sparkling Brunch
Buffet, served at the Grand Ballroom from 10am to 2pm for only Php1,150nett. Kids certainly can’t be left out of the celebrations this season. All buffet offers are free-of-charge for children 5 years old while children 6 to 12 years old get 50% discount on the full price. For your inquiries and reservations, call 570-7777. Eastwood Richmonde Hotel is located at 17 Orchard Road, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan Quezon City. Eastwood Richmonde Hotel is accessible from the 2nd floor of Eastwood Mall. For more information, send an email to erh@richmondehotel.com.ph or log on to www.richmondehotels.com. ph. For up to date info on hotel promotions, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EastwoodRich mondeHotel and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @Richmonde_ERH.
Ramen —ROMY HOMILLADA al-fresco dining more appealing by sprucing up the place with plants and flowers entwined on a trellis. Korean food. Korean cuisine has invaded Manila just as K-Pop stars have drawn a massive local following. Dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, kalbi and kimchi have found their niche in the Philippine dining scene. Korean food is said to be one of the most interesting, intricate and most rigorously prepared cuisines in the world, with a history dating back centuries. International celebrity chefs in Manila. A lot of famous international chefs have grown fond of Manila. Anthony Bourdain has visited a few times to shoot for his CNN food series “Parts Unknown.” Canadian chef Anna Olson enjoys exchanging notes with wellknown Pinoy chefs. Culinary goddess Nigella Lawson has introduced a line of pasta. Alain Ducasse visits and gives demos for a culinary school. International food franchise. Filipino restaurateurs/entrepreneurs have been going into food franchising, bringing in popular international food outlets to give Filipinos more dining op-
tions—brands like Pink’s, Todd English, Tim Ho Wan, Din Tai Fung, Maisen and Marugame Udon, to name a few. Ramen. Ramen places have also become a bandwagon similar to the shawarma and lechon manok craze decades ago. A long line of customers enjoy and savor the rich, thick and deep-flavored broth with their choice of noodles, topped with roasted chicken or pork. Organic food. Many attribute the popularity of organic food to people’s shift to healthy eating. There are already a number of purveyors offering premium-quality organic and natural food products. Food trucks/food parks. They create a big buzz among foodies with adventurous palates. These are hubs with multiple kiosks featuring a variety of food and a communal eating area housed in a single location. Foodstagram. People just can’t eat without first taking pictures of their food to post on social media. The thing is, it’s really tempting not to post those photos, especially if the food is exceptionally good. INQ
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I12-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
CLASSIFIEDS: READY TO HURDLE CHALLENGES
RIVERA
Our advantage is we have digital and print combined
E
UGENIO Rivera, assistant vice-president for Classifieds, likes to smile a lot. But when he talks about the huge challenges of the Classifieds, Eugene as his friends call him, suddenly turns serious. Rightly so. Rivera, a product of La Salle-Green Hills and University of Santo Tomas, aims to bring back the glory days of the Classifieds which reached its peak in 2015. This, he admits, is easier said than done because nowadays everybody seems to be enchanted with the digital platform. But Rivera, who is now in his 13th year with the Philippines’ leading newspaper, is undaunted by the digital challenges. Fact is, he is spearheading a move for the PDI Classifieds to go digital. Of course, holding job fairs and events, which can boost sales, remains on Classifieds calendar. “Our advantage is we have digital and print combined,” stressed Rivera. ‘‘Others only have digital.” Rivera formerly handled the sales of PDI’s free newspaper Libre and was an understudy of ex-Classified chief Jesse Rebustillo. For a start, Rivera said Classifieds is encouraging clients to pay online using PayPal instead of bank-to- bank. Rivera knows that the media landscape has changed a lot. But Rivera is confident on the capabilities of his staff to weather the challenges.
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
T
1 9 8 5
STAYING TRUE @
I12-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
MEN AND WOMEN AT WORK
Happy bunch: Circulation department staff with Chief Operating Officer Renato R. Reinoso and VP for Distribution Benjamin D. Garcia.
Some members of the advertising desk pose for posterity. LEO M. SABANGAN II.
AVP for Classifieds Eugene L. Rivera with his staff.
Cubao Classifieds staff: Adela Mendoza, Abby Brazil, Randy Isaac, Julius Ortal and Arnel Santos.
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
19 8 5
INQUIRER SPECIALS
DIGILIFE
Want to know the latest flagship smartphones, or the coolest wearable technology? DigiLife is a section where you can read the latest stories about technology, smart devices and products, and current digital trends shaping the world.
SHOPPING ALLEY
Shopping addicts and fashionistas would find this section a rich source of products that would help them dress their best for their OTD-instagrammable social posts.
MEDICAL TRENDS
Although advances in medicine have made people enjoy fruitful lives, health remains a major concern. What are the modern ways to treat cancer? How do you take care of your heart? Medical Trends is the goto section for all your health concerns.
EXECUTIVE ESSENTIALS
A lifestyle guide for CEOs and top executives The Inquirer has also published a number of client-initiated special features that help these companies reach their audience, build their branding, and send their message across.
I12-3
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I13-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
PARADISE DYNASTY OPENS SECOND OUTLET ON DEC 17 AT THE PODIUM MALL By Kenneth M. del Rosario The xiao long bao served in eight delicious international flavors—a world’s first—is a big hit for Filipinos. This unique take on the famous Chinese food favorite is what keeps diners coming back to Paradise Dynasty, a Singapore-originated casual dining concept that serves authentic Chinese cuisine from the Northern and Southern parts of China. The first location (at S Maison, Conrad Hotel in Pasay) opened in the country just a little over a year ago. It proved to be a winner, popular with families wanting to bond over good food or business associates discussing their latest ventures. On the heels of its success, Paradise Dynasty is set to open its second branch later this
month (on December 17) in the new wing of The Podium Mall in Ortigas. “Filipinos really love to eat. We love to try out new food. When we introduced our xiao long bao flavors, we were confident that they will love them all—and we were right,” said Jonathan Ko, manager of Paradise Dynasty. Ko said that the team is excited to open the new location, which is bigger than the first one. The first location can seat about 120 people, while the new branch can host up to 150. Also, the new branch will have two function rooms, as opposed to one in the first location. The restaurant will follow the same interior design as the first one, which has elements from Imperial China that evokes class and intimacy. The eight xiao long bao fla-
T
hrough the years, companies have steadfastly supported the Inquirer in delivering balanced news, fearless views to the Filipino people and to the world. On the occasion of its 32nd anniversary, the Inquirer acknowledges these loyal companies.
PH's biggest and fastestgrowing trucks and equipment auctioneer Asia International Auctioneers Inc. (AIA) is the Philippines' biggest and fastest-growing trucks and equipment auctioneer. Buyers are assured of a wide range of quality items at reasonable prices whenever they attend AIA's auctions. Consignors are confident that their products are exposed to a diverse clientele at AIA's auctions participated in by thousands of buyers from various countries. To its clients and consignors, AIA is synonymous to quality products and professional service from its management and staff. Through AIA, buyers in the ASEAN region can now have access to quality and globally-traded trucks and equipment by way of the "live public auction" where each auction item must be sold to the highest bidder.
Signature Original Xiao Long Bao vors that continues to draw huge crowds on a daily basis are: the original, ginseng, foie gras, black truffle, cheese, crab roe, garlic,
Lamian with Braised Pork Belly in Signature Pork Bone Soup
and Szechuan. It’s not just the food (they have amazing handmade lamian and dessert options, too)
that has endeared Paradise Dynasty to the most discerning diner. Here, guests feel they’ve just walked into a royal ban-
PARTNERS IN DELIVERING BALANCED NEWS, FEARLESS VIEWS become a staple for every memorable occasion in the Filipino household. With this, Astra continues to dominate the entertainment industry in the country. Astra has also supported numerous Filipino artists in the local music arena. Through its assistance and support, Astra has spurred the growth of original Pinoy music (OPM). With the success of Magic Sing, Astra seeks more opportunities in possible markets here and abroad. Anchored in reliable logistics and distribution systems, Astra has demonstrated the best qualities of a Filipino company which offers highquality products and committed service to their clients. Astra’s team of professionals have been trained to be well-versed in Philippine conditions with a familiarity with global trade transactions. They have been imbued with skills geared toward business organization management, strategic marketing, product design expertise, advertising and promotion strategies as well as a complete knowledge of product sales and distribution. Each team player has a key role to ensure the success of Magic Sing in the Philippines. Astra now has various products in its belt. Aside from videoke microphones, Astra now sells song chips, accessories and XMS audio. It has a come a long way from capitilazing on the Pinoy’s desire to voice out their love for music. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
Capitalizing on the Pinoy’s desire to voice out their love for music
'Greenenergized' largest branded community chain mall
The Filipinos love for karaoke created an opportunity for this homegrown company to create an innovative product that revolutionized every Pinoy celebration. Astra was approached by Enter Tech Corp. to distribute the Magic Sing Videoke Microphone in 1999. It was a hit among Filipinos known for their love affair with music and lyrics. Through the Magic Sing, more Filipino voices have reached feverpitch when it comes to singing their hearts out. The Magic Sing is now the Philippines' leader in high definition videoke entertainment. It has
No doubt about it. Filipinos love going to well-designed, and cool, air conditioned malls to shop, eat, watch movies, and bond with family and friends. The vision for CityMall is to become the largest branded independent community chain mall in the Philippines, with prime locations mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. CityMall Commercial Centers Inc. (CMCCI), is a subsidiary of DoubleDragon Properties Corp. (DD), and will serve as the umbrella company for all
CityMall mall projects in the country. CMCCI is 66-percent owned by DD and 34-percent owned by SM Investments Corp. (SMIC). As part of its branding, most CityMalls will have the same theme, color and look. The Food Court concept will be used and spaces will be provided to top fastfood brands like Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon and Highlands Coffee. Spaces for non-food tenants will complement the project. CityMall is proudly ‘‘Greenenergized” as it uses solar panels for energy, and it has a system for rain water collection. This is to support environmental measures. Ample parking for motorcycles and bicycles will also be provided which will be a convenience for its target market.
Building communities that transform the urban and suburban landscapes Since 1994, and with a first mover advantage in the middle-income housing segment, Empire East has built up a portfolio of successful projects—choice settings that bring the benefits of harmony, well-being and value to their residents. Today, through a new breed of community developments, Empire East continues to fashion lifestyles that immerse Filipinos in richer and more rewarding experiences right at home. Empire East breathes real estate. And in giving meaning to the field of real estate development, it pays close attention to the “real” aspect. It prioritizes the genuine needs and preferences of its clients as they help them attain that lifestyle enjoyment they long deserved. This is the very inspiration that drives the company to sustain its endeavor in conceptualization and construction of high quality homes and in choosing only the most strategic locations from Metro Manila up to the outskirts of the city.
Currently, the company is focused on its transitoriented condominium in Metro Manila that makes city-living even more convenient as it takes you to the Metro's main railway transit and thoroughfares — making you enjoy exceptional mobility. After these years, Empire East is starting to move beyond market segments to tap a wider client base and to finally take on the role of becoming the soul of continued advancement.
Filinvest continues to build the Filipino dream Established by Filipino tycoon Andrew Gotianum Sr. and his wife Mercedes in the 1950s, Filinvest Development Corp. has grown into one of the country’s largest conglomerates that operates subsidiaries involved in real estate development and leasing, the sales of housing units, and hotel and resort management. FDC is known for real estate development Filinvest City in Alabang, which was established in 1993 through joint venture between FDC’s subsidiary the Filinvest Alabang Inc. (FAI) and Public Estates Authority. Located at the southern end of Metro Manila and adjacent to the South Luzon Expressway in Alabang, Filinvest City is a 244-hectare mixed-use development project . This fully integrated and self-contained community that boasts of green landscapes and pocket parks is divided into several districts that include a residential haven, business central, leisure destination, learning and education zone, and medical and wellness hub. FDC is also known for its malls, vertical and horizontal developments. Through its subsidiary Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI), FDC has established a number of malls, subdivisions, and mid-rise and high rise condominium developments. It has landbanks in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, aimed at future developments projects of its parent firm. FLI’s projects in different cities include 100 West in Makati, Amalfi in Cebu, Asiana Oasis in
quet, with staffers greeting them in unison as they are led to their tables. Once guests are ready to order, staffers (dressed in traditional Chinese outfit) squat—an ancient way to show respect. For the new location in Ortigas, Ko said diners can expect the same quality food and hospitality that their crew members afford to their guests. “We are all very passionate with what we do—from the chefs to the waiters. We want people to walk out of our restaurant thinking of the next time they can visit next,” he said. The first Paradise Dynasty opened in 2010 in Singapore. Today, there are seven locations across Southeast Asia, spread over in Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Dubai, London, Myanmar, and Philippines.
Paranaque, Bristol in Alabang, Civic Prime in Alabang, Fortune Hill in San Juan, La Vie Flats in Alabang, One Oasis CDO and Davao, One Spatial in Iloilo, Sanremo Oasis in Cebu, Studio A in Katipunan and Alabang, The Beaufort in Taguig, The Levels in Alabang, The Signature in Quezon City, and West Parc in Alabang. FDC also owns hotel brands Crimson, a five-star hotel, and Quest, a value-brand hotel. FDC is also into banking. East West Banking Corp. is a universal bank headquartered at The Beaufort, the flagship luxury condominium project of FDC in Bonifacio Global City. It has extension offices at PBCom Tower Makati (Call Center Division), Hanston Building (Customer Care), and Pasong Tamo Extension. FDC’s rural bank EastWest Rural Bank Inc. (EWRB) was established in 2013 when East West Bank acquired FinMan Bank Inc., a 16-year old Pasig-based rural bank and Green Bank Inc. (also known as Green Bank of Caraga), a 46-branch rural bank based in Butuan City. FDC has also interests in power generation and water supply services through its subsidiary FDC Utilities Inc (FDCUI).
Ford marks 2 decades of strong performance in PH Ford Philippines is a national sales and distribution business that handles all local sales, service and marketing activities of Ford vehicles. In September, Ford Philippines marked its 20th year of business operations in the country. “Ford’s business in the Philippines has remained strong over the last two decades, and we are thankful to our customers and dealers for their support,” said Bertrand Lessard, managing director of Ford Philippines. Among its roster of class-leading cars, SUVs, and trucks are Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ford EcoSport, Ford Mustang, Ford Escape, Ford Everest, Ford Ranger, Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition. In line with its wide lineup of vehicles, Ford is equally committed to further improving its customer experience. This includes customer convenience from an even wider network of authorized dealerships. The Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company
oooI13-2
STAYING TRUE @
I13-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
PARTNERS IN DELIVERING BALANCED NEWS, FEARLESS VIEWS designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electric vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Ford Philippines is running its yearend sale deals, offering customers more opportunities to own a Ford vehicle until Dec. 31. The yearend deals allow customers to purchase vehicles with all-in low down payment, or low monthly fees, or cash discount for the Fiesta, Focus, EcoSport, Everest and the Ranger vehicles.
FROM B10-1
Kenneth M. Del Rosario
In 1979, the corporate social responsibility arm of the bank, Metrobank Foundation Inc., was established. The foundation’s projects include programs in education, visual arts and healthcare. It conducts emergency and relief operations in times of disasters and natural calamities in the Philippines and in Asia. Its flagship programs include the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE), Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), College Scholarship Program (CSP), MetrobankMTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) and Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS).
Forward thinking key at Isuzu unveils 'Blue Power Technology' as it celebrates 20 years in PH Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) continues to be at the forefront of helping the country move forward with tried, tested and trusted commercial vehicles and diesel engines. This tradition lives on as Isuzu provides first-rate customer service, boosts employee satisfaction, and promotes social responsibility. IPC celebrated their 20 strong years in the local automotive industry last September by unveiling the “Blue Power Technology”—an eco-friendly diesel engine designed to promote green technology. All Isuzu vehicles are now equipped with Blue Power Technology, a testament to the Japanese carmaker’s commitment in promoting clean environment. With the latest innovation, Isuzu aims to provide better engine output, low emissions, fuel economy and excellent durability in all its vehicles. “This country has become our second home and gave us the wings to soar higher than what we were 20 years back. We are looking forward to 20 years and more,” said Hajime Koso, the company’s president. In 2016, IPC contributed 11-percent market share in the commercial vehicle segment. In November this year, IPC opened its newest showroom in Baguio City, in a bid to further strengthen its dealership network in the country. Guided by its corporate slogan “Your responsible partner,” IPC has a 13-hectare manufacturing facility at the Laguna Technopark in Binan, Laguna, which is capable of producing 15,000 units through a modest yet productive work force. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. faces the coming decades with a renewed spirit and a workforce that is stronger than ever. Its new line-up of car models and a new plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna, speaks volumes about the company’s commitment to excellence, sustainability, the environment and drive for innovation. Mitsubishi Motors adheres to “The Three Principles” of the Mitsubishi group of companies, which serves as a touchstone for all company activities: customer-centric approach, giving the highest priority to earning the satisfaction of its customers; going the extra mile, paying close attention to the smallest details; and focus development and manufacturing, making sure that the cars they manufacture embody motorists’ driving pleasure and safety at all times. As one of the country’s leading automotive brands with more than 50 years of automotive manufacturing experience in the Philippines, Mitsubishi Motors continues to manufacture distinctive cars with the passion and conviction to overcome challenges. Its plant in Sta. Rosa occupies 21 hectares, which can produce a maximum of 50,000 units every year. In addition to transferring to a bigger plant, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines also upgraded its equipment to further improve the assembly process and quality. One of which is the automated plastic parts paint robot – the first of its kind in the Philippines. Mitsubishi continues to sell more than 50,000 vehicles in the country every year, achieving record sales growth for the company. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Pioneer of the live-workplay-learn integrated urban townships Megaworld is the Philippines' top residential condominium developer and No. 1 office landlord and developer. It is also known as the pioneer of the live-work-play-learn integrated urban townships in the country. Megaworld was founded by Andrew Tan in 1989 to engage in the development, leasing and marketing of real estate. It established a reputation for building high-end residential condominiums and commercial properties located in convenient urban locations with easy access to offices, as well as leisure and entertainment amenities in Metro Manila. Beginning in 1996, Megaworld, in response to the growing demand for residences near offices and leisure facilities, began to focus on developing mixed-use communities targeting the middlemarket. For this purpose, it established the Eastwood City community township that integrates corporate, residential, education/training, leisure and entertainment components. To date, the company already has 21 integrated urban township developments across the Philippines, namely: Eastwood City in Quezon City, Newport City in Pasay City, McKinley Hill, McKinley West, Uptown Bonifacio and Forbes Town Center, all in Fort Bonifacio, The Mactan Newtown in Cebu, Iloilo Business Park and Sta. Barbara Heights, both in Iloilo, Boracay Newcoast in Boracay Island, Twin Lakes in Tagaytay, ArcoVia City in Pasig City, Southwoods City in the boundaries of Cavite and Laguna, Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City, Alabang West in Las Piñas City, Suntrust Ecotown and Maple Grove both in Cavite, The Upper East and Northill Gateway both in Negros Occidental, The Capital in the City of San Fernando, and Westside City in the Entertainment City in Paranaque. Megaworld is involved in The Mactan Newtown in Cebu, Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Santa Barbara Heights in Santa Barbara, Iloilo, Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan, Northill Gateway and The Upper East, both in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Nissan moves closer to achieving its goals to triple sales across Asean region Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) was founded on Sept. 23, 2013 as a joint venture among Nissan Motor Co.,Ltd., Universal Motors Corp. and Yulon Philippines Investment Co. Ltd. In March 2014, NPI began operations as the sole national sales company for the Philippines, unifying the Nissan brand under one umbrella. Since it began operations, NPI has become one of the fastest growing automotive companies in the Philippines. NPI has spearheaded the aggressive expansion of its dealership network, signing 11 new dealers in addition to the existing 28 Nissan dealerships which can be found in key cities nationwide. NPI intends to reinforce its brand image and grow its share in the market by broadening its product lineup with exciting vehicles, strengthening sales and fortifying its service across the nation. As a corporation, Nissan is committed to driving growth across the Asean region. A key future target in its Asean mid-term plan is to triple sales across the region to 500,000 units and achieve 15-percent market share. Nissan believes that the Philippines is one of the key markets in the region and is an important component to achieving its goals. The establishment of NPI is an illustration of the company’s commitment to the Philippines and the region. Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. is Japan’s secondlargest automotive company, with headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. The car company, with some 236,000 employees globally, delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Entertainment and lifestyle hub that Filipinos love In good hands with Metrobank The banking arm of tycoon George Ty, the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, commonly known as Metrobank, is the second largest bank in the Philippines. It was established on Sept. 5, 1962 by a group of Filipino businessmen to cater to the Chinese-Filipino community. Today, Metrobank has become a financial conglomerate offering various financial services, from regular banking to insurance. In its five decades of existence, the bank has had several milestones. In 1970, it opened its first international branch in Taipei, Taiwan. In 1973, it opened an office in Hong Kong. It also opened its first branch in Guam in 1975. Soon after, branches in Los Angeles and New York opened. Metrobank was listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange in 1981. It established its own credit card company, Unibancard Corp. (now Metrobank Corp.) in 1986. In 1988, the bank entered into a joint venture with Japan’s largest automotive manufacturer and Mitsui Corp. to establish Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. Metrobank and AXA Group formed the Philippine AXA Life Insurance Corp. In 1990, Metrobank launched the country’s first ATM. Five years later, the bank became the first billion-dollar bank, growing its total capital to P22.8 billion.
Resorts World Manila (RWM) is the first and largest integrated resort in the Philippines. It is a one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination that features gaming thrills, worldclass entertainment, unique events, and exciting lifestyle options. Conveniently located across from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, RWM is the modern gateway to world-class Philippine hospitality. It is currently home to four lodging brands—the luxury all-suite Maxims Hotel, fivestar Marriott Hotel Manila, Remington Hotel and Belmont Hotel Manila. Also located within the complex is the three-story convention center housing the country’s largest hotel ballroom, the Marriott Grand Ballroom. Two more hotels, Sheraton Hotel Manila and Hilton Manila Hotel, are currently under construction. RWM is home to the Newport Mall which features international luxury brands, state-of-the-art movie theaters at Newport Cinemas, and an award-winning, and the ultra-modern Newport Performing Arts Theater. RWM’s aims to be the premier world-class integrated entertainment and tourism destination in Asia, the destination that sets the benchmark for service excellence. Among the values that RWM subscribe to include excellence at all times, the desire to wow guests, unyielding integrity, and genuine care for guests and other stakeholders. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
World-class food and beverage products at affordable prices This all-Filipino food conglomerate has come a long way. From being the pioneer in the flourmilling industry in the Asian region to becoming one of the biggest food and beverage companies in the Philippines, RFM Corp. has created a league of its own. With strong brands boasting of quality and value, RFM has created a wide variety of products which elevated the company into becoming a market leader and a significant player in the food and beverage category. It has given Filipinos the options to taste world-class products at affordable prices. RFM Corp. has brought to life many wishes for a colorful Pinoy celebration through its brands: White King, Royal and Fiesta pasta, Sunkist fruit juice, Selecta milk and Selecta ice cream. To strengthen its market presence and further hone its branding, RFM has made strong and reliable partnerships with significant acquisitions. Over the years, these joint ventures have been instrumental in creating a strong ecosystem wherein both parties thrive. And at the end of the day, consumers got more than what they bargained for. These acquisitions allowed consumers to get more value for their money. RFM Corp. has cemented its role as a world-class Filipino food conglomerate. With innovation at its helm, it continues to be a game changer in the industry. Driven by core values such as product excellence, aggressive marketing, keen management and good governance, RFM Corp. still strives to keep moving forward in the path to success.
The company was started by the husband and wife team of Bienvenido (Sr.) and Gliceria Tantoco in 1951. It traces its origin to a humble gift shop on San Marcelino Street in Manila that sold various imported products. Soon the store expanded and eventually became the country’s prominent department store chain. In its nearly five decades of operations, Rustan’s, through its department stores, and additionally through its formidable network of companies, has contributed to the development of the retail industry in the Philippines and in the Southeast Asian region. It has gained a reputation as a premier store where the elite shop. Likewise, it introduced a lot of innovations in retail, particularly in merchandising, sales, displays, and promotions. As the country’s most prestigious retailer, Rustan’s remains the exclusive address of note to many of the world’s most famous names and signatures – from Cartier to Mikimoto, Tiffany to Ermenegildo Zegna, Nina Ricci to Alfred Dunhill, Sonia Rykiel to Estee Lauder, to name a few of the stores-within-a-store concepts that it has pioneered. Apart from Rustan’s Department Store, the Rustan’s Group of Companies has diversified its retail offerings in the country through the following subsidiaries: SSI Group Inc. is the leading specialty retailer in the Philippines, with the exclusive franchise rights to some of the biggest international lifestyle brands and luxury icons. As of September 2015, SSI Group Inc. represents over 116 international brands and trades in 781 specialty stores across the Philippines. Rustan's Supercenters Inc. (RSCI) manages and operates the Rustan’s Supermarkets, Shopwise and Wellcome chain of groceries, hypermarkets and neighborhood stores, respectively. Shopwise is the Group’s first major foray into the discount retailing segment through an adapted European-style hypermarket. In 1997, the very first Starbucks coffee shop was established in the country at 6750 Ayala, Makati. The arrival of Starbucks in the Philippines spawned the coffeeshop trend in the country. Raquel P. Gomez
Vanessa B. Hidalgo
Creating a healthier lifestyle for Filipinos here and abroad The Gokongwei empire reflects founder's survivor instincts If you’ve ever flew Cebu Pacific, or tasted Blend 45, or shopped at a Robinsons Mall, then you’re fairly familiar with some of the top products by companies the Gokongwei family controls or has investments in. John Gokongwei, who has a very interesting and inspiring riches-to-rags-to-riches story, is one of the most innovative entrepreneurs in the country. Gokongwei is a true survivor, having lived through wars, coup d’etats, financial crisis, and martial law. His business ventures reflect this toughness, often taking on market leaders and established players, almost always ending up on top. Gokongwei is the chairman of JG Summit Holdings, one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines with companies involved in food, textiles, retail, real estate, aviation, banking, and petrochemicals. Companies under JG Summit include Universal Robina Corp., one of the largest manufacturers of snacks in Southeast Asia; Robinsons Land, which develops a chain of malls and other real estate properties; and Cebu Pacific, one of the country’s busiest and most profitable airlines. It also includes Robinsons Bank, which has been aggressively opening more branches in the past couple of years; Robinsons Retail Holdings; and JG Summit Petrochemical Corp. Today, John’s six children (Lisa, Robina, Lance, Faith, Hope, and Marcia) all play an important role in the Gokongwei empire.
When it comes to health, fitness and beauty, only one name comes to mind: Slimmers World International. For over 40 years, Slimmers World has remained true to its calling of creating a healthier lifestyle for Filipinos here and abroad. The fitness company has encouraged Filipinos to take care of their bodies by practicing healthy habits. Slimmers World has created a more beautiful and healthy Philippines. With over 25 centers strategically located in Metro Manila, two in Cebu, one in Subic and three in Bangkok, Thailand, Slimmers World has gone from a next door gym to a successful international brand. Over 500,000 lives have been changed by Slimmers World. Just how did they do it? By shedding one excess pound at a time. Founder and CEO Ronald Joseph Moy believes that there is still a long way to go for Slimmers World. With determination and immense desire to bring out the best in every Filipino, Moy as well as the entire team of Slimmers World believes that the best is yet to come. Its dedicated team of professionals join hands with customers to turn them into “happy losers” through its slimming, health, beauty and fitness programs. Now more than ever, the drive to live a healthy lifestyle becomes more of a necessity than just a hobby. At Slimmers World, you can expect warmth and a friendly voice to push you to your limits and achieve a more fit and healthy lifestyle. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
PDI Archives
institutionalized the “one-stop shopping complex” and was the first mall in the Philippines to introduce “malling” as a pastime. Construction of SM City North Edsa started in 1983. Henry Sy Sr. shares: “In 1983, we were building SM City North Edsa, our first shopping mall. Many people at that time said I was crazy. There was a political crisis; interest rates were as high as 45 percent, and the location of the mall was in the middle of nowhere. They said that SM City would not succeed, but the mall was an instant success.” Since then, the shopping mall has undergone several expansions and renovations. Besides being a haven for shoppers, the architecture of the mall blends both old and new, creating calming and colorful scenes. With world-class cinemas, a helpful and convenient transport depot for easy commuting, outdoor parking, and attractive structures, SM City North Edsa aims to be an architectural landmark of Metro Manila’s progress, as well as one of the most beautiful structures in the Philippines. SM City North Edsa’s introduction of the malling culture to the country not only made the pastime one of the favorite things Filipinos do for leisure, malling also created many fond memories for them, as it was usually done to celebrate occasions such as birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, reunions and other significant events. Another fond memory for some people is the early TV advertisement of SM City North Edsa. The TV ad usually had a commercial spot on the television show Family Kwarta O Kahon when it was still airing every Sunday. The one that goes: “Food! Shopping! Fun! Movies! We got it all... SM City! It’s waiting for you.” When the little ones saw it, parents were automatically tugged by their kids to the mall on that day. Thirty years since SM opened its first Supermall, most people still remember that mall commercial, but they remember the mall memories even more. PDI Archives
At par with the most advanced hospitals in the world St. Luke’s Medical Center is fueled by passion to continuously improve the Filipino’s quality of living. Through state-of-the-art healthcare, St. Luke’s delivers a unique patient experience. The needs of the patients always come first in this internationally recognized academic medical center. The leading and most-respected healthcare institution in the country prides itself with being at par with the most advanced hospitals in the world. There is a long list of accreditations and key affiliations with prestigious international accreditations. Its two facilities in Quezon City and Global City in Taguig have earned numerous accolades. St. Luke’s-Quezon City is the first hospital in the country and the second in Asia to be accredited by the Joint Commission International—the international arm of the oldest and most prestigious healthcare accreditation, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). In 2012, St. Luke’s-Global City earned its first JCI hospital accreditation after only two years of operation. Both the Quezon City and Global City facilities are two of the 20 best hospitals worldwide. The Diplomatic Council of Europe also recognized St. Luke’s as “preferred partner hospitals” in 2016. The multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment of specific medical conditions has propelled St. Luke’s to be a leading name in the field of medicine in the country. With this distinction, St. Luke’s has invested with top-notch medical technologies and equipment. They have acquired the services of highlyskilled and the best doctors in the land. With the best equipment and the right people for the job, St. Luke’s has created an ecosystem that is geared to extend the lives of their patients. St. Luke’s College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial (SLCM-WHQM) has produced the finest and most competent medical professionals. Guided by the core values of integrity, professionalism, innovation, patient-centered care, passion for excellence, synergy and social responsibility, the graduates of SLCM-WHQM possess the optimum skills, as well as the heart to care for patients and their families in their time of need. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
SM never fails to inspire Over 20 years of great Rockwell The Rockwell Land story began in 1995 with the transformation of an unused thermal power plant into a thriving, self-sustained community. Now known as the Rockwell Center, this flagship development was the first of several exceptional communities, which serve as the benchmark for living, leisure and business. As a member of the Lopez Group of Companies, Rockwell Land continues to raise the standard for living spaces by creating a community that seamlessly blends residences, work spaces and lifestyle hubs. All of these are made with the Rockwell signature of innovation, exclusivity and unparalleled quality. One of Rockwell’s keys to success is its perceptive understanding of the individual. Since life is not restricted to the four-walled structure of a home, the property maverick recognized the need to extend its breadth. Today, Rockwell’s signature of exclusivity and luxury is felt even outside the comforts of your residence. In 2012, with a vision to provide affordable premium experience through its living spaces and communities, Rockwell Primaries was established. It offers developments that feature innovative property concepts and customer-centric solutions namely, facilities that exceed industry standards, offering full cycle customer services, which lead to lasting property values. Its projects are developed with the same expertise, management team and project consultants as Rockwell Land, but with accessible payment terms. Rockwell Primaries is the developer of 53 Benitez in New Manila, and The Vantage at Kapitolyo in Pasig City.
Where tradition of luxury lives on Rustan’s is a most recognizable brand in the Philippines associated with retail, high quality products and excellent service.
The brand name may be short, but behind it, is a long and illustrious history spanning more than half a century. And the history of SM never fails to inspire every Filipino: if its founder Henry Sy Sr., a man from a poor family armed only with his dream, discipline and determination can be the richest man in the Philippines, then any person can achieve his or her goal when one’s vision is in “3D.” At present, with SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) as its holding company, it has become one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines. Henry Sy Sr., is the chairman of the board of directors of SMIC and his eldest child Teresita Sy-Coson serves as vice chairperson. Aside from several businesses, SM also has numerous corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. SM Foundation is the corporate responsibility arm of the SM Group of Companies. The foundation has various areas of advocacy: education, health, community development, and care for the environment and for persons with special need. But before the SM Group became the country’s largest retail shopping center developer and operator, as well as having substantial interests in banking, property and other businesses, it started out as a small shoe store in Carriedo, the then-central business district of Manila. According to its website, entrepreneur Henry Sy Sr. established the first Shoemart store in downtown Manila in 1958. His perseverance made the shoe store very profitable, and within a few of years, Shoemart expanded its shoe store chain. During the 1970s, Shoemart evolved from a shoe store to a department store, and became known as SM Shoemart or SM. In the succeeding years, it diversified into other businesses, and at present, SM has a growing number of malls here and abroad. But it was a mall SM opened in 1985 that introduced a new kind of leisure experience for many Filipinos. It started here The ’80s was a very memorable decade especially for Pinoy kids back then. During those years, their favorite pastime which was watching cartoons on TV became more entertaining with the emergence of new cartoon shows such as G.I. Joe, Transformers, The Smurfs, Thundercats, Care Bears and He-Man. Within this decade, a new pastime also emerged in the Philippines and proved to be very entertaining not just for kids but for the whole family as well: “malling.” On Nov. 25, 1985, SM opened its first supermall, SM City North Edsa, located at the intersection of North Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) in Quezon City. SM City North Edsa innovated and
A lasting home for every Filipino The success of Sta. Lucia Realty has been built on solid foundation and sound practices. Its early beginnings in 1972 as a developer of subdivisions in Pasig, Taytay, Morong and Rizal has now paved the way to even bigger creations for the real estate company. It has grown to an impressive roster of communities in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga, Cabanatuan and Pangasinan. Sta. Lucia Realty has already grown its roots in Visayas through its thriving communities in Bacolod, Cebu and Iloilo. Part of its ever growing family lies in Mindanao: Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Now, more than ever, Sta. Lucia Realty relies on a commitment to help shape a living and working environment where Filipinos are able to thrive with nature. Each development is handpicked with wellthought of designs around human and natural elements. Sta. Lucia Realty believes that growth can only be achieved if it is pursued through sustainable means. Hence, they remain steadfast with their goal of protecting the environment. The next best thing for Sta. Lucia Realty is to provide a home that goes beyond the expectations of its new residents. Infused with experience, dynamism and excellence, the property developer aims to build, grow and strengthen its business. Its legacy will be creating a lasting home for every Filipino where they can turn their dreams into a reality. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
Suzuki Philippines vows to uplift Filipinos' way of life Suzuki Philippines Inc. is a manufacturer of superior quality motorcycle and the exclusive distributor of Suzuki Automobile, Suzuki Outboard Motor and Suzuki Genuine Parts in the country.
oooI13-4
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I3-3
19 8 5
My baptism of fire By Krixia Subingsubing @kasubingsubing
T
here were no more hogtied, cardboard-bearing bodies dumped on the sidewalk, nor wholesale killings of suspects in drug dens when I came onboard the Inquirer as a rookie reporter. I missed the height of the drug war’s carnage that many of my colleagues had seen earlier before raiding teams started bringing the bodies to hospitals to shut down the crime scene. My exposure to the drug war is better measured not in scale but in concentrated doses. During my first three weeks covering Camanava (the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela), three teenage deaths rocked the nation: those of Kian Loyd delos Santos, 17; Carl Arnaiz, 19; and Reynaldo de Guzman, 14. Kian and Carl’s stories fell on my lap as the areas where their bodies were found are in Camanava. Both were killed after allegedly resisting arrest and shooting it out with the Caloocan police—Kian on Aug. 17, Carl on Aug. 18. Their deaths were the result of the “OneTime, Big-Time” police operations that killed at least 80 drug suspects across Metro Manila and Bulacan in one week. Slew of evidence Their cases were crucial in that they marked the first real turning point in Mr. Duterte’s brutal crusade. Unlike other drug-related deaths that police easily dismissed as “under investigation” or vigilante killings, these two cases bore an overwhelming slew of evidence against the police: security footages, eye witnesses and forensic examination results. All that surfaced, thanks to the relentless efforts of media
The drug war found a young victim in Caloocan City—Grade 12 student Kian delos Santos—whose burial on Aug. 26, 2017, was marked with renewed public outrage over police abuses. —LYN RILLON
to go beyond the official explanation of the police involved. Otherwise, Kian and Carl would have become mere statistics in the drug war. I learned early on that it takes very little to take authorities at their word; digging out the truth, however, takes painstaking effort. In my case, it meant hurdling a lot of obstacles: Hitchhiking on four different occasions to get to Kian’s house because I kept getting lost. Wading through ankle-deep floods to leave Kian’s wake. Getting from Caloocan to Cainta—no mean distance—to get interviews on Carl. Walking up and down Rose Street for an hour, looking for the home of Caloocan cabbie Tomas Bagcal, a crucial witness in Carl’s case, only to find out that there are two such streets in Camanava, and I happened to be in the one near the Valenzuela border. Helplessness The exhaustion is nothing compared to my feeling of helplessness while listening to Kian’s and Carl’s parents. How
The wake of Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman, the 14-year-old from Cainta, Rizal, who was found with more than 20 stab wounds in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, on Sept. 5. —RICHARD A. REYES does one ask them, in the midst of their grief, if they thought their sons were indeed drug pushers? As reporters, we are required to keep a safe emotional distance from those we cover, but I would be lying if I said that seeing them cry over their sons’ caskets did not affect me in the slightest. I remember the night I first met Kian’s mother, Lorenza,
who had rushed back from Riyadh on Aug. 18 upon hearing that her son had been killed. Her voice was hoarse from being interviewed so many times and her eyes swollen from reliving Kian’s death again and again. Yet she willingly told me many things about Kian: about how he loved kidding around, how he had sheepishly asked for a bike, how he bragged about
the two-point increase in his grades. It’s knowing these little intimate bits about Kian that helped guide my research from start to finish, and I am thankful to Nanay Lorenza for sharing them with me. Carl’s story hit closer to home because like me, he was from the University of the Philippines (UP). He was a fellow Iskolar ng Bayan. His dreams—of passing the UP College Admission Test and graduating to serve the country—were also mine. His family and friends all say Carl was a bright young man, so I needed to understand how he fell victim to this grim campaign. Jarring realities Kian’s and Carl’s cases were undoubtedly big stories and I was fortunate to have covered them both. But I hate referring to their stories as my baptism by fire. It sounds dangerously simplistic, like they were mere bylines to earn rather than jarring realities that far outlive the news cycle.
What I am sure of is that I will be forever humbled and haunted by their stories. They may only be two among the thousands killed in the drug war, but they helped spark a consciousness whose blaze was much bigger than themselves. My only regret is I have lent them the eyes and ears of a novice. There are many things in the course of my research into their cases that I would have done differently. I’m still learning to be a better reporter. But if I had been able to contribute anything to fill in the gaps in their narratives, then I am honored. To date, however, the killings have not stopped. While the agents have changed, the victims have not. The only way to put an end to this long nightmare, it seems, is to treat every death like that of another Kian or Carl. If only every person slain was granted the same vigilance and effort given these young men, there is no doubt we’d uncover the grisly props enabling this war. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
I3-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
Some thoughts on how the Inquirer should meet the rising darkness By Jose Ma. D. Nolasco Executive Editor (Editor’s Note: Following is the speech—with some modifications— that the executive editor delivered during a meeting with editors and reporters on May 25, 2017.)
I
t has been a most trying time—especially these past two months—for the Inquirer under the Duterte administration. To borrow a line from “The Last Jedi,” darkness rises . . . and light to meet it. Like major newspapers the world over which are reeling from the collapse of the old business model, the Inquirer continues to struggle with a steady decline in revenue brought about by the mass migration of readers and advertisers alike from print to digital platforms. And, as if rebuilding a sizeable base of paying subscribers and seeking new revenue streams in a rapidly changing media landscape were not challenging enough, we’ve also had to cope with a President who keeps lashing out at what he claims is our dishonest, inaccurate and biased news reporting. This has shifted our focus from our strategy, goals and objectives to the burning question in our newsroom today: How do we deal with a populist strongman who seems bent on rubbing us out? Do we oppose or appease him? Do we just roll over and play dead hoping he’ll leave us alone in peace? Do we just whistle in the dark trying to convince ourselves that his rants and taunts are nothing more than ridiculous statements that shouldn’t be taken seriously? Here are my thoughts on this most urgent concern of our editors, reporters and other Inquirer colleagues. My thoughts are based on the Inquirer experience in dealing with Presidents
so call him out on his serious but unsubstantiated charges against certain people through rigorous fact-checking. As we continue to challenge his stand that he can’t do anything but bow to China’s might and power, we shall keep on reminding him of his sworn duty to defend Philippine territory.
the past 32 years and on the best practices of world-class media organizations in dealing with Mr. Duterte’s kindred spirits like Donald Trump. No. 1 rule of engagement First of all, we shall disprove what the President has been saying about the Inquirer with what we’ve been actually doing in practice. We shall deal with the Duterte administration in accordance with the Inquirer mission, vision, values and tradition. We shall cover the President as we had covered his predecessors in Malacañang: We shall remain fearless but fair, accurate, impartial and balanced. This shall be our No.1 rule of engagement with him—and this shall also apply to everyone else we cover. The President, for his part, has decided to engage us in a hostile way. Tough luck, guys. That’s his choice, and that’s his right. No less than our American counterparts conceded as much in their open letter to Trump. In the same letter, American journalists also acknowledged that the US Constitution—on which our own Constitution is patterned after—protects press freedom, but it doesn’t dictate how the President must abide by that provision. For our part, however, we shall persevere in reaching out and explaining to our own President through various channels that we are neither the enemy nor the opposition party. A higher standard of civility Whenever the President spews out expletives at us in his press conferences and his trolls curse us on social media, we will refrain from using gutter language in responding to them in our Facebook or Twitter accounts. Let’s not vent in public whatever ill-feelings we harbor inside us. As Inquirer journalists, we hold ourselves to
Jose Ma. D. Nolasco a higher standard of civility. (As I had texted a fellow journalist recently: In social media, there is no Juan de la Cruz the private person, only Juan de la Cruz the Inquirer reporter.) Better still, let’s stay away from petty fights and just ignore nasty comments; no reply is the best reply in such situations. Even so, we shall listen to what our readers have to say about our news coverage and engage them in intelligent discussion—unsullied from the mud. This way, we steer clear of mudslinging and elevate the quality of the public debate on important issues. We shouldn’t get intimidated or distracted from important stories, particularly the President’s pronouncements on major policies and positions on controversial issues. Rigorous fact-checking But even as we strive to get the President’s message across, we shall al-
Comprehensive, proportional In living up to our role as an independent monitor of power and as a citizens’ watchdog, let’s not be too negative in our coverage of the President. We shall report not only on his administration’s failures but also its successes. As much as possible, we shall do breaking news and/or do a front-page remat should he make a big announcement even at an ungodly hour. As we try to be comprehensive and proportional in our news coverage given our limited print space, let’s give the most value to our readers—not just click-bait for eyeballs on the web. We shall focus on what interests our readers and provide balance to the information they want with the information they need to make better life decisions. Let’s strive to make the significant interesting by producing first-rate work in different categories of journalism, focusing on exclusive content such as investigative, explanatory and special reports; excellent feature writing, grabbing infographics, outstanding photography, etc. Cutting edge journalism Recently, we launched the Inquirer Journalism Awards, nicknamed the Louies. Let’s give our all-out support to this key component of our new content strategy aimed at creating a viable business model. We intend to produce
more cutting edge journalism in the Duterte era. Even as certain sinister forces seek to cut our link with the public, we shall strengthen our ties with our readers through great journalism. Early this year, we received four international awards in news and feature photography. And this month, the Society of Publishers in Asia announced that Inquirer journalists were on its short list of finalists in four award categories this year: excellence in infographics, excellence in photography, best scoop and journalist of the year. Mindful of mistakes Let’s keep raising the quality of our solid reporting by religiously observing the journalism rules spelled out in our Blue Book, particularly the pertinent provisions on verification and the two-source rule. Remember: Every mistake we commit—like a batch of fake photos posted on our Facebook account down to an erroneous photo caption on our front page—bolsters the claim of the President and his die-hard supporters that we churn out nothing but malicious and reckless news with utter disregard for the truth. Even so, we shall acknowledge our errors and correct them promptly. Taking a long view at 32 In this period of great turbulence, uncertainly and disruption, we’re taking a long view. We’ve faced more formidable challenges these past 32 years and, in a testament to our resilience, we’ve always managed to bounce back. In the process, we got to know more who we are and what we are here for. As we’ve chosen the path of light, let’s meet the rising darkness. This, too, shall pass. INQ
NO PITY: THAT ‘PIETA’ DRUG WAR PHOTO THEY TRIED TO PUT DOWN One particular image, which appeared as the main front page photo of the Inquirer Sunday issue on July 24, 2016, has since earned local and international recognition as an iconic depiction of the brutality unleashed in the streets since Mr. Duterte warned that he would fatten the fish in Manila Bay with the bodies of suspected drug users and dealers. The photo shows Jennilyn Olayres cradling the body of her live-in partner, Michael Siaron, shortly after the 30year-old pedicab driver was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Edsa, near the Pasay Rotonda. Near the man’s body is a cardboard left by the killers and scrawled with the words “Pusher ako, wag tularan [I’m a pusher, do not imitate].” Olayres later admitted in media reports that her partner had used drugs but denied that he also peddled them.
happen? she had asked. “The family was never informed that the case had been considered closed, that there were follow-ups made and that there was supposedly this ballistics test,” Lerma said. “It’s so convenient to say ‘case closed,’ but did the family feel that justice was served? ... There were so many doubts. How can you claim to have found answers from people who have been killed?” he added. In his column, Tiglao parroted the police finding and quoted Lerma as having said in an earlier Inquirer story: “It was the third extrajudicial killing of suspected drug pushers that I covered on the graveyard shift last week.”
FROM I3-1
Scene of lamentation Siaron’s case was the third of four deadly shootings that the media covered that night in Pasay alone. But it stood out for having produced, through Lerma’s lens, a scene of lamentation likened to Michelangelo’s “Pieta.” Recalled Lerma: “The moment I saw the (photo) and the banner headline ‘Thou shall not kill,’ and on a Sunday issue at that, I knew it would be powerful. Ang lakas nito!” But while it reaped praise and awards, the photo also drew its share of hecklers and cynics. Among them were netizens who dismissed the nowviral image as “staged” and “the fakest fake news,” according to Manila Times columnist Bobi Tiglao. Mr. Duterte himself said it was too “dramatic.” A day after its publication, the President made reference to the photo in his first State of the Nation Address (Sona), where he told drug suspects not to bother running to priests or human rights defenders for
GRIM VIEW FROM THE TOP The Siaron killing was the third of four fatal shootings covered by the media in one night in Pasay City alone. —RAFFY LERMA succor, for “they can’t stop death.” Said Lerma in a recent Inquirer interview: “I was bothered, of course, for they were attacking not only the photo but also my credibility. I had supposedly hired actors for it and mounted a full production; the lighting (provided mainly by TV news crews who had set up equipment around the cordoned-off crime scene) was supposedly ‘that good.’” Added the photographer who has since been invited to talk about the drug war in media and civil society fora: “Where did that idea come from?! It’s sad that some people would rather spread or believe outright lies instead of looking at the photo and getting the message.” ‘Pity’ Calling the image “a la Pieta’” was not even his idea, Lerma said. The raw caption he submitted to the news desk carried no such labelling. “To be honest, (the shot) actually reminded me more of another photo (with a similar composition) that I took in Mindoro
last year.” But it was still fitting, he said, that his Pasay photo came to be associated with the Italian word for “pity.” Which, unfortunately, was something Lerma never felt in the President’s words when the photo got special mention in his Sona. “I was covering the Sona rally outside when I heard it on the radio,” he said. “I was surprised; I wished he hadn’t said such things because the family (of Siaron) was in mourning and should have been accorded some dignity.” But he had a second reaction, he added: “I knew (then) that the photo was reaching the people it was intended for.” In October this year, Malacañang tried to have the last word both on the photo and the killing it had recorded. “Authorities have put closure on the death of Michael Siaron, whose photo was compared to the Pieta image, after ballistic examination from a recovered firearm revealed that he was killed by a member of a syndicate also involved in the illegal drug trade,” then presi-
dential spokesperson Ernesto Abella declared. The statement came after Pasay City police said they had identified Siaron’s alleged killer as Nesty Santiago, from whom lawmen had supposedly recovered a firearm that was later subjected to a ballistics test. Santiago himself was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen on Dec. 29, 2016, five months after Siaron’s killing, the police added. The findings on Siaron’s death, Abella said, supported the administration’s claim that drug syndicates were behind many of the killings—that “(drug) traffickers and pushers (were) eliminating each other.” ‘Premature, unfair’ Abella added: “The relentless attribution of such killings to police operations was both premature and unfair to officers who risk life and limb to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs in our society.” Lerma was in New York for some speaking engagements when he got a text message from Siaron’s sister about the Palace statement. How did that
Unexplained killings Tiglao added: “Extrajudicial killing is defined as executions by the police or other state agents of suspected criminals without the sanction of a court.” In response to the columnist, Lerma said in a statement: “I never said Siaron’s killing was perpetrated by police. But I did say that it was a ‘vigilante killing,’ one of the thousands of unexplained killings in the war on drugs. But whether or not he was killed by police or vigilantes, one thing is clear in our country’s current scenario: the number of deaths under the war on drugs is overwhelming. And it does not help that our President promotes and encourages these killings.” Lerma added: “(For) someone who claims to be a ‘seasoned journalist,’ I find it disappointing that Tiglao did not read, or perhaps did not understand, my photo’s caption.” In the interview for this report, Lerma recalled that he also thought of posing a question to the columnist: “Are you still being haunted by the photo? Good.” He added: “The photo continues to be attacked, and in the process Siaron’s case is being discussed again. (But) what is important to me is whether his family really obtained justice.” INQ
1 1/2 YEARS, 110 STORIES, 241 BODIES similarly shot dead. Both were tagged by police as involved in illegal drugs, although witnesses and relatives said their deaths were a case of mistaken identity. While there were morbid stories, there were also comic ones, like that of funeral agents confusing a soap opera shooting with a real-life shooting of drug suspects. The stories can be a heavy burden on one’s shoulder, but writing them served as an outlet for me when I could not share them with my mother who was waging her own battle with cancer back then. The killings by gunmen on motorcycles have also prompted me to be extra alert in my driving, especially when men riding tandem on motorbikes draw close to my car. Covering the drug war has brought on feelings of fear and dread, but also anger and guilt for not having covered the story completely, for missing out details, for being unable to connect the dots, for not finding the answers.
FROM I3-2
110 reports, 241 bodies After one and a half years, I looked at my work and counted 110 reports and 241 bodies. Even with the cooperation of the victims’ relatives, going after the stories had not always been easy and at least one came with a threat to add me to the body count. One afternoon, while chatting with a ranking police official in Eastern Manila about another matter, he suddenly asked with a sneer, “Baka gusto mo nang magpahinga? (Maybe you want to rest by now?).” It was a threat, the senior reporter seated beside me said. The official was apparently irked with my story about a minor killed while sleeping in an evacuation center. But I refused to be intimidated. I had my cell phone fixed. On to the next story. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I3-5
19 8 5
Memories of a bloody Sunday By Aie Balagtas See @ABalagtasSeeINQ
M
y coverage of the war on drugs began on July 3, 2016. It was President Duterte’s third day in office. A Sunday. And what a bloody Sunday it was! I clearly remember how a supposed “bed weather” weekend turned into one of the most emotionally draining work days for me. By the end of the day, eight men lay dead—casualties of the war on drugs—and police resolved what could have been a deadly end to a standoff with an armed rookie officer who ran amok inside the Manila police headquarters. That Sunday began for me interviewing Farida Bonifacio, a lanky teenaged widow whose husband was one of five men killed in just one go in a police operation in Quiapo earlier in the morning. That was my first encounter with that notorious police justification for extreme prejudice called “nanlaban.” Bonnabelle Bonifacio, according to his wife, was fixing their home’s water meter when officers, some in plain clothes, swooped down and shot him. His wife swore he was unarmed. Police said Bonifacio was the target of a “follow up” of an earlier antidrug operation. That should have meant that the antidrug operatives were supposed to know who he was. But long after the smoke had cleared, Manila’s Finest still
A Manila police antidrug operation on July 3, 2016, killed five people, whose bodies were later carried out of a shanty on Arlegui Street in Quiapo. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
listed him as “unidentified.” This pattern of “unidentified” fatalities in police antidrug operations eventually emerged. Some of the targets of undercover operations were identified only after they had been killed. Smiling officer After Farida spoke with investigators about her husband, she and I moved to the lobby of the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters for an interview. An officer, smiling, passed by. Minutes later, this smiling policeman shattered picture frames hanging from the walls of the headquarters. He fired at officers who responded to the commotion and a gunfight erupted as he was chased all around the building. Farida and I sought cover, but in the confusion we got
separated. Members of MPD’s elite SWAT unit were deployed but failed to “neutralize” PO1 Vincent Paul Solares. Fully armed officers couldn’t get near him. It was a real case of “nanlaban.” In the end, Solares surrendered. He was unscathed and fortunately no one was hurt during the 20-minute standoff. It is worth keeping this incident in mind as a backdrop against accounts by relatives of suspected drug offenders who have accused the police of killing their quarries who were asleep or were begging for their lives. The police have defended the officers, saying they just acted in self-defense because their targets fought back—nanlaban. Accusations that Solares went berserk because he had used drugs were quickly hurled
Patterns in police antidrug operations emerged as early as the first month of the Duterte administration
at him by fellow officers and some members of the media without any evidence. Under custody, Solares appeared agitated, restless and anxious, his head moving left and right. Some officers yelled at him: “Palong palo ka (you’re so high)!” “Drug addict ka ’no? Mata pa lang, pulang pula na (You’re a drug addict, right? Your eyes are so red)!” they said. Lucky Others said he was “lucky” his life was spared because “he’s one of us.” To me, it was the first clear picture of how someone could easily brand another a drug user just from that person’s physical appearance. It was also my first time to see how some police officers could decide, just like
that, to spare or take the life of another human being. As it turned out, Solares never used drugs. Instead, he snapped from the bullying of fellow officers from his precinct under Raxabago police station in Tondo. Patterns in police antidrug operations emerged as early as the first month of the Duterte administration. The police spot reports, or the first written accounts of crimes and police response, showed this. They were practically all the same, as if in accordance with a template where one just fills in the blanks. A report about a “buy-bust” operation, a favorite police tactic to apprehend drug suspects, always starts with undercover officers buying “shabu” (crystal meth) from alleged drug dealers, who eventually realize that it is a sting operation. It ends with a shootout that leaves the bad guys dead. The suspects are often killed with shots to the head, and all the police operatives are unharmed. Bloody Sunday That day particularly struck me because of the sheer number of dead bodies that piled up in a matter of hours. On that Sunday, eight people were killed—five gunned down by the police in Quiapo, one in Tondo and two more found dead on Palanca Street, also in Quiapo, tagged with notes saying both were drug pushers. Solares could have been the ninth. And that was in
the city of Manila alone. The next day, the Inquirer headline called it Bloody Sunday. For supporters of the drug war, it was a good day. Since my drug war coverage started last year, I had reported eight dead in one 24-hour period, 14 in another, and a high of 26. Other journalists had reported 32 killed in a “One-Time, BigTime” police operation. And where did we find the casualties? In the slums, of course. Wasn’t it the President himself who said that shabu is “for the poor?” The rich, in their exclusive enclaves like Forbes Park, go for cocaine, heroin or cannabis (marijuana), which are plant derivatives, unlike shabu, which are manufactured from chemicals that “shrink the brain,” he explained to soldiers recently. Seven years ago, a report I wrote was also headlined “Bloody Sunday.” It was about two men who were killed separately in fights that broke out in their families in two cities in Metro Manila. A day that saw two killings in two cities was already considered a “bloody” day then. The body count in the war on drugs continues to rise, but there is a dispute between authorities and human rights advocates over what the real figure is. Someday, we’ll get the credible count—the count that would put human faces to the numbers, not the cold statistics that they are now. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
I-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
Lettyspeak No one in the editorial group typifies this year’s anniversary theme better than the Inquirer’s late editor in chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc. Through her many years at the Inquirer, she remained true and steadfast to the ideals of the paper and its mission to be a pillar of democracy and a watchdog for good governance. Read her thoughts on the subject:
The Inquirer is going to be there for more than a hundred years. It’s going to survive all of us. It’s going to be there for the Philippines, for the world. It’s going to be there, like a pillar of strength.
They say it’s not official if the Inquirer doesn’t come out with it. We’re an agenda-setter until now. It’s different [when it comes out in the Inquirer]. So we have to really keep our noses clean, so that they cannot throw anything at us. I think that’s very basic for our profession that since we throw stones, we should really keep our house in order. We don’t want to be, you don’t want to be, crucified like some politicians are. So you have to live a scrupulously clean life. I mean, it’s necessary for the job.
December 2005
Dec. 9, 2015 PHOTO BY THELMA SAN JUAN
The core values of the Inquirer should stay no matter how it evolves. The core values will have to stay, from generation to generation. I think the Inquirer is an institution now. Dec. 9, 2015
WOMEN ON TOP With Inquirer president and CEO Sandy PrietoRomualdez and chair Marixi Prieto
The core values of the Inquirer should have to stay. We have carried the torch from Edsa I. We have a history. It is a back story of excellence and commitment to democracy, to the public good and public welfare. At the end of the day, those are what we should remember as we invent and reinvent the paper every day. Dec. 9, 2015
I think just my enjoying the work. I think that’s it. I hope that I have infected the entire staff with that. That you enjoy your work because it’s contributing to the people . . . It’s so rewarding, like in the pork barrel scam, you get people to jail. You know, these things I cannot explain. It’s a privilege for me to be in a job like this. You can make a difference, you can make change. Dec. 9, 2015
COOSOME TWOSOME With daughter Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala
ASIAN HEROES. With Inquirer founding chair Eggie Apostol in Time Magazine’s issue on 60 Years of Asian Heroes, 2006.
HAIL TO THE CHIEFS With US President Barack Obama during the 2015 AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation dinner. —THELMA SAN JUAN
There are no men or women in the newsroom, only humans, the better to engage the public emotionally. Sexless in the newsroom works. When it doesn’t, let gut feel take over. Dec. 9, 2012 (delivered during the Inquirer Training Center’s Trainors’ Training Workshop on Oct. 9-11, 2012)
Like touchy-feely, but just right, not too-too. I always feel that, to communicate with your readers, you have to touch them. You have to touch them where it matters to them . . . Stories with a human face. The more abstract (the story), the more you should put a human face. MIZZOU AWARDEE In 1993, Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc received the Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, “for her dedication and perseverance in exposing government corruption.”
EYE ON THE FUTURE As a young editor at Manila Bulletin in the early 1980s
We accept government as a source of news but it is also its bounden duty not to deny news from other sources, no matter how unfavorable to its aspirations. It is unreal to even suppose that the government is the lone repository of the truth. Panorama Magazine, 1981 and “Philippine Press under Siege,” 1984
Dec. 9, 2015 COMPILED BY INQUIRER RESEARCH
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I4-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
It’s your business to read this By Daxim L. Lucas @daxinq
A
nyone can write a decent business story. Any journ grad can accurately take down quotes and numbers from business leaders and economists and assemble them into a news item. Any of the current crop of business reporters can broadcast a press conference live over Facebook using a smartphone, or tweet about the latest corporate acquisition of the country’s richest tycoon. But not everyone can make sense of the daily deluge of information and data from the spheres of business and the economy here and overseas, and present them in ways that are most useful to consumers of news.
That not-so-everyday skill —taking complex developments in business and packaging them into actionable information—is what the business news team of the Philippine Daily Inquirer does best. Because of this, the team has earned a reputation, from inside the Inquirer family and out, of being able to elevate news about the world of business and the economy to national level. Proof of this is the regularity by which business stories land on the Inquirer’s front page and, occasionally, become the subject of national interest and debate. $81-million cyberheist One such example was last year’s $81-million cyberheist on Bangladesh Bank, the central monetary authority of that im-
Not everyone can make sense of the daily deluge of business data poverished South Asian nation. It started as a business story in February 2016, but almost immediately moved to the front page—and national consciousness—once the magnitude of the brazen theft and its implications came to light. A nationally televised Senate probe ensued, which not only led to the filing of criminal charges against suspected conspirators, but also resulted in the closure of a legal loophole in the country’s antimoney laundering law that influential casi-
no industry players have resisted for over a decade. Another business story that immediately caught the interest of the nation was last year’s mega deal in the telecommunications industry, when the Inquirer broke the news about San Miguel’s decision to sell its 700 MHz broadband frequencies to Globe Telecom and PLDT. The P70-billion deal temporarily put an end to hopes that a so-called “third player” would help improve the local telecommunications landscape by breaking the
Globe-PLDT duopoly. In the wake of this development, the debate continues to rage on whether the government should amend the law to allow foreign investors to enter the country unfettered to help improve the speed of the country’s internet. More importantly, arcane economic concepts like gross domestic product, foreign exchange, inflation and interest rates regularly find their way to the Inquirer’s front page, written in ways that help ordinary readers understand concepts like why a weakening peso against the US dollar could be good for families of overseas Filipino workers, but bad for importers at the same time—an extra step of explaining concepts and jargon that few news organizations
bother with nowadays. Long experience To be sure, not all business development stories are published in the Inquirer. Our daily section in the paper is constrained by the high cost of newsprint which limits us to anywhere from four to maybe six pages a day, less the space allocated to revenue-generating ads. Not every corporate disclosure is published either. Not all the minutiae of the daily business grind is fit to see print, physically or online. That’s because not everything is relevant to the broader public. But the long experience of the business section’s bosses, business editor Raul Marcelo and assistant business editor Corrie Narisma,
I4-3
STAYING TRUE @
I4-2
19 8 5
CHRONICLING HEROICS OF THE NEXT SPORTING LEGENDS OF PH
GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
list of future icons is San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo. In just five seasons as a pro, the shy, soft-spoken Cebuano giant has reinvented the word “dominating” by collecting four Most Valuable Player trophies, tying PBA icons Fernandez and Patrimonio for most number of MVP awards. That means Fajardo won his fourth MVP award twice as fast as Patrimonio got to his and almost three times faster than Fernandez—arguably the best player ever to set foot in the PBA. But even if his career ends now, Fajardo can easily insert his name in the discussion of PBA’s greatest ever just by the way he has dominated the opposition. And going by the usual career arc of basketball pros, it looks like Fajardo is just entering his peak. “Barring any unforeseen injuries he can win eight or even 10 MVP trophies,” Fernandez once said. Fajardo’s rise to the summit has ran side-by-side with yet another dynastic run by the San Miguel Beermen. History has always cast Crispa and Toyota as the greatest teams in the PBA. But the Beermen have certainly earned their spot in the debate. The Beermen are already the winningest franchise in the PBA and, just like Crispa and Toyota, can lay claim to several legends having worn the team’s
KIMBERLY DELA CRUZ
F
or the past 32 years, the Inquirer has served as the gatekeeper to the pantheon of Philippine sports legends. Manny Pacquiao. Paeng Nepomuceno. The Philippine Basketball Association. Robert Jaworski. Ramon Fernandez. Alvin Patrimonio. Lydia de Vega. Gabriel “Flash” Elorde. Crispa Redmanizers. Toyota Super Corollas. Efren “Bata” Reyes. Django Bustamante. The Inquirer was present either at the birth of their greatness, at the pinnacle of their heroism or the validation of their legend. Their status as icons was cemented in the pages of the country’s No. 1 newspaper. And the Inquirer’s role in sports and its athletes doesn’t look to change in the next 32 years and beyond. As the newspaper moves into the next phase of its history and morphs into a multiplatform news organization that drives discussion and sets the agenda through all forms of media, its status as the chronicler of heroes continues. The Inquirer prepares to guard the gates of greatness, measuring each athlete that attempts to pass through it before according them the status of legend. And already, there are those that have risen above the glory of victory who deserve induction to the hall of Philippine sporting greats. Leading the
JILSON TIU
By Francis T. J. Ochoa @ftjochoaINQ
RECORD PACE Players with four MVP trophies and number of seasons (in parenthesis) it took to get No. 4.
JUNE MAR FAJARDO (5) ALVIN PATRIMONIO (10), RAMON FERNANDEZ (14)
SHERWIN VARDELEON
THE NEXT ICONS
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
HEROES ALL The new batch of legends whose exploits Inquirer Sports will continue to chronicle in the years to come: June Mar Fajardo and (top photos, clockwise) Alyssa Valdez, Krizziah Tabora, brothers James and Phil Younghusband, and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
colors. A Grand Slam in the ’80s, a dominating run entering the new millennium and another string of championships the past few seasons are enough to put San Miguel Beer in the same altar that Crispa and Toyota have occupied. Volleyball has been on a meteoric rise in popularity and a lot can be attributed to its most popular—and polarizing—figure. Alyssa Valdez has certainly been the sport’s pin-up princess, her combination of once-in-a-generation talent and easy charm making her the sport’s answer to Jaworski. Very few volleyball stars can match her fan base—and fewer still the power and game smarts she flashes on the court. And just like any alltime great, Valdez has her share of haters, making her the most talked about star of her sport. Aside from Valdez, there have been other female athletes who have cornered their share of greatness. Hidilyn Diaz stormed to the list of greats with her silver-medal showing in the weightlifting event of the Rio Olympics. Not only did her medal break a two-decade streak of fruitless Olympic stints by the Philippines, she also cemented her legacy by becoming the Philippines’ first female Olympic medalist. Diaz needs little else to ensure that she etches her name among the list of greats, but she will be under a lot of scrutiny for the next few years as she inches tantalizingly close to becoming the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist. Leaving the country for the World Cup with little fanfare, Krizziah Tabora returned nearly two weeks later to the same hoopla that greeted Diaz upon her return from the Olympics. The reason? Tabora came from out of nowhere to snatch bowling’s most prestigious prize.
“I still can’t believe until now that I’m a World Cup winner,” she told the Inquirer in a recent interview. But she is—and one of only five Filipinos to achieve that feat. Tabora has had a nice little run this year, winning the bronze in the Southeast Asian Games and the silver in the Asian Indoor tournament. And even if her resume doesn’t hold a candle to the likes of Nepomuceno and Bong Coo, the fact that Tabora owns one of the sporting universe’s most difficult trophy to obtain is enough to book her slot in the list of legends. Phil and James Younghusband may have seen their name slowly get lost in the slew of football stars that have emerged since the Philippines returned to relevance in international football. But they will always be branded as icons of the sport for the country after anchoring the rise of the Azkals in 2012 and blazing the trail for Filipinos born or raised abroad to play for the national team. There are also those waiting in the wings of greatness—athletes who need a win here, a dash of international relevance there, before also being accorded the status of legend. Gilas Pilipinas, as a team, after making a return to the world stage should easily make the list of icons when all is said and done. Two of its stars, Jimmy Alapag and Jayson Castro, are also among the players who will end up being icons that future fans will constantly read about. Miguel Tabuena has what it takes to line himself alongside the likes of Frankie Miñoza while Mary Joy Tabal could end up a future track legend. In boxing, Jerwin Ancajas has risen to superstardom and is being touted as the country’s next international star. In football, young turks like Jarvey Gayoso are slowly carving their niche. Volleyball’s rival leagues have given the sport the playground to create future legends and the likes of Jaja Santiago, Aby Maraño and Ara Galang possess the talent and charisma to be all-time greats. And in every step of the way, Inquirer Sports will continue chronicling their journey to greatness—just like it did for their predecessors the past 32 years. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
IT’S YOUR BUSINESS TO READ THIS means that everything that is important to our stakeholders—especially our audience—is put out there in a timely and accurate manner, and written in a way that makes even the most disinterested readers understand how a particular business development will affect their wallet. Over the years, the Inquirer’s business section has built up an illustrious roster of alumni reporters including Narisma and Arlene Chipongian, as well as other journalists like Elena Torrijos, Clarissa Batino and Gil Cabacungan, who have gone on to other media organizations. Current mainstay, Doris Dumlao-Abadilla, remains the backbone of the team by providing it with a steady stream of market-moving news.
FROM I4-1
Accolades All have produced big “scoops” (journalistic jargon for exclusive stories) and have had numerous accolades under their belt to prove the Inquirer’s business news team was, is, and will continue to be the best at what it does. But being able to elevate business issues to national consciousness is based on the premise that a news organization is able to find those important stories in the first place.
And definitely, the Inquirer excels when it comes to breaking big stories and giving them the attention they deserve. Indeed, most of the biggest business stories of the past three decades involved issues of corporate malfeasance that victimized small clients, depositors, stockholders and taxpayers. All of these play well into the Inquirer’s penchant for uncovering scams. The roster includes, among others: the Bancap scam in 1994; the collapse of Urban Bank in 2000; the accounting anomalies at Victorias Milling Corp. in 1998; the BW stock trading scandal in 1999; the slow death of the College Assurance Plan around the same time; the collapse of Pacific Plans Inc.; the Piatco/Naia Terminal 3 controversy; the Impsa-CBK power plant deal; the Philippine Airlines’ bankruptcy and closure in 1998; the longrunning saga of Banco Filipino; the Globe Asiatique scandal; the numerous “pyramid” or Ponzi schemes that victimize Filipinos year in and year out; the P24-million tax credit scam in the late 1990s; the Philippine Estates Authority-Amari scam; the P262-million tax diversion scam in 1997; the 2002 Land Bank of the Philippines tax diversion scam; the multibillionpeso financial mess at the Retirement and Separation Bene-
fits System of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the P14-billion Legacy preneed scam in 2008. National discourse Make no mistake about it: this is not just a case of the business section tooting its own horn. Its peers acknowledge it, as well. Ever since the Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines started giving out its “best news source” awards in 2011 (awarded to the news organization whose reporters garner the most number of business news beat awards on any given year), the Inquirer has won it the most number of times: four over a seven-year period. Apart from Marcelo and Narisma, the Inquirer’s business news team is currently composed of desk editors Tina Arceo-Dumlao and Ira Pedrasa; reporters Dumlao-Abadilla, Daxim Lucas, Ronnel Domingo, Miguel Camus, Ben de Vera, Roy Canivel, Annelle TayaoJuego, Karl Ocampo, and editorial assistant Princess Ominga. Indeed, few journalists are able to present business news in ways that are accessible, interesting and relevant to their audiences. Fewer still are able to present business news in ways that elevate their importance to the level of national discourse. INQ
19 8 5
I4-3
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
My heart fills with joy when people approach me to say that Inquirer has helped them grow or has been of help somehow in their lives. We try to write about understanding each other and about finding solutions. Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez President and CEO
INQUIRER ANNIVERSARY SUPPLEMENT Abelardo S. Ulanday Editor Pennie A. Dela Cruz Oliver G. Teves Francis S. Lagniton Guiller R. de Guzman Copy Editors Mary Ann A. Perido Tere Cruz-Tenorio Matthew Reysio-Cruz Meg Ela J. Adonis Christele J. Amoyan Editorial Production Assistants Elizalde V. Pusung Jerito R. dela Cruz Albert G. Rodriguez Maximillan N. Villanos Jake A. Seco Belen B. Belesario Steph B. Semilla Designers Noel Q. Cabie Jerry A. Ruiz Inocencio C. Francisco DPU Benigno R. Lati Noli T. Navarro Grace S. Pagulayan Support Team
19 8 5
I-5
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I5-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Scoops, major stories in 2017 Staying true to its mission, Inquirer produced most of the biggest agenda-setting stories
IS SOKOR BUSINESSMAN A VICTIM OF ‘TOKHANG FOR RANSOM?’ The Inquirer broke the story of the abduction of Jee Ickjoo in Angeles City in October last year by police officers at the height of the government’s antidrug campaign, “Oplan Tokhang.” Details of his grisly murder later trickled in: he was strangled to death in his car inside the national police headquarters in Camp Crame, his body was cremated and the ashes flushed down a toilet at a funeral home. By Tarra Quismundo Published Jan. 8, 2017
EX-ADDICTS TO JOIN ‘TRASLACION’ The Inquirer was the only newspaper that treated the subject this way. It was a nice angle that made our Black Nazarene story stand out against the backdrop of the government’s Oplan Tokhang, capturing the mood of the times. The Ermita police that came up with the idea said it was meant to “uplift” the former drug users and show them “there is hope.” By Aie Balagtas-See Published Jan. 9, 2017
PALACE, CONGRESS HIT FOR KEEPING PORK The Duterte administration ran under the slogan, “change has come.” But contrary to this, the administration retained the graft-ridden pork barrel in the 2017 national budget, according to Sen. Panfilo Lacson. It’s an exclusive story that exposed the decadeslong practice of lining lawmakers’ pockets with people’s money. By Christine Avendaño Published Jan. 9, 2017
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS BEHIND DEATH PENALTY The story puts the debate on the revival of death penalty in clear, proper context. It cites fluctuations in crime rates, soaring in 2009 after capital punishment was
I5-3
STAYING TRUE @
I5-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
S I N C E
Inquirer through the years: 300,000 to 30 million
O
ver 32 years, the Inquirer brand of journalism has grown: from being just a newspaper, the brand has become a staple in different news platforms, with a combined audience reach of 30 million. Since the founding of the Philippine Daily Inquirer broadsheet in 1985, the news organization has grown into a pioneering multimedia organization which includes its website Inquirer.net, Radyo Inquirer 990AM, the regional paper Cebu Daily News, national tabloid Bandera (which has three editions for Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao), the free paper Libre, as well as its social media and mobile chat apps. The Inquirer Group also includes Hinge Inquirer Publication which publishes lifestyle and niche consumer magazines; Megamobile, a digital content and applications developer; Inquirer Digital Outdoor which provides infotainment on the go; Print Town Group, the largest privately owned newspaper and commercial printer in the Philippines; DAG Xpress Courier Inc. which services the delivery and courier needs of publications and other companies through 5,000 delivery points, and Inquirer Academy which offers workshops on communication, marketing, leadership and business innovation. Today, the flagship PDI celebrates
Throughout the 32 years, we have striven to reinvent ourselves, even adopting radical changes in our newspaper to be more relevant to you Marixi R. Prieto Board chair, Philippine Daily Inquirer
32 years of excellent and credible journalism with its agenda-setting reports, incisive commentaries and editorials as well as news and information that affect the lives of Filipinos and shape the course of the country’s history. From 300,000 copies of its broadsheet, the Inquirer Group’s different news platforms provide credible and relevant news and information to 30 million readers through their smartwatch, smartphone, desktop, tablet, radio and TV sets, and the print media. INQ
INQUIRER.NET: THAT WOW FEELING By Abe Cerojano, Dennis Maliwanag and Celeste Flores-Colina Inquirer.net editors
ol; “P900-M internal fraud rocks Metrobank” by Dax Lucas; “WBO says it will rescore Pacquiao-Horn fight; result stands;” “#WalangPasok;” “The fall of the bigtime drug lord” by Ador Mayol, and “CIDG raids Parojinog houses, 8 reported dead” by Allan Nawal of Inquirer Mindanao. Mayol’s “Suicide on Facebook Live” was the top story of the month.
Inquirer.net staff at work
cially to millennials looking to make a difference. Marawi crisis When President Duterte placed the whole Mindanao under martial law on May 23 in response to the attack of the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute group on Marawi City, Inquirer.net’s editorial operations quickly kicked into high gear, delivering minute by minute news updates on the conflictstricken city. The site saw an overnight dramatic jump in page views that continued in the succeeding months. Inquirer.net’s Nestor Corrales and Inquirer Mindanao correspondents worked almost round the clock to meet the readers’ growing demand for
the latest developments in Marawi. But one story stood out: Ryan Rosauro’s narration of the sacrifices and courage of two Muslim women in defending Christians amid the turmoil and despite the risks involved. By that month’s end, Inquirer.net registered over 60 million page views, or a 21-percent increase compared to the previous month. More compelling stories The site’s 24-hour coverage of the Marawi crisis also kept Filipinos overseas abreast of fresh developments in the fighting between government forces and the IS-backed militants. In June, Inquirer.net produced stories that touched the heart while provoking criti-
cal thinking about often-ignored issues. A story uploaded by the Inquirer’s Super staff, “Young moms, fathers, beloved bosses among those killed at Resorts World attack,” became the No.1 story in June, with page views reaching over 70 million, a 16-percent increase over figures of the preceding month. Also one of the most shared stories on social media was Inquirer Visayas’ Ador Mayol’s story on the Bohol town mayor, a former pilot who was allegedly killed by her husband. Her body, dumped into the sea, has yet to be found. In July, six big stories marked a steady climb in Inquirer.net’s page views. They were: “Suicide on Facebook Live” by Ador May-
Videos, live coverage The video team has added a lot of punch to the site’s aggressive coverage of the day’s events. The social media team with its top-of-the line video gear has put Inquirer.net in good standing in the live streaming arena. Among its most notable video coverage was the 40-day nationwide tolling of the De Profundis bells in several Catholic churches in Metro Manila and in Central Luzon at 8 p.m., which the site featured in a live broadcast. The initiative was the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ way of appealing to the faithful to pray for those who had perished in the government’s bloody war on drugs. Sports section’s milestone Inquirer.net also hosted the Inquirer Sports section’s collaborative and multiplatform coverage of the 2017 Southeast Asian Games. With sports writer Marc
Anthony Reyes firing updates straight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the online sports desk presented breaking news, features, the latest medal standings and graphics that summed up the country’s performance in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Aside from news on the Filipino athletes, the SEA Games special site also provided stories on other nations competing in the regional sporting event. On top of its coverage of special international events, the online sports desk also helped produce an extensive coverage of major sporting leagues in the Philippines. From the PBA’s basketball games to other sports in the collegiate leagues like the UAAP and the NCAA, the online sports desk was a consistent source of content that told incredible stories about athletes and their game. But the sports online desk did not limit its coverage to stories; it also provided videos posted on the Inquirer’s video platform or its Facebook page, with live updates on Twitter (@inquirersports). Captivating graphics found their way across social media platforms, while photo galleries offered an alternative and more visual way of storytelling. Steve Jobs was right: When the going is good, just say, “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.” INQ
EMULATING BIG SISTER
BANDERA: A TABLOID WITH MULTIMEDIA MINDSET By Bella Cariaso Bandera Reporter Like its sister company, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Bandera has been living up to its core value these past 16 years. It may be tabloid in form, but Bandera has always aspired to be true and fair in its reporting to give its readers the paper they deserve. Reaching the common “tao,” or the average Filipino, is Bandera’s ultimate goal, which it carries out through the print medium and other platforms in these changing times. Over the years, Bandera has evolved from a tabloid into a paper that has a multimedia mindset ready to serve its readers either through print, broadcast, digital, mobile, or social media. Unlike other national tabloids, Bandera has its own
radio/television entertainment show. For more than a year now, “ShowbizLive,” a Wednesday program that airs via Inquirer Radio and Inquirer TV, has been delivering the freshest and hottest entertainment news. TBZoned To promote this weekly show, Bandera has been regularly doing its TBZoned, a Facebook live show that also discusses the latest news and not just show biz. To reach its readers nationwide, Bandera has three regional editions for Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, to enable people to get the news and information they need from accessible sources. These three editions also have their digital version on Inquirer Plus, which can be accessed via tablet, cell phone
Bandera staff does the regular TBZoned show as aid to its radio/television entertainment program “ShowbizLive.” and even PC. A few days ago, Bandera launched its website’s new image (www.bandera.inquirer.net) which offers entertainment
news and other information complemented by its social media accounts, from Facebook (InquirerBandera) to Twitter (@banderainquirer) to Insta-
gram (@banderainquirer) and Viber (Bandera). On top of all that, Bandera has its own app that can be downloaded for free via App
store and Play store. The app gives readers the latest news as well as Lotto and Karera tips and results. Aside from Bandera’s continuous efforts to be at par with its sister publication’s excellent news coverage, it has also committed to fulfilling its social responsibility. Among the projects the tabloid has implemented was the “Lapis at Papel” program that benefited indigent Grade 1 pupils from public schools. Only recently, Bandera acquired the operations of Inquirer Libre, the only free and reliable commuter paper available in LRT and MRT stations. Both Bandera and Libre are extensions of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and share the same DNA of providing accurate news and information that are always balanced and fair, and delivered first. INQ
I5-3
19 8 5
FOCUSING ON THE HYPERLOCAL
CEBU DAILY NEWS: JOURNALISM THAT BUILDS COMMUNITIES Cebu Daily News (CDN) looks back at 2017 as a year of many milestones as it heads for its 20th year in February 2018. Amid a changing media landscape and declining print readership, CDN began to aggressively beef up its digital presence in 2016 (via cebudailynews.in quirer.net, facebook.com/cebudailynews, twitter.com/cebudailynews), raising the bar of its news coverage, particularly breaking stories and delivering reports of significant events in Cebu as close to real time as possible. As the year ended, Cebu Daily News remained as the only community newspaper in Cebu in the Top Newspapers in the Philippines Web Ranking for 2016 of the 4 International Media and Newspapers, an international directory and search engine focusing on newspapers worldwide. [4imn.com includes 7,000 newspapers, ranked by web popularity, in 200 countries, according to information gathered from its website.] CDN’s official Facebook and Twitter pages ranked first among its peers in the local English language community newspapers. The page views of the CDN website nearly doubled from 11
INQUIRER.NET’S PAGE VIEW CLIMB
Three letters would aptly describe Inquirer.net this year: Wow! That wow feeling was amplified in July. At the start of an assessment meeting that month, the board room exploded in cheers after the traffic statistics report was splashed on the projection screen: Inquirer.net found itself within striking distance of the 100-million page view mark. Yeeeeess! The rise in page views might be explained by the state of the country these days. Who was it that said that in times of crisis, the news business thrives. This year the daily street bloodbath, the challenges to law and order, the conflict in Mindanao and the almost never-ending political storm have whetted the Filipinos’ appetite for more news online, with many of them visiting Inquirer.net as their primary source of information. The management and the editorial staff maintained their focus on efforts to protect and enhance the brand positioning of Inquirer.net in an industry faced with new challenges. With its expansive treatment of national news, the site’s “News for Filipinos” positioning statement has become more relevant than ever, espe-
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
million for the whole of 2016 to 20 million from January to November this year. As CDN’s digital presence grew, it bucked the trend of declining readership by doubling its audience reach year-onyear, ending in 2016 with at least 45,000. It continued to rise this year. Recognition The evolution continued through 2017, realizing that the “tweet-to-print” storytelling method delivered satisfying results for CDN. While it grew its online platforms, CDN was aware that it had to stay anchored to its “mother ship”—Cebu Daily News, as a community newspaper. This year, hewing closely to its mission of “journalism that builds communities,” CDN became more hyperlocal—focusing on narratives that are important to Cebuanos and explaining both national and local issues, and government policies that matter most to them. For its efforts, CDN, through senior reporter Ador Vincent Mayol, received from the Catholic Mass Media Awards in October this year the top print honors—Best in News Cover-
Cebu Daily News staff pose in front of their editorial office in Cebu City. age, for its series of stories that focused on rebuilding the lives of drug dependents; and Best in Feature, about the tale of young cancer patients who found hope amid their pain. Earlier, in September, CDN also received the Best in News Writing and Best in News Feature awards from the Cebu Archdiocesan Mass Media Awards; the Columnist of the
Year award given to environmental advocate and lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos by the Globe Media Excellence Award; and Reporter of the Year award to correspondent Cris Evert Lato for her article on a “Different kind of surrender” that saw print both in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and as part of CDN’s four-part special report on a different kind
of drug war—recovering from drug dependency. Bluechips Cebu Paying attention to the drivers of Cebu’s economy and recognizing the importance or the local business sector, CDN published this year the first quarterly business magazine in Cebu, BluechipsCebu, a publication that replicates the
magazine put out by the business section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. CDN also intensified its community relations by holding at least 20 signature events. To address the need for the youth to understand the work of journalists, CDN’s marketing department initiated the free Campus Journalism workshops that aim to educate high school students in public and private schools on journalism, with inhouse editors, photographers and reporters as trainors. Started in 2016 and offered only in Cebu City, the workshops were expanded this year to include public schools in cities south and north of Cebu province, benefiting over 1,200 students. To further promote literacy among children and youth, CDN also held reading programs in partnership with Basadours, creative workshops and school fairs. CDN also successfully staged two runs of the “CDN Conversations,” a venue for learning exchange on marketing and advertising topics (Level Up Your Brand, and Trends and Insights and Innovations on Digital Marketing) for CDN clients, business owners, marketing and advertising professionals. INQ
SCOOPS AND OTHER MAJOR STORIES IN 2017 AGUIRRE ORDERS REVIEW OF DUTERTE FINANCIER’S BANANA LEASE CONTRACT
JAILS FULL OF ADDICTS, REHAB CENTER HAS FEW
The Department of Justice’s order to “revisit” the 25-year lease contract between the Bureau of Corrections and Tagum Agricultural Development Inc. (Tadeco) later exposed a feud between President Duterte’s allies, Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr., whose family owned Tadeco, and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. By Gil C. Cabacungan Published Feb. 16, 2017
This story shows another face of the antidrug war: jails packed mostly with inmates facing drug charges while the rehabilitation centers are empty. It’s a reality that the government acknowledges, but hasn’t come close to addressing. By Philip C. Tubeza Published March 31, 2017
abolished in 2006, but dipping in the period 2010 to 2012, then rising again in 2013. More important, it traces the fluctuations to “changes in the system of crime reporting and inconsistencies in recording crime, not to actual spikes or dives in the number of crimes committed.” This story raises questions on the main argument for the revival of the capital punishment and prompts reflection by lawmakers pushing for it. By Ana Roa Published Jan. 29, 2017
FROM I5-1
POLICE VICTIMS’ KIN SHARE TALES OF WOE The lead paragraph was startling: police officers asked for P50,000 for the release of a jailed 27-year-old drug suspect but his mother managed to raise only P10,500. They killed him anyway. It’s the kind of lead that would catch readers’ attention. The rest of the story was heartwrenching, as she and other mothers spoke of their grief, outrage, even helplessness over the random killings of their children. They embraced hope in the company of other families of extrajudicial victims, and priests celebrating Masses for them. By Poch Concepcion Published Feb. 3, 2017
HAS MARRIAGE LOST ITS SHINE? This is a special report that explores the causes of the 30-percent drop in marriage rates in the last 12 years, such as the lack of a divorce law, the high cost of getting married and the growing acceptance of live-in arrangements and same-sex unions. By Cheche Moral, DJ Yap, Jovic Yee, Tina Santos, Julie Aurelio, Ben de Vera and Jhesset Enano. Published Feb. 12-14, 2017
BAUTISTA’S WIFE SEEKS PROBE OF POSSIBLE ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH Marital woes between Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Andres Bautista and his wife, Patricia, blew up in the media, thanks to the Inquirer that broke the story, complete with a video of an interview with the wife that was carried by some TV networks. Patricia filed an affidavit with the National Bureau of Investigation claiming her husband amassed ill-gotten wealth. The drama led to the filing of an impeachment complaint against Bautista in the House of Representatives, which later prompted the Comelec chair to resign from his post. By Nikko Dizon Published Aug. 7, 2017
YASAY: AMERICAN, FILIPINO OR STATELESS? It’s one of our biggest scoops for the year. It basically exposed Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay as a fraud: contrary to his claims that he had never been an American citizen, he actually took his oath as an American citizen. Because of the Inquirer story, the powerful Commission on Appointments rejected his nomination. By Juliet Labog Javellana Published Feb. 27, 2017
MANY FARMS LOST TO LAND CONVERSION This three-part special report sheds light on the conversion of agricultural lands for residential, commercial, industrial or institutional purposes. The rampant conversion of prime agricultural land, partly driven by rapid urbanization, population growth and speculation, has led to conflicting land uses. By Jinkee Cabildo, Matthew Reysio-Cruz and Krixia Subingsubing Published March 1, 2017 onward
MARIJUANA AS MEDICINE The two-part special report takes a look at proposals to legalize marijuana for its medical benefits. By Poch Concepcion Published Aug. 15-16, 2017
CHILDREN ARRESTED, ABUSED IN WAR ON DRUGS This special report shows the dark side of the government’s Oplan Tokhang that most of us don’t know. Even children are caught in the net cast by a government gung ho on rooting out the drug problem at the expense of human rights, or worse, life. For instance, a 15-year-old Angelo was picked out from a crowd, roughed up and charged with possession of drugs by the police. Others were not as lucky: they were shot to death. By Jodee Agoncillo and Mariejo Ramos Published March 9, 2017
DAVAO HIT MAN FLEES SINGAPORE—After testifying on the killings carried out by the Davao Death Squad under then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, confessed hit man Arturo Lascañas fled the country due to threats to his life, and information he would be charged in court. His lawyer later filed charges of crimes against humanity against President Duterte in the International Criminal Court. By Nikko Dizon Published April 10, 2017
MARTIAL LAW VICTIMS FIND NO JUSTICE IN ‘MOVING ON’ The three-part series highlights the kind of horror faced by martial law survivors: historical revisionism and whitewashing of the suffering under the dictatorship highlighted by Marcos’ burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani. By Jhesset O. Enano Published Sept. 20-22, 2017
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I6-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
‘Separating the grain from the chaff’ no easy task for the Inquirer Indie Bravo! Awards, Year 8 By Rito P. Asilo Entertainment Editor @ritoasilo
O
n its eighth year, the Inquirer Indie Bravo! Awards, which are given in time for the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s anniversary, have more exciting reasons to celebrate. With Filipino film practitioners still consistently winning awards on the international stage and reaping acclaim for their artistry and never-say-die spirit, it has become even more difficult for the Inquirer Enter-
tainment team—composed of Indie Bravo Project Director Bayani San Diego Jr., Marinel Cruz, Jennifer Santillan-Santiago, Oliver Pulumbarit, Allan Policarpio, Belle Bondoc-Roberto, Tcel Maramag and yours truly—to “separate the grain from the chaff.” The task is as exciting as it is daunting. But the Inquirer believes that our brilliant film artists deserve to be feted for bringing honor to the country. They don’t just help keep the Pinoy film industry afloat; they also defiantly demonstrate that the so-called “Third Golden Age
The honorees prove that the ‘Third Golden Age of Philippine Cinema’ is here to stay
of Philippine Cinema” is far from fleeting—and is here to stay. Heading this year’s honorees are film masters Brillante Ma Mendoza and Lav Diaz, as well as actress-producer Charo Santos-Concio, whose triumphant return to acting by way of “Ang Babaeng Humayo” has helped blur the divisive line between mainstream and indie filmmaking. But the achievements of the other Indie Bravo awardees in this year’s honor roll are just as outstanding—and we’re only too thrilled to introduce them to you:
BRILLANTE MA MENDOZA Cannes best director Brillante Ma Mendoza is no stranger to winning awards. His latest honor is the best director plum for “Ma’ Rosa” at the Malaysia International Film Festival and Golden Global Awards. He regards each victory as “a bonus.” “My motivation will always be the fulfillment I get every time I touch people’s lives through my films. I learn from my films, as well.” It’s like going back to school, he adds. “When I win abroad, I’m so happy be-
cause they always call me a Filipino filmmaker. Anyone can be a director, but it makes me proud to bring honor to my countrymen.” He learned this attitude of gratitude from his mentor, scriptwriting icon Armando Lao. “He’s a big influence on my life and career.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
I6-2
STAYING TRUE @
I6-2
S I N C E
19 8 5
‘DAGSIN’: ATOM MAGADIA AND JONA BALLARAN
AVID LIONGOREN
FROM I6-1
Avid Liongoren’s animated film “Saving Sally” has bagged the most number of international awards this year. At the Fantasporto in Portugal, it won Jury’s Special Award, Honorable Mention and Audience Choice. It also scored Special Mention at the Brussels Fantastic fest; Jury Prize at the Los Angeles AsiaPacific fest; Best Family Film at Bentonville (in Arkansas); and Jury’s Special Award at the Seoul car-
LAV DIAZ The winning streak of Lav Diaz’s “Ang Babaeng Humayo” continues with the best director prize at Dublin; special honor at the Asean fest; and audience award at the D’A in Barcelona. Diaz asserts that winning in Venice or Berlin doesn’t signify the end of the road for filmmakers. “Patuloy pa rin ako sa paggawa. Hindi ito para sa awards. Gumagawa ako ng cinema para sa cinema. Nagkataon lang na ibinigay sa cinema ko ang mga ’yon. Kaya, salamat!” He owns up: “Hindi ako ipokrito na ayaw ko ng award. Nagpapasalamat ako siyempre sa rekognisyon. Malaking bagay ’yun hindi lang sa akin, kundi pati na rin sa Philippine cinema.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
LOUIE IGNACIO Louie Ignacio is quite familiar with an Indie Bravo! trophy—and the Guyito stuffed animal that comes with it—having been bestowed with the honor in 2016 and 2015. Still, the feeling never gets old. “Getting another recognition from Indie Bravo! isn’t like doing a movie sequel; I’m just as thrilled and excited about it,” relates the television and movie director, whose film “Area” got the Special Jury Remi for docudrama at the Houston fest in the United States. The film, which stars Ai-Ai delas Alas, also won for Ignacio the best director award at the 3rd Asean International Film Festival and Awards. Says Ignacio: “Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
toon fest. Liongoren says that all those fests gave him the chance to “travel, eat yummy stuff, meet other film folks and learn how they get their films done.” He admits: “Animation is such a hard sell in our country, so I’m glad my team and I get to make another film.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
CHARO SANTOS-CONCIO For Charo Santos-Concio, winning an international citation, a Special Mention honor in acting at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for “Ang Babaeng Humayo,” is like coming full circle. “After all, my first movie role was ‘Itim,’ for which I won Asia’s best actress [in Sydney in 1978],” she recalls. “In the years between those two roles, I learned that awards
serve beyond one’s personal affirmation; they become beacons to point to the world the power of Filipino artistry.” These recognitions likewise push Filipino artists to reach for the stars. “They inspire our actors and filmmakers to look beyond our country: The whole world now truly appreciates our craft.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
AI-AI DELAS ALAS Known mainly for mainstream box-office flicks, comedienne Ai-Ai delas Alas took a major leap of faith with indie films and was richly rewarded with two international prizes for “Area”: best actress at the Queens fest in New York, United States, and at the Asean (or Aiffa) fest in Kuching, Malaysia. Delas Alas admits that the two honors are a big boost to her “self-esteem.” “The awards encourage me to make
more indie films and improve in my craft as an actress.” She enthuses: “Winning is a great blessing. To think there are so many actors in the world and yet I was singled out. It’s a gift from God!” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
JARED JOVEN AND KAJ PALANCA Jared Joven and Kaj Palanca started early, winning best film for “Contestant #4” at the Shanghai Queer fest at the ripe old age of 17. Joven admits that winning in an international fest is “very flattering… it’s heartening that people abroad appreciate our film and understand our message… and maybe even relate to it.” Joven asserts that he “feels proud for the film… not
just for us and those who helped us.” Joven likens the film to a sibling who has won “a medal in school.” Palanca is equally grateful for being “given a platform to tell this story to a wider audience.” He acknowledges that “the film is very special to me. It helped me realize and come to terms with who I am.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
JOHN TORRES JET LEYCO “This is a big deal for me. It inspires me and gives me strength to continue crafting meaningful and liberating movies,” cinematographer and filmmaker Jet Leyco says of being one of this year’s honorees. His short film, “Two Way Jesus,” bagged the Night Award in the documentary section of the 15th International Festival Segni della Notte Awards in Thailand. Meanwhile, the AQCCCamera Lucida tilt of the 21st Fantasia International Film Festival gave Leyco’s “Matangtubig” a special citation. “I want to thank Indie Bravo! for recognizing the work of those on the local alternativecinema scene—may it be directors or actors,” he says. —ALLAN POLICARPIO
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
“People Power Bombshell: The Diary of Vietnam Rose”—a documentary that had filmmaker John Torres weaving old footage from Celso Ad Castillo’s unfinished film, “The Diary of Vietnam Rose,” with new interviews with its cast and crew—was “a collaborative effort that was 30 years in the making.” Thus, being recognized by Indie Bravo! this year “feels good,” says Torres. “Celso Ad Castillo, Liz Alindogan and the cast poured their heart and soul into the project,” he points out. “Our current team that came up with the documentary had spent a lot of time figuring out how to finish a work that spoke of the many hardships and crazy ordeals the people behind it went through to make the film.”
Ricky Davao has been more of a teleserye director than an actor for the past eight years. That’s why he’s grateful he was able to star in Bor Ocampo’s “Dayang Asu,” which won for him the best supporting actor award at the 3rd Asean International Film Festival and Awards. “I have been more active as a director, so this came as a big surprise for me,” Davao says, adding that, being recognized for his work as an artist is “priceless.” “It’s something that can’t be bought. It inspires you to work harder and makes you more serious about your craft,” he says. “Things are paying off and I’m thankful for all the blessings.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
SHERON DAYOC Apart from topping the QCinema and Gawad Urian, Sheron Dayoc’s “Women of the Weeping River” has won best director at the War on Screen fest in France and the Fasken Martineau Best Feature Film prize at the Toronto Reel Asian fest in Canada. “As a filmmaker, there is always a constant quest to tell stories that are unique and compelling, Dayoc explains. “I hope that these recognitions will somehow translate into something concrete and result in a thinking society.” These honors have opened doors to tell more Filipino stories, he remarks. “There are more uncharted territories to explore. It will never be easy…[but] it’s a worthwhile journey that never ceases to amaze me.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
RAYMUND RIBAY GUTIERREZ For Raymund Ribay Gutierrez, an award or recognition is a validation of a job well done. But it stops right there. “More than that, I don’t give it any deeper value, because it will just go to my head and make me lose focus on my craft, which is filmmaking,” he explains. Gutierrez’s “Imago” was hailed best short film at the 27th Stockholm International Film Festival in Sweden. It won the Edward Snowden Award at the 15th Internationales Festival Zeichen der Nacht in Germany, as well as the Night Award at the 15th International Festival Signes de Nuit in France. —ALLAN POLICARPIO
ALLEN DIZON AND ANGELLIE SANOY For the fourth consecutive year, Allen Dizon is an Indie Bravo! honoree—this time, for winning the Special Jury Award at the A-list Warsaw International Film Festival in Poland for Ralston Jover’s “Bomba.” “This is a validation of Filipino talent... Winning acting awards in prestigious film festivals proves that Filipinos are world-class,” Dizon says, adding that he loves the fact that, in the eye of foreign juries, there are neither big nor small stars. “No biases—what matters is not your popularity, but your acting prowess,” says Dizon, who shares the said award with young actress and “Bomba” costar Angellie Sanoy, who looks up to the senior artist as an acting idol. Says Sanoy: “Making this film deepened my knowledge of acting. I was challenged, acting with Mr. Allen. He is a talented actor and I wanted to be as good as him in this movie.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
PAOLO VILLALUNA The film won special mention in the New Views section of the 6th Olhar de Cinema: Curitiba International Film Festival in Brazil. “I hope this inspires other filmmakers to look at creative documentaries as an alternative way of expressing themselves. Now, many others are exploring this form to reformulate what [conventional] narratives can’t reach,” Torres adds. —ALLAN POLICARPIO
MARICEL CABRERA-CARIAGA While Maricel Cabrera-Cariaga knows that she has still a long way to go and a lot to learn about filmmaking, winning international awards, she says, has boosted her confidence. “I go forward not only for myself and my family, but for all the people and students I want to inspire,” she relates. Her movie, “Pitong Kabang Palay,” won best children’s film at the 15th Dhaka International
RICKY DAVAO
“The year 2017 has been kind to ‘Dagsin,’” says filmmaker Atom Magadia. The Cinemalaya film won best narrative feature at the World’s Independent Film Festival in San Francisco and best costume design (for Jona Ballaran) at the Madrid fest. “We are deeply honored by these awards,” Magadia relates. “It is deeply gratifying to represent our country abroad and find an enthusiastic audience for our micro-budget film. The citations “inspire us to tell more Filipino stories with universal themes and multicultural appeal.” Says Ballaran: “It shows that my work’s quality stands up to world-class scrutiny. It’s a huge encouragement for me to go on. I’ve been in the industry for eight years and, finally, I feel validated.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
Film Festival in Bangladesh, and bagged the Golden Owl Award at the Aichi International Women’s Film Festival in Japan. Being one of this year’s Inquirer Indie Bravo! honorees, the director adds, makes her proud of her “humble achievements.” “I would never have thought I’d go this far. This has truly exceeded my expectations.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
As he collects his second Inquirer Indie Bravo! trophy seven years after his first, filmmaker Paolo Villaluna can’t help but feel like he’s being “hugged, accepted and welcomed back by an old friend.” “I haven’t made a fulllength film since 2010. After an absence of seven years from filmmaking, it’s hard to articulate the joy of being recognized by Indie Bravo! once again. It’s more than humbling,” says Villaluna, whose film “Pauwi Na” bagged the top prize in the
main section of the A-list Shanghai fest in China. The film and television director noted that Indie Bravo! has become a “canonical
event” for independent cinema, and that the Inquirer was the “first mainstream media outlet to recognize and honor its achievements.” “It was both a validation and a proud moment; it legitimized the movement as cultural movers,” he says. “Not only is it a recognition of excellence but, more importantly, a beautiful affirmation that you belong to a community of vibrant, thought-provoking and relevant storytellers.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
MARIO CORNEJO AND COREEN JIMENEZ For “Apocalypse Child” director Mario Cornejo, being recognized for his work is always gratifying. But, an award “is not as important as knowing that the movie was able to connect to an audience or a jury in a meaningful way,” he points out. His film won the Fasken Martineau best feature film honor at the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival in Canada, as well as best film at the 10th Five Flavors Film
Festival in Warsaw. “We made a very specific, personal film about a surf instructor in Baler, and to think that people around the world could relate to its characters and themes is really amazing,” says Cornejo. “It’s a tribute to the hard work that everyone put into it. If the film works at all, it’s because the actors were willing to be so honest onscreen and lay it all out there.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
I6-3
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I6-3
19 8 5
ANA CAPRI
RONWALDO MARTIN
FROM I6-2
‘PAMILYA ORDINARYO’: EDUARDO ROY JR. AND HASMINE KILLIP Eduardo Roy Jr., who wrote and directed “Pamilya Ordinaryo,” says winning an award “validates the reason I made the film.” Roy’s gritty urban drama bagged the best film honor at the Fantasporto in Portugal. As a filmmaker, Roy says the award “inspires me to dream more, to make more movies that are timely and reflective of the
culture, people and events in my homeland,” he declares. Lead star Hasmine Killip also won best actress at the Fantasporto for Roy’s film. “I’m proud to be a part of this amazing movie. I’m thrilled to have received such a prestigious award,” says Killip. “I gave my very best to this film as it focuses on important lessons for teenagers.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
SAMANTHA LEE Samantha Lee says the script for her film, “Baka Bukas,” was created from “the need to see a better representation of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community in Philippine cinema.” The film’s title, says Lee, “evokes a feeling of hope that, maybe tomorrow, things will get better for the LGBTQ community.” It won the 2017 OUTtvGo People’s Choice Award for Best Feature at the 29th Vancouver Queer Film Festival. Lee also won the Emerging Talent Award at the Outfest, in the United States. “Winning awards gives me hope that perhaps we’re getting closer to living in an equal world, where people are free to love whoever they want to love,” says Lee. —MARINEL R. CRUZ
Ronwaldo Martin says he is grateful to his more accomplished elder brother, Coco Martin, for his support in his decision to become an actor. This is why Ronwaldo dedicates his first acting award (best actor for “Pamilya Ordinaryo,” at the 12th Harlem International Film Festival in New York) to Coco, whom he says was thrilled to have learned about his victory. “I’m happy because I won in Harlem; it was one of my dreams when I finally decided to pursue acting,” Ron-
To be able to share to the world the story and culture of the Aeta people in Zambales is a victory in itself, says director Zig Dulay. Therefore, winning awards for “Paglipay” is a blessing, Dulay points out. The film, which tells the story of a farmer, won the Platinum World Award for International Feature Film at the World Film Awards, as well as the International Award of Excellence at the International Film Festival for Environment, Health, Culture (IFFEHC),
“I was born and grew up in Malaysia, but it was only when I moved to the Philippines that I found my voice and soul in cinema,” Liew said. “[It] was a great honor to represent both countries. I hope this helps push Southeast Asian filmmakers to fight for free cinema.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
—MARINEL R. CRUZ
your performance,” she explains. “This helps an actor professionally because people, especially those involved in film production, are reminded of how much hard work you put into your job. Also, your value as an actor increases, especially if you win an international award.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
ZIG DULAY
BRADLEY LIEW “For me, the win in Malaysia was extremely emotional,” says Bradley Liew of “Singing in Graveyards’” best film prize at the Malaysian International Film Festival. The Philippine-Malaysian coproduction also won Netpac best film at the Kolkata International Film Festival in India.
waldo declares. The young actor wishes to express his gratitude to director Eduardo Roy Jr., “for trusting me” and to costar Hasmine Killip “for guiding me throughout the filming... I also appreciate all the directors who got me to act in their films.”
Ana Capri says that other than getting a pat on the back for her performances from viewers, winning awards gives her self-fulfillment. “It’s hard to describe it—you feel like your heart will burst anytime. You say to yourself, ‘Bravo, Ana! You really are a good actress!’” Ana won best supporting actress for Louie Ignacio’s “Laut” at the 3rd Asean International Film Festival and Awards in Kuching, Malaysia. “Winning means you’ve passed the uncompromising taste of critics, who evaluate the merits and demerits of
IZA CALZADO
both in Bali, Indonesia. “The feeling is strange and overwhelming,” says Dulay of accepting awards, “especially because you know you’re able to contribute in promoting Philippine cinema to the world.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
Iza Calzado says winning her very first international award for her performance in “Bliss” has “reaffirmed my commitment to do more compelling films out of my comfort zone as an actress.” Iza bagged the Yakushi Pearl for best performer at the 12th Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan. This is for her portrayal of an actress who is trapped in a nightmarish world she can’t seem to escape from.
SUE PRADO For actress Sue Prado, having her work acknowledged and recognized is a “humbling experience.” For her portrayal of a woman faced with the difficult task of bringing home the remains of her recently departed sister, a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia, she was given the Achieve-
ment in Acting award, for Joseph Israel Laban’s “The Sister” at the 6th Guam International Film Festival. “[The award] is a reminder that we should always aspire for excellence, no less—every single time,” she declares. —MARINEL R. CRUZ
I6-4
“It was a good chance to represent our country and its talented filmmakers and artists,” declares Iza, “to show the world that we Filipinos have truly gone far in terms of storytelling and filmmaking.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
STAYING TRUE @
I6-4
S I N C E
FROM I6-3
BABY RUTH VILLARAMA “It’s about the people we’re representing, so maybe the awards are meant for them. But, for whatever it’s worth, I share the recognition with my cocreators who tell real stories,” Baby Ruth Villarama says of “Sunday Beauty Queen,” which won the audience choice award for best documentary at the CinemAsia film festival in Amsterdam. “We hope that the local film industry can have a more balanced distribution system, to give audiences the option to see films that are recognized abroad.” Villarama’s film, which won best picture at the Metro Manila Film Festival last year, recently won best international docu at the London Labour Film Festival. —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
19 8 5
JP HABAC JP Habac’s “Maria” won the Special Jury Prize at the 14th Bogota Short Film Festival in Colombia. “The recognition strengthens my resolve to show how narratives can be told, and how my vision as a filmmaker translates into an art form that connects not only with local audiences, but also with
‘1ST SEM’: DEXTER HEMEDEZ, ALLAN MICHAEL IBAÑEZ AND LOTLOT DE LEON
the international community,” says the director. “Maria” also won the top prize in the Short Narrative category of the 44th Athens International and Video Festival, in Greece. Habac discloses, “It reinforces my drive to tell stories, and [reassures me] that I am on the right track.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
PR PATINDOL Youth Jury Prize winner at Singapore’s Silver Screen Awards, “Hilom (Still)” was director PR Patindol’s first screenplay. He recalls, “I was working mainly in the cinematography department. I felt frustrated because I wasn’t doing the work that I wanted.” Patindol points out, “It’s
an honor I share with the production’s cast and crew.” He says of his “deeply personal” film: “We wanted to tell this story, so that [viewers] may realize that a modicum of empathy—and of love—can be more than enough to save a life.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
PETERSEN VARGAS Petersen Vargas’ comingof-age film, “2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten,” didn’t reach its intended crowd. But, the director says, “Taking home an audience award from a film fest—the 32nd Lovers Film Festival, Torino LGBTQI Visions—in Turin, Italy, shortly after my first narrative feature’s limited local release, following its unfortunate R-18 rating,
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
made the victory particularly bittersweet.” Vargas adds, “Losing the opportunity to show the film to the Filipino youth defeated my spirit, but knowing that it did find an encouraging audience from a foreign city strengthened my resolve to keep fighting the good fight.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
“The awards that ‘1st Sem’ got from various international film festivals are very meaningful, especially for independent filmmakers like us,” Dexter Hemedez tells the Inquirer. “1st Sem” received the Gold Remi (Coming of Age) award at the Houston fest, where Lotlot de Leon also won in the best supporting actress category. The film also netted the awards at the San Diego kids’ fest and the Angaelica event
in California, and at the Buffalo Niagara fest. Codirector Allan Michael Ibañez says of their
triumphs, “I feel that all the hard work paid off because the film meant something to viewers. It gave us a little pat on the back… that we were on the right path.” Says De Leon: “To be invited to compete was already a blessing... [and] to win was such a humbling experience. As an actor it gives me so much inspiration to continue to do better and crave for more films that mirror the lives of audiences.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
‘FATIMA MARIE TORRES AND THE INVASION OF SPACE SHUTTLE PINAS 25’: CARLO FRANCISCO MANATAD AND CHE ESPIRITU Carlo Francisco Manatad’s “Fatima Marie Torres and the Invasion of Space Shuttle Pinas 25” won Best Comedy at the 26th Aspen Shortsfest. “It gives me validation that people outside the Philippines understand what I’m trying to impart,” he says. “Short films tend to be underappreciated. Awards would give confidence not just to me, but also to other young directors.” It also won best short film in Brazil , and best cinematography (for Che Espiri-
VICTOR KAIBA VILLANUEVA
tu). Says Espiritu: “Shooting with friends is a great experience in itself and being recognized for it is a big, happy bonus. It’s an affirmation for a newcomer like me.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
“Patay na si Hesus” director Victor Kaiba Villanueva had apprehensions about his film, but only prior to winning best narrative feature/honorable mention at the Twist: Seattle Queer fest. “We were worried that its humor might be hard to translate.” He hopes the award will open more doors: “That it paves the way [for] more Cebuano, regional films. The country has a lot of good stories—the more local, the more universal!” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I7-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Covering the provinces 32 biggest stories of the Inquirer news bureaus By Robert Jaworski Abaño Acting Regions Editor
C
ontrary to common perception, the Inquirer bureaus have consistently covered significant news outside Imperial Manila, with 32 of the biggest stories in the past 32 years discussed here. Selected by the Inquirer’s bureau chiefs and staff, these stories represent a range of topics that touched on governance, corruption, crime, politics, manmade and natural disasters, conflict, environment, food security and health. The Inquirer’s correspondents pursued these stories no matter the odds. Most of them landed on the Inquirer’s front page and have become part of the nation’s history. They have also moved readers and leaders, and have, in many cases, prompted policy changes. Scanning these stories gives us a glimpse of how the Inquirer’s network of correspondents covers the nation. With its four regional bureaus strategically located in major cities to direct coverage and news gathering, the Inquirer is able to bring to its readers breaking news, features and multimedia stories that matter to both its national and local readers. Today, the Inquirer has a network of about 100 correspondents, photo correspondents and contributors. Two reporters are assigned in Northern Luzon (Baguio City and Pangasinan) and one each in Southern Luzon (Laguna), the Visayas (Iloilo City) and Mindanao (Zamboanga City). The Inquirer’s first regional bureau covering the Visayas was set up in Cebu City in 1991, with Cerwin Eviota as chief. The following year, the Mindanao Bureau operated out of Davao City, with Carol Arguillas at the helm. In 1993, the Northern Luzon Bureau, under Rolly Fernandez, and based in Baguio City got its baptism of fire with the coverage of the return of strongman Ferdinand Marcos’ remains from Hawaii to Ilocos Norte. It took four years before the fourth regional bureau, covering Southern Luzon, was set up in Legazpi City under Floreño Solmirano. This completed the Inquirer’s vision of being a truly national newspaper. In a message written in 1993 and published in “The Inquirer Story,” Ralph Chee Kee, then national editor, said: “It is safe to say that we lead the industry in the setting up of full blown bureaus and in our commitment to the professional treatment of news gathering across the nation.” In 1994, when the Inquirer allotted more pages to accommodate stories from the provinces, columnist Conrado de Quiros, wrote that, among others, it was aimed at curing “what many readers call an ‘Imperial Manila’ outlook.” De Quiros described the bureaus as the Inquirer’s “distinct advantage” over other newspapers. INQ
I7-2
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
Ruben Ecleo Jr. —DENNIS SABANGAN
Ecleo’s bloody trail | 2002 The trial spanning 10 years saw seven judges and 23 deaths, and had enough drama for a movie. It all started when Alona Ecleo’s body was found stuffed in a garbage bag and dumped in a ravine in Dalaguete town, 90 kilometers south of Cebu City, on Jan. 8, 2002. Police investigated her husband, cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr., after a woman reported seeing him and his bodyguard dumping a garbage bag in the area where Alona’s body was recovered. Ecleo faced charges of parricide but was released in 2004 after posting a P1-million bail. A fugitive since then, he had been sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Tarp war in Negros Occidental. —CARLA GOMEZ
I7-3
19 8 5
‘Patay-Buhay’ tarps | 2013 In February 2013, as the Team P-Noy senatorial candidates were set to hold lightning rallies in Negros Occidental, the Diocese of Bacolod decided to make its stand against the reproductive health law, with a tarpaulin titled, “Team Patay, Team Buhay.” The Diocese of Bacolod called on the faithful not to vote for six senatorial candidates it had tagged as “Team Patay” (Team Death) for supporting the controversial law. At the same time, the diocese identified six candidates who it said belonged to “Team Buhay” (Team Life) and should be supported. Burial of food poisoning victims in Bohol. —TONEE DESPOJO
Mega ‘shabu’ lab in Cebu | 2004 In March 2004, government agents seized a shipment of pseudoephedrine—the main ingredient in “shabu” (crystal meth)—worth P3.6 billion at Cebu International Port, which led police to step up their raid of shabu labs in the province. On Sept. 24, 2004, law enforcers discovered a rented warehouse in Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City, where packs of shabu valued at P1.3 billion were produced.
Overpriced lampposts in Cebu. — LITO TECSON
Overpriced lampposts for Asean meet in Cebu | 2007 After businessman-turnedwhistleblower Crisologo Saavedra found some irregularities in the construction of Cebu International Convention Center meant for the Asean Summit and the installation of lampposts along the routes where the summit delegates would pass, he filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman. In April 2016, the Ombudsman indicted former Cebu governor and now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia for 11 counts of graft over the alleged irregularities in 2006. Ten former provincial officials were also indicted.
Bohol food poisoning | 2005 At least 27 children died and some 100 others fell ill because of food poisoning in Mabini town, Bohol province, after eating cassava that investigators said was contaminated with pesticide. Because of the incident, street vendors were banned from selling food in areas close to schools nationwide.
A dirty coastline in Guimaras after the 2006 oil spill. —ARNOLD ALMACEN
Guimaras oil spill | 2006 When the oil tanker Solar I sank off the southern coast of Guimaras Island on Aug. 11, 2006, it spilled 2.1 million liters of bunker oil that devastated the island’s rich marine resources and dislocated thousands of residents dependent on fishing and shell gathering. The spill led to the passage of Republic Act No. 9483, or the Oil Pollution Compensation Act, which requires all oil tankers and oil companies to contribute 10 centavos of imported oil as seed money to an oil pollution fund.
A father carries his dead daughter after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” hit Tacloban City. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
Nature’s fury in the Visayas | 2013 Several powerful storms have battered the Visayas in recent times. In 1991, Tropical Storm “Uring” (international name: Thelma) unleashed flash floods in Ormoc City, Leyte, and killed more than 5,000 people. In 2006, continuous rains triggered a massive landslide in St. Bernard town, Leyte, and buried the entire village of Guinsaugon and more than 1,000 residents. In November, 2013, Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) pummeled Eastern Visayas and flattened everything in its path. It came just three weeks after Bohol and Cebu were rocked by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Oct. 15, 2013, which killed 201 in Bohol.
STAYING TRUE @
I7-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
MINDANAO Little League scandal | 1992 In 1992, the Inquirer ran a series of reports on cheating committed by the Philippine team from Zamboanga City, which won the Little League World Series Championship. The stories revealed that six of the 13 team members were overaged and assumed identities that qualified them to the competition. The Philippine team was eventually stripped of the title.
MILF’s justice by firing squad | 1997 On Oct. 6, 1997, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) publicly executed by firing squad two persons convicted of frustrated murder, car theft and robbery by its Shariah Court. The execution in Lanao del Sur was witnessed by more than 1,000 people. Public reaction against the incident forced the MILF to stop the executions.
MILF fighters gather at Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao. —GENE BOYD
The Maguindanao massacre is the country’s worst election-related attack. —JEOFFREY MAITEM
Maguindanao massacre | 2009 On Nov. 23, 2009, 58 mostly media workers were killed when armed men, led by Andal Ampatuan Jr., then mayor of Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao, waylaid a convoy of vehicles on its way to file the certificate of candidacy of now Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu.
Soldiers battle MNLF rebels who laid siege to Zamboanga City. —EDWIN BACASMAS Mamasapano encounter | 2015 Forty-four members of the police’s Special Action Force were killed in the dawn raid on the lair of regional terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao in 2015. Government troops found themselves outfought by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front who were based in the area.
War vs MILF | 2000 Then President Joseph Estrada declared an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2000, which led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao. After months of fighting, the military took control of the MILF main camp—Camp Abubakar.
LUMAWAG
Soldiers battle MNLF rebels who laid siege to Zamboanga City. —EDWIN BACASMAS
Couple Martin and Gracia Burnham.
Dos Palmas kidnapping | 2001 Abu Sayyaf bandits took 20 people from Dos Palmas resort in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan in May 2001, and brought them to Basilan. Rescuing government troops engaged the bandits in deadly encounters for more than a year. A military operation led to the death of American Martin Burnham and the rescue of his wife Gracia.
Zamboanga siege | 2013 On Sept. 9, 2013, about 200 rebels from the Moro National Liberation Front faction led by Nur Misuari stormed into Zamboanga City in boats and took over several coastal villages, triggering a standoff between government forces and the rebels who held civilians hostage. The assault, apparently aimed at thwarting a government peace plan with another separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, paralyzed the city of over a million residents, razed 10,000 homes and reduced 30 to 40 hectares of once-thriving communities to rubble.
Marawi City in ruins following the government’s fivemonth battle with terrorists. —JEOFFREY MAITEM Marawi war | 2017 On May 23 this year, fighting erupted between government troops and Islamic State-inspired gunmen who laid siege to Marawi City. Hundreds of thousands of people evacuated to nearby cities and towns. Although the military prevailed after five months of fighting, the city was left in ruins.
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I8-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Forget ‘petmalu’ and ‘lodi.’ Update your vocabulary with these words By Pam Pastor @turbochicken
O
ne of the joys of working in a newspaper is witnessing the constant, sometimes confusing, evolution of language. Once upon a time, I was the young ’un patiently explaining to an older editor that we no longer needed to spell out
SMS every time we used it, as everyone already knew what it meant. In the interest of updating our vocabulary and yours, we asked (bugged, stalked, forced) millennials to give us a crash course on millennial speak. If, like us, you were tickled when Merriam-Webster added words like binge-watch and
photobomb to the dictionary, then you might enjoy this. ‘Good game’ Let’s start with something easy. G. “‘G’ stands for ‘game.’ Like if someone asks you if you want to go out tonight, you can literally just answer ‘G.’ When you’re super excited, you could say ‘GGGGGG,’” said Janna
Lejano, a college student. But, she warned, “GG” means something else. “It means ‘good game.’ After playing a game or if your friend is too drunk, you say ‘GG,’ game over.” Louie P., who calls himself a basic dude, gave us an example that we couldn’t understand. “G ba? Mski.” “Maski ano, Louie?” we al-
most asked. But it turned out that “mski” is short for Mineski, a professional gaming organization. So we guess Louie was trying to ask if we wanted to play video games? (But we only know Mario. And Tetris.) Another word gamers use? Imba. Miggy, a 23-year-old student explained, “Imba means imbal-
ance, particularly used in online gaming. ‘Hindi natin mabasag yung armor niya, masyadong imba yung attributes.’ Can also be said when someone is left speechless by something. ‘Grabe yung concert ni Bruno Mars!!! Imba.’” Apparently, BFF is old news. You call those near and dear to you “beshie.”
I8-2
STAYING TRUE @
I8-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
32 millennial expressions you should know, according to millennials
Mikee Jocson, a 24year-old account manager, explained, “‘Beshie’ is a term of endearment. It adds a loving and comical feel to any sentiment.” Synonyms include “besh,” “mamsh,” “mamshie” and yes, “fam.” “Fam!! It’s like our generation’s version of bro, pare or dude. I like it because it’s gender neutral. It’s just a way of addressing someone. I think everyone should know about it because it’s a lot more inclusive—you could call pretty much anyone fam!” says 18year-old girl boss Tana Verzo.
FROM I8-1
‘Slay’ “Adulting” is the act of behaving like a responsible grownup, something we all have to do. “We never knew adulting was gonna be this hard. No one really taught us the 101s of being an adult,” said Jeanine Beatrice Tsoi, a model and broadcast professional in her 20s. But more than just successfully adulting, millennials think you should “slay.” “No, honey, this doesn’t mean killing somebody anymore. Now, it means doing something so amazing that it kills everybody. Everyone should not just know this word but they should embody it. Slay everyday, people! SLAAAAAAY!!!!” said Gelo Arucan, a 28-year-old multihyphenated unicorn. Sickening—oops, sorry, “sick’ning”—is no longer a negative word either. “Sick’ning is when someone looks sooo good, it makes you gag and vomit due to envy. Sick’ning is beyond fierce,” said Jay Salvador, a 37year-old sales support administrator. If someone is (or goes) above and beyond what is expected, they’re extra. Ira uses it in a sentence: “My sister is so extra, right?” Maryanne Mendoza, a 30year-old program manager for an international nongovernment organization, chose the word ‘disruption.’ “It’s a buzzword across industries and
people are taking more notice of it. It simply means a disturbance in the status quo. Most would associate it with technological disruption, an introduction to an innovation. Think the emergence of Airbnb, Uber and Alibaba … Everybody should be more aware of it because, one way or the other, these disruptions would challenge how we regularly do things. It pushes our generation and the younger generation to be more agile and critical and become creative thinkers.” Fandom Let’s get to the words inspired by fandoms; there are a number of them. Cake, a 29-year-old pop culture writer, explained ‘OTP.’ “‘One True Pairing,’ often used in fandoms to distinguish one’s favorite fictional couple/love team.” Ship isn’t a big boat, Cake said. “‘Ship’ is short for ‘relationship.’ It’s used in fandoms to denote romance between two characters. The verb ship means to support a romance between two people.” And then there’s stan. “There’s actually a hierarchy in being part of a fandom. There are occasional fans, legit fans and there are those we refer to as ‘stans.’ Stans are what the older generations call the ultimate die-hards,” said Vinz Lamorena, a 23-year-old Super writer.
And, she says, in this digital age, there are so many ways to be a stan. “These are the people who create messaging app group chats, Facebook pages and groups. They are the keyboard army controlling online voting polls and Twitter worldwide trending topics … Most stans would be burning their paychecks on various merch and tickets.” Another word that looks like a typo but isn’t is ‘af.’ “Acronym for ‘as fuck,’ it’s used to emphasize or intensify something,” said Nikka, who calls herself a “no to fake news advocate” and says she is “extra IRL.” (IRL=in real life, ha, we knew that!) Nikka gave an example that will surely get people triggered. “Mocha tweets destabilization. Me: Girl that’s fake AF. Also me: GUYS STOP RETWEETING HER.”
“Agit” is the short form of agitated that is used to express frustration or annoyance. “‘Agit’ means mad or angry. Example: I’m so agit with the traffic! Nakaka-agit ka!” said Ira Pablo, a budding entrepreneur in her 20s. We’re pretty sure Anton Roxas, a 20-year-old sports broadcaster/journalist and athlete was triggered by our question. His millennial word? “‘Google.’ It has the answer to everything.” ‘Shookt’ We know we can Google it but we asked Irene Perez, Super Squad member, to explain “shookt.” “Shookt means ‘shaken.’ Being shookt means being shocked, surprised or frazzled by either good or bad reasons. It also means having too many ‘feels’ at the same time. ‘We won the game with only one point! Shookt!’”
Shooketh is not the same as shookt. “‘Shooketh’ is to be extremely shookt,” said Irene, using the word in this sentence: “Is it true that they sold the game? OMG, I’m so shooketh!” And Irene warned, “Shooketh shouldn’t be confused with the word ‘shokot’ which is beki-speak for ‘takot’ or scared.” Thanks to Dexter, a reporter, we now know never to say that we’re thirsty in public—even if all we wanted was a glass of water. Because thirsty now means “sexually needy.” Or really, really horny. This word isn’t exclusive to millennials though. I do know a lot of thirsty titas. ‘Fuccboi’ How about fuccboi? A thesis can be written about this. “Fuccbois think they’re cool but they’re not. They’re douchebags, they’re losers who don’t know they’re losers which are the worst kind of losers,” said Amy, a 24-year-old entrepreneur. Basically, fuccboi= not a good thing. Fleek, born in a Vine video, was first used to describe perfectly groomed eyebrows but Niarchos explained, “It has since been used to describe anything that’s cool, trendy, desirable.” And his explanation came with a disclaimer. “Hindi ako yung gumagamit niyan, yung millennial kong kausap.” Aesthetic, Cake said, is “the millennial version of ‘vibe,’ vi-
sual style or overall look.” Lit is not the past tense of light, it’s not even someone intoxicated—it means exciting or excellent. OG is original gangster (or gangsta). “Enrile is the OG of the Philippine Senate,” said Nikka. Low key is exactly that—to keep something quiet, to do something discreetly. “I am low key stanning on James Reid,” said one millennial who refused to be named. Two words millennials already know but need to be reminded of: driven and empathy. “Driven! A big part of what I love about the culture today is that we’re not only encouraged to go for what we want, but we’re supportive of others’ goals as well,” said Gabby Dario, a wellness coach, badass dancer and multimedia artist in her early 20s. Student Nica Alivia said: “I think everyone knows this word, but I believe we should all act on it: empathy—understanding another person vicariously. I think this is what this generation lacks, so I think it’s about time to think of one another once again.” And perhaps the most heartening part of this entire exercise: the number of millennials who wanted to teach us the word “woke.” “It isn’t about getting up in the morning. It’s about being aware of issues. About not having ignorant political opinions. Worried about gender issues? Woke. Active in civic groups? Woke. Pro-due process and antiEJK? Woke. #MarcosNotAHero? Woke. And these days, that’s just what we need,” said Ceej Tantengco, a journalist, broadcaster, public speaker and advocate for Women’s Rights in her 20s. Carl Cuevas, a 28-year-old public relations manager added, “It’s important since it acts against the older generation’s perception that millennials are passive and indifferent … It also acts as a reminder for millennials to remain vigilant since we live in the modern ‘dark ages.’” INQ
A WELCOME RESPITE
FACING NEW CHALLENGES, REACHING NEW MILESTONES By Cynthia D. Balana @cynchdb Truth in the narrative. This has always been the guiding principle that chartered my career path as a journalist and as a senior reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer for 30 years. Unlike other employees, I never dreaded the prospect of retirement. In fact, I was looking forward to it as a welcome respite from the daily grind of finding stories and reporting the news. So, as early as five years ago, I made sure I would be prepared to face new challenges in the latest chapter of my life. All things, even the good ones, must come to an end. On July 26, 2017, I wrote “30” to 30 years of hard work, dedication and perseverance in bringing news to the people. It was time to turn the page but remain relevant. Two years ago, I obtained my
What I don’t, and won’t, handle, however, is what PR and media practitioners often refer to as ‘special operations,’ otherwise known by a less complimentary term— ‘dirty tricks’ Cynthia Balana Retired Inquirer reporter
Cynthia Balana is now her own boss.
MA in Journalism as a fellow of the Konrad Adenauer’s Asian School of Journalism at Ateneo de Manila University. I thanked PDI management for being so gracious as to give me a year of sabbatical leave with full pay and benefits so I could complete the course. I also finished short courses on Trends in Visual Journalism, Digital Publishing, Social Media Live, Copyright Law and Feature Writing at Ateneo. Having mastered how to write content for 30 years, I then worked on honing my technical skills. I enrolled in Adobe Photoshop, Web Design, and Adobe Illustrator courses. On August 1, I launched my own company, CBCOMM Public Relations Services, which is based on the ground floor of a condominium unit just across the school of my only child. This way, I can keep track of her while I do my work.
The focus of CBCOMM is image-building, reputation management and corporate social responsibility. What I don’t, and won’t, handle, however, is what PR and media practitioners often refer to as “special operations,” otherwise known by a less complimentary term—“dirty tricks”—to promote a client’s interests or objectives. But old habits are hard to break. I still wake up late at night and find the urge to write about my favorite subjects—defense and military issues. Thus, the birth of defensejournalph.com. I am the owner and publisher of this online news magazine. Looking back, I am happy to note that I reached this milestone because I made sure always to enjoy every journey that I had taken. For this, I am forever grateful to the Inquirer. I will make sure that the Inquirer DNA will stay with me forever. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I8-3
19 8 5
After 15 years, enjoying life without deadlines By Leti Boniol @letsgo_manila
A
lmost two years after I left this paper, some friends still introduce me as somebody “from the Inquirer.” While I’m not overjoyed at the description, I notice that this facilitates things and lights up people’s faces. But while I’m sometimes still identified by my previous work affiliation, I have broken free from the demands and constraints of the job that had me processing stories from the regions for almost 15 years, and doing sundry desk work for more than two decades before that. Without the daily deadlines that ruled my life at the Inquirer, I now find myself with enough time to do what I want when I want, and however I want to do them. A year before I was due to retire, I had already planned what I’d do and years before that, had saved for the eventuality. I also checked and revised my bucket list a few times to reflect my fondest wish at the moment. In November 2015, I bought plane tickets to Amsterdam and in the spring of 2016, began my 35-day tour of six countries in Europe with a friend. Encouraged by the invitation of a friend in Germany, we toured the continent that first fascinated me when I went to Switzerland 28 years ago. This time, we joined tours and visited museums, and marveled at centuries-old opulent churches, lush gardens and parks where peacocks freely roamed. Trains, buses, cable cars and river
My Inquirer training, it turns out, will always be with me Leti Boniol Retired Regions editor
cruises—we made sure we enjoyed them all. Uncontrollable Traveling teaches you not just about other people’s cultures, but also how to manage your luggage, your health and your fears. I’d start traveling light with just a small rolling luggage and a carry-on, but always ended up buying a bigger luggage along the way because our controlled shopping was, well, uncontrollable. Health concerns were unavoidable as well. I had not experienced windburn before, but there I was, face red with rashes. I had to get a doctor’s prescription for an ailment neither I nor the doctors knew the name of, except that it threatened to take the joy out of my travels. In October of that year, I traveled with three friends to Ubud, the spiritual and cultural center of Bali, Indonesia, and appreciated the soft-spoken and kindred people there who were much like Filipinos, with their rich culture and their
Leti Boniol poses with tulips in bloom and beside murals of great artists in her recent trip to Europe.
affordable food, guest houses and souvenirs, like clothing. From Ubud, we went on a retreat in Mt. Abu in Rajasthan, India, where the Academy for a Better World offers a respite from the hassles of this old world as it teaches people how to manage their life amid conflicts. Friends and I also went local, traveling to places we had not visited before, like Samal Island, Tagum City, Davao City, Boracay and Bohol. We also revisited Puerto Princesa, Cebu and Zambales. In most of these places, there were friends who welcomed us, toured us, cooked for us and treated us to local food,
music and hospitality. Full, rough life Like most retirees, I regularly touch base with long lost friends and relatives, recounting past lives and slimmer days when we all had a healthy head of hair. Later, we’d wander off to our more recent life and enjoy each other’s company over food and drinks. A few would show me their art galleries or thriving businesses, which make me wonder how they managed these ventures while having a full, sometimes rough, life. Back in my cozy home outside Manila, I find time to indulge myself in affordable hot
springs and healing spas, while exploring the locality’s forests, museums, gardens and parks. There is enough energy to spend learning how to grow food naturally using vemicasts and biopesticides in my garden, and how to source and cook my own food. There’s also time left to volunteer for causes, join rallies, and attend symposia and similar activities. I always look forward to learning new things, like cooking vegetarian dishes such as Spanish sardines using jackfruit, or steak using coconut meat. Without pressing deadlines and appointments, and the convenience of having househelp, I find myself doing chores, stuff that I often put off. I do a million
other things before plunging into the inevitable cleanup. With Christmas around the corner, I prepare to give away preloved clothes and knick-knacks, while encouraging friends to organize a visit to nearby orphanages to share our blessings. While I want to enjoy my days while my legs are still sturdy and my mind clear, I realize that my resources might run dry before I do. So occasionally, I resurrect the old skills that defined my other life: I accept invitations to lecture on writing, or write and edit stories for newsletters and sundry publications. My Inquirer training, it turns out, will always be with me. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
I8-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
LIFE AFTER INQUIRER “Moving on is accepting reality” By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasINQ
T
hat all good things must come to an end is an eventuality that Cita Goyagoy had prepared for long before her 31-year journey with the Inquirer concluded in April this year. “Retirement has always been a reality for me. I’ve conditioned myself for it. Everything in life is temporary after all,” said Cita who had served as secretary to Inquirer chair Marixi Rufino-Prieto and former publisher Dean Raul Pangalangan. While she misses dressing up and going to the office, she has come to enjoy the free time that she spends going out with friends and traveling, Cita said. She now shares a lot of fun times with four circles of friends: the Chemco Ladies, her former colleagues at the Far East Chemco Leasing and Finance Corp.; Batch ’73 from Calasiao High School in Pangasinan; her Inquirer friends and coretirees, and her “tour group,” people she met during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October. It was a “fruitful” trip, she said of her 14-day trip to the Holy Land with 44 others—her tour group composed of doctors, surgeons, a dentist, and a chaplain, among others, who traveled across Jordan, Israel and Egypt. From being baptized at the Jordan River to riding a camel and braving the freezing temperature at the top of Mt. Sinai where the Ten Commandments were given to Moses, Cita said she felt blessed to had checked it off
Cita Goyagoy now enjoys the free time she spends with friends and traveling.
her bucket list. Travel goals Her trip also brought her to Nazareth, Bethlehem, the Nile River, the Dead Sea, the Western Wall, the Sea of Galilee, Petra, and the Pyramids of Egypt. Traveling with her fellow Inquirer retirees during the initial months of freedom from work brought her to Baguio, Baler,
Iloilo, Bacolod, and her hometown, Pangasinan. She has always loved traveling, said Cita who admits that her travel goals include visits to Rome, the Vatican and Spain. When she’s not packing her bags, she’s fixing up and declutterng her room, said Cita. Finally, she has found the time to tend to her garden and to organize her photographs
in an album. The rest of the time she spends pampering herself in a spa, grocery-shopping, exercising, and malling with the family. Eight months after retirement, Cita said she had accomplished a lot of things, but had yet to push through her ultimate retirement plan, which is to put up a profitable business. For those who are about to
welcome the next chapter of their life after Inquirer, Cita has some words of advice: “Prepare yourself, save money for retirement and look for other ways to enjoy your time. Interact with relatives and friends.” These days, she defines happiness as focusing on herself and her family. “Life is always moving on. (It is about) accepting changes and
reality. I’m looking forward to what makes me stronger and more complete. I’m happy now. I’ve learned to appreciate what I have,” she said. To maintain that state of mind, she said people should “always feel privileged. Give without expecting anything in return. Most of all, learn to appreciate God’s blessings and thank Him in return.” INQ
Congratulations! on your 32nd anniversary from
/SEAOIL @SeaoilPH SeaoilPH
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I9-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
30-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
‘There will always be room for a good newspaper’ HOORAY! On Thursday, Philippine Daily Inquirer honored 57 employees for their work and service to the company over the years. They included 4 employees who had worked for 30 years, 6 who had worked for 25 years, 20 for 20 years, 4 for 15 years, 14 for 10 years and 9 for 5 years. Their scope of work cut across the various departments and operations of the Inquirer—from editorial to marketing and advertising, and financial and general services. Those who had worked for more than 20 years admit to having spent the best years of their lives with Inquirer. Read their stories in this section.
By Artemio T. Engracia Jr. News Editor
F
or the past five years, I’ve been looking forward to this; at the same time I’ve been dreading this moment. It is therefore with mixed emotions that I speak here in behalf of the three other loyal Inquirer employees—Ely Fugaban, Cynthia Balana and Tino Tejero—who have devoted a good portion of their lives—30 years at least—in the service of this company. This speech signals my emancipation from the slavery of deadlines, from the daily grind of newspaper work, and from a lifelong addiction to this substance called news. Finally, I will soon be able to drive my car with music, not news, on the radio, and have dinner with my
family on a daily basis. For the past 45 years, I never got to be home for most of the holidays, Christmas in particular. I was never home when the kids would come home from school, and I was never of help with their homework. I hope it’s not too late to make up for lost time. Otherwise, as one retiring journalist once said, I will just be another pretty face with plenty of money to buy maintenance medicines with. I have long dreaded this moment, for I will soon be bidding goodbye to my other family—the Inquirer and the dedicated men and women who, for more than three decades, turned what was once a ragtag operation into an organization that, as I have said many times before, has become the yardstick by which all other media—print, broad-
cast or online—are measured. Many years ago, I attended the party to commemorate the 50-year journalism career of the respected editor Rod Reyes. I wondered then if I would ever reach that milestone, the way I once wondered if I would ever finish an Ironman Triathlon. Today, I’m five years away from that milestone, and I’m determined to reach that summit one way or the other. Loyal service Also today, I want to reintroduce to you the three other Inquirer employees who had rendered 30 years of loyal service to the company. Ely Fugaban of DPU was part of the editorial team that I organized when the Inquirer bowling tournament switched from duckpin to tenpins years ago. I asked a
friend of mine to teach the team the rudiments of tenpin bowling and I’m proud to say that Ely and the other members of that team went on to become among the Inquirer’s top bowlers. Ely was as dedicated as a bowler as he was as an Inquirer worker. I never saw much of Tino Tejero in the last 30 years. Although we shared the same newsroom, it’s no exaggeration to say that we shared no more than 30 words in conversation for 30 years. I heard he would sneak into the office and work well into the night when everyone else had gone home to sleep. Once, Letty Magsanoc, our beloved editor in chief, asked Tino to join the newsdesk but he refused. His reason: Life is too short to be correcting other people’s mistakes. Tino, as you probably know by now, is a man of
I9-2
Artemio T. Engracia Jr.
STAYING TRUE @
I9-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
S I N C E
‘THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ROOM FOR A GOOD NEWSPAPER’ few words. His elo-
is in his FROM I9-1 quence writing and the In-
quirer is a much better newspaper today because of the quality of his work. Cynthia Balana was one of the reporters who made life exciting for me and the other editors for 30 years. Her passion for her stories is legendary. It was therefore inevitable that she would have run-ins with the editors who were as passionate with their work as she was with hers. I was Cynthia’s favorite editor to torment, and I’m sure she believes she was my favorite reporter to torment. But unknown to her, I liked Cynthia’s copies. She wrote her stories the way I wanted to present them to the readers—short, simple, direct to the point, uncomplicated and most of all, grammatically flawless. Of course, I never told her this. Otherwise, she probably would have liked me too and that would have made working in the newsroom less exciting. So today, I make my peace with Cynthia. Newsboy How I got to become a journalist is a long story, but I’ll try to make it short. Let me take you back 65 years; that’s right, six and a half decades. Very few people know that I was born into the newspaper business, with printer’s ink in my veins and newsprint in my cereals. My maternal grandfather was a newsboy who went on to become the exclusive newspaper dealer in my hometown. Newspapers sent my mother and her seven siblings to college. I remember seeing my grandfather deliver newspapers to subscribers on foot and so it was just natural that I would later join the family business, as a newsboy. During
From left: Cynthia D. Balana, Eligio S. Fugaban and Constantino C. Tejero the summer, I sold almost everything printed—newspapers, magazines, comic books etc. Later, I was promoted—I inherited the newspaper route of my grandfather, delivering newspapers to subscribers on a bike. Until one day, a subscriber complained that he had not been getting his paper for a month. It turned out I had delivered his paper to his neighbor. That was how I got fired from my first job. My father was a voracious reader. He read everything that I sold. He also read the Philippine Free Press, Time, Newsweek, Readers Digest, and when there was nothing else to read, he also read comic books. Anything printed, he read. He was my No. 1 customer. His favorite newspaper to read, and my favorite newspaper to sell, was the Manila Times. That was, of course, when the Manila Times belonged to another era. From high school, my career path was laid out very clearly in front me. I became a campus journalist as staffer of the High School Advocate, the school organ of the Far Eastern University boys and girls high school. My title was society editor; I had ab-
solutely no idea what I was supposed to do as society editor of a high school paper. But when one of the editors dropped out of school, I was promoted to news editor. Prophetic, isn’t it? My first real job as a journalist was as a sportswriter in the Daily Express where I learned from the best mentors—Bert Cuevas, Tony Siddayao, Neal Cruz and of course, Pocholo Romualdez, the editor of editors who has outlived his contemporaries and still practices his craft to this very day. I was a big sports fan and being a sportswriter was a dream job. It was like watching the big games for free and getting paid for it. To be exact, my salary then was P350 a month plus P150 transportation allowance. I felt so rich I thought I could get married and start a family, if only I had a girlfriend at that time. Martial law A few months into my job, martial law was declared and the Express became one of three newspapers allowed to continue publishing. The Express was printing so many copies that the presses were running well into
the afternoon. This prompted the paper to put out an afternoon edition, the Evening Express where, as a 19-year old college dropout, I became the sports editor, one of only two titles that I want my name to be associated with. At the ripe old age of 32, I retired from the Express to be editor in chief of the afternoon newspaper that the Bulletin group was going to put out. Aptly named PM, the paper did not last long. I went back to the Express after a year and was later invited to join a post-Edsa newspaper trying to replicate the Inquirer’s phenomenal rise. But that too did not last long and the publisher still owes me four months’ salary. I was between jobs—meaning I was jobless—for the next three months during which I lowered my golf handicap to a single digit and made money hustling in the fairways. I made more money—and lost more friends—in three months in the fairways than I did in my first six months in the Inquirer. In early 1987, Dick Pascual invited me to the Inquirer and offered me the job as national editor, a position he created to lure me out of gainful unem-
ployment. It turned out that the title was just a euphemism for provincial news editor, night editor and desk editor rolled into one. Four years later, when Letty Magsanoc took over as editor in chief, I was promoted to news editor and that, my friends, was the last time I was ever promoted. Not that I wanted to be promoted. I fell so in love with the title I refused to give it up. In fact, when Letty tried to change my title to something else (I’m not sure if it was a promotion), I told her this: Letty, the day I cease to be news editor of this newspaper is the day I leave the Inquirer. She relented. She said: OK, you keep the title, but please don’t leave. Turbulent year The year 1987 was a turbulent one in our country’s history. The country had just emerged from a long period of darkness, our democratic institutions were just beginning to flourish, and the new government was facing coup attempt after coup attempt. The Inquirer was in the thick of things not only as chronicler of this transition but also as an active participant in the momentous, and sometimes convulsive, events that shaped this important part of our history. For 30 years, the Inquirer never relinquished that dual role and I take pride in the fact that we—Ely, Cynthia, Tino and I—were all part of this. We stood up to Presidents, we fought criminals, both in an out of government, we exposed the ills of society, and at the same time raised hope for our people. We did what every great newspaper was expected to do. For the opportunity to be part of all these, we thank the
25-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES Inquirer management, led by Sandy Romualdez and Marixi Prieto, and the rest of the Inquirer family. It has been a pleasure and an honor. Wherever we go from here, we will be carrying with us the DNA of a great newspaper. In good hands The Inquirer will be around for another 30 years. This confidence comes from the words of two journalists who inspired me to endure in this noble profession. When I was a student, we presented our laboratory paper in journalism to then UP president Salvador P. Lopez. He obviously was not impressed by our effort, but he told us to always remember this: THE PRINTED WORD WILL ALWAYS BE KING. Years later, when I was vacillating about an editing job offered me, I consulted Pat Gonzales, the then editor in chief of the Bulletin, and asked him if there was room for another afternoon paper in the market. His reply: There will always be room for a good newspaper anytime. In this age of fake news, their words carry a lot weight and offer great hope for the future of the Inquirer. Finally, we can all rest assured in the knowledge that, in the words of Executive Editor Joey Nolasco when he made a similar speech two years ago, the Inquirer is in good hands. The Inquirer has had its ups and downs. But I am most proud of this great newspaper when the chips were down; when it had to reach out from the depths to remain true to its mandate; when it remained steadfast when buffeted by storm after storm. Today, more than ever, I am proud of the Inquirer. INQ
IN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY Rosario A. Garcellano Opinion Editor Called to a photo shoot on the roof deck, this small group of 25ers could not do much more than giggle nervously and make things difficult for the multiawarded photographer Lyn Rillon. It was a sad-happy event: We were glad to mark a milestone, but we were catching ourselves at turns distracted and pensive under the bright, blistering sunlight—John Updike’s “El Greco sky”—watching the sand thinning in the hourglass ... Told to say what he could for this milestone, Ernie Manlapaz of Production recalls that he started at the Inquirer in 1992 at its old office on UN Avenue. In fact we, the 25-ers, all did, but he makes a point to point it out: “Dati maliit lang ang opisina,” he says. Quite right. I remember how small it was, how cramped, how, after smoking was banned in the newsroom, smokers like myself lined the hallway, cheek by jowl with LJM, and grumpily flicking ash on the potted plants. And also how mice brazenly leaped out of desk drawers and occasionally even stopped to glance at how startled we were. We moved to this glass-andsteel building in 1995—“maganda
From left: Marc Anthony E. Reyes, Ernie M. Manlapaz, Rosario A. Garcellano, Charles E. Buban, Joel I. Dela Cruz and Delson C. Tangcora at malaki ang opisina,” in Ernie’s words. Big and beautiful, with a staircase to inspire legend (and also to render the oldies breathless and wheezing). And here we are now, a quarter of a century after we began. For three of us—Marc Anthony Reyes of Sports, Delson Tangcora of IT, and Charles Buban of Motoring, Health and Property—it’s their first job. There has to be something to this office that young men like them would not yield to the temptation of wandering away. Delson started out providing tech support for the 1992 election coverage—the first time, he says, that the Inquirer would be “trans-
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
19 8 5
20-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
STILL PASSIONATE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS By Robert Jaworski L. Abaño Acting Regions Editor Princess Diana died in a car crash and her funeral in London, beamed live on television, drew millions of mourners. A week later, the world mourned Mother Teresa’s death. In Scotland, scientists cloned Dolly the sheep. In the United States, Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace was murdered by Filipino-American Andrew Cunanan, while in Hollywood, “Titanic” secured a place in film history for its box office earnings. Closer to home, the United Kingdom handed over Hong Kong to China; the Thai baht crashed and triggered an Asiawide financial crisis. In the Philippines, a landmark law protecting the country’s indigenous peoples was passed. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front carried out a public execution in Lanao del Sur. The original “Ang Probinsyano” film, starring the late Fernando Poe Jr., was shown on the big screen. The country also saw the deaths of former President Diosdado Macapagal, poets Jose Garcia Villa and Rolando Tinio, comedian Chiquito and character actor Max Alvarado. These were among the biggest events of 1997, the same year when a group of 21 young men and women, including myself, found a home in a concrete, steel and glass building on Chino Roces Ave. in Makati. The building, then two years old, was and still is the Inquirer main office, and became, over the years, a symbol of our still unfolding journey. We joined the Inquirer in our 20s and early 30s, some of us fresh graduates itching to start first jobs or waiting for another that would hopefully be the “one.” Learning the ropes Twenty years later, we are now holding positions of responsibility in the Inquirer’s newsroom and other departments—a testament to how the company has nurtured our growth and opened doors. For all of us, learning the ropes from our editors, supervi-
Jerome Joeffrey B. Aning
From left foreground: Marites P. Dela Cruz, Ma. Lourdes C. Montegrande, Michael L. Ubac, Abelardo S. Ulanday, Edwin E. Bacasmas, Menelyn L. Monreal. Standing, from left: Josephine A. Samonte, Robert Jaworski L. Abaño, Laura Josephine A. Mansilla, Jesus M. Cayabyab, Ma. Carmen S. Abis, Ma. Aileen C. Corales and Arnel B. Francisco sors, managers and senior colleagues was enough to keep us going. We inched our way up the editorial and corporate ladders through their guidance. What made us stay? We stayed for various reasons, but were linked by a common passion for the jobs we were doing. We stayed in the belief that we were doing something that matters, that we were part of an institution critical to nation building. Fellow 20-year colleagues Jojo Samonte and Tsai Montegrande described the Inquirer as home and said that they feel like valued members of the family. Icar Abis treasured the friendships she forged in the Inquirer. Day Desk chief Mike Ubac cited passion for outstanding journalism and the opportunity to work with, and learn from, some of the best minds and talents in the field as the main reasons he has stayed. For Natty Cayubit and Aileen Corales, it’s the pride and honor of being part of the country’s leading newspaper that makes a difference. Bodeng Valencia cited finan-
cial security, and indeed, we are all witnesses to the generosity of the Inquirer management. All of us remember how, some two years after we became regular employees, we received the biggest profit share in Inquirer history—six digits before taxes. But working for the Inquirer is not just about shelter, food, clothing and education for our families. More than the material things, being an Inquirer employee entails a huge responsibility. We are duty-bound to protect its legacy as the leading light in the fight against wrongdoing, oppression and tyranny. Whether at the frontline or in the background, we are witnesses to history as it is drafted by Inquirer reporters and polished by its editors. Adversity It is also an affirmation of our faith in our mission, even in times of adversity. One of those times was in 1999, when then President Estrada pushed for an advertising boycott
of the Inquirer for what he believed was a critical and adverse coverage of his administration. One November morning that year, fresh from a trip from Baguio City where I was then based, I found myself alone in the newsroom, too early for a scheduled training. While waiting for the designated hour, I scanned a bulletin board and started browsing faxed letters from readers sympathetic to the Inquirer. These readers promised to help the Inquirer by buying multiple number of copies of the daily. Such words of encouragement from faceless readers strengthened the Inquirer, and united and inspired us to carry on and weather the storm. The Inquirer, I would like to believe, still has those core readers, the same kind of readers who believe as we do, and who continue to inspire us. We strive to stay relevant for those very readers, even in this age when technology is revolutionizing the distribution and sharing of information. And yes,
I9-3
19 8 5
Nelson G. De Gracia
Maria Natividad A. Cayubit
Maria Doris C. Dumlao-Abadilla
Invicratus H. Valencia
even when multiple sources of news distract and confuse readers, and when disinformation and fake news on social media gain traction because of their sheer ubiquity. Through the years, we’ve aspired to live what journalists Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, in their 2001 book, “The Elements of Journalism,” identified as the first element of our craft: “Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth.” Truthtellers We are truthtellers. It’s our obligation to our readers to strive to get the best obtainable version of the truth despite the proliferation of fake news. It won’t help to press the mute button. Crank up the volume and let the truth be heard, even if it hurts. In 2012, 21 of us celebrated our 15th year in the Inquirer. This year, as we receive recognition for our 20th year of service, we are down to 20. Let us offer a few moments to remember the late foreign news editor Luverne Gueco. Let me also recognize our longtime provincial correspon-
Marie Joselle R. Badilla
James S. Jacosalem
dents who have faithfully spent the past 15 to 30 years as the paper’s standard-bearer and human face around the country. Even today, our pioneer correspondents Anselmo Roque of Nueva Ecija and Carla Gomez of Bacolod City, as well as Tonette Orejas of Pampanga, Delfin Mallari Jr. of Quezon, Juan Escandor Jr. of Camarines Sur and Yolanda Sotelo of Pangasinan have maintained the passion for their craft. My special gratitude goes to my first Inquirer editor and mentor, Northern Luzon Bureau chief Rolly Fernandez, for guiding me during
the 18 years that I spent in Baguio. I will forever be grateful to the Inquirer’s corps of provincial correspondents and the bureau chiefs and staff, present and past, in Northern, Central and Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, for making the Inquirer a truly national paper. In five years, I hope to see most of us still in the Inquirer. And I hope that the same wideeyed excitement of being part of something big, that sense of mission, that passion to change the world, that fire that led us to the Inquirer, will still be there. INQ
mitting news reports through dial-up connection, making stories available in a couple of minutes.” He eventually applied to fill a vacancy, and has stayed put since. “How is it possible to work for 25 years with the same employer?” Charles asks. “It’s easy when work presents itself as a challenge to improve one’s skills and to keep learning.” And he found such a challenge in the Inquirer. Budget’s Joel dela Cruz describes his 25 years as an “exciting and fruitful journey” that has made him “a better and wiser person” and given him “the courage and strength to face the realities of work and life.” Myself, looking back at these
two-and-a-half decades, I find that I am no less brimming with superlatives. This lengthy chapter in our collective narrative is a life lesson, and not a mere plus point in my CV. To be a cog in the wheel of the Inquirer work force, to carry this great newspaper’s name like a badge, to “enjoy” it, as Ernie says (on two points, according to him: equal treatment of and benefits for officers and regular staff, and harmonious relations between union and management), is a matter of pride, especially now that we are, as in the song, “trembling on the brink,” and an era is close to ending. Delson calls the Inquirer “my second home.” Joel is “proud and
grateful to have worked with the best men and women in the Inquirer for 25 years.” Marc delivers the clincher: “I have spent more than half my life with the Inquirer. Those were prime years. And it's been worth it.” This quarter-century has been, and is, a distinctive period for us who work in the Inquirer. To lead the national conversation, to present factual information and reasoned opinion to its readers in order to enable and empower them to make correct decisions: This is our work and our privilege. Now, to answer the question “For whom do you write?”
Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer cited Albert Camus’ “courage in one’s life and talent in one’s work” and Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “The best way a writer can serve a revolution is to write as well as he can.” Gordimer was pondering on that question that, she said “plagues the writer,” and she believed that these two statements might be “the credo for all of us who write.” These can serve as our credo as well, all of us women and men who work in this newspaper: “They turn the face of the writer squarely to her and his existence, the reason to be, as a writer, and the reason to be, as a responsible human, acting, like any other, within a social context.” INQ
STAYING TRUE @
I9-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
10-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
15-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
From left: Jasmine W. Payo, Normandy A. Dela Paz, Richard S. Marasigan and Irene Andrea C. Perez
5-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
From left: Napoleon M. Sarez, Jr., Rudyard S. Arbolado, Mark Anthony F. Lopez, Arlene G. Astapan, Pocholo M. Concepcion and Roderick C. Villanueva From left: Sunshine I. Velasco, Glorielyn N. Ebayan, Rolando D. Leonardo, Jeannette I. Andrade and Roy Raul C. Mendiola From left: Elizalde V. Pusung, Raoul Isagani J. Chee Kee, Sara Isabelle A. Pacia, Raymund Caesar S. Soberano, Jea Jean A. Esperas, Glenn Mark M. Velasco, Jennifer S. Santiago, Jovic Maurice L. Yee and Raul J. Palabrica
SIDEBAR TALE
MY 20-YEAR JOURNEY WITH THE INQUIRER From left: Marvin L. Isorena, Michael C. Quinao and Ronald E. San Jose
By Michael Lim Ubac Day Desk Chief Home is where the heart is. Sounds like a cliché, but this was the lead paragraph of the very first essay I wrote for the Philippine Daily Inquirer in 1996 as part of the admission requirement for its scholarship program. When the late publisher Isagani Yambot saw what I wrote, he promptly asked his staff to book me for an interview. I got the scholarship. Two decades later, I realize that my journey with the Inquirer has been far from boring. Rising from the ranks, I practically covered all news beats, and even headed the paper’s labor union at one time. After I ‘graduated’ from the Metro section and began covering for the National News section, travels for coverage became routine. Foreign assignments took me to the United States, Europe, South America, Southeast Asia and East Asia, China, India, Australia and New Zealand. Under the able guidance of City Editor Gerry Lirio, who has given me lots of career breaks, I managed to turn in scoops for the paper. My passion for truth took me to the hinterlands of Maguindanao in 2005, in search of Virgilio Garcillano, the man at the center of the alleged ballot fixing in the 2004 presidential election that became known as the “Hello, Garci” scandal. The exclusive interview would not have happened had I resisted the cloak-and-dagger approach of his handlers. I was ‘snatched’ by five heavily-armed men from a taxi on a highway in Cotabato, blindfolded, and forced into a waiting van. The circuitous trip felt like forever. The bumpy ride eventually led me to a deserted hill overlooking the Moro Gulf where I, thankfully, found Garcillano. That was a hair-raising experience that may have defined my career on some level. It dawned on me that no story was worth one’s life—a journo should always live to tell the tale. Earlier, in 2001, I was nearly mobbed by Estrada supporters during the siege of Malacañang. The scandals that rocked the Estrada and Arroyo administrations defined a tumultuous decade that, however, became the fieldwork for honing my investigative and reportorial skills. Transition plan In 2011, with the heady days behind me, I took a breather and left posthaste for the Unit-
Michael Lim Ubac ed States. I was at the crossroads, a confused guy in his 30s looking for a deeper meaning to life. It was LJM (the late Editor in Chief Letty JimenezMagsanoc) who encouraged me to take further studies abroad, telling Inquirer management that someday, “it will redound to the benefit of the paper.” When I returned in 2013, LJM sent word through former Day Desk chief Juliet LabogJavellana that I had been promoted to desk editor. Little did I know that she was already drawing up a “transition plan” for her graceful exit from a life that was inextricably linked to the nation’s democratic process itself. One of LJM’s favorite mantras was “speaking truth to power.” I was one of the privileged souls who worked with her through the dead of night. She was a light that burned so brightly, and I enjoyed that light. LJM died on Christmas Eve in 2015, five months before I finished my master’s degree in liberal arts (concentration: international relations) at Harvard University. In honor of her memory, I wrote these words on the acknowledgment page of my master’s thesis: “You may have crossed over to the great unknown, but your passion for knowledge and search for truth have left an indelible mark on my life.” The thesis, which highlighted supertyphoon “Yolanda” as a textbook example of climate change, won the “Director’s Prize for Outstanding Thesis” in 2016. ‘Pay my dues’ My original plan had been to work for the Inquirer for five years just to “pay my dues,” a phrase I pilfered from the late Sen. Joker Arroyo, one of my mentors. But I stayed. Why? When we love what we do, we’re oblivious to the passing of time. Maverick Senators Raul Roco and Arroyo exposed me to genuine public service: always work for the common man, they said. Roco and Arroyo, both pride of Bicolandia, belonged to a different era but saw the world sans rose-colored glasses. The two brilliant lawyers and human rights' advocates saw justice—when dispensed liberally
to the hoi polloi—as the beacon of hope and democracy. When I became president of the Philippine Daily Inquirer Employees Union in 2007, Arroyo gladly acceded to my request for him to administer my oath of office. “You told me to pay my dues, right?” I chided the Senate’s jester. Working with some of the best editors, brightest minds and amazing talents in the profession today, I realized that I have had much to learn from my Inquirer colleagues. Admittedly, journalism is not the most lucrative and appealing offshoot of the invention of writing. Every day, one has to maneuver his or her way through a highly stressful environment where the story deadline is king. Winds of change But, perhaps, my journey mirrors that of my fellow 20-year awardees. I believe that all of us have the passion for finding the truth that drives us to walk the extra mile; we’re perpetually searching for compelling stories and multimedia content that will empower our readers. Transitions may be difficult, but they are avenues for great opportunities, too. As we go through this winnowing process, I hope my Inquirer family will survive the winds of change now sweeping us. The Inquirer remains credible because it’s relevant, fearless and transparent. Beyond its watchdog role in our society, its bias for truth and justice consequently gives us a moral compass and a seat at the head of the table. The Inquirer prides itself with its unflinching dedication to running stories that make a difference in the life of the nation. Lending its voice to the marginalized sectors, besides periodically holding to account the powers-that-be, the Inquirer marches on, with its own story forever intertwined with the narrative of a rising nation. That, I submit, is our DNA that distinguishes us from the rest of the lot. I told a dear friend on July 8, my anniversary date, that the past two decades had been “the best years of my life!” But she promptly but lovingly corrected me, saying: “Best years yet.” Indeed, those were 20 years of success nurtured with love by my parents, Arlene and Fidel Jr., and brother, Crisostomo, and forged through the liberating power of the pen. But above all, I firmly believe that it was the hand of the Lord that plucked me from the sleepy town of Masbate and brought me to my second home, the Inquirer, 20 years ago. INQ
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I10-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Most award-winning newspaper in the country
T
he Philippine Daily Inquirer has bagged over 570 awards since December 1985 for its comprehensive news coverage, investigative reports, insightful opinion pieces and attention-grabbing photographs. This year, it received awards in new categories like infographics and page design, making the Inquirer the most award-winning newspaper in the country in editorial content and form. Since January this year, the Inquirer has received 38 awards from local and international groups. The first for the year went to “Lamentation,” the Inquirer’s front page photograph on July 24, 2016, showing a young woman cradling the lifeless body of her partner, which won for Inquirer photographer Raffy Lerma the silver medal for Breaking News (Photography) from the
prestigious Society for News Design (SND). The alleged drug user was killed by suspected vigilantes in the government’s unrelenting war on drugs, which Lerma had been documenting. Lerma’s silver medal, the highest given for this category by SND this year, is granted for work that rises above excellence representing “an elevated level of execution, originality of concept, or high-end work done with a high degree of difficulty,” SND said. “The gripping image stops you immediately and pulls you into studying its details, which make you feel like you are witnessing a tragedy in person: their bare feet, the sidewalk, the signs,” the SND judges said. “The photograph is perfectly composed, the lighting is gorgeous, and the emotion is potent.”
Lerma’s “Lamentation” also won Best News Photograph from The Society of Publishers in Asia (Sopa) in awards it handed out in 2017. Writing editor Daxim Lucas, who was a finalist for Journalist of the Year, bagged an honorable mention in The Scoop Award category for breaking the story about the 2016 Bangladesh central bank heist, while Inquirer Briefing received an honorable mention for information graphics category in the same event. Lerma’s award gave the Inquirer a “three-peat” win at the prestigious Sopa in the news photography category, following wins by Edwin Bacasmas and Marianne Bermudez in 2015 and 2016, respectively. “The journalist captured a powerful emotional moment that depicts the human cost of the
I10-2
Some of the awards the Inquirer received this year. —EDWIN BACASMAS
STAYING TRUE @
I10-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
The Inquirer’s chief operating officer, Rene Reinoso (center), and Central Desk chief Juliet Labog-Javellana (sixth from left) lead other officers and employees of the Inquirer and its magazine arm Hinge Inquirer Publications (HIP) in receiving the Tinta Awards at the Manila Hotel. The newspaper won the grand prix, one gold, three silver and three bronze awards, while HIP bagged a total of seven silver and bronze awards.
MOST AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER IN THE COUNTRY FROM I10-1 Philippines’ war on drugs,” Sopa judges said of Lerma’s picture. “This is an outstanding work of photojournalism not just for the impact of the harrowing image but for its ability to raise questions about a government’s controversial use of extrajudicial killings,” they added. The same photograph by Lerma also won the Grand Prix at the Tinta Awards, where the Inquirer also won one gold, three silver and three bronze awards in newspaper design, layout and photography categories. Another multi-awarded photograph was Lyn Rillion’s “Savior to the Street Oldies,” which won the gold for feature photography at the Asian Media Awards, gold for newspaper photography at Tinta and best news photograph in the Catholic Mass Media Awards. Rillon’s award recognizes visual creativity (originality of perception and treatment), as well as ability to expand knowledge or understanding of an issue through the effective use of the medium and technical skills. Capturing genuine compassion in a single image may be difficult, but Rillon’s “Savior to Street Oldies” made it seem so effortless. The photograph, which accompanied the Oct. 9, 2016, story about a former bank teller, Bennielita “Bennie” Sanchez, showed an elderly bedridden woman smiling faintly during Sanchez’s visit. The photo resonated with the kindness, caring and purity of intention of this young woman who picked up abandoned old folks off the streets and took care of them until they are reunited with their families or are “rescued” by social welfare workers. The Inquirer was also recognized by the academe for its news content, receiving the Best Newspaper award from Gawad Tanglaw, Best in Editorial Content from Lyceum of the Philippines University and Most Outstanding Broadsheet in the Philippines from De La Salle Araneta University. “The Philippine Daily Inquirer was chosen (as) best newspaper (broadsheet) for its fearless views, truth and fairness in its news reports, and credible and highly respected columnists,” said Dr. Jaime Gutierrez-Ang, president emeritus of Gawad Tanglaw, an academe-based media critic. The Inquirer’s award for the Most Outstanding Broadsheet in the Philippines in the Gawad Lasallianeta 2017 organized by De La Salle Araneta University
The Inquirer’s business news team was named Best News Source at the 26th Business Journalism Awards night of the Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines (Ejap) in Makati City. Ejap president Chino Leyco (leftmost) presented the award to the group, which included business features editor Tina Arceo-Dumlao, reporter Miguel Camus (reporter of the year for telecommunications and transport), business editor Raul Marcelo, assistant business editor Corrie Narisma, reporters Amy Remo (reporter of the year for trade) and Ronnel Domingo, and writing editor Daxim Lucas. —CLARISSA BATINO/BLOOMBERG
Reporter Maricar Cinco bags a Special Citation in the investigative report category at the 39th Catholic Mass Media Awards. Philippine Daily Inquirer was awarded Best Newspaper for 2016. —ERIKA SAULER was for being “the most balanced, the most fair, and the most informative newspaper among its competitors.” Sheila Cabidog, head organizer for the award, said that “at present, our millennials are loaded with information because of their exposure to various forms of media and so it is important that they are given the chance to choose the ones they find credible and Inquirer is one of those.” The Inquirer received the Best News Source for business award from the Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines (Ejap) after giving the Best Reporter award to Miguel Camus for telecommunications and to Amy Remo for trade. Reporter Doris DumlaoAbadilla won the Best Feature Story of the Year. This was the fourth time the Inquirer has won the best news source award, the top award given by Ejap to the media organization whose reporters have garnered the most number of awards for best coverage of the various business beats and for best feature story of the year. Inquirer Executive Editor Jose Ma. Nolasco was named
Inquirer Metro reporter Jhesset Enano wins the Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education at the 2017 Lasallian Scholarum Awards. Journalist of the Year by the Rotary Club of Manila for being “a grizzled veteran of such a veritable combat zone where skirmishes flare day to day.” The Philippine Daily Inquirer’s redesign initiative and communications campaign “#MyInquirer” also got the Bronze award in Best in Newspaper Marketing in this year’s Publish Asia conference. The #MyInquirer campaign was part of Project OMG of the Inquirer Group of Companies that highlights how the paper has embraced the evolving behavior of its readers through its different platforms. The campaign was recognized for how it managed to connect with various audiences of the Inquirer: from the core mid-
"The Inquirer Story" publishing team wins platinum at the 52nd Anvil Awards. —JILSON SECKLER TIU
Daxim Lucas is cited by the Society of Publishers in Asia for his story on the 2016 Bangladesh central bank heist. dle-aged readers to the vibrant and social media-savvy millennials, and even to advertisers. Inquirer Briefing got the first four awards in different infographics and newspaper design categories, namely: honorable mention for excellence in information graphics from Sopa, silver and bronze for best infographics from Tinta Awards and bronze for magazine and newspaper design from Adobo Design Awards. Started on Oct. 16 last year, the infographics section of the Sunday Inquirer looks at an issue, institution, process or event, to provide factual, historical and thematic context through the use of infographics, maps and charts.
Photographer Lyn Rillon (center) leads the Inquirer awardees in the 39th Catholic Mass Media Awards. With Rillon are correspondent Juan Escandor Jr. and Eline Santos, cited for their feature on a Church-supported rehabilitation center in Masbate province.
Inquirer editors Abelardo Ulanday and Rolando Fernandez receive the Glory Medal of Distinction from the UPCMCAA for their outstanding work in journalism.
LIST OF 2017 AWARDS BY AWARDGIVING BODIES, DATE AND CITATIONS Society for News Design awards on Feb. 18 - Raffy Lerma’s “Lamentation,” silver award for Breaking News (Photography) - Lerma’s “Dead Serious,” silver award for single-day photo series UmalohokJuan awards of the Lyceum of the Philippines University on March 3 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best in Editorial Content - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best in Readership Anvil Awards on March 10 - Inquirer coffee table book, “The Inquirer Story: 30 Years of Shaping History,” Platinum Anvil Asian Media Awards of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-Ifra) on April 19 - Lyn Rillon’s “Savior to Street Oldies,” gold award for Best in Feature Photography - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” silver award for Best in News Photography - Inquirer’s redesign and campaign initiative, “#MyInquirer,” bronze for Best in Newspaper Marketing Adobo Design Awards Asia on April 19 - Inquirer Briefing, bronze for magazine and newspaper design Gawad Tanglaw awards on April 25 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best Newspaper - Dolly Ann Carvajal, Presidential Award (for entertainment writing) The Society of Publishers in Asia on June 15 - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” Best News Photograph of 2016 - Daxim Lucas, finalist, Journalist of the Year; honorable mention, The Scoop Award - Inquirer Briefing’s “21st Century Vision,” honorable mention, Excellence in Information Graphics Rotary Club Manila on June 22 - Jose Ma. Nolasco, Journalist of the Year Annual Southern California Journalism Awards on June 25 - Ruben Nepales, third prize, Best Columnist or Critic (foreign correspondents) De La Salle Araneta University on Sept. 19 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Most Outstanding Broadsheet in the Philippines
- Ambeth Ocampo, Zeal for Lasallian Excellence in the Field of Print Media Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility on Sept. 28 - Aie Balagtas See, Award of Recognition Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines on Oct. 20 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best News Source - Miguel Camus, Best Reporter (telecommunications and transport) - Amy Remo, Best Reporter (trade and industry) - Doris Dumlao-Abadilla, Best Feature Story of the Year Lasallian Scholarum Awards on Oct. 23 - Jhesset Enano, Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education in a Nationally Circulated Publication Tinta Awards on Oct. 24 - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” grand prix for Newspaper Best Photography - Rillon’s “Fistful of Panic,” gold for Newspaper Best Photography - Inquirer’s President Duterte Inaugural Special, silver for Best Illustration - Inquirer Briefing’s “Unfinished Justice,” silver for Best Infographics - Marianne Bermudez’s “Holy Cow,” silver for Newspaper Best Photography - Inquirer Briefing’s “Nativity as Faith and Fact,” bronze for Best Infographics - Jeoffrey Maitem’s “Clearing the Route,” bronze for Newspaper Best Photography Catholic Mass Media Awards on Oct. 25 - Rillon’s “Savior to Street Oldies,” Best News Photograph - Maricar Cinco, special citation for Best Investigative Report - Juan Escandor Jr. and Eline Santos, special citation for Best Special Feature - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” special citation for Best News Photograph University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication Alumni Association (UPCMCAA) on Nov. 11 - Abelardo Ulanday, Glory Medal of Distinction - Rolando Fernandez, Glory Medal of Distinction COMPILED BY KATHLEEN DE VILLA AND MINERVA GENERALAO, INQUIRER RESEARCH
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I10-3
19 8 5
Ten years of spreading the joy and love of reading By Minerva Generalao Inquirer Research Head, and Inquirer Read-Along, founding member, and coordinator
A story behind every Guyito
2
017 also marked the 10th anniversary of the Inquirer’s Read-Along program with its initial session on January 27 drawing the most participants in a single session since the program began in 2007. Over 1,000 students had fun and laughter during the session held at Saluysoy Central School in Meycauayan, Bulacan, on January 27 this year, stressing that the key messages of the Read-Along program need to be told and retold to more children. The Inquirer Read-Along messages for children aged 7 to 12 have been: Reading is cool and reading is fun (Sarap magbasa). Celebrities, role models for the youth, and trained wacky storytellers have helped make these messages come across. The overriding aim is to promote the love of reading among children who know how to read but do not read on their own. Five years into the program, Inquirer president and CEO, and Read-Along ambassador, Alexandra PrietoRomualdez, said: “It has now come to a point where people recognize and realize what this program does. It gives me hope that we could build a nation of readers.” One of the innovations of the program was the annual Inquirer Read-Along Festival. Started in 2011, the festival features a two-day marathon of reading sessions at a single venue and storytelling competitions for students. Contestants have to undergo a storytelling workshop conducted by veteran Read-Along storytellers Ann Abacan, Rich Rodriguez and Dyali Justo. The workshop emphasized book-based storytelling techniques, as well as the proper use of body language, eye contact, facial expressions, voice, volume, diction, poise and pacing. This requirement is to help train children to read to their fellow kids. “What we really want to say is that the joy of reading is something that should be continuously nurtured and that in the learning process, even in our very high-tech world, reading should still be a part of our lives,” Romualdez said during the Inquirer Read-Along Festi-
Inquirer CEO and Read-Along Ambassador Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez tells the story of “Ang Huling Puno” complete with costume and props during the 7th Inquirer Read-Along Festival.
Students of Saluysoy Central School act out a scene in the story being read by Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong.
val in November last year. This year’s festival, held on October, carried the theme: “Hope for the Children, Hope for the Country.” It included a special session for older students in Grade 12, where the tragic story of a 17year-old victim of the government’s war on illegal drugs took center stage. Award-winning actress Cherry Pie Picache read “Si Kian,” a children’s book inspired by the life of Kian Loyd delos Santos, the Grade 12 student killed by Caloocan City police during its “One-Time, Big-Time” drug raid on Aug. 16. “Kian’s story is special because it reminds us to be aware of what’s happening in the community, and to be vigilant and cautious,” Picache said in an interview after the event. Through themed sessions, the Read-Along has also been promoting, through selected mix of storybooks being read, Filipino and global values such as respect for elders, love for peace, care for the environment, respect for diversity and,
in the case of the reading of Kian’s story, the value of kindness and respect for life. For its advocacy, the ReadAlong has been honored here and abroad. In 2013, it won the silver award of the World Young Reader Prize for enduring excellence given by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers. In 2011, it was also declared overall grand winner in the communication management division of the 10th Philippine Quill Awards for staging 25 simultaneous storytelling sessions across the country on Dec. 4, 2010, in time for the Inquirer’s 25th anniversary. The program has also been recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Reading Association of the Philippines. The story so far: 21 – Number of Inquirer ReadAlong sessions held in 2017 Over 20,000 – Number of kids who have participated in ReadAlong program Around 400 – Number of
MOBILE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ARM
MEGAMOBILE: IT’S APPS TO YOU By Miko Morales Megamobile Subeditor As the Philippine Daily Inquirer celebrates 32 years as the leading newspaper in the country, Megamobile, Inquirer’s mobile technology company, looks back at its own achievements and innovations as a pioneer in merging news with the latest technologies for a new generation of readers. Known as Inquirer Mobile in the media and advertising industries, Megamobile has been recognized for its innovations in the mobile digital industry over the past 12 years. In 2011, it launched InqSnap, Inquirer’s groundbreaking augmented reality app for newsprint. InqSnap allowed readers to see supplemental material from the Inquirer using their smartphones to snap QR codes found on the pages of the broadsheet. It was one of the first forays of Megamobile to successfully merge print and mobile content. Eventually, Megamobile developed apps for the other publications of the Inquirer
Inquirer is the first media company to establish presence across all messaging apps Group, beginning with the Inquirer Mobile app. With over 200,000 downloads, it is one of the apps most used to obtain news reports in the country. In succeeding years, Megamobile created other apps that offered a variety of content to cater to the varied tastes of readers, ranging from current affairs and regional news to entertainment and lifestyle. The Radyo Inquirer, Inquirer Bandera, Inquirer Libre, Cebu Daily News and Inquirer To Be You apps are proof of Megamobile’s strength as one of the pioneers in app development and as a
provider of digital content for different demographics. From 2014 to 2015, Megamobile enjoyed a streak of successes and exposures. It was able to develop an app for the popular Mind Museum, the first app for a Philippine museum. In the same year, Megamobile was also a major sponsor of the 1st AdSummit and launched its first multiplatform campaign during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. Megamobile also enabled Inquirer to be the first news media company to launch in all chat apps. Through Megamobile, Inquirer became the first news organization to establish a presence across the major messaging apps—Viber, Line, WeChat, Kakao Talk and Firechat. That breakthrough has opened a new stream of followers of the Inquirer brand. In recognition of its work, Megamobile was awarded the Silver Tinta Award in 2015 for Best Integrated Marketing campaign for the Pacquiao Fight Series featured across Inquirer’s multimedia platforms. INQ
celebrities who have read in Read-Along sessions 600 – Number of local titles read in Inquirer Read-Along More than 50 – Number of cities Inquirer Read-Along has visited More than 400 – Number of stories that have been written about the sessions, most of which are also published online at Inquirer.net 13 – Number of special events held by the Read-Along team: the holding of 25 simultaneous Read-Along sessions from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi (2010), seven Read-Along Festivals (2011-2017) and four Reading for Healing sessions (for the survivors of “Ondoy,” “Sendong” and “Yolanda”) and school tours 8 – Number of awards won by Inquirer Read-Along program 19 – Number of storytelling workshops held for students, teachers and volunteers in Metro Manila, and in Negros, Marinduque, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Cebu Around 2,000 – Number of students, teachers and volunteers who have participated in ReadAlong workshops since 2008 INQ
For Ann Abacan, there is a story behind each Guyito doll she has received. And there are over 100 of them. She has been one of the active volunteer storytellers and partner of Inquirer ReadAlong program since it started in 2007. For 10 years, Abacan has received a Guyito doll for every storytelling session as a token of appreciation for promoting love for reading among children. “Each Guyito reminds me of the time and effort in sharing stories, and seeing the kids smile and learn from them is the best part of the experience,” said Abacan, principal of Sophia School in Meycauayan, Bulacan. As a prelude to the school’s 25th founding anniversary in 2020, Abacan said students, with the help of teachers and parents, dressed up 25 Guyito dolls to represent colorful festivals in the country for a project exhibit today (Dec. 9). Recycled materials such as newspapers, wooden sticks, plastics and old clothes were used for the costumes to emphasize the school’s core values of love for country and care for the environment, Abacan said. Among the featured festivals included the Moriones Festival of Marinduque, Singkaban Festival of Bulacan province, Ati-Atihan Festival of Aklan, Pahiyas Festival of Lucban, Quezon, and Vinta Festival of Sulu. To date, more than 20,000 children aged 7-12 from more than 50 cities nationwide have joined the program, which has featured 400 celebrities and role models as storytellers. Guyito, the carabao, is Inquirer’s mascot. It originated from cartoonist Jess Abrera’s comic strip “A. Lipin” where it was depicted as the loyal, if somewhat sassy, companion to farmer Alipio A. Lipin as they talked about the situation in the country. RAFAEL L. ANTONIO, INQUIRER RESEARCH
I10-4
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
DZIQ-AM evolves into Inquirer 990 TV By Jake J. Maderazo Station Manager
S
even years from inception, Trans-Radio Broadcasting Corporation’s (TRBC) radio station dzIQ, also commonly known as Radyo Inquirer 990/Inquirer 990 TV, is at the forefront of evolving technological and journalistic challenges in the digital broadcast, mobile and streaming industry. The journey to be a broadcasting and digital media orgaA happy Radyo Inquirer 990 staff flash the “No. 1” sign as they pose with Inquirer CEO and president nization was realized in 2016 Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, board chair Marixi Prieto, TRBC president Paolo R. Prieto and Mr. Alex Prieto. with an actual TV broadcast on May 8, 2016, on BEAM Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), at the eve of the presidential elections. This was a milestone which allowed the station to engage the broadcast giants in the highly competitive Tagalog teleradyo on digital TV. We have our own mobile app, and streams our programming via Facebook and YouTube livestreaming. We are ready for cable satellite and will soon be streaming on internet-based “Multichannel Video Programming Distributors” such as Comcast and Verizon, when full service Facebook and Google TV arrive in the country in 2019 through its undersea cable landing in Baler-Quezon-Poro Point, La Union, onto Hongkong. Today, Radyo Inquirer 990/Inquirer 990 TV airs original news content for 18 hours, with programming focused on breaking news, talk and analysis. We sign on every 6 a.m. until midnight on BEAM DTT which is now available on all six million ABS-CBN digiboxes and generic digital boxes. We are seen in digiboxes in Cebu and Davao, and soon in Baguio City and Dagupan. This year, we won Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Best AM Radio station for Metro Manila,
Jake Maderazo, station manager of Inquirer 990 TV, holds the trophy received by the company from the KBP as the best AM radio station in Metro Manila.
beating dzMM, dzRH and dwIZ. In the September ratings also this year, we were Top 8 news radio station in the Kantar-KBP ratings for Metro Manila, while per reports, our Inquirer 990 TV is performing well in DTT ratings via BEAM. dzIQ’s lineup of talk radio format and anchorpersons are highly formidable in today’s era of endemic fake news and knee-jerk reactions on issues. Deep experience and automatic fact-checking of developing stories enlighten our listeners and viewers on the appreciation of real issues for their own discernment and disposition. Leading is our early morning news and public affairs program “Banner Story” by the undersigned and News director Arlyn dela Cruz from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. “Good Morning Inquirer,” hosted by veteran broadcast journalists Ira Panganiban and Den Macaranas, follows until 10:30 a.m. These programs are heavily peppered with breaking news, flash reports and live
TV reports on developing stories. From 10:30 a.m. until noon, the multiawarded public service show, “Bantay OCW,” hosted by Ms Susan K and JC KWADS airs. At 6 p.m., seasoned journalist Caesar Soriano hosts “Punto de Bista,” a public commentary show. Our sister company, I DO, will air our radio TV broadcast, with closed captioning on installed digiboxes on more than 100 buses including public railway systems. Next year, TRBC together with Inquirer.net, will be at the forefront of 24/7 news and long form coverages. We are ready to engage the competition in breaking first important news stories as well as videos. As we progress, the new TRBC, now a broadcasting and digital media and outdoor company, according to our president Paolo R. Prieto, we are challenged to impart on the citizenry our brand of balanced news, fearless views, first and fair. INQ
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I11-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
32 landmark theater productions in the last 32 years By Gibbs Cadiz Theater Editor
T
hough it has always fought to survive, Philippine theater has gone way beyond survival mode the past three decades. As it has doggedly shed light on the stark realities, stories and aspirations of Filipino society, along the way—and just as important—it
has developed a bigger and more engaged audience, resulting in the diverse, vibrant scene we see today. 1. Evita (1986, Repertory Philippines). Why “Evita”? Because of the historical quirk that, for the longest time, with Imelda Marcos around, the musical could not be performed anywhere in the country, because the then all-powerful
First Lady felt Eva Peron’s controversial life story too closely echoed her own. But, in the wake of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, Rep was finally able to mount “Evita” (Baby Barredo and Joy Virata alternated in the role)—further confirming that democracy was, indeed, back in the country. 2. Bongbong at Kris (Bulwagang Gantimpala, 1987). Writ-
ten just months after the end of the Marcos era, Bienvenido Noriega’s funny, pointed satire imagined the scions of the most consequential feuding families in Philippine history—Bongbong Marcos and Kris Aquino—falling in love a la Romeo and Juliet in 1991, when rebel leader Marcos Jr. kidnaps superstar Aquino to force her president mother to allow the
Marcos family back into the Philippines. Noriega characterized his play as a “Romansa’t Komedya sa Pelikula’t Politika”—highlighting the uniquely intertwined worlds of politics, celebrity and pop culture at the heart of Pinoy society. 3. Dalagang Bukid (1987, Tanghalang Pilipino). The collapse of the old order ushered in new configurations at Imelda’s
old playground, the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The erstwhile resident theater companies, Rolando Tinio’s Teatro Pilipino and Tony Espejo’s Bulwagang Gantimpala, were eased out, replaced by a new company—Tanghalang Pilipino, with Nonon Padilla as artistic director. TP’s inaugural show was a revival of the sarsuwela “Dalagang
I11-2
STAYING TRUE @
I11-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
32 LANDMARK THEATER PRODUCTIONS IN THE LAST 32 YEARS Bukid,” which reminded the public about pioneering sarsuwela queen Atang de la Rama, also the Philippines’ first film actress; that year, she would be conferred the National Artist Award for Theater. 4. Macli-ing Dulag (1988, Peta). Malou Jacob’s play shone a light on the excesses of Marcos’ martial law and paid tribute to the heroism of the Cordillera peoples in their struggle to preserve their domains and culture, specifically through the story of Kalinga leader Macliing Dulag (played by Nanding Josef, under Soxy Topacio’s direction), who was slain for his opposition to the Chico River Dam Project. 5. Katy! (1988, Musical Theatre Philippines). The work of a raft of top-flight talent—music by Ryan Cayabyab, libretto by Jose Javier Reyes, direction by Nestor Torre, and lead performances by Mitch Valdes, Celeste Legaspi, Marco Sison and Bernardo Bernardo—“Katy!” celebrated the life and legacy of bodabil queen Katy de la Cruz. The show, hailed by then Inquirer columnist (later editor in chief) Letty Jimenez Magsanoc as having created “the prototype for the Filipino musical,” birthed the now-classic anthem “Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako.” 6. Twelfth Night/Ikalabindalawang Gabi (1992, Teatro Pilipino). Shortly before Rolando Tinio was to open his Filipino translation of “Twelfth Night,” his wife and muse, the revered actress Ella Luansing—who was slated to play Viola—died in a car accident. Tinio, instead of canceling the performances, reconfigured Shakespeare’s comedy into a haunting elegy for his wife. It also marked the final curtain call for Teatro Pilipino, the company Tinio had founded and nurtured for 17 years with an incomparable repertoire of original translations/adaptations of classic world drama for Filipino audiences. 7. M. Butterfly (1990, Dulaang UP). David Henry Hwang’s Tony-winning play made its Philippine premiere via a much-buzzed-about staging by Tony Mabesa. Starring Behn Cervantes as the French diplomat Gallimard and R.S. Francisco as the opera singer Song Liling, “M. Butterfly” became a certified blockbuster for Dulaang UP, both critically lauded and extensively toured around the country. 8. Ang Memorandum (1990, Tanghalang Pilipino). Vaclav Havel’s satire of the bureaucracy, translated into Filipino by Orlando Nadres, was staged by Nonon Padilla in 1990—with no less than the world-renowned Czech playwright, dissident and by then president of his country in the audience, as part of his official visit to the country. 9. Minsa’y Isang GamuGamo (1991, Peta). The 1976 Lupita Kashiwahara film, touching on the US bases and pervasive American influence, was transformed by Peta into a play that marked the theater debut of the movie’s original star, Nora Aunor—at about the same time that the Philippine Senate was deliberating on and making the historic vote to kick out the American military presence in the country. 10. Kung Paano Ko Pinatay si Diana Ross (1991, Peta). Rody Vera’s Palanca-winning play explored, in harrowing and revelatory ways, his evolving Filipino gay identity via a semi-autobiographical story he described in his notes as “halos din maging isang pangugumpisal”—an exercise in confessional honesty that, in a period still bereft of thoughtful gay representation in the public consciousness, helped stir the conversation on issues of gender, patriarchy and social prejudice. 11. DH (1992, Peta). Nora Aunor’s second collaboration with Peta tackled another burning issue of the day—the oppressive conditions experienced by many Filipino domes-
FROM I11-1
Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Himala, The Musical” (2003) —JONJON VILLAREAL
Marco Sison, Mitch Valdes, Katy dela Cruz, Celeste Legaspi and Bernardo Bernardo at the premiere of “Katy!” (1988)—INQUIRER PHOTO
SK Productions’ “Rama at Sita” (1999)—SK PRODUCTIONS
tic helpers abroad as a consequence of the country’s labor export policy. Conrado de Quiros was moved to wax eloquent afterward: “They don’t give awards for plays, but [Nora] will have all the awards she needs in the warmth she gives to the lonely, the balm she gives to the wounded, and the hope she gives to the grieving.” 12. Hard Times (1993, Actor’s Actors Inc.). A Charles Dickens adaptation, AAI’s first production, directed by Jaime del Mundo, just had four actors—Robbie Guevara, Gina Wilson, Mylene Rosal and Bart Guingona—playing 16 characters. It’s hardly remembered now, but where would the likes of Red Turnip Theater and similar companies be today without the template set by Guingona and co.—the boutique theater company, as it were, specializing in “serious,” idea-driven, nonmusical plays? The banquet of such fare today is thanks to AAI’s beginnings. 13. Les Miserables (1993, Repertory Philippines). In gratitude for the gold mine of fully-formed talent he was able to poach from the Philippines, mostly from Rep, Cameron Mackintosh gave special permission for the country’s premiere English-language theater company to mount an all-Filipino “Les Miserables.” It was a colossal undertaking, but Rep more than delivered with a show, directed by Bibot Amador, that was hailed as a milestone in Philippine professional theater for its unstinting production values and performances by the industry’s cream of the crop, among them Cocoy Laurel, Michael Williams, Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, Jaime Blanch, Jon Jon Briones (now the Engineer in “Miss Saigon” on Broadway). 14. St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos (1993, Dulaang UP). Floy Quintos’ provocative look at a largely forgotten but illuminating moment in Philippine history—the display of a number of Filipino tribes people at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, to show Americans their government’s supposed civilizing ways in their
new colony in faraway Asia—was a heavyweight production from its subject matter to its sprawling cast, which included such luminaries as Joel Lamangan, Ronnie Lazaro, Amiel Leonardia, the late Rolando Tinio, Mario O’Hara, Ogie Juliano et al., under Tony Mabesa’s direction. The play was remade into a musical in 2005. 15. Ang Paglalakbay ni Radiya Mangandiri: Isang Pilipinong Ramayana (1993, Peta). “Ang Paglalakbay ni Radiya Mangandiri,” subtitled “Isang Pilipinong Ramayana,” was based on an old Maranao version of the Indian epic. Peta’s production of it underlined the Philippines’ ancient cultural connections to the Asian heartland. According to scholar and playwright Nicanor Tiongson, “Through imaginative use of ethnic movements and music, Peta's ‘Mangandiri’ succeeded in raising crucial questions about the nature and direction of leadership, seven years after the fall of the Philippine Lawana (the Marcos dictatorship) in 1986.” 16. Noli Me Tangere, The Musical (1995, Tanghalang Pilino). A new Filipino musical mainstay was born when Ryan Cayabyab and Bienvenido Lumbera, now National Artist for Literature, teamed up to retell Rizal’s novel in musical fashion. Nonon Padilla’s original production, starring Audie Gemora and John Arcilla alternating as Ibarra, and Monique Wilson as Maria Clara, has spawned a number of revivals through the years, and was also toured in Japan and Malaysia. 17. Angels in America (1995, New Voice Company). The Asian premiere of Tony Kushner’s masterpiece—a “gay fantasia” on the Reagan years, as the playwright called it—happened in Manila courtesy of the bold and fresh theater-making of Monique Wilson’s New Voice Company. The detailed Americana and often explicit nature of “Angels”—or even its length—didn’t deter New Voice’s young actors; a one-off schedule saw the company performing Part 1 and Part 2 of the play consecutively at the Music
Museum, with only a break in between—truly a groundbreaking seven hours in Manila theater. 18. 1896 (1996, Peta). Peta’s thundering musical production (music by Lucien Letaba, libretto by Charley de la Paz), staged in the run-up to the Philippine centennial celebrations in 1998 and reran a number of times after, starred Rody Vera as Andres Bonifacio, Ariel Rivera as Emilio Jacinto and Bodjie Pascua as Emilio Aguinaldo. It was, in the words of political commentator Manuel L. Quezon III, “the highlight of the Centennial celebrations and a musical I wish would be constantly performed.” 19. Ang Larawan (1997, Musical Theatre Philippines). Rolando Tinio’s swan song was this play—a musical version of Nick Joaquin’s “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino,” generally regarded as the most important Filipino play, now set to Ryan Cayabyab’s soaring, melancholy melodies, with translation and direction duties by Tinio himself. Celeste Legaspi played Candida, Zsa Zsa Padilla was Paula and Ricky Davao was Tony Javier; also in the cast were Hajji Alejandro, Louie Reyes, Fides Cuyugan-Asencio, Armida Siguion-Reyna, Dawn Zulueta ... Tinio died a few days before “Larawan’s” opening, making this essential musical his last masterwork. 20. Rama at Sita (1999, SK Productions). An independent production, “Rama at Sita” is still remembered by many theatergoers as the most lavish theater production they have ever seen. The musical, which combined the Cayabyab-Lumbera libretto from Ballet Philippines’ “Rama, Hari” with new music by Danny Tan, Roy Iglesias and Dodjie Simon, spared no expense, from its opulent costumes and sets (at one point, a full-size elephant ambled its way to the stage carrying a resplendent Rama, played by Ariel Rivera) to its star-studded cast that included Lani Misalucha, Raymond Lauchengco, Robert Seña, Jaya, Nonie Buencamino, Franco Laurel, Pinky Marquez. 21. Rent (1999, New Voice Company). Monique Wilson’s New Voice Company electrified Manila audiences when it staged Jonathan Larson’s triumphant musical, directed by Bobby Garcia, at the Music Museum in the dying days of the last century—the closing months of 1999, when the world was welcoming a new millennium, and “Rent,” meanwhile, seemed to be speaking to young audiences with a new voice. Bituin Escalante, Ricci Chan, JM Rodriguez and Michael de Mesa (who, before this, was known more as a film actor) were among the original cast’s breakout actors. The show would have several more Manila iterations over the years. 22. Miss Saigon Manila (2000). Ten years after the Filipino invasion of London’s West End led by Lea Salonga’s star turn in “Miss Saigon”—and the ensuing international opportunities that seminal door opening would offer several generations of other Filipino artists—the Boublil-Schonberg musical that started it all finally played in the Philippines, with the original Kim herself reprising her iconic role. 23. Luna, An Aswang Romance (2000, Gilda Cordero Fernando). Produced by literary and arts doyenne Gilda Cordero Fer-
CB Garrucho and Audie Gemora in Peta’s “Ang Paglalakbay ni Radiya Mangandiri” (1993) —PETA
nando, “Luna” was another Palanca-winning play by Rody Vera that, as directed by Anton Juan, became a conversation-piece production melding together Cordero-Fernando’s lifelong pursuits: theater, literature, fashion (specifically Filipiniana), Pinoy melodrama and mythology. As she wryly recalled in her Inquirer column: “For director I wanted Anton Juan, the only one I could imagine to be devilish enough to give it fangs ... It was an unforgettable piece and won an award as well. I was its producer again, and lost my pants as well.” 24. The Vagina Monologues (2001, New Voice Company). Wilson once again blazed a trail when she brought Eve Ensler’s taboo-breaking “The Vagina Monologues” into the country. At first, audiences and venues alike tiptoed around the play’s frank talk on women’s sexuality and identity, but, in time, Wilson’s strategy of inviting diverse groups of well-known women from theater, film and other fields to perform the play would be embraced, the public readings themselves becoming high-profile advocacy events for women and community empowerment. 25. King Lear (2001, World Theater Project). In an audacious case of gender-bending casting, director Anton Juan cast Repertory Philippines founder Zenaida “Bibot” Amador as Lear—perhaps the first female Lear in the world (Glenda Jackson tackled the part at the Old Vic in London just last year), and certainly in this country. One lifestyle editor would recall that “her portrayal stirred shock waves in the theater industry”—the good sort of shock, of course, with observers validating the unconventional but brilliant casting. 26. Himala, The Musical (2003, Tanghalang Pilipino). Ishmael Bernal’s cornerstone film about faith and superstition, starring Nora Aunor and written by Ricky Lee, was reimagined as a musical in 2003, with Lee himself collaborating with songwriter Vince de Jesus on the libretto. The result was a powerful musical production whose stature has only grown with time, acclaimed these days as a contemporary masterpiece. A 10th-anniversary concert version was staged in 2013; the full show will be restaged next year with an entirely new cast. 27. Kanjincho (2003, DUP). A Kabuki play by an all-Filipino cast? Dulaang UP’s Tony Mabesa attempted such an unprecedented undertaking in 2003, based on a Filipino translation by Jerry Respeto of the classic Japanese text “Kanjincho.” The cast—among them Neil Ryan Sese, Romnick Sarmenta, Lex Marcos and the Dulaang UP Ensemble—trained rigorously under two Kabuki experts, learning the performance elements and techniques of the age-old art form; student musicians also learned how to perform as a Kabuki musical ensemble with Japanese drums, flute, shamisen and vocals. 28. Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah (2006, TP). Beginning as a cult comic book and then transition-
ing into a wildly popular musical, “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah”—directed by Chris Millado, with music and lyrics by Vince de Jesus and book adaptation by Chris Martinez—proved to be a joyous, unbridled celebration of Pinoy camp and kitsch, and would itself become an entry in local pop culture with its adaptation into a mainstream comedy movie. Several runs later, the beloved musical remains Tanghalang Pilipino’s biggest blockbuster. 29. Orosman at Zafira (2008, DUP). Dexter Santos, in his first directorial job for Dulaang UP, made a splashy debut with “Orosman at Zafira,” in which he completely reconfigured the Francisco Baltazar komedya into a galvanizingly danced and sung spectacle of warring tribes and mercurial lovers (Carol Bello provided the rousing neo-ethnic music). Any play in the city these days that features extensive storytelling choreography probably owes its inspiration to Santos’ movement-led body of work, especially “Orosman at Zafira.” 30. Sa Wakas (2013, Culture Shock Productions). A work by first-time theater producers, “Sa Wakas” was an enormous surprise hit in 2013, fuelled mainly by a distinct new congregation of theatergoers: millennials. Young people who grew up on the featured songbook of the pop-rock band Sugarfree, on John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo rom-coms and all the other trappings of the zeitgeist found their lives mirrored in the musical’s urban, buoyantly modern take on relationships and manners in the social-media era. So strong was the clamor for a rerun that “Sa Wakas” returned for an encore in January this year. 31. Rak of Aegis (2014, Peta). Peta struck gold with “Rak of Aegis,” an unlikely jukebox musical that—through “musical director Myke Salomon’s brilliant reworking of the Aegis songbook and a crackerjack cast responsible for what Lea Salonga has called ‘probably the best ensemble singing I’ve heard in a local musical in a very long time’” (as we wrote in our 2014 yearend theater roundup)—became the company’s most commercially successful production, a bona fide phenomenon that simply went on and on. 32. Virgin Labfest. Not a play, but an annual festival of “untried, untested and unstaged” one-act works that has become the prime driving force for the flowering of contemporary Filipino playwriting. Since 2005, over a hundred new plays by emerging and established playwrights have been staged, a development that has also propelled the growth of actors, directors, other allied creatives, and the theatergoing community itself. And the canon is now richer with stalwart works such as Nicolas Pichay’s “Isang Araw sa Karnabal,” Floy Quintos’ “Ang Kalungkutan ng Mga Reyna” and Layeta Bucoy’s “Doc Resurreccion: Gagamutin ang Bayan.” INQ (With inputs from Dennis Marasigan and Arturo Hilado.)
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I11-3
19 8 5
From one food craze to another A rundown of trends in the local foodscape that defines the eating habits of Filipinos By Vangie Baga-Reyes @vangiebagareyes
F
rom shawarma to lechon manok to milk teas to ramen, Manila goes from one food craze to another every few years. Some of these trends continue to thrive, while others have faded away. Here’s a quick look of what has in recent years transpired in the foodscape that, in one way or another, define the eating habits of Filipinos and the way we regard food. Shawarma. In the 1990s, this Persian was so hot, everywhere you went, people crowded around smokey roadside shacks to get slices of roasted meat with onions and tomatoes gingerly wrapped in warm pita and smothered with garlic and hot sauces. Donut/Cronut. Filipinos can’t resist sweets, so this fried and sugary confectionery took Manila by storm. Brands like Dunkin’ Donuts, Mister Donut, Go Nuts, Krispy Kreme and J.Co, to name some, have become a household name. Cronuts, a donut and croissant hybrid, have also driven the world nuts. People like the crisp, flaky and airy texture of cronuts with a burst of pastry cream. Pearl shakes. This cold concoction has spawned a host of small neighborhood businesses. The refreshing drink with “black pearls,” made from yam and tapioca balls similar to the chewy gulaman at sago, comes in different colors and flavors that are mixed with crushed ice and blended to a creamy sherbet. Lechon manok. This grilled chicken, marinated in spices, has become a fixture of the country’s food scene, found in almost every street corner. Andok’s and Baliwag are two survivors of the lechon manok craze that started more than a decade ago. They run a string of branches all over the city, all of which are doing well. Other brands have also sprung up, an indication that lechon manok is here to stay. Starbucks. A trend unto itself, Starbucks popularized café culture in the country. When Rustan’s Coffee Corp. opened Starbucks’ first Manila outlet, it instantly became a
hub of students, executives and people who are not even coffee drinkers who line up for a cup of Americano or Cappuccino. It became fashionable to be seen at Starbucks coffee shops. Designer coffee shops. The emergence of various coffee shops in the metropolis has been attributed to the unique café experience in Starbucks. Walk around the city and you will likely see them, small shops with shiny silver roasting machines offering their own gourmet blends and brew. Salted egg. Salted egg as snack—mixed in potato chips, ice cream and steamed buns—has drawn a cult following among Pinoys. Suddenly, this humble ingredient is appearing in all sorts of dishes, morphing into something delicious that builds up layers of flavor, savory and sweet, in one’s taste buds. Tapsilog/Pares/Goto. They didn’t take off until the past 30 years or so—hole-in-the-wall carinderia types offering these quintessential Pinoy comfort food—quick to prepare, salty, greasy. Best of all, they remind you of home. Sisig. Back in college for GenXers (or Titos and Titas as they are called nowadays), sisig used to be classified as pulutan (bar chow)—pig’s face and cartilage sizzling hot on a steel plate, made creamy by chicken liver. With all its savory and artery-clogging goodness, it deserves its current status as a staple in Pinoy mainstream cuisine. Drive-thru. With the advent of fastfood came the drive-thru, a convenient innovation that affords you to dispense with the hassle of parking, finding a clean table and meeting other people. Nowadays there are efforts to have drive-thrus for medicine. But that’s another story. Food delivery. If you belong to the generation preceding the millennials, chances are, you haven’t experienced having food delivered at your doorstep as kids having a latenight Betamax-watching binge. Food delivery is a godsend especially during typhoon season. Convenience store meals. Convenience stores are themselves a latecomer in pop cul-
Anthony Bourdain
Starbucks Frappuccino —RICHARD REYES
ture. But having to buy dinner—or even breakfast and lunch was something unthinkable for Pinoys back then. Now all you need is a microwave oven and dinner is ready. Pizza joints. In the postMartial law era, there were only three: Pizza Hut, which was more of a family dining place; Shakey’s for beer and live band evenings; and 3M for tightbudget days. These days, a whole plethora of stores cater to all kinds of pizza cravings—some have closed shop, others are struggling, but several are still going strong: Domino’s, Joey Pepperoni Pizzeria, California Pizza Kitchen, Yellow Cab, Project Pie, to name a few. Inquirer Lifestyle “Best Desserts” Book. For the past three years, desserts have trumped the main course, occupying centerstage at the dinner table through the Inquirer Best Desserts book launches. The emerging trend spawned from yet another brainchild of Inquirer president Sandy P. Romualdez and Lifestyle editor Thelma S. San Juan, and compiled in book form by this reporter. Burger. A recent mad rush promo for burgers turned into a marketing success for Zark’s. But it was hardly groundbreaking when it comes to selling hamburgers. Scott Burger—yes, that small, street-corner joint with a statue of a fat kid hoisting a giant burger—shifted tectonic plates with its buy-one, take-one promo. That was so successful, it’s still ongoing. Having said that,
Pinoy Burger culture has expanded to sophisticated levels that has brought us the likes of 8Cuts, Brother’s Burger, among many others, as well as something as pedestrian as Angel’s Burger. Maginhawa Street/Aguirre Avenue food strips. What were once residential streets in the heart of suburbia have transformed into rows of chic restaurants. Never mind parking space, let alone traffic jams, what’s important is the food experience in these two of the liveliest, trendiest hotspots these days. Artisanal spirits. Until recently, the bar scene was dominated by San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen, hard liquor brands and maybe cocktails. But there’s now a remarkable change with the emergence of San Mig Light, Red Horse and bottled cocktails like Smirnoff Mule and Tanduay Ice. More sophisticated, locally produced and flavored liqueurs and rums include Manille Liqueur De Calamansi and Paradise Mango Rum. Celebrity chefs. As food took its rightful spot in mainstream pop culture, it likewise saw the rise of celebrity chefs. Suddenly, the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver, Woflgang Puck and Anthony Bourdain became virtual rock stars with their own reality TV shows and a huge social media following. Cooking tilt shows. Just when did cooking competitions become a spectator sport?
I11-4
Stone bowl bibimbap, Namoo House —INQUIRER PHOTO
STAYING TRUE @
I11-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
FROM ONE FOOD CRAZE TO ANOTHER Through tight editing and just enough realism, these TV shows became a big hit. Local spinoff shows were borne out of such popular programs as “Top Chef,” “Master Chef,” “Junior Master Chef,” “Iron Chef” and “Hell’s Kitchen.” Eat-all-you-can buffet. Trailblazing restaurateur Vicvic Villavicencio introduced buffet in restaurant dining. Decades later, he introduced the no-leftover buffet, a marketing strategy that reshaped Filipino family dining. Today, almost all hotels and restaurants offer a buffet. Weekend markets. They are a good addition to the food arena. Salcedo Market, Legazpi Sunday Market and Sidcor at Eton Centris Walk, to name some, are the most talkedabout and frequently visited places among foodies and nonfoodies alike. Vendors offer fresh produce as well as cooked food. There’s also a visual feast of grilled meats and a variety of organic and ready-to-eat food from new entrepreneurs and weekend home bakers themselves. Stalls are well-arranged, according to merchandise—plants and potted flowers and herbs, clothes, food etc. Jollibee-McDonald’s rivalry. The competition between the two fastfood giants has been ongoing over the years, vying for consumer loyalty by outdoing each other in celebrity endorsements, value-meals and promotional toys. It’s amusing to watch how their creativity is applied to outsmart each other. Al-fresco dining. It has become a trend to eat in covered patios, some of which have misters to cool down the area. Hotels and restaurants make
FROM I11-3
Eastwood Richmonde Hotel is Your Home for the Holidays Make your way to Eastwood Richmonde Hotel for warm and intimate celebrations this Yuletide season! Savor the comforts of your home while enjoying comfortable hotel facilities, sumptuous holiday buffets, and a fun-filled New Year’s Eve party especially made for the family! Have a wonderful time with Richmonde’s awesome room offers for your holiday break. The NoFrills Christmas Rates, which come with a delightful breakfast buffet for two, start at only Php7,350nett. With the Christmas Holiday Package which starts at Php 9,650nett, get to experience a traditional feast as the package includes delectable dining options of either the Christmas Eve dinner buffet or the Christmas Day lunch buffet good for two persons. These fantastic Christmas rates are valid on December 24 and 25 only. Longing for a little more rest and relaxation after the holidays? Book from January 2 to 7, 2018 and enjoy budget-friendly Extended Holiday Rates starting at Php4,500nett with breakfast buffet for two. Nothing beats sharing fabulous feasts with your loved ones. Make your reservation at the newly opened Eastwood Café+Bar, where mouthwatering cuisines for special gatherings are prepared by Executive Chef Patrick Obia, with the help of his very talented kitchen team. Relish in the tasteful flavors and tempting aromas of various
dishes and carvery with Richmonde’s Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet, Christmas Day Lunch Buffet, and New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet, each priced at Php1,650nett per person. Say goodbye to 2017 and welcome the upcoming year with nothing less than a stellar New Year ’s Eve Countdown Party happening at the Hotel Lobby from 10pm to 1:30am this December 31. For only Php1,150nett, revel in overflowing drinks and cocktail buffet, with a glass of sparkling wine for the midnight toast. Live band performances are sure to make you forget sorrows from the past year as you jive to vibrant music and toast to new beginnings with friends and family. After a splendid night of festivity, keep the ball rolling with a hearty New Year’s Day Sparkling Brunch
Buffet, served at the Grand Ballroom from 10am to 2pm for only Php1,150nett. Kids certainly can’t be left out of the celebrations this season. All buffet offers are free-of-charge for children 5 years old while children 6 to 12 years old get 50% discount on the full price. For your inquiries and reservations, call 570-7777. Eastwood Richmonde Hotel is located at 17 Orchard Road, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan Quezon City. Eastwood Richmonde Hotel is accessible from the 2nd floor of Eastwood Mall. For more information, send an email to erh@richmondehotel.com.ph or log on to www.richmondehotels.com. ph. For up to date info on hotel promotions, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EastwoodRich mondeHotel and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @Richmonde_ERH.
Ramen —ROMY HOMILLADA al-fresco dining more appealing by sprucing up the place with plants and flowers entwined on a trellis. Korean food. Korean cuisine has invaded Manila just as K-Pop stars have drawn a massive local following. Dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, kalbi and kimchi have found their niche in the Philippine dining scene. Korean food is said to be one of the most interesting, intricate and most rigorously prepared cuisines in the world, with a history dating back centuries. International celebrity chefs in Manila. A lot of famous international chefs have grown fond of Manila. Anthony Bourdain has visited a few times to shoot for his CNN food series “Parts Unknown.” Canadian chef Anna Olson enjoys exchanging notes with wellknown Pinoy chefs. Culinary goddess Nigella Lawson has introduced a line of pasta. Alain Ducasse visits and gives demos for a culinary school. International food franchise. Filipino restaurateurs/entrepreneurs have been going into food franchising, bringing in popular international food outlets to give Filipinos more dining op-
tions—brands like Pink’s, Todd English, Tim Ho Wan, Din Tai Fung, Maisen and Marugame Udon, to name a few. Ramen. Ramen places have also become a bandwagon similar to the shawarma and lechon manok craze decades ago. A long line of customers enjoy and savor the rich, thick and deep-flavored broth with their choice of noodles, topped with roasted chicken or pork. Organic food. Many attribute the popularity of organic food to people’s shift to healthy eating. There are already a number of purveyors offering premium-quality organic and natural food products. Food trucks/food parks. They create a big buzz among foodies with adventurous palates. These are hubs with multiple kiosks featuring a variety of food and a communal eating area housed in a single location. Foodstagram. People just can’t eat without first taking pictures of their food to post on social media. The thing is, it’s really tempting not to post those photos, especially if the food is exceptionally good. INQ
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I12-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
CLASSIFIEDS: READY TO HURDLE CHALLENGES
RIVERA
Our advantage is we have digital and print combined
E
UGENIO Rivera, assistant vice-president for Classifieds, likes to smile a lot. But when he talks about the huge challenges of the Classifieds, Eugene as his friends call him, suddenly turns serious. Rightly so. Rivera, a product of La Salle-Green Hills and University of Santo Tomas, aims to bring back the glory days of the Classifieds which reached its peak in 2015. This, he admits, is easier said than done because nowadays everybody seems to be enchanted with the digital platform. But Rivera, who is now in his 13th year with the Philippines’ leading newspaper, is undaunted by the digital challenges. Fact is, he is spearheading a move for the PDI Classifieds to go digital. Of course, holding job fairs and events, which can boost sales, remains on Classifieds calendar. “Our advantage is we have digital and print combined,” stressed Rivera. ‘‘Others only have digital.” Rivera formerly handled the sales of PDI’s free newspaper Libre and was an understudy of ex-Classified chief Jesse Rebustillo. For a start, Rivera said Classifieds is encouraging clients to pay online using PayPal instead of bank-to- bank. Rivera knows that the media landscape has changed a lot. But Rivera is confident on the capabilities of his staff to weather the challenges.
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
T
1 9 8 5
STAYING TRUE @
I12-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
MEN AND WOMEN AT WORK
Happy bunch: Circulation department staff with Chief Operating Officer Renato R. Reinoso and VP for Distribution Benjamin D. Garcia.
Some members of the advertising desk pose for posterity. LEO M. SABANGAN II.
AVP for Classifieds Eugene L. Rivera with his staff.
Cubao Classifieds staff: Adela Mendoza, Abby Brazil, Randy Isaac, Julius Ortal and Arnel Santos.
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
19 8 5
INQUIRER SPECIALS
DIGILIFE
Want to know the latest flagship smartphones, or the coolest wearable technology? DigiLife is a section where you can read the latest stories about technology, smart devices and products, and current digital trends shaping the world.
SHOPPING ALLEY
Shopping addicts and fashionistas would find this section a rich source of products that would help them dress their best for their OTD-instagrammable social posts.
MEDICAL TRENDS
Although advances in medicine have made people enjoy fruitful lives, health remains a major concern. What are the modern ways to treat cancer? How do you take care of your heart? Medical Trends is the goto section for all your health concerns.
EXECUTIVE ESSENTIALS
A lifestyle guide for CEOs and top executives The Inquirer has also published a number of client-initiated special features that help these companies reach their audience, build their branding, and send their message across.
I12-3
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I13-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
PARADISE DYNASTY OPENS SECOND OUTLET ON DEC 17 AT THE PODIUM MALL By Kenneth M. del Rosario The xiao long bao served in eight delicious international flavors—a world’s first—is a big hit for Filipinos. This unique take on the famous Chinese food favorite is what keeps diners coming back to Paradise Dynasty, a Singapore-originated casual dining concept that serves authentic Chinese cuisine from the Northern and Southern parts of China. The first location (at S Maison, Conrad Hotel in Pasay) opened in the country just a little over a year ago. It proved to be a winner, popular with families wanting to bond over good food or business associates discussing their latest ventures. On the heels of its success, Paradise Dynasty is set to open its second branch later this
month (on December 17) in the new wing of The Podium Mall in Ortigas. “Filipinos really love to eat. We love to try out new food. When we introduced our xiao long bao flavors, we were confident that they will love them all—and we were right,” said Jonathan Ko, manager of Paradise Dynasty. Ko said that the team is excited to open the new location, which is bigger than the first one. The first location can seat about 120 people, while the new branch can host up to 150. Also, the new branch will have two function rooms, as opposed to one in the first location. The restaurant will follow the same interior design as the first one, which has elements from Imperial China that evokes class and intimacy. The eight xiao long bao fla-
T
hrough the years, companies have steadfastly supported the Inquirer in delivering balanced news, fearless views to the Filipino people and to the world. On the occasion of its 32nd anniversary, the Inquirer acknowledges these loyal companies.
PH's biggest and fastestgrowing trucks and equipment auctioneer Asia International Auctioneers Inc. (AIA) is the Philippines' biggest and fastest-growing trucks and equipment auctioneer. Buyers are assured of a wide range of quality items at reasonable prices whenever they attend AIA's auctions. Consignors are confident that their products are exposed to a diverse clientele at AIA's auctions participated in by thousands of buyers from various countries. To its clients and consignors, AIA is synonymous to quality products and professional service from its management and staff. Through AIA, buyers in the ASEAN region can now have access to quality and globally-traded trucks and equipment by way of the "live public auction" where each auction item must be sold to the highest bidder.
Signature Original Xiao Long Bao vors that continues to draw huge crowds on a daily basis are: the original, ginseng, foie gras, black truffle, cheese, crab roe, garlic,
Lamian with Braised Pork Belly in Signature Pork Bone Soup
and Szechuan. It’s not just the food (they have amazing handmade lamian and dessert options, too)
that has endeared Paradise Dynasty to the most discerning diner. Here, guests feel they’ve just walked into a royal ban-
PARTNERS IN DELIVERING BALANCED NEWS, FEARLESS VIEWS become a staple for every memorable occasion in the Filipino household. With this, Astra continues to dominate the entertainment industry in the country. Astra has also supported numerous Filipino artists in the local music arena. Through its assistance and support, Astra has spurred the growth of original Pinoy music (OPM). With the success of Magic Sing, Astra seeks more opportunities in possible markets here and abroad. Anchored in reliable logistics and distribution systems, Astra has demonstrated the best qualities of a Filipino company which offers highquality products and committed service to their clients. Astra’s team of professionals have been trained to be well-versed in Philippine conditions with a familiarity with global trade transactions. They have been imbued with skills geared toward business organization management, strategic marketing, product design expertise, advertising and promotion strategies as well as a complete knowledge of product sales and distribution. Each team player has a key role to ensure the success of Magic Sing in the Philippines. Astra now has various products in its belt. Aside from videoke microphones, Astra now sells song chips, accessories and XMS audio. It has a come a long way from capitilazing on the Pinoy’s desire to voice out their love for music. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
Capitalizing on the Pinoy’s desire to voice out their love for music
'Greenenergized' largest branded community chain mall
The Filipinos love for karaoke created an opportunity for this homegrown company to create an innovative product that revolutionized every Pinoy celebration. Astra was approached by Enter Tech Corp. to distribute the Magic Sing Videoke Microphone in 1999. It was a hit among Filipinos known for their love affair with music and lyrics. Through the Magic Sing, more Filipino voices have reached feverpitch when it comes to singing their hearts out. The Magic Sing is now the Philippines' leader in high definition videoke entertainment. It has
No doubt about it. Filipinos love going to well-designed, and cool, air conditioned malls to shop, eat, watch movies, and bond with family and friends. The vision for CityMall is to become the largest branded independent community chain mall in the Philippines, with prime locations mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. CityMall Commercial Centers Inc. (CMCCI), is a subsidiary of DoubleDragon Properties Corp. (DD), and will serve as the umbrella company for all
CityMall mall projects in the country. CMCCI is 66-percent owned by DD and 34-percent owned by SM Investments Corp. (SMIC). As part of its branding, most CityMalls will have the same theme, color and look. The Food Court concept will be used and spaces will be provided to top fastfood brands like Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon and Highlands Coffee. Spaces for non-food tenants will complement the project. CityMall is proudly ‘‘Greenenergized” as it uses solar panels for energy, and it has a system for rain water collection. This is to support environmental measures. Ample parking for motorcycles and bicycles will also be provided which will be a convenience for its target market.
Building communities that transform the urban and suburban landscapes Since 1994, and with a first mover advantage in the middle-income housing segment, Empire East has built up a portfolio of successful projects—choice settings that bring the benefits of harmony, well-being and value to their residents. Today, through a new breed of community developments, Empire East continues to fashion lifestyles that immerse Filipinos in richer and more rewarding experiences right at home. Empire East breathes real estate. And in giving meaning to the field of real estate development, it pays close attention to the “real” aspect. It prioritizes the genuine needs and preferences of its clients as they help them attain that lifestyle enjoyment they long deserved. This is the very inspiration that drives the company to sustain its endeavor in conceptualization and construction of high quality homes and in choosing only the most strategic locations from Metro Manila up to the outskirts of the city.
Currently, the company is focused on its transitoriented condominium in Metro Manila that makes city-living even more convenient as it takes you to the Metro's main railway transit and thoroughfares — making you enjoy exceptional mobility. After these years, Empire East is starting to move beyond market segments to tap a wider client base and to finally take on the role of becoming the soul of continued advancement.
Filinvest continues to build the Filipino dream Established by Filipino tycoon Andrew Gotianum Sr. and his wife Mercedes in the 1950s, Filinvest Development Corp. has grown into one of the country’s largest conglomerates that operates subsidiaries involved in real estate development and leasing, the sales of housing units, and hotel and resort management. FDC is known for real estate development Filinvest City in Alabang, which was established in 1993 through joint venture between FDC’s subsidiary the Filinvest Alabang Inc. (FAI) and Public Estates Authority. Located at the southern end of Metro Manila and adjacent to the South Luzon Expressway in Alabang, Filinvest City is a 244-hectare mixed-use development project . This fully integrated and self-contained community that boasts of green landscapes and pocket parks is divided into several districts that include a residential haven, business central, leisure destination, learning and education zone, and medical and wellness hub. FDC is also known for its malls, vertical and horizontal developments. Through its subsidiary Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI), FDC has established a number of malls, subdivisions, and mid-rise and high rise condominium developments. It has landbanks in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, aimed at future developments projects of its parent firm. FLI’s projects in different cities include 100 West in Makati, Amalfi in Cebu, Asiana Oasis in
quet, with staffers greeting them in unison as they are led to their tables. Once guests are ready to order, staffers (dressed in traditional Chinese outfit) squat—an ancient way to show respect. For the new location in Ortigas, Ko said diners can expect the same quality food and hospitality that their crew members afford to their guests. “We are all very passionate with what we do—from the chefs to the waiters. We want people to walk out of our restaurant thinking of the next time they can visit next,” he said. The first Paradise Dynasty opened in 2010 in Singapore. Today, there are seven locations across Southeast Asia, spread over in Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Dubai, London, Myanmar, and Philippines.
Paranaque, Bristol in Alabang, Civic Prime in Alabang, Fortune Hill in San Juan, La Vie Flats in Alabang, One Oasis CDO and Davao, One Spatial in Iloilo, Sanremo Oasis in Cebu, Studio A in Katipunan and Alabang, The Beaufort in Taguig, The Levels in Alabang, The Signature in Quezon City, and West Parc in Alabang. FDC also owns hotel brands Crimson, a five-star hotel, and Quest, a value-brand hotel. FDC is also into banking. East West Banking Corp. is a universal bank headquartered at The Beaufort, the flagship luxury condominium project of FDC in Bonifacio Global City. It has extension offices at PBCom Tower Makati (Call Center Division), Hanston Building (Customer Care), and Pasong Tamo Extension. FDC’s rural bank EastWest Rural Bank Inc. (EWRB) was established in 2013 when East West Bank acquired FinMan Bank Inc., a 16-year old Pasig-based rural bank and Green Bank Inc. (also known as Green Bank of Caraga), a 46-branch rural bank based in Butuan City. FDC has also interests in power generation and water supply services through its subsidiary FDC Utilities Inc (FDCUI).
Ford marks 2 decades of strong performance in PH Ford Philippines is a national sales and distribution business that handles all local sales, service and marketing activities of Ford vehicles. In September, Ford Philippines marked its 20th year of business operations in the country. “Ford’s business in the Philippines has remained strong over the last two decades, and we are thankful to our customers and dealers for their support,” said Bertrand Lessard, managing director of Ford Philippines. Among its roster of class-leading cars, SUVs, and trucks are Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ford EcoSport, Ford Mustang, Ford Escape, Ford Everest, Ford Ranger, Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition. In line with its wide lineup of vehicles, Ford is equally committed to further improving its customer experience. This includes customer convenience from an even wider network of authorized dealerships. The Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company
oooI13-2
STAYING TRUE @
I13-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
PARTNERS IN DELIVERING BALANCED NEWS, FEARLESS VIEWS designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electric vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Ford Philippines is running its yearend sale deals, offering customers more opportunities to own a Ford vehicle until Dec. 31. The yearend deals allow customers to purchase vehicles with all-in low down payment, or low monthly fees, or cash discount for the Fiesta, Focus, EcoSport, Everest and the Ranger vehicles.
FROM B10-1
Kenneth M. Del Rosario
In 1979, the corporate social responsibility arm of the bank, Metrobank Foundation Inc., was established. The foundation’s projects include programs in education, visual arts and healthcare. It conducts emergency and relief operations in times of disasters and natural calamities in the Philippines and in Asia. Its flagship programs include the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE), Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), College Scholarship Program (CSP), MetrobankMTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) and Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS).
Forward thinking key at Isuzu unveils 'Blue Power Technology' as it celebrates 20 years in PH Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) continues to be at the forefront of helping the country move forward with tried, tested and trusted commercial vehicles and diesel engines. This tradition lives on as Isuzu provides first-rate customer service, boosts employee satisfaction, and promotes social responsibility. IPC celebrated their 20 strong years in the local automotive industry last September by unveiling the “Blue Power Technology”—an eco-friendly diesel engine designed to promote green technology. All Isuzu vehicles are now equipped with Blue Power Technology, a testament to the Japanese carmaker’s commitment in promoting clean environment. With the latest innovation, Isuzu aims to provide better engine output, low emissions, fuel economy and excellent durability in all its vehicles. “This country has become our second home and gave us the wings to soar higher than what we were 20 years back. We are looking forward to 20 years and more,” said Hajime Koso, the company’s president. In 2016, IPC contributed 11-percent market share in the commercial vehicle segment. In November this year, IPC opened its newest showroom in Baguio City, in a bid to further strengthen its dealership network in the country. Guided by its corporate slogan “Your responsible partner,” IPC has a 13-hectare manufacturing facility at the Laguna Technopark in Binan, Laguna, which is capable of producing 15,000 units through a modest yet productive work force. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. faces the coming decades with a renewed spirit and a workforce that is stronger than ever. Its new line-up of car models and a new plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna, speaks volumes about the company’s commitment to excellence, sustainability, the environment and drive for innovation. Mitsubishi Motors adheres to “The Three Principles” of the Mitsubishi group of companies, which serves as a touchstone for all company activities: customer-centric approach, giving the highest priority to earning the satisfaction of its customers; going the extra mile, paying close attention to the smallest details; and focus development and manufacturing, making sure that the cars they manufacture embody motorists’ driving pleasure and safety at all times. As one of the country’s leading automotive brands with more than 50 years of automotive manufacturing experience in the Philippines, Mitsubishi Motors continues to manufacture distinctive cars with the passion and conviction to overcome challenges. Its plant in Sta. Rosa occupies 21 hectares, which can produce a maximum of 50,000 units every year. In addition to transferring to a bigger plant, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines also upgraded its equipment to further improve the assembly process and quality. One of which is the automated plastic parts paint robot – the first of its kind in the Philippines. Mitsubishi continues to sell more than 50,000 vehicles in the country every year, achieving record sales growth for the company. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Pioneer of the live-workplay-learn integrated urban townships Megaworld is the Philippines' top residential condominium developer and No. 1 office landlord and developer. It is also known as the pioneer of the live-work-play-learn integrated urban townships in the country. Megaworld was founded by Andrew Tan in 1989 to engage in the development, leasing and marketing of real estate. It established a reputation for building high-end residential condominiums and commercial properties located in convenient urban locations with easy access to offices, as well as leisure and entertainment amenities in Metro Manila. Beginning in 1996, Megaworld, in response to the growing demand for residences near offices and leisure facilities, began to focus on developing mixed-use communities targeting the middlemarket. For this purpose, it established the Eastwood City community township that integrates corporate, residential, education/training, leisure and entertainment components. To date, the company already has 21 integrated urban township developments across the Philippines, namely: Eastwood City in Quezon City, Newport City in Pasay City, McKinley Hill, McKinley West, Uptown Bonifacio and Forbes Town Center, all in Fort Bonifacio, The Mactan Newtown in Cebu, Iloilo Business Park and Sta. Barbara Heights, both in Iloilo, Boracay Newcoast in Boracay Island, Twin Lakes in Tagaytay, ArcoVia City in Pasig City, Southwoods City in the boundaries of Cavite and Laguna, Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City, Alabang West in Las Piñas City, Suntrust Ecotown and Maple Grove both in Cavite, The Upper East and Northill Gateway both in Negros Occidental, The Capital in the City of San Fernando, and Westside City in the Entertainment City in Paranaque. Megaworld is involved in The Mactan Newtown in Cebu, Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Santa Barbara Heights in Santa Barbara, Iloilo, Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan, Northill Gateway and The Upper East, both in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Nissan moves closer to achieving its goals to triple sales across Asean region Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) was founded on Sept. 23, 2013 as a joint venture among Nissan Motor Co.,Ltd., Universal Motors Corp. and Yulon Philippines Investment Co. Ltd. In March 2014, NPI began operations as the sole national sales company for the Philippines, unifying the Nissan brand under one umbrella. Since it began operations, NPI has become one of the fastest growing automotive companies in the Philippines. NPI has spearheaded the aggressive expansion of its dealership network, signing 11 new dealers in addition to the existing 28 Nissan dealerships which can be found in key cities nationwide. NPI intends to reinforce its brand image and grow its share in the market by broadening its product lineup with exciting vehicles, strengthening sales and fortifying its service across the nation. As a corporation, Nissan is committed to driving growth across the Asean region. A key future target in its Asean mid-term plan is to triple sales across the region to 500,000 units and achieve 15-percent market share. Nissan believes that the Philippines is one of the key markets in the region and is an important component to achieving its goals. The establishment of NPI is an illustration of the company’s commitment to the Philippines and the region. Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. is Japan’s secondlargest automotive company, with headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. The car company, with some 236,000 employees globally, delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Entertainment and lifestyle hub that Filipinos love In good hands with Metrobank The banking arm of tycoon George Ty, the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, commonly known as Metrobank, is the second largest bank in the Philippines. It was established on Sept. 5, 1962 by a group of Filipino businessmen to cater to the Chinese-Filipino community. Today, Metrobank has become a financial conglomerate offering various financial services, from regular banking to insurance. In its five decades of existence, the bank has had several milestones. In 1970, it opened its first international branch in Taipei, Taiwan. In 1973, it opened an office in Hong Kong. It also opened its first branch in Guam in 1975. Soon after, branches in Los Angeles and New York opened. Metrobank was listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange in 1981. It established its own credit card company, Unibancard Corp. (now Metrobank Corp.) in 1986. In 1988, the bank entered into a joint venture with Japan’s largest automotive manufacturer and Mitsui Corp. to establish Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. Metrobank and AXA Group formed the Philippine AXA Life Insurance Corp. In 1990, Metrobank launched the country’s first ATM. Five years later, the bank became the first billion-dollar bank, growing its total capital to P22.8 billion.
Resorts World Manila (RWM) is the first and largest integrated resort in the Philippines. It is a one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination that features gaming thrills, worldclass entertainment, unique events, and exciting lifestyle options. Conveniently located across from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, RWM is the modern gateway to world-class Philippine hospitality. It is currently home to four lodging brands—the luxury all-suite Maxims Hotel, fivestar Marriott Hotel Manila, Remington Hotel and Belmont Hotel Manila. Also located within the complex is the three-story convention center housing the country’s largest hotel ballroom, the Marriott Grand Ballroom. Two more hotels, Sheraton Hotel Manila and Hilton Manila Hotel, are currently under construction. RWM is home to the Newport Mall which features international luxury brands, state-of-the-art movie theaters at Newport Cinemas, and an award-winning, and the ultra-modern Newport Performing Arts Theater. RWM’s aims to be the premier world-class integrated entertainment and tourism destination in Asia, the destination that sets the benchmark for service excellence. Among the values that RWM subscribe to include excellence at all times, the desire to wow guests, unyielding integrity, and genuine care for guests and other stakeholders. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
World-class food and beverage products at affordable prices This all-Filipino food conglomerate has come a long way. From being the pioneer in the flourmilling industry in the Asian region to becoming one of the biggest food and beverage companies in the Philippines, RFM Corp. has created a league of its own. With strong brands boasting of quality and value, RFM has created a wide variety of products which elevated the company into becoming a market leader and a significant player in the food and beverage category. It has given Filipinos the options to taste world-class products at affordable prices. RFM Corp. has brought to life many wishes for a colorful Pinoy celebration through its brands: White King, Royal and Fiesta pasta, Sunkist fruit juice, Selecta milk and Selecta ice cream. To strengthen its market presence and further hone its branding, RFM has made strong and reliable partnerships with significant acquisitions. Over the years, these joint ventures have been instrumental in creating a strong ecosystem wherein both parties thrive. And at the end of the day, consumers got more than what they bargained for. These acquisitions allowed consumers to get more value for their money. RFM Corp. has cemented its role as a world-class Filipino food conglomerate. With innovation at its helm, it continues to be a game changer in the industry. Driven by core values such as product excellence, aggressive marketing, keen management and good governance, RFM Corp. still strives to keep moving forward in the path to success.
The company was started by the husband and wife team of Bienvenido (Sr.) and Gliceria Tantoco in 1951. It traces its origin to a humble gift shop on San Marcelino Street in Manila that sold various imported products. Soon the store expanded and eventually became the country’s prominent department store chain. In its nearly five decades of operations, Rustan’s, through its department stores, and additionally through its formidable network of companies, has contributed to the development of the retail industry in the Philippines and in the Southeast Asian region. It has gained a reputation as a premier store where the elite shop. Likewise, it introduced a lot of innovations in retail, particularly in merchandising, sales, displays, and promotions. As the country’s most prestigious retailer, Rustan’s remains the exclusive address of note to many of the world’s most famous names and signatures – from Cartier to Mikimoto, Tiffany to Ermenegildo Zegna, Nina Ricci to Alfred Dunhill, Sonia Rykiel to Estee Lauder, to name a few of the stores-within-a-store concepts that it has pioneered. Apart from Rustan’s Department Store, the Rustan’s Group of Companies has diversified its retail offerings in the country through the following subsidiaries: SSI Group Inc. is the leading specialty retailer in the Philippines, with the exclusive franchise rights to some of the biggest international lifestyle brands and luxury icons. As of September 2015, SSI Group Inc. represents over 116 international brands and trades in 781 specialty stores across the Philippines. Rustan's Supercenters Inc. (RSCI) manages and operates the Rustan’s Supermarkets, Shopwise and Wellcome chain of groceries, hypermarkets and neighborhood stores, respectively. Shopwise is the Group’s first major foray into the discount retailing segment through an adapted European-style hypermarket. In 1997, the very first Starbucks coffee shop was established in the country at 6750 Ayala, Makati. The arrival of Starbucks in the Philippines spawned the coffeeshop trend in the country. Raquel P. Gomez
Vanessa B. Hidalgo
Creating a healthier lifestyle for Filipinos here and abroad The Gokongwei empire reflects founder's survivor instincts If you’ve ever flew Cebu Pacific, or tasted Blend 45, or shopped at a Robinsons Mall, then you’re fairly familiar with some of the top products by companies the Gokongwei family controls or has investments in. John Gokongwei, who has a very interesting and inspiring riches-to-rags-to-riches story, is one of the most innovative entrepreneurs in the country. Gokongwei is a true survivor, having lived through wars, coup d’etats, financial crisis, and martial law. His business ventures reflect this toughness, often taking on market leaders and established players, almost always ending up on top. Gokongwei is the chairman of JG Summit Holdings, one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines with companies involved in food, textiles, retail, real estate, aviation, banking, and petrochemicals. Companies under JG Summit include Universal Robina Corp., one of the largest manufacturers of snacks in Southeast Asia; Robinsons Land, which develops a chain of malls and other real estate properties; and Cebu Pacific, one of the country’s busiest and most profitable airlines. It also includes Robinsons Bank, which has been aggressively opening more branches in the past couple of years; Robinsons Retail Holdings; and JG Summit Petrochemical Corp. Today, John’s six children (Lisa, Robina, Lance, Faith, Hope, and Marcia) all play an important role in the Gokongwei empire.
When it comes to health, fitness and beauty, only one name comes to mind: Slimmers World International. For over 40 years, Slimmers World has remained true to its calling of creating a healthier lifestyle for Filipinos here and abroad. The fitness company has encouraged Filipinos to take care of their bodies by practicing healthy habits. Slimmers World has created a more beautiful and healthy Philippines. With over 25 centers strategically located in Metro Manila, two in Cebu, one in Subic and three in Bangkok, Thailand, Slimmers World has gone from a next door gym to a successful international brand. Over 500,000 lives have been changed by Slimmers World. Just how did they do it? By shedding one excess pound at a time. Founder and CEO Ronald Joseph Moy believes that there is still a long way to go for Slimmers World. With determination and immense desire to bring out the best in every Filipino, Moy as well as the entire team of Slimmers World believes that the best is yet to come. Its dedicated team of professionals join hands with customers to turn them into “happy losers” through its slimming, health, beauty and fitness programs. Now more than ever, the drive to live a healthy lifestyle becomes more of a necessity than just a hobby. At Slimmers World, you can expect warmth and a friendly voice to push you to your limits and achieve a more fit and healthy lifestyle. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
PDI Archives
institutionalized the “one-stop shopping complex” and was the first mall in the Philippines to introduce “malling” as a pastime. Construction of SM City North Edsa started in 1983. Henry Sy Sr. shares: “In 1983, we were building SM City North Edsa, our first shopping mall. Many people at that time said I was crazy. There was a political crisis; interest rates were as high as 45 percent, and the location of the mall was in the middle of nowhere. They said that SM City would not succeed, but the mall was an instant success.” Since then, the shopping mall has undergone several expansions and renovations. Besides being a haven for shoppers, the architecture of the mall blends both old and new, creating calming and colorful scenes. With world-class cinemas, a helpful and convenient transport depot for easy commuting, outdoor parking, and attractive structures, SM City North Edsa aims to be an architectural landmark of Metro Manila’s progress, as well as one of the most beautiful structures in the Philippines. SM City North Edsa’s introduction of the malling culture to the country not only made the pastime one of the favorite things Filipinos do for leisure, malling also created many fond memories for them, as it was usually done to celebrate occasions such as birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, reunions and other significant events. Another fond memory for some people is the early TV advertisement of SM City North Edsa. The TV ad usually had a commercial spot on the television show Family Kwarta O Kahon when it was still airing every Sunday. The one that goes: “Food! Shopping! Fun! Movies! We got it all... SM City! It’s waiting for you.” When the little ones saw it, parents were automatically tugged by their kids to the mall on that day. Thirty years since SM opened its first Supermall, most people still remember that mall commercial, but they remember the mall memories even more. PDI Archives
At par with the most advanced hospitals in the world St. Luke’s Medical Center is fueled by passion to continuously improve the Filipino’s quality of living. Through state-of-the-art healthcare, St. Luke’s delivers a unique patient experience. The needs of the patients always come first in this internationally recognized academic medical center. The leading and most-respected healthcare institution in the country prides itself with being at par with the most advanced hospitals in the world. There is a long list of accreditations and key affiliations with prestigious international accreditations. Its two facilities in Quezon City and Global City in Taguig have earned numerous accolades. St. Luke’s-Quezon City is the first hospital in the country and the second in Asia to be accredited by the Joint Commission International—the international arm of the oldest and most prestigious healthcare accreditation, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). In 2012, St. Luke’s-Global City earned its first JCI hospital accreditation after only two years of operation. Both the Quezon City and Global City facilities are two of the 20 best hospitals worldwide. The Diplomatic Council of Europe also recognized St. Luke’s as “preferred partner hospitals” in 2016. The multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment of specific medical conditions has propelled St. Luke’s to be a leading name in the field of medicine in the country. With this distinction, St. Luke’s has invested with top-notch medical technologies and equipment. They have acquired the services of highlyskilled and the best doctors in the land. With the best equipment and the right people for the job, St. Luke’s has created an ecosystem that is geared to extend the lives of their patients. St. Luke’s College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial (SLCM-WHQM) has produced the finest and most competent medical professionals. Guided by the core values of integrity, professionalism, innovation, patient-centered care, passion for excellence, synergy and social responsibility, the graduates of SLCM-WHQM possess the optimum skills, as well as the heart to care for patients and their families in their time of need. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
SM never fails to inspire Over 20 years of great Rockwell The Rockwell Land story began in 1995 with the transformation of an unused thermal power plant into a thriving, self-sustained community. Now known as the Rockwell Center, this flagship development was the first of several exceptional communities, which serve as the benchmark for living, leisure and business. As a member of the Lopez Group of Companies, Rockwell Land continues to raise the standard for living spaces by creating a community that seamlessly blends residences, work spaces and lifestyle hubs. All of these are made with the Rockwell signature of innovation, exclusivity and unparalleled quality. One of Rockwell’s keys to success is its perceptive understanding of the individual. Since life is not restricted to the four-walled structure of a home, the property maverick recognized the need to extend its breadth. Today, Rockwell’s signature of exclusivity and luxury is felt even outside the comforts of your residence. In 2012, with a vision to provide affordable premium experience through its living spaces and communities, Rockwell Primaries was established. It offers developments that feature innovative property concepts and customer-centric solutions namely, facilities that exceed industry standards, offering full cycle customer services, which lead to lasting property values. Its projects are developed with the same expertise, management team and project consultants as Rockwell Land, but with accessible payment terms. Rockwell Primaries is the developer of 53 Benitez in New Manila, and The Vantage at Kapitolyo in Pasig City.
Where tradition of luxury lives on Rustan’s is a most recognizable brand in the Philippines associated with retail, high quality products and excellent service.
The brand name may be short, but behind it, is a long and illustrious history spanning more than half a century. And the history of SM never fails to inspire every Filipino: if its founder Henry Sy Sr., a man from a poor family armed only with his dream, discipline and determination can be the richest man in the Philippines, then any person can achieve his or her goal when one’s vision is in “3D.” At present, with SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) as its holding company, it has become one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines. Henry Sy Sr., is the chairman of the board of directors of SMIC and his eldest child Teresita Sy-Coson serves as vice chairperson. Aside from several businesses, SM also has numerous corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. SM Foundation is the corporate responsibility arm of the SM Group of Companies. The foundation has various areas of advocacy: education, health, community development, and care for the environment and for persons with special need. But before the SM Group became the country’s largest retail shopping center developer and operator, as well as having substantial interests in banking, property and other businesses, it started out as a small shoe store in Carriedo, the then-central business district of Manila. According to its website, entrepreneur Henry Sy Sr. established the first Shoemart store in downtown Manila in 1958. His perseverance made the shoe store very profitable, and within a few of years, Shoemart expanded its shoe store chain. During the 1970s, Shoemart evolved from a shoe store to a department store, and became known as SM Shoemart or SM. In the succeeding years, it diversified into other businesses, and at present, SM has a growing number of malls here and abroad. But it was a mall SM opened in 1985 that introduced a new kind of leisure experience for many Filipinos. It started here The ’80s was a very memorable decade especially for Pinoy kids back then. During those years, their favorite pastime which was watching cartoons on TV became more entertaining with the emergence of new cartoon shows such as G.I. Joe, Transformers, The Smurfs, Thundercats, Care Bears and He-Man. Within this decade, a new pastime also emerged in the Philippines and proved to be very entertaining not just for kids but for the whole family as well: “malling.” On Nov. 25, 1985, SM opened its first supermall, SM City North Edsa, located at the intersection of North Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) in Quezon City. SM City North Edsa innovated and
A lasting home for every Filipino The success of Sta. Lucia Realty has been built on solid foundation and sound practices. Its early beginnings in 1972 as a developer of subdivisions in Pasig, Taytay, Morong and Rizal has now paved the way to even bigger creations for the real estate company. It has grown to an impressive roster of communities in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga, Cabanatuan and Pangasinan. Sta. Lucia Realty has already grown its roots in Visayas through its thriving communities in Bacolod, Cebu and Iloilo. Part of its ever growing family lies in Mindanao: Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Now, more than ever, Sta. Lucia Realty relies on a commitment to help shape a living and working environment where Filipinos are able to thrive with nature. Each development is handpicked with wellthought of designs around human and natural elements. Sta. Lucia Realty believes that growth can only be achieved if it is pursued through sustainable means. Hence, they remain steadfast with their goal of protecting the environment. The next best thing for Sta. Lucia Realty is to provide a home that goes beyond the expectations of its new residents. Infused with experience, dynamism and excellence, the property developer aims to build, grow and strengthen its business. Its legacy will be creating a lasting home for every Filipino where they can turn their dreams into a reality. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
Suzuki Philippines vows to uplift Filipinos' way of life Suzuki Philippines Inc. is a manufacturer of superior quality motorcycle and the exclusive distributor of Suzuki Automobile, Suzuki Outboard Motor and Suzuki Genuine Parts in the country.
oooI13-4
I13-4
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
PARTNERS IN DELIVERING FROM B10-1 BALANCED NEWS, FEARLESS VIEWS
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
The company takes pride in its motorcycle line-up for leisure, sports or business, as well as quality compact vehicles that are tailored to adapt to the customers’ dynamic needs. Suzuki Philippines Inc. wants its name to be synonymous with trust and reliability, and for being a continuous innovator and trendsetter in the Philippine motorcycle and compact vehicle industry. As a company, it aspires to provide vehicles of the highest quality, affordability, safety and environment-friendliness, as they strongly commit to uplifting the Filipino community’s way of life by providing them the best quality vehicles that offer not just ease in transportation, but lifestyle options as well. The company originated from a Filipino family business in the 50s. In 1985, the company became a wholly owned Japanese company in the Philippines by Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd. In 2012, Suzuki Philippines Inc. relocated to Calamba City, Laguna. It boasts of a 37,265 sq.m. plant area which accommodates its localization and expansion programs. It was in 2016 that Suzuki Philippines Inc. officially assumed the distribution of Suzuki Outboard Motor in the country, making it the only integrated motorcycle, automobile and outboard motor company in the Philippines. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Toyota keeps lead in PH's competitive automotive industry Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC) is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp. based in Santa Rosa, Laguna. It is responsible for the assembly and distribution of Toyota vehicles in the Philippines since 1988. TMPC is the largest automotive company in the country, with the widest vehicle line-up of 17 models and a sales distribution and service network composed of 47 dealerships nationwide. Its main production facility is the the 82-hectare Toyota Special Economic Zone (TSEZ) in Sta. Rosa. In the Philippines, Toyota’s presence dates back to 1962 when Delta Motor Corp., a company established by Ricardo C. Silverio Sr., acquired the rights to assemble and distribute Toyota vehicles for the Philippine market. As of this year, TMP has invested P5.2 billion to the government’s CARS program. The increase to P5.2 billion follows TMP’s decision to put up a state-of-the-art plastic injection facility in its Sta. Rosa plant, along with the expansion of its press parts facility and introduction of new hemming technology. “Investments in new parts manufacturing capability constitute a significant portion of our investments. Our major localization projects will drive our goal of advancing Philippine manufacturing,” said TMP president Satoru Suzuki. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Biggest and only ISO-certified auction company United Auctioneers Inc. is the biggest and only ISO-certified auction company that offers the best remanufactured trucks and construction equipment in the Philippines. United Auctioneer's reputation as the premier industrial auction company in the Philippines has been achieved by providing its consignors and customers a professional venue to buy, sell, trade industrial machines, trucks and vehicles. The company's determination to be the best at doing what matters most anchored on competent, honest service will allow
our consignors, customer, employees, owners and the communities in which we live and work in to prosper.
Trusted quality healthcare Unilab knows what’s best for Filipinos. For over 70 years, Unilab has provided the Filipino people with trusted quality healthcare. Being the biggest pharmaceutical company in the country, it has firmly established itself as a formidable industry leader with a market share of more than 20 percent. It has made every Filipino feel well again by providing quality medicine in the form of the biggest prescription medicines, consumer healthcare and personal care products. Moreover, it has created a corporate culture which is centered around people. The men and women of Unilab place people in the center of everything. And it places a premium around family and community with the core values of cooperation and sharing at the heart of every endeavor. Fueled by its mission to promote and enrich Filipino communities, Unilab remains committed to stand united and do what is best for all Filipinos. This is what differentiates them from all other pharmaceutical companies. The promise to produce only quality products and services remains true after all these years. Also, accessibility and affordability is high on their list so that every Filipino will receive the equal share of care and compassion. Unilab envisions a future where they will be the best provider of healthcare in Asia. In fact, they have already drawn up a plan on how to achieve it. First, opportunities will be translated into sustainable business growth. Within the company, a culture of innovation will be harnessed. Finally, better value will be delivered to both partners and consumers. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
Only the best selection of home products Since 1977, Wilcon has been synonymous to quality and topnotch service. And it has kept its promise to live up to the company’s mission of providing Filipinos with only the best selection of home products. With a wide array of the latest building and finishing materials from both local and international markets, Wilcon continues to give Filipino homebuilders expanded home-building solutions. Putting the customers’ needs first, Wilcon gives their most welcomed guest an experience complete with value-added services such as ample parking space and designated play areas for the shopper’s children. Free membership to Wilcon Loyalty Card Program available to customers, as well as a Design Hub—where customers can personalize their home design. With over 40 stores nationwide, Wilcon provides customers with a wide variety of high-grade home building materials which ranges from tiles, sanitary wares, appliances, plumbing, tools and hardware, etc. For the do-it-yourself (D.I.Y) customers who like to roll up their sleeves, Wilcon Depot makes sure that you have every item for your electrical, building materials, automotive, doors and moldings outdoor living, paints and sundries. Wilcon is set to open 65 Depot branches in key cities in the country within the next five years. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I14-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
25-year service awardees
30-year service awardees
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
20-year service awardees
Inquirer honors 57 service awardees in its 32nd year By Meg Adonis Photos by Leo M. Sabangan II
Inquirer Chair Marixi R. Prieto
T
here is a certain pull at the Inquirer that makes its employees stay for five, 10 and even 30 years in its service. “We stayed in the belief that we were doing something that matters, that we were part of an institution critical to nation building,” said acting Regions editor Robert Jaworski Abaño. Speaking on behalf of his fellow 20-year awardees at the 2017 Inquirer Employee Service Awards on Dec. 7, Abaño recalled historic events all over the world and in the Philippines that happened in 1997—the year that he, along with 20 others, finally called the Inquirer their home. Twenty years later, they now find themselves protecting and upholding the credibility and legacy that the past editors have worked hard to establish. “We are duty-bound to protect its legacy as the leading light in the fight against wrongdoing, oppression and tyranny,” he said. “Whether at the frontline or in the background, we are witnesses to history as it is drafted by Inquirer reporters and polished by its editors.” Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) chair Marixi Rufino-Prieto, known as MRP in the Inquirer, lauded the 57 service awardees for “keeping the faith and [continuing] to be critical and fearless.” With the uncertainty ahead of the Inquirer, MRP asked the awardees to keep the paper’s legacy burning. “Whatever the future may bring, promise me that you will continue the legacy … and make it even greater,” she told the awardees in Edades Function Room at Aruga by Rockwell.
15-year service awardees
5-year service awardees
Hosted by editorial production assistant Matthew ReysioCruz and Metro reporter Krixia Subingsubing, the service awards was aptly themed “Staying True at 32,” honoring the Inquirer’s employees who have stayed with the No. 1 newspaper in the Philippines for five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years. Indeed, the Inquirer’s loyal employees have been a witness to the struggles that PDI has faced and endured. MRP’s daughter and PDI president and chief executive officer, Alexandra “Sandy” Prieto-Romualdez, asked everyone to stand and form a circle as one family, thanking everyone for each of their own contributions in making the Inquirer what it is today. “For [all of you] who missed family gatherings just to be able to chase after important stories that shaped the nation in one way or the other, changed policy, corrected wrongdoings, highlighted … anomalies that were going on, know that the Philippines is better because of the work that you’ve done,” she said. Dark times News editor and 30year awardee Artemio “Jun” Engracia Jr.
10-year service awardees
took the awardees and guests even further back into history; the year when the country was just recovering from a long period of darkness. “The year 1987 was a turbulent one in our country’s history … The Inquirer was in the thick of things not only as chronicler of this transition but also as an active participant in the momentous, and sometimes convulsive, events that shaped this important part of our history,” Engracia said. One can say that Engracia was born into the newspaper business; he had “printer’s ink in my veins and newsprint in my cereals,” first working as a newsboy for the family business, only to get fired because of wrong deliveries. But now, the News editor finds himself down to his 30th year with the company—along with Eligio Fugaban, Cynthia Balana and Constantino Tejero—with the title he has long dreamed of having attached to his name. In between the laughs and cheers during his speech, he admitted that he also dreaded his 30th year because it meant nearing the time when he would bid farewell to the people he considered his family, with whom he ate dinner and spent his Christmas more than with his own blood. But it only meant that amid the obstacles that the Inquirer has faced in the past
and in the present—when fake news is prevalent—he remained steadfast in giving the Filipino people the truth that they deserve. “The Inquirer has had its ups and downs. But I am most proud of this great newspaper when the chips were down; when it had to reach out from the depths to remain true to its mandate … Today, more than ever, I am proud of the Inquirer,” he said.
WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE
ON ITS 32ND ANNIVERSARY Contact Numbers: (02) 890-0181 / (02) 832-3145 www.dagxpress.com
STAYING TRUE @
I14-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
Halloween Carnival By Louie Greg Rivera Photos by Genie L. Lagman Come one, come all! Enter the spooky carnival at your own risk for no children will leave this place without a trick and a treat!
Once a year the building of the Inquirer transforms into one of the creepiest places in all of Makati as it holds a Halloween costume party for the children of the families and friends of its employees. This year it was themed:
Halloween Carnival. Preparation Each department tried its best to create the spookiest yet child-friendly carnival out of their office space and they had to do it without the fear of other departments knowing what they had planned. Weeks passed after the announcement of the theme was made and slowly you could see every window get covered with paper and every employee busy preparing. For Laleng Mansilla who is part of the second floor right wing, which consists of the Marketing, Executive, HR and Admin departments, it was teamwork which made everything possible. "It was Patrick who thought of the design and who did the major decorations then it was up to us to do everything else," said Mansilla. She even joked that "the easiest part of it all was scattering the shredded papers all over our area." However, for Editorial department’s Nastasha Verayo it was a challenge for them due to their work schedule of hav-
ing to stay up later than everyone. "We tried to do it early, but our work schedule was a huge hindrance. It's not like we could put up the haunted hallway at once. So we ended up staying up till early morning to complete the decor, but I think it was worth it," said Verayo.
Trick or Treat Children were treated to different fun and games inside the 2nd floor multi-purpose room hosted by Evelyn Bacani and accompanied by Guyito. After the event they were brought to the different carnivals inside the building. Inside the carnivals the kids were given treats by the
employees handing them numerous sweets for them to enjoy. And since it was carnival themed different games were readily available for both the kids and the kids at heart. The announcement of the dress your department winners will be made during the PDI anniversary on Dec. 9.
FINANCE IS 2017 PDI BOWLING TOURNAMENT CHAMPION By Yara Lukman Photos by Genie L. Lagman Finance department was the overall champion in the 2017 PDI Bowling Tournament, beating defending champion Digital Pre-press Unit (DPU) in a close fight. Finance scored a total of 3,081 points while DPU had 2,888. The championship game happened on Aug. 5, 2017 at the Bowling Center of SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. On the other hand, DPU bagged all the group awards: Highest Team Single Scratch, Highest Team Single with Handicap, Highest Triple Scratch and Highest Triple with Handicap. Evelyn Bacani, from Finance team and the top 3 female bowler, said that every year, the bowling tournament was the most awaited game. “Team Finance is overjoyed and proud in beating Team DPU because each player of that team is equally talented and focused to win,” Bacani said.
Sandy Romualdez, Renato Lao, Rene Reinoso, and Abel Ulanday
For Level C, Advertising department was the champion and Marketing followed as first runner-up. The top 10 male bowlers were: 1. Glen John Labasug (IGC) 2. Inocencio Francisco (DPU) 3. Genie Lagman (DPU) 4. Carlito Abing (HR and Admin) 5. Benigno Lati (Editorial) 6. Luisito Bacani Jr. (DPU) 7. Limwell Cayubit (Credit and Collection) 8. Frederick Nasiad (IGC) 9. Glenn Mark Velasco (Advertising) 10. Arnold Buño (Finance)
Champion: Finance Department “To my teammates, thank you for your support and dedication. Team Finance won because each player gave his/her best throws and encouraged each other on bad throws,” she added. Inquirer president and CEO Sandy Prieto-Romualdez was teary-eyed when she was giving the awards and delivering her speech. “It has been an honor working with you for such a very long time. Only God knows why things happen,” Romualdez said. Chief Operating Officer Rene Reinoso jested that he did not enjoy the tournament because he was no longer part of the winning team this year (he was part of the Finance team last year). The second runner-up for Level A was Credit and Collection department. Third runner-up was HR and Admin. Level B champion was IT department. Editorial finished as first runner-up. IGC was second runner-up and Classified and Circulation was third runner-up.
First runner-up: Digital Pre-press Unit (DPU)
The top 10 female bowlers were: 1. Adela Mendoza (Classified and Circulation) 2. Jocelyn Tabuso (HR and Admin) 3. Evelyn Bacani (Finance) 4. Glaiza Garcia (Credit and Collection) 5. Josie Buño (IT) 6. Christine Buban (DPU) 7. Maria Cristina Pilapil (IGC) 8. Dolce A. Abuan (Marketing) 9. Marites Dela Cruz (Marketing) 10. Mary Grace Pagulayan (Editorial) The MVP male bowler was Inocencio C. Francisco from DPU while the MVP female bowler was Adela G. Mendoza from Classified and Circulation section. The MVP guest bowler was Glen John P. Labasug of IGC and the Rookie of the Year was Renato B. Lao of HR and Admin.
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I14-3
19 8 5
Servathon 2017 reaches out to victims of Marawi By Maricris Irene V. Tamolang
W
ell aware of the devastating war that went on for five months in the city of Marawi in Mindanao, the Inquirer joined 26 other companies which gathered at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City last Sept. 23 for the Servathon 2017. Entitled “Mobilizing Manila for Hope in Mindanao” and organized by Hands on Manila (HOM) Foundation Inc., the annual service marathon was the concerted effort of over 1,000 volunteers who signed up for the day-long assembly of kits containing basic necessities. This year's Servathon, however, was remarkably special according to HOM program manager Mai Mislang because it was in support of a particular cause, mainly helping out the victims
of the war in Marawi. The projects, which included home in pails/care packages, sleeping kits, mobile learning kits and mosquito traps, were meant to benefit around 7,820 beneficiaries in the rural communities in Mindanao, particularly the families affected by the conflict. Inquirer, as a long-time Servathon volunteer which participates every year, brought along several of its employees who created learning kits (Number games consisting of Math problems) during the event for the children in Marawi. Volunteerism Volunteerism is an effort that fosters team build-
ing, engagement and camaraderie among Inquirer employees, an initiative of PDI president and CEO Sandy Prieto-Romualdez some years back, said Inquirer senior corporate affairs associate Bianca Kasilag-Macahilig of Inquirer's participation in the relief effort. “In Inquirer, we treat each other as family and she's (PDI president) always been helping Servathon for different projects. Employees sacrifice their Saturdays but they are more than happy to make a difference by helping in their own way, meet other PDI employees, and [thereby] feel that they are part of the Inquirer family.” Likewise, HOM trustee Gina Aboitiz who led the organization of the Servathon 2017, also said in her opening remarks that the service marathon was “a small sacrifice on our part to show that we care about our brothers and sisters in Mindanao.” All the projects were turned
over to International Care Ministries (ICM), an NGO with both demonstrated track record and presence in the poorest areas in Mindanao, and to the Community and Family Services International (CFSI), a humanitarian organization with nearly two decades of extensive experience in the conflict-affected areas of southern Philippines. Kasilag-Macahilig said that what made this year's service marathon a little bit different is that all the finished products were loaded on the trucks deployed in the conflict area right after the event ended at 2 p.m. Life-changing efforts Also, the event was graced
by Vice President Leni Robredo, this year's Servathon keynote speaker who heaped praises on the relief initiative, saying it has become a platform for people who want to get involved in volunteerism, and for life-changing efforts that can go a long way. Some of the companies which participated in the Servathon are Aboitiz Foundation, Ace Saatchi & Saatchi, American Express, Baker & McKenzie, BPI Foundation, Cardinal Health, Casa + Architects Inc., Cibo, Concepcion Carrier, Far Eastern University, ICTSI Foundation, Manulife, Northern Trust, Philippine Daily Inquirer,
Philippine Transmarine Carrier, QBE, Raffles/Fairmont, Republic Cement, Rockwell Land, Romulo-Mabanta Law Office, Roxas Foundation, Roxas Holdings Inc., True Value, Visa, Wells Fargo and Zendesk. Hands on Manila Foundation Inc. is the leading nonprofit organization working to promote volunteerism in the Philippines. It is the first international affiliate of Hands on Network USA, now known as Points of Light Foundation, the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service. It is also accredited by the Philippine Councilor for NGO Certification.
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I15-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
A FORCE TO RECKON WITH New team set to steer Inquirer to higher ground By Amy R. Remo @amyremoINQ
I
t’s an interesting time to be part of the Inquirer’s highly dynamic advertising team. This year likely marked the most number of movements in this division, from its head honchos down to its lineup of young and active account executives—all geared at achieving a single vision: to steer the country’s No. 1 newspaper towards achieving new milestones amid an increasingly challenging print media landscape. Earlier this year, the Inquirer announced three key appointments. Firstly, Buenaventura “Jong” R. Arcano Jr. was appointed officer in charge (OIC) of the Advertising Division. The Special Projects Section is now headed by Theresa “Tek” S. Samaniego, concurrent to her position as the Editor of the revitalized Property Section, while the Inquirer also confirmed the official appointment of Sunshine Irabon-Velasco as group sales manager. “These people are very qualified. They know the business, they know their product by heart, and they’re highly experienced in crafting the appropriate creative solutions and packages for our clients. I’m confident of their capabilities as they have been in this industry for at least more than a decade,” Inquirer chief operating officer Rene R. Reinoso had said. “With them on board, I believe that we will have a highly dynamic Inquirer,” he added. The display account executives now comprise of Kathleen Gale Pascual, Novie Joy Barayuga, and Bryan Angelo Talite, all of whom have been with the Inquirer for several years now. Joining the Inquirer’s roster of AEs this year include Glenn Mark Velasco, Ana Salera Cruz, Joy Santos Pilar, Cherry Lou del Rosario, and Akiko dela Cruz. Clarissa Crisologo meanwhile joins the Display Team as a graphic artist, while Michelle Galang and Glaiza Borais are the sales office assistants. At the helm of the Advertising Desk is Arnel Francisco, who supervises a team comprised of Regina Layague-Dela Paz, Oscar Delgado Jr., Joel Macawile, and Ian Benjamin D. Gonda. Over at the Special Projects team, Magella Pinili serves as the sales manager; Aileen Academia-Garcia is the assistant sales manager; Kris Angelo Roberto as account executive; while Maricel Cuadra is the group’s sales assistant. Serving as the special projects editor is Joel Nigos; Joyce Marie Monponbanua and Ritchie Sabado as graphic designers; Matias Dennis Eroa as desk editor; Raquel Gomez, Kenneth del Rosario, Charles Buban, and Teresa R. Salazar as senior writers; Marlet Salazar and Armin Adina, who will soon form part of a social media team; Eugene Araneta as photographer; while Mylene Francisco is the group’s overall coordinator. Here are some members of the advertising team sharing their most memorable experience in the Inquirer so far.
oooI15-2
STAYING TRUE @
I15-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
S I N C E
NOVIE JOY BARAYUGA 7 years Account Manager The best part about being with the Inquirer is that most of the time, I don’t feel like I’m working because I love what I’m doing. I’m thankful that I am surrounded with friends as this makes the job easier, and the working environment, a bit lighter. My memorable moment only happened last December 4. It was my first time to attend one of my client’s party. Thinking that it was an intimate dinner, with only four tables at the venue, I never thought that we would enjoy that party like there’s no tomorrow. Our friends from Rockwell also made us feel that we are most welcome and loved.
BRYAN ANGELO TALITE 4 years, 8 months Account Manager The best part about my work is when I am able to accomplish my clients’ requests, and when, at times, I get to be good friends with my clients as well. I have so many unforgettable moments in the Inquirer. But if I have to choose one, it would be my first anniversary party as an employee of Inquirer: December 9 2015. It was Inquirer’s 30th year. I was able to perform with the new hires and with our group (classifieds, marketing and advertising)—two performances all in just one day. It was also my first time to bond with other departments. It's like a party of one department.
I15-3
19 8 5
A FORCE TO RECKON WITH
FROM I15-1
KATHLEEN GALE PASCUAL 3 years Account Manager Fearless was the first thing that came to my mind when I thought of the Inquirer way before I joined the company. Even if I’m from the business side, it’s been rewarding because partly I felt like I’ve contributed—no matter how small—to this cause of being vehicle of truth and information. The way I see it, the job of advertising team is more than about securing ad placements. My most memorable experience so far: An editor gave me an opportunity to write as a contributor in her section, and seeing my name on the paper was a proud moment for me.
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
GLENN MARK VELASCO 6 Years (on January 2, 2018) Account Manager You’re not just an ordinary employee but you work as an empowered person. I feel the ownership and motivation to work hard and sell ad spaces. I feel the support of my colleagues and the inspiration of my previous and current bosses as well as the company owner. For me, it’s the everyday learnings and experiences that I will never forget, along with having provided solutions to our advertisers, meeting with clients, building relationships, and hitting quotas. Most of all, it’s the feeling that we are one big family in the workplace.
ANA SALERA CRUZ 10 Months Senior Account Executive/ Relationship Manager In Inquirer, you get to call people “mother” and “tito/tita” in whatever position they are in, and still, the respect is there leveled up with intense family and familiarity feels. It makes me feel younger too. One unforgettable moment for me: It was 11:45 p.m., I was sleepy and about to call it a day, half-dead to the world. My phone suddenly rang. I didn’t even bother looking at who called and just answered. I was then greeted with, “Stop printing, mali yung material!” The said material was a full page, full color, back page of the main section and was already at the last batch of printing and distribution. Needless to say, I was very much awake until the next day troubleshooting.
JOY SANTOS PILAR 9 months Senior Account Executive Working for the Inquirer is already a privilege as it is. I’ve been an account executive for almost 20 years and I can truly say that my heart really belongs to print. To be able to associate myself to a well-respected company that is being trusted by the Filipino people for more than 30 years, I am very honored to be part of it. As for my memorable moment... No comment. Next question please!
CHERRY LOU DEL ROSARIO 11 months Senior Account Manager The best part of working for the Inquirer was when I was able to meet and deal with different people, and gained new friends. I’m happy that I’m part of this new family. I’m proud of our team as well, the display sales team. Everyone is cooperative, accommodating, friendly and efficient. Everyday, we are up for new memorable moments and challenges. But for this year, I think the most memorable moment for me is the celebration of PDI’s 32nd anniversary. We came up with a special supplement and everyone’s very cooperative. Our immediate bosses were also supportive. Everyone’s just happy and inspired because of the support we received from our everyone in the team.
MICHELLE GALANG 1 year Sales Assistant The best part about working in the Inquirer is that I get to work with the best team, and that we have supportive bosses. Inquirer also gives us the chance to grow and provides us, as well, the freedom to promote ideas to do innovative things. One of my most memorable moments was when I performed at the 31st anniversary celebration of the Inquirer. It was memorable because that’s the time when I became officially part of the Advertising team. For me, it also opened doors for opportunities and experiences.
AKIKO DELA CRUZ 9 months Account Executive The best part of working for the Inquirer is that I was able to expand my network as I was able to meet and work with different companies. It’s not about getting a yes or an approval for print budget with my clients, but rather about building a relationship and gaining their trust. These are among the memorable moments I’ve had in Inquirer. I realized I’m not just giving value to my clients but also to myself by fulfilling my duty and bringing revenues for our company at the same time.
CLARISSA CRISOLOGO 4 years Graphic Artist The best part about working in Inquirer is being appreciated in your uniqueness. You can be timid, or sassy, or even eccentric—everyone will accept and love you. Here in Inquirer, we are a family. This institution is home. I will never forget the time I made an error in one of the ads I designed. I realized my mistake the morning after the layout has been approved, the same time as it is scheduled to be printed. Everyone rallied to halt the printing that has already been running for a while. Thankfully, we were able to do so. I have never appreciated my colleagues until that day. We are a team here, we got each other’s back.
JOEL MACAWILE 22 years Deskman The best part about working for Inquirer is knowing that you are working in the country’s leading newspaper and with the best people in the print industry. Being appreciated for what you do is always a memorable moment. A simple “thank you” from your bosses and colleagues makes all your hard work worth it. Being chosen as “Deskman of the Year”—for four times—by an ad agency has been a memorable moment. Such recognition motivates and inspires us to work even harder.
JOYCE MARIE MONPONBANUA 13 Years Graphic Designer The best part about working in the Inquirer is that I get to work with such passionate and hardworking people, as well as some of the most talented people in the game. It’s a great place to learn ethics. It’s also a suitable place to learn media technology. I’ve been with the Inquirer for so long that I’ve had many memorable stories. But looking back, I would say it would be those days wherein we would close the pages until the wee hours of the morning, sleepovers at the office, and waking up beside your computer table. But it’s a happy place especially when you’re always witnessing Angelo’s daily blunders (LOL!)
AILEEN ACADEMIA-GARCIA 28 years of service Special Projects Assistant Sales Manager Working in Inquirer, I was able to send my siblings and my children to school, and help my parents too. You have this feeling of prestige that you are working with the No. 1 newspaper. Through my work in the Inquirer, I also get to collaborate with different prominent people in the business industry. Among my memorable moments was when we had the P100,000 profit share and my kids, together with my parents, had a grand vacation in Boracay. Also memorable, I guess, would be the kindness of the owners, as you get to shake hands, hug, and make beso with them. Through the 28 years, I was able to build a strong relationship with my officemates, who later became my best friends and then kumares. These I will all treasure, the fond memories and all the learnings I had in my stay with Inquirer. And I will forever be grateful. Mabuhay ang Inquirer!
REGINA LAYAGUE-DELA PAZ 24 years Deskperson I got to experience working with different people and dealing with them at different level, in varying situations. Thus, it helped me develop my social attribute towards others and these experiences made me a stronger person. I still remember right after my regularization, most of my co-workers were excited and elated talking about PS (profit sharing) and I was lucky that I was going to receive it that year. But of course, not all was happy for me, someone deliberately suggested that it was unfair for them (old employees) that the new regularized employees will receive the same amount, that they suggested to the Union to revise this provision in the next CBA. Thank God, they did not win and we (new employees) got what we deserved (the full PS amount).
Members of the Inquirer’s highly dynamic advertising team, led by company COO Rene Reinoso, are all geared at achieving a single vision: to steer the country’s No. 1 newspaper towards achieving new milestones amid an increasingly challenging print media landscape. PHOTOS BY LEO SABANGAN
GLAIZA BORAIS 6 months Sales Assistant In the Inquirer, I have the privilege to work with the most wonderful persons. I’ve learn a lot of things in dealing and closing sales, which allowed me to boost my confidence. This is my first job and I am so grateful that they welcomed me with open arms. I am a secretive person, shy, and I have friends that can be counted by the hand. But now that I am out in the real world, I have learned a lot and gained new friends—a family, in fact, in the Inquirer. I am proud to be part of a family that is really working hard to be the best of the best.
OSCAR DELGADO JR. 23 years Deskman My most memorable experience in my 23 years here in the Inquirer was when we won the Intercolor Basketball Championship back in 2004—and the best part of it all is that it was a sweep. Happy 32nd year to the Inquirer and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
IAN BENJAMIN D. GONDA 14 years, Deskman The best part about working for the Inquirer would be my advertising family plus a 360 degree view, which is way better than a corner office. My most memorable moment in Inquirer came during my first run as an advertising deskman. I made an error in placing a full
page Pfizer ad, which I placed at the back page of Lifestyle section, but whose request was to be placed at the back page of main section. It was a full page error, but a coworker took responsibility for it, which could have led to an early dismissal on my part.
ARNEL FRANCISCO 20 years Advertising Desk Supervisor The best part about working in the Inquirer are my colleagues. I enjoy being surrounded by kind, smart, beautiful and hardworking people. Going to work is like meeting your barkada. A memorable time for me was during the time of former President Joseph Estrada, when I accepted from the “Senior Officers of the AFP” a full-page political ad criticizing the incumbent administration then. For some reason, I did not ask the approval of then publisher, the late Isagani Yambot or Atty. Raul Palabrica, which was our SOP. It became a big topic and went on to be part of prime time news, which quoted the said Inquirer ad. My boss asked me to explain or I would be suspended for 15 days. Luckily, he only gave me two days.
MAGELLA PINILI 23 years Special Projects Sales Manager I’m fortunate to be with the company for 23 and a half years, 16 years of which I worked as a regular account executive. I became part of the Supplements team when the management decided to spin off a separate group that will handle the different special projects. In the Inquirer, I’m able to manage my time well since I don’t have to work beyond eight hours unlike the early years of my career in the ad agencies when I had to extend my work up to 12 midnight and sometimes, the whole night. Being with the advertising team during out of town seminars, which are a lot of fun; being awarded in the sales and marketing performance awards almost every month by achieving my sales target (and this is because of the supernatural provisions of God. I can only boast about the goodness of the Lord); and being with the most happy and hardworking persons in the advertising team are some of my most memorable moments that I will cherish throughout my lifetime.
KENNETH DEL ROSARIO 12 years Senior Writer Aside from representing beauty, I am a special features writer, so I attend events, interview people, and write for the paper. The best thing about my work is the prestige that comes with it, the stability, the network. A memorable moment for me was when I was new with the Inquirer (about 3 months), and have met (Inquirer President) Sandy Prieto-Romualdez through the orientation. One night, I was walking home (short distance from the office), when a car stopped on the road. The window rolled down and to my surprise, it was Ms. Sandy. She was offering to take me home. I said I only live a couple of blocks away and thanked her profusely. I really appreciated that!
DENNIS EROA 23 years, Desk Editor
The Special Projects Group
The Advertising Group’s newest batch of display account executives (AEs) is seen to infuse fresh ideas and strategies.
KRIS ANGELO ROBERTO 3 years and 9 months. Account Executive for Special Projects Group The best part of working in Inquirer was that I got to expand my network as a sales person; regained the non traditional advertisers through anniversary supplement, solicitation ads, etc.; and met amazing people inside the department and became my closest friends. I have a handful of memorable memories with this company including our ’80s dance performance during the 30th anniversary of the Inquirer and the MSAP Media Congress in Baguio City last September. But for me, nothing beats the “walang humpay na tawanan moment” over lunch with my co AEs because I consider them as my happy pill.
JOEL V. NIGOS 22 years, Advertising Supplements Editor
MARICEL CUADRA 2 years Sales Assistant for the Special Projects Group Being a part of this company is one of the best parts, and I am grateful that I have the chance to work with good people. I have learned a lot of things, allowing me to fully maximize my skills in the field of sales and to nurture my personal growth. We all know that at this time, soliciting ads and selling spaces for the special projects are hard. Despite that, I need to give my best to do my job and give my full support for the whole team. You know the feeling when in return, you receive a positive feedback from the clients that you meet and exceed their expectations. It’s like your “hard work paid off”. I have so many memorable things that I need to be thankful for. My regularization, as having a stable job is a big help to support the needs of my family. Office colleagues may be the best friends you would ever make especially if you work in a stressful environment. The good thing is, everytime there is an occasion such as the birthday of my coworkers or boss, we usually eat together, we have more chikahan, and we can forget the stress and pressures of work.
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I16-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Celebrating the brightest Pinoy stars of the automotive universe By Tessa R. Salazar @ImTessaRSalazar
W
ay, way before the fad terms lodi, petmalu, and werpa became the craze in online discourse, the people that truly deserved to be called idols, malupet, and pawer-ful were making their mark in the local and global automotive circles, be it in business or in motorsports. To celebrate the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s 32 years of existence as the country’s leading news “vehicle,” Inquirer Motoring has likewise assembled 32 of the most remarkable Filipinos in the automotive industry. These 32 personalities have brought us so far, yet they still inspire us to dream of even grander destinations. Randy Rodriguez Tesla Creative Manager of Design Rodriguez, now only in his 30s, is recognized as one of the world’s foremost creative minds in automobile design. He studied at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, but
was born and raised in Vancouver. Yet, he considers himself a Filipino by heart and heritage, as his parents are both Filipinos. In 2014, Inquirer Motoring was able to interview Rodriguez when he was still with Nissan.
As the designer of the iconic Nissan 370z, Rodriguez stressed that Pinoys “must find their passion if they want to make a lasting impression in the global automotive arena. Then focus. Work harder than everyone else.”
Wini Camacho Mercedes-Benz Senior Exterior Designer for Production Cars During the last three years, Camacho has had a hand on the following Mercedes-Benz projects: two X-Class concepts—Stylish
•
Explorer and Powerful Adventurer—shown to the press in November 2016 in Stockholm, which previewed the production version of the X-Class; the prototype of the AMG GT Concept that previewed the latest AMG model shown at the Geneva Motorshow last March; and the early/mid part of the design development of the E-Class Coupe.
• •
Randy Rodriguez
Wini Camacho
Vince Socco
Vince Socco Lexus Asia EVP Mentor to many successful auto executives, Socco’s career with Toyota now spans 34 years. Apart from his current designation, Socco is also an executive managing resource for Corporate Planning and External Affairs based in Toyota Motor Asia Pacific’s regional headquarters in Singapore. Socco’s phenomenal rise in Toyota has become the career template for Filipinos in the auto industry, as Socco is widely considered the highest-ranking Filipino in Toyota, or in any other auto brand, for that matter.
oooI16-2
STAYING TRUE @
I6-2
S I N C E
19 8 5
‘DAGSIN’: ATOM MAGADIA AND JONA BALLARAN
AVID LIONGOREN
FROM I6-1
Avid Liongoren’s animated film “Saving Sally” has bagged the most number of international awards this year. At the Fantasporto in Portugal, it won Jury’s Special Award, Honorable Mention and Audience Choice. It also scored Special Mention at the Brussels Fantastic fest; Jury Prize at the Los Angeles AsiaPacific fest; Best Family Film at Bentonville (in Arkansas); and Jury’s Special Award at the Seoul car-
LAV DIAZ The winning streak of Lav Diaz’s “Ang Babaeng Humayo” continues with the best director prize at Dublin; special honor at the Asean fest; and audience award at the D’A in Barcelona. Diaz asserts that winning in Venice or Berlin doesn’t signify the end of the road for filmmakers. “Patuloy pa rin ako sa paggawa. Hindi ito para sa awards. Gumagawa ako ng cinema para sa cinema. Nagkataon lang na ibinigay sa cinema ko ang mga ’yon. Kaya, salamat!” He owns up: “Hindi ako ipokrito na ayaw ko ng award. Nagpapasalamat ako siyempre sa rekognisyon. Malaking bagay ’yun hindi lang sa akin, kundi pati na rin sa Philippine cinema.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
LOUIE IGNACIO Louie Ignacio is quite familiar with an Indie Bravo! trophy—and the Guyito stuffed animal that comes with it—having been bestowed with the honor in 2016 and 2015. Still, the feeling never gets old. “Getting another recognition from Indie Bravo! isn’t like doing a movie sequel; I’m just as thrilled and excited about it,” relates the television and movie director, whose film “Area” got the Special Jury Remi for docudrama at the Houston fest in the United States. The film, which stars Ai-Ai delas Alas, also won for Ignacio the best director award at the 3rd Asean International Film Festival and Awards. Says Ignacio: “Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
toon fest. Liongoren says that all those fests gave him the chance to “travel, eat yummy stuff, meet other film folks and learn how they get their films done.” He admits: “Animation is such a hard sell in our country, so I’m glad my team and I get to make another film.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
CHARO SANTOS-CONCIO For Charo Santos-Concio, winning an international citation, a Special Mention honor in acting at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for “Ang Babaeng Humayo,” is like coming full circle. “After all, my first movie role was ‘Itim,’ for which I won Asia’s best actress [in Sydney in 1978],” she recalls. “In the years between those two roles, I learned that awards
serve beyond one’s personal affirmation; they become beacons to point to the world the power of Filipino artistry.” These recognitions likewise push Filipino artists to reach for the stars. “They inspire our actors and filmmakers to look beyond our country: The whole world now truly appreciates our craft.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
AI-AI DELAS ALAS Known mainly for mainstream box-office flicks, comedienne Ai-Ai delas Alas took a major leap of faith with indie films and was richly rewarded with two international prizes for “Area”: best actress at the Queens fest in New York, United States, and at the Asean (or Aiffa) fest in Kuching, Malaysia. Delas Alas admits that the two honors are a big boost to her “self-esteem.” “The awards encourage me to make
more indie films and improve in my craft as an actress.” She enthuses: “Winning is a great blessing. To think there are so many actors in the world and yet I was singled out. It’s a gift from God!” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
JARED JOVEN AND KAJ PALANCA Jared Joven and Kaj Palanca started early, winning best film for “Contestant #4” at the Shanghai Queer fest at the ripe old age of 17. Joven admits that winning in an international fest is “very flattering… it’s heartening that people abroad appreciate our film and understand our message… and maybe even relate to it.” Joven asserts that he “feels proud for the film… not
just for us and those who helped us.” Joven likens the film to a sibling who has won “a medal in school.” Palanca is equally grateful for being “given a platform to tell this story to a wider audience.” He acknowledges that “the film is very special to me. It helped me realize and come to terms with who I am.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
JOHN TORRES JET LEYCO “This is a big deal for me. It inspires me and gives me strength to continue crafting meaningful and liberating movies,” cinematographer and filmmaker Jet Leyco says of being one of this year’s honorees. His short film, “Two Way Jesus,” bagged the Night Award in the documentary section of the 15th International Festival Segni della Notte Awards in Thailand. Meanwhile, the AQCCCamera Lucida tilt of the 21st Fantasia International Film Festival gave Leyco’s “Matangtubig” a special citation. “I want to thank Indie Bravo! for recognizing the work of those on the local alternativecinema scene—may it be directors or actors,” he says. —ALLAN POLICARPIO
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
“People Power Bombshell: The Diary of Vietnam Rose”—a documentary that had filmmaker John Torres weaving old footage from Celso Ad Castillo’s unfinished film, “The Diary of Vietnam Rose,” with new interviews with its cast and crew—was “a collaborative effort that was 30 years in the making.” Thus, being recognized by Indie Bravo! this year “feels good,” says Torres. “Celso Ad Castillo, Liz Alindogan and the cast poured their heart and soul into the project,” he points out. “Our current team that came up with the documentary had spent a lot of time figuring out how to finish a work that spoke of the many hardships and crazy ordeals the people behind it went through to make the film.”
Ricky Davao has been more of a teleserye director than an actor for the past eight years. That’s why he’s grateful he was able to star in Bor Ocampo’s “Dayang Asu,” which won for him the best supporting actor award at the 3rd Asean International Film Festival and Awards. “I have been more active as a director, so this came as a big surprise for me,” Davao says, adding that, being recognized for his work as an artist is “priceless.” “It’s something that can’t be bought. It inspires you to work harder and makes you more serious about your craft,” he says. “Things are paying off and I’m thankful for all the blessings.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
SHERON DAYOC Apart from topping the QCinema and Gawad Urian, Sheron Dayoc’s “Women of the Weeping River” has won best director at the War on Screen fest in France and the Fasken Martineau Best Feature Film prize at the Toronto Reel Asian fest in Canada. “As a filmmaker, there is always a constant quest to tell stories that are unique and compelling, Dayoc explains. “I hope that these recognitions will somehow translate into something concrete and result in a thinking society.” These honors have opened doors to tell more Filipino stories, he remarks. “There are more uncharted territories to explore. It will never be easy…[but] it’s a worthwhile journey that never ceases to amaze me.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
RAYMUND RIBAY GUTIERREZ For Raymund Ribay Gutierrez, an award or recognition is a validation of a job well done. But it stops right there. “More than that, I don’t give it any deeper value, because it will just go to my head and make me lose focus on my craft, which is filmmaking,” he explains. Gutierrez’s “Imago” was hailed best short film at the 27th Stockholm International Film Festival in Sweden. It won the Edward Snowden Award at the 15th Internationales Festival Zeichen der Nacht in Germany, as well as the Night Award at the 15th International Festival Signes de Nuit in France. —ALLAN POLICARPIO
ALLEN DIZON AND ANGELLIE SANOY For the fourth consecutive year, Allen Dizon is an Indie Bravo! honoree—this time, for winning the Special Jury Award at the A-list Warsaw International Film Festival in Poland for Ralston Jover’s “Bomba.” “This is a validation of Filipino talent... Winning acting awards in prestigious film festivals proves that Filipinos are world-class,” Dizon says, adding that he loves the fact that, in the eye of foreign juries, there are neither big nor small stars. “No biases—what matters is not your popularity, but your acting prowess,” says Dizon, who shares the said award with young actress and “Bomba” costar Angellie Sanoy, who looks up to the senior artist as an acting idol. Says Sanoy: “Making this film deepened my knowledge of acting. I was challenged, acting with Mr. Allen. He is a talented actor and I wanted to be as good as him in this movie.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
PAOLO VILLALUNA The film won special mention in the New Views section of the 6th Olhar de Cinema: Curitiba International Film Festival in Brazil. “I hope this inspires other filmmakers to look at creative documentaries as an alternative way of expressing themselves. Now, many others are exploring this form to reformulate what [conventional] narratives can’t reach,” Torres adds. —ALLAN POLICARPIO
MARICEL CABRERA-CARIAGA While Maricel Cabrera-Cariaga knows that she has still a long way to go and a lot to learn about filmmaking, winning international awards, she says, has boosted her confidence. “I go forward not only for myself and my family, but for all the people and students I want to inspire,” she relates. Her movie, “Pitong Kabang Palay,” won best children’s film at the 15th Dhaka International
RICKY DAVAO
“The year 2017 has been kind to ‘Dagsin,’” says filmmaker Atom Magadia. The Cinemalaya film won best narrative feature at the World’s Independent Film Festival in San Francisco and best costume design (for Jona Ballaran) at the Madrid fest. “We are deeply honored by these awards,” Magadia relates. “It is deeply gratifying to represent our country abroad and find an enthusiastic audience for our micro-budget film. The citations “inspire us to tell more Filipino stories with universal themes and multicultural appeal.” Says Ballaran: “It shows that my work’s quality stands up to world-class scrutiny. It’s a huge encouragement for me to go on. I’ve been in the industry for eight years and, finally, I feel validated.” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.
Film Festival in Bangladesh, and bagged the Golden Owl Award at the Aichi International Women’s Film Festival in Japan. Being one of this year’s Inquirer Indie Bravo! honorees, the director adds, makes her proud of her “humble achievements.” “I would never have thought I’d go this far. This has truly exceeded my expectations.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
As he collects his second Inquirer Indie Bravo! trophy seven years after his first, filmmaker Paolo Villaluna can’t help but feel like he’s being “hugged, accepted and welcomed back by an old friend.” “I haven’t made a fulllength film since 2010. After an absence of seven years from filmmaking, it’s hard to articulate the joy of being recognized by Indie Bravo! once again. It’s more than humbling,” says Villaluna, whose film “Pauwi Na” bagged the top prize in the
main section of the A-list Shanghai fest in China. The film and television director noted that Indie Bravo! has become a “canonical
event” for independent cinema, and that the Inquirer was the “first mainstream media outlet to recognize and honor its achievements.” “It was both a validation and a proud moment; it legitimized the movement as cultural movers,” he says. “Not only is it a recognition of excellence but, more importantly, a beautiful affirmation that you belong to a community of vibrant, thought-provoking and relevant storytellers.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO
MARIO CORNEJO AND COREEN JIMENEZ For “Apocalypse Child” director Mario Cornejo, being recognized for his work is always gratifying. But, an award “is not as important as knowing that the movie was able to connect to an audience or a jury in a meaningful way,” he points out. His film won the Fasken Martineau best feature film honor at the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival in Canada, as well as best film at the 10th Five Flavors Film
Festival in Warsaw. “We made a very specific, personal film about a surf instructor in Baler, and to think that people around the world could relate to its characters and themes is really amazing,” says Cornejo. “It’s a tribute to the hard work that everyone put into it. If the film works at all, it’s because the actors were willing to be so honest onscreen and lay it all out there.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
I6-3
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I6-3
19 8 5
ANA CAPRI
RONWALDO MARTIN
FROM I6-2
‘PAMILYA ORDINARYO’: EDUARDO ROY JR. AND HASMINE KILLIP Eduardo Roy Jr., who wrote and directed “Pamilya Ordinaryo,” says winning an award “validates the reason I made the film.” Roy’s gritty urban drama bagged the best film honor at the Fantasporto in Portugal. As a filmmaker, Roy says the award “inspires me to dream more, to make more movies that are timely and reflective of the
culture, people and events in my homeland,” he declares. Lead star Hasmine Killip also won best actress at the Fantasporto for Roy’s film. “I’m proud to be a part of this amazing movie. I’m thrilled to have received such a prestigious award,” says Killip. “I gave my very best to this film as it focuses on important lessons for teenagers.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
SAMANTHA LEE Samantha Lee says the script for her film, “Baka Bukas,” was created from “the need to see a better representation of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community in Philippine cinema.” The film’s title, says Lee, “evokes a feeling of hope that, maybe tomorrow, things will get better for the LGBTQ community.” It won the 2017 OUTtvGo People’s Choice Award for Best Feature at the 29th Vancouver Queer Film Festival. Lee also won the Emerging Talent Award at the Outfest, in the United States. “Winning awards gives me hope that perhaps we’re getting closer to living in an equal world, where people are free to love whoever they want to love,” says Lee. —MARINEL R. CRUZ
Ronwaldo Martin says he is grateful to his more accomplished elder brother, Coco Martin, for his support in his decision to become an actor. This is why Ronwaldo dedicates his first acting award (best actor for “Pamilya Ordinaryo,” at the 12th Harlem International Film Festival in New York) to Coco, whom he says was thrilled to have learned about his victory. “I’m happy because I won in Harlem; it was one of my dreams when I finally decided to pursue acting,” Ron-
To be able to share to the world the story and culture of the Aeta people in Zambales is a victory in itself, says director Zig Dulay. Therefore, winning awards for “Paglipay” is a blessing, Dulay points out. The film, which tells the story of a farmer, won the Platinum World Award for International Feature Film at the World Film Awards, as well as the International Award of Excellence at the International Film Festival for Environment, Health, Culture (IFFEHC),
“I was born and grew up in Malaysia, but it was only when I moved to the Philippines that I found my voice and soul in cinema,” Liew said. “[It] was a great honor to represent both countries. I hope this helps push Southeast Asian filmmakers to fight for free cinema.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
—MARINEL R. CRUZ
your performance,” she explains. “This helps an actor professionally because people, especially those involved in film production, are reminded of how much hard work you put into your job. Also, your value as an actor increases, especially if you win an international award.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
ZIG DULAY
BRADLEY LIEW “For me, the win in Malaysia was extremely emotional,” says Bradley Liew of “Singing in Graveyards’” best film prize at the Malaysian International Film Festival. The Philippine-Malaysian coproduction also won Netpac best film at the Kolkata International Film Festival in India.
waldo declares. The young actor wishes to express his gratitude to director Eduardo Roy Jr., “for trusting me” and to costar Hasmine Killip “for guiding me throughout the filming... I also appreciate all the directors who got me to act in their films.”
Ana Capri says that other than getting a pat on the back for her performances from viewers, winning awards gives her self-fulfillment. “It’s hard to describe it—you feel like your heart will burst anytime. You say to yourself, ‘Bravo, Ana! You really are a good actress!’” Ana won best supporting actress for Louie Ignacio’s “Laut” at the 3rd Asean International Film Festival and Awards in Kuching, Malaysia. “Winning means you’ve passed the uncompromising taste of critics, who evaluate the merits and demerits of
IZA CALZADO
both in Bali, Indonesia. “The feeling is strange and overwhelming,” says Dulay of accepting awards, “especially because you know you’re able to contribute in promoting Philippine cinema to the world.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
Iza Calzado says winning her very first international award for her performance in “Bliss” has “reaffirmed my commitment to do more compelling films out of my comfort zone as an actress.” Iza bagged the Yakushi Pearl for best performer at the 12th Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan. This is for her portrayal of an actress who is trapped in a nightmarish world she can’t seem to escape from.
SUE PRADO For actress Sue Prado, having her work acknowledged and recognized is a “humbling experience.” For her portrayal of a woman faced with the difficult task of bringing home the remains of her recently departed sister, a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia, she was given the Achieve-
ment in Acting award, for Joseph Israel Laban’s “The Sister” at the 6th Guam International Film Festival. “[The award] is a reminder that we should always aspire for excellence, no less—every single time,” she declares. —MARINEL R. CRUZ
I6-4
“It was a good chance to represent our country and its talented filmmakers and artists,” declares Iza, “to show the world that we Filipinos have truly gone far in terms of storytelling and filmmaking.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ
STAYING TRUE @
I6-4
S I N C E
FROM I6-3
BABY RUTH VILLARAMA “It’s about the people we’re representing, so maybe the awards are meant for them. But, for whatever it’s worth, I share the recognition with my cocreators who tell real stories,” Baby Ruth Villarama says of “Sunday Beauty Queen,” which won the audience choice award for best documentary at the CinemAsia film festival in Amsterdam. “We hope that the local film industry can have a more balanced distribution system, to give audiences the option to see films that are recognized abroad.” Villarama’s film, which won best picture at the Metro Manila Film Festival last year, recently won best international docu at the London Labour Film Festival. —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
19 8 5
JP HABAC JP Habac’s “Maria” won the Special Jury Prize at the 14th Bogota Short Film Festival in Colombia. “The recognition strengthens my resolve to show how narratives can be told, and how my vision as a filmmaker translates into an art form that connects not only with local audiences, but also with
‘1ST SEM’: DEXTER HEMEDEZ, ALLAN MICHAEL IBAÑEZ AND LOTLOT DE LEON
the international community,” says the director. “Maria” also won the top prize in the Short Narrative category of the 44th Athens International and Video Festival, in Greece. Habac discloses, “It reinforces my drive to tell stories, and [reassures me] that I am on the right track.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
PR PATINDOL Youth Jury Prize winner at Singapore’s Silver Screen Awards, “Hilom (Still)” was director PR Patindol’s first screenplay. He recalls, “I was working mainly in the cinematography department. I felt frustrated because I wasn’t doing the work that I wanted.” Patindol points out, “It’s
an honor I share with the production’s cast and crew.” He says of his “deeply personal” film: “We wanted to tell this story, so that [viewers] may realize that a modicum of empathy—and of love—can be more than enough to save a life.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
PETERSEN VARGAS Petersen Vargas’ comingof-age film, “2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten,” didn’t reach its intended crowd. But, the director says, “Taking home an audience award from a film fest—the 32nd Lovers Film Festival, Torino LGBTQI Visions—in Turin, Italy, shortly after my first narrative feature’s limited local release, following its unfortunate R-18 rating,
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
made the victory particularly bittersweet.” Vargas adds, “Losing the opportunity to show the film to the Filipino youth defeated my spirit, but knowing that it did find an encouraging audience from a foreign city strengthened my resolve to keep fighting the good fight.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
“The awards that ‘1st Sem’ got from various international film festivals are very meaningful, especially for independent filmmakers like us,” Dexter Hemedez tells the Inquirer. “1st Sem” received the Gold Remi (Coming of Age) award at the Houston fest, where Lotlot de Leon also won in the best supporting actress category. The film also netted the awards at the San Diego kids’ fest and the Angaelica event
in California, and at the Buffalo Niagara fest. Codirector Allan Michael Ibañez says of their
triumphs, “I feel that all the hard work paid off because the film meant something to viewers. It gave us a little pat on the back… that we were on the right path.” Says De Leon: “To be invited to compete was already a blessing... [and] to win was such a humbling experience. As an actor it gives me so much inspiration to continue to do better and crave for more films that mirror the lives of audiences.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
‘FATIMA MARIE TORRES AND THE INVASION OF SPACE SHUTTLE PINAS 25’: CARLO FRANCISCO MANATAD AND CHE ESPIRITU Carlo Francisco Manatad’s “Fatima Marie Torres and the Invasion of Space Shuttle Pinas 25” won Best Comedy at the 26th Aspen Shortsfest. “It gives me validation that people outside the Philippines understand what I’m trying to impart,” he says. “Short films tend to be underappreciated. Awards would give confidence not just to me, but also to other young directors.” It also won best short film in Brazil , and best cinematography (for Che Espiri-
VICTOR KAIBA VILLANUEVA
tu). Says Espiritu: “Shooting with friends is a great experience in itself and being recognized for it is a big, happy bonus. It’s an affirmation for a newcomer like me.” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
“Patay na si Hesus” director Victor Kaiba Villanueva had apprehensions about his film, but only prior to winning best narrative feature/honorable mention at the Twist: Seattle Queer fest. “We were worried that its humor might be hard to translate.” He hopes the award will open more doors: “That it paves the way [for] more Cebuano, regional films. The country has a lot of good stories—the more local, the more universal!” —OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I7-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Covering the provinces 32 biggest stories of the Inquirer news bureaus By Robert Jaworski Abaño Acting Regions Editor
C
ontrary to common perception, the Inquirer bureaus have consistently covered significant news outside Imperial Manila, with 32 of the biggest stories in the past 32 years discussed here. Selected by the Inquirer’s bureau chiefs and staff, these stories represent a range of topics that touched on governance, corruption, crime, politics, manmade and natural disasters, conflict, environment, food security and health. The Inquirer’s correspondents pursued these stories no matter the odds. Most of them landed on the Inquirer’s front page and have become part of the nation’s history. They have also moved readers and leaders, and have, in many cases, prompted policy changes. Scanning these stories gives us a glimpse of how the Inquirer’s network of correspondents covers the nation. With its four regional bureaus strategically located in major cities to direct coverage and news gathering, the Inquirer is able to bring to its readers breaking news, features and multimedia stories that matter to both its national and local readers. Today, the Inquirer has a network of about 100 correspondents, photo correspondents and contributors. Two reporters are assigned in Northern Luzon (Baguio City and Pangasinan) and one each in Southern Luzon (Laguna), the Visayas (Iloilo City) and Mindanao (Zamboanga City). The Inquirer’s first regional bureau covering the Visayas was set up in Cebu City in 1991, with Cerwin Eviota as chief. The following year, the Mindanao Bureau operated out of Davao City, with Carol Arguillas at the helm. In 1993, the Northern Luzon Bureau, under Rolly Fernandez, and based in Baguio City got its baptism of fire with the coverage of the return of strongman Ferdinand Marcos’ remains from Hawaii to Ilocos Norte. It took four years before the fourth regional bureau, covering Southern Luzon, was set up in Legazpi City under Floreño Solmirano. This completed the Inquirer’s vision of being a truly national newspaper. In a message written in 1993 and published in “The Inquirer Story,” Ralph Chee Kee, then national editor, said: “It is safe to say that we lead the industry in the setting up of full blown bureaus and in our commitment to the professional treatment of news gathering across the nation.” In 1994, when the Inquirer allotted more pages to accommodate stories from the provinces, columnist Conrado de Quiros, wrote that, among others, it was aimed at curing “what many readers call an ‘Imperial Manila’ outlook.” De Quiros described the bureaus as the Inquirer’s “distinct advantage” over other newspapers. INQ
I7-2
STAYING TRUE @
I7-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
32 biggest Bureau stories As the Inquirer celebrates its 32nd anniversary, here are 32 of the biggest stories covered by its provincial correspondents in its four regional bureaus located in the cities of Baguio, Legazpi, Cebu and Davao:
The hull of the capsized Princess of the Stars in Romblon. —ROGER MARGALLO
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL LUZON Supporters cry justice for slain transgender Jennifer Laude. —ALLAN MACATUNO
Sex and Subic | 2014 The death of transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude in an Olongapo City motel made headlines because it involved an American serviceman. US Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton was convicted of homicide in 2015 and sentenced to a minimum of six years’ to a maximum of 12 years’ imprisonment.
Tragedy at Romblon sea | 2008 On June 21, 2008, Sulpicio Lines-owned MV Princess of the Stars sank at the height of Typhoon “Frank” (international name: Fengshen) off Sibuyan Island in Romblon, killing more than 800 passengers and crew, most of whose remains were never recovered. Sulpicio officials claimed that “an act of God,” not engine failure, sank the ferry, but investigations by the Board of Marine Inquiry found Sulpicio Lines liable and called for the suspension of its license to operate.
Xevera housing project in Pampanga. — TONETTE OREJAS Globe Asiatique housing scam | August 2010 The Inquirer’s three-part report on a housing scam in the Xevera projects of Globe Asiatique Realty Holding Corp. in Bacolor town and Mabalacat City in Pampanga province led the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig) and a number of home buyers to charge developer Delfin Lee and several company officials with syndicated estafa.
Protesters gather in front of the so-called Erap mansion in Baguio City. —ELMER KRISTIAN
‘Erap Mansion’ in Baguio | October 1999 The Inquirer’s first clue as to the ownership of the so-called Erap Mansion, Baguio’s bestkept secret, came from a gardener who tipped the paper about a mansion reportedly owned by a powerful official that was being built in the lot next to his landlord’s. Through documents and interviews with official and unofficial sources, the Inquirer learned that the log cabinstyled mansion on Paterno Street in Barangay South Drive, considered as the city’s “Millionaires’ Row,” was being built for Estrada. However, all papers pertaining to the 3,718-square meter property were traceable to Estrada crony, Manuel Zamora Jr., brother of then Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora.
Albay residents feel the impact of Supertyphoon “Reming.” —EDWIN BACASMAS
Rebel priest Conrado Balweg (center) is a symbol of Cordillera autonomy. —CORDILLERA NEWS AGENCY Balweg and quest for Cordillera autonomy | 1990s Fr. Conrado Balweg fought for Cordillera autonomy and founded the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army, the first rebel group to formally start peace talks with then President Corazon Aquino’s revolutionary government, after the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. In 1999, he was killed by communist rebels at his home in Abra province.
How tilapia became PH Cinderella story | 1990s-200s Ridiculed and disliked by fish growers and consumers, tilapia underwent breed improvements and emerged as the Cinderella among freshwater fish species in the country. The Philippines now ranks No. 4 in the production of tilapia after Colombia, China and Egypt.
Mayon Volcano in Albay. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
Daragang Magayon awakes | 2001, 2009 After two weeks of restiveness, Mount Mayon, the country’s most active volcano, erupted in June 2001 and forced 11,000 people to flee their homes. More than eight years later, in December 2009, about 47,000 residents living within Mayon’s 6-kilometer permanent danger zone were again asked to leave their homes because of a possible eruption.
Residents of Botolan, Zambales, seek safer grounds. —BOY CABRIDO
Shaken but not rattled | 1990s Baguio, the only city built from the ground up by the American colonial government, was devastated on July 16, 1990, when a magnitude 7.7 earthquake tore through Luzon, toppling buildings and killing more than 1,000 people. The Inquirer documented the government’s rebuilding efforts, focusing on civic leaders, scholars and businessmen, who banded together to plan a more conservative, environment-friendly development policy for the summer capital.
Quest to save Laguna de Bay | 2016 The Inquirer’s three-part special report took off from President Duterte’s promise to reclaim this lake for small fishers in lakeside communities in Rizal, Metro Manila and Laguna. It also exposed how government regulatory agencies had failed in handling the affairs of the 90,000-hectare lake.
Tilapia grilling in Dagupan City. —WILLIE LOMIBAO
SOUTHERN LUZON
Saving Botolan after Pinatubo blast | 2001 In 2001, or 10 years after Mt. Pinatubo erupted, the 3-kilometer lake that formed at the volcano’s summit was filled with water, rising to the lowest rim on the Maraunot notch facing Botolan town in Zambales province. More than 40,000 people were in harm’s way—a story first run by the Inquirer based on the alerts issued by geologist and Zambales native Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo and then Central Luzon police director, Reynaldo Berroya.
‘Reming’ pummels Albay | 2006 Supertyphoon “Reming” (international name: Durian) which entered the Bicol region in November 2006, left more than 700 people dead and 700 more missing in its wake. Its impact on Albay further brought to light the issue of climate change and environmental abuse.
Bullet-riddled SUV used by victims of the Atimonan massacre. —RAFFY LERMA Massacre on Atimonan highway | 2013 On Jan. 6, 2013, 13 men on board two vehicles were killed by policemen in a checkpoint along Maharlika Highway in Atimonan town, Quezon province. Head of operation and then deputy chief of intelligence of the Calabarzon police, Supt. Hansel Marantan, said the target was Victor Siman whom police said headed an illegal gambling and gun-for-hire syndicate. Marantan claimed Siman and his group opened fire at the police, but the National Bureau of Investigation concluded that it was a rubout.
Losing Jesse | 2012 On Aug. 18, 2012, Interior Secretary and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Jesse Robredo was on board a light plane that took off from Mactan on his way home to Naga City. The plane never made it. It crashed into the waters off Masbate, killing Robredo and two others. Only Robredo’s aide, June Abrazado, survived the crash.
Jesse Robredo values good governance practices. —LYN RILLON
THE VISAYAS
Health scare from abandoned mine in Palawan | 2017 Through a freedom of information request in June, the Inquirer was able to obtain a copy of the summary of a study by the health and environment departments, which reported widespread cases of mercury poisoning among residents of two villages in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province. Residents of the villages of Sta. Lourdes and Tagburos, which were near an abandoned mercury mining site, had to be relocated.
Catholic priest Eddie Panlilio is game-changer in Pampanga politics. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA The priest who beat moneyed politicos | 2007 The 2007 election in Pampanga province was historic as it was unique. Kapampangans who were against corruption and “jueteng” fielded Catholic priest Eddie Panlilio in that year’s gubernatorial race. He won over reelectionist Gov. Mark Lapid and Board Member Lilia Pineda, but his crossover from the Church to politics also came at a high price: he remains suspended from officiating Catholic rites.
Residents walk through debris left by a flashflood in Real, Quezon province. —REM ZAMORA
Sierra Madre floods in Quezon | 2004 More than 1,500 people died in flash floods that hit the towns of Real, Infanta and General Nakar in Quezon province in 2004 after continuous rains brought about by three successive typhoons caused the overflow of Agos River. The three towns were inundated with mud and water that carried along logs and other forest debris from the Sierra Madre where the river originates.
Sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong. —CEBU DAILY NEWS
Chiong double murder | 1997 Siblings Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong were forced into a vehicle by a group of men while waiting for their father to pick them up outside a mall in Cebu City on July 16, 1997. Two days later, Marijoy’s body was found at the bottom of a ravine in Carcar City, 42 kilometers south of Cebu City. Jacqueline’s body was never found. With the confession of a participant-turned-state witness, investigators zeroed in on scions of prominent Cebu families led by Juan Francisco “Paco” Larrañaga, a great-grandson of the late President Sergio Osmeña Sr.; Josman Aznar, a scion of a wealthy family in Cebu; Rowen Adlawan, Alberto Cano, Ariel Balansag, and brothers James Anthony and James Andrew Uy.
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
Ruben Ecleo Jr. —DENNIS SABANGAN
Ecleo’s bloody trail | 2002 The trial spanning 10 years saw seven judges and 23 deaths, and had enough drama for a movie. It all started when Alona Ecleo’s body was found stuffed in a garbage bag and dumped in a ravine in Dalaguete town, 90 kilometers south of Cebu City, on Jan. 8, 2002. Police investigated her husband, cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr., after a woman reported seeing him and his bodyguard dumping a garbage bag in the area where Alona’s body was recovered. Ecleo faced charges of parricide but was released in 2004 after posting a P1-million bail. A fugitive since then, he had been sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Tarp war in Negros Occidental. —CARLA GOMEZ
I7-3
19 8 5
‘Patay-Buhay’ tarps | 2013 In February 2013, as the Team P-Noy senatorial candidates were set to hold lightning rallies in Negros Occidental, the Diocese of Bacolod decided to make its stand against the reproductive health law, with a tarpaulin titled, “Team Patay, Team Buhay.” The Diocese of Bacolod called on the faithful not to vote for six senatorial candidates it had tagged as “Team Patay” (Team Death) for supporting the controversial law. At the same time, the diocese identified six candidates who it said belonged to “Team Buhay” (Team Life) and should be supported. Burial of food poisoning victims in Bohol. —TONEE DESPOJO
Mega ‘shabu’ lab in Cebu | 2004 In March 2004, government agents seized a shipment of pseudoephedrine—the main ingredient in “shabu” (crystal meth)—worth P3.6 billion at Cebu International Port, which led police to step up their raid of shabu labs in the province. On Sept. 24, 2004, law enforcers discovered a rented warehouse in Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City, where packs of shabu valued at P1.3 billion were produced.
Overpriced lampposts in Cebu. — LITO TECSON
Overpriced lampposts for Asean meet in Cebu | 2007 After businessman-turnedwhistleblower Crisologo Saavedra found some irregularities in the construction of Cebu International Convention Center meant for the Asean Summit and the installation of lampposts along the routes where the summit delegates would pass, he filed a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman. In April 2016, the Ombudsman indicted former Cebu governor and now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia for 11 counts of graft over the alleged irregularities in 2006. Ten former provincial officials were also indicted.
Bohol food poisoning | 2005 At least 27 children died and some 100 others fell ill because of food poisoning in Mabini town, Bohol province, after eating cassava that investigators said was contaminated with pesticide. Because of the incident, street vendors were banned from selling food in areas close to schools nationwide.
A dirty coastline in Guimaras after the 2006 oil spill. —ARNOLD ALMACEN
Guimaras oil spill | 2006 When the oil tanker Solar I sank off the southern coast of Guimaras Island on Aug. 11, 2006, it spilled 2.1 million liters of bunker oil that devastated the island’s rich marine resources and dislocated thousands of residents dependent on fishing and shell gathering. The spill led to the passage of Republic Act No. 9483, or the Oil Pollution Compensation Act, which requires all oil tankers and oil companies to contribute 10 centavos of imported oil as seed money to an oil pollution fund.
A father carries his dead daughter after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” hit Tacloban City. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
Nature’s fury in the Visayas | 2013 Several powerful storms have battered the Visayas in recent times. In 1991, Tropical Storm “Uring” (international name: Thelma) unleashed flash floods in Ormoc City, Leyte, and killed more than 5,000 people. In 2006, continuous rains triggered a massive landslide in St. Bernard town, Leyte, and buried the entire village of Guinsaugon and more than 1,000 residents. In November, 2013, Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) pummeled Eastern Visayas and flattened everything in its path. It came just three weeks after Bohol and Cebu were rocked by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Oct. 15, 2013, which killed 201 in Bohol.
STAYING TRUE @
I7-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
MINDANAO Little League scandal | 1992 In 1992, the Inquirer ran a series of reports on cheating committed by the Philippine team from Zamboanga City, which won the Little League World Series Championship. The stories revealed that six of the 13 team members were overaged and assumed identities that qualified them to the competition. The Philippine team was eventually stripped of the title.
MILF’s justice by firing squad | 1997 On Oct. 6, 1997, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) publicly executed by firing squad two persons convicted of frustrated murder, car theft and robbery by its Shariah Court. The execution in Lanao del Sur was witnessed by more than 1,000 people. Public reaction against the incident forced the MILF to stop the executions.
MILF fighters gather at Camp Abubakar in Maguindanao. —GENE BOYD
The Maguindanao massacre is the country’s worst election-related attack. —JEOFFREY MAITEM
Maguindanao massacre | 2009 On Nov. 23, 2009, 58 mostly media workers were killed when armed men, led by Andal Ampatuan Jr., then mayor of Datu Unsay town in Maguindanao, waylaid a convoy of vehicles on its way to file the certificate of candidacy of now Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu.
Soldiers battle MNLF rebels who laid siege to Zamboanga City. —EDWIN BACASMAS Mamasapano encounter | 2015 Forty-four members of the police’s Special Action Force were killed in the dawn raid on the lair of regional terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao in 2015. Government troops found themselves outfought by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front who were based in the area.
War vs MILF | 2000 Then President Joseph Estrada declared an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2000, which led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao. After months of fighting, the military took control of the MILF main camp—Camp Abubakar.
LUMAWAG
Soldiers battle MNLF rebels who laid siege to Zamboanga City. —EDWIN BACASMAS
Couple Martin and Gracia Burnham.
Dos Palmas kidnapping | 2001 Abu Sayyaf bandits took 20 people from Dos Palmas resort in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan in May 2001, and brought them to Basilan. Rescuing government troops engaged the bandits in deadly encounters for more than a year. A military operation led to the death of American Martin Burnham and the rescue of his wife Gracia.
Zamboanga siege | 2013 On Sept. 9, 2013, about 200 rebels from the Moro National Liberation Front faction led by Nur Misuari stormed into Zamboanga City in boats and took over several coastal villages, triggering a standoff between government forces and the rebels who held civilians hostage. The assault, apparently aimed at thwarting a government peace plan with another separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, paralyzed the city of over a million residents, razed 10,000 homes and reduced 30 to 40 hectares of once-thriving communities to rubble.
Marawi City in ruins following the government’s fivemonth battle with terrorists. —JEOFFREY MAITEM Marawi war | 2017 On May 23 this year, fighting erupted between government troops and Islamic State-inspired gunmen who laid siege to Marawi City. Hundreds of thousands of people evacuated to nearby cities and towns. Although the military prevailed after five months of fighting, the city was left in ruins.
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I8-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Forget ‘petmalu’ and ‘lodi.’ Update your vocabulary with these words By Pam Pastor @turbochicken
O
ne of the joys of working in a newspaper is witnessing the constant, sometimes confusing, evolution of language. Once upon a time, I was the young ’un patiently explaining to an older editor that we no longer needed to spell out
SMS every time we used it, as everyone already knew what it meant. In the interest of updating our vocabulary and yours, we asked (bugged, stalked, forced) millennials to give us a crash course on millennial speak. If, like us, you were tickled when Merriam-Webster added words like binge-watch and
photobomb to the dictionary, then you might enjoy this. ‘Good game’ Let’s start with something easy. G. “‘G’ stands for ‘game.’ Like if someone asks you if you want to go out tonight, you can literally just answer ‘G.’ When you’re super excited, you could say ‘GGGGGG,’” said Janna
Lejano, a college student. But, she warned, “GG” means something else. “It means ‘good game.’ After playing a game or if your friend is too drunk, you say ‘GG,’ game over.” Louie P., who calls himself a basic dude, gave us an example that we couldn’t understand. “G ba? Mski.” “Maski ano, Louie?” we al-
most asked. But it turned out that “mski” is short for Mineski, a professional gaming organization. So we guess Louie was trying to ask if we wanted to play video games? (But we only know Mario. And Tetris.) Another word gamers use? Imba. Miggy, a 23-year-old student explained, “Imba means imbal-
ance, particularly used in online gaming. ‘Hindi natin mabasag yung armor niya, masyadong imba yung attributes.’ Can also be said when someone is left speechless by something. ‘Grabe yung concert ni Bruno Mars!!! Imba.’” Apparently, BFF is old news. You call those near and dear to you “beshie.”
I8-2
STAYING TRUE @
I8-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
32 millennial expressions you should know, according to millennials
Mikee Jocson, a 24year-old account manager, explained, “‘Beshie’ is a term of endearment. It adds a loving and comical feel to any sentiment.” Synonyms include “besh,” “mamsh,” “mamshie” and yes, “fam.” “Fam!! It’s like our generation’s version of bro, pare or dude. I like it because it’s gender neutral. It’s just a way of addressing someone. I think everyone should know about it because it’s a lot more inclusive—you could call pretty much anyone fam!” says 18year-old girl boss Tana Verzo.
FROM I8-1
‘Slay’ “Adulting” is the act of behaving like a responsible grownup, something we all have to do. “We never knew adulting was gonna be this hard. No one really taught us the 101s of being an adult,” said Jeanine Beatrice Tsoi, a model and broadcast professional in her 20s. But more than just successfully adulting, millennials think you should “slay.” “No, honey, this doesn’t mean killing somebody anymore. Now, it means doing something so amazing that it kills everybody. Everyone should not just know this word but they should embody it. Slay everyday, people! SLAAAAAAY!!!!” said Gelo Arucan, a 28-year-old multihyphenated unicorn. Sickening—oops, sorry, “sick’ning”—is no longer a negative word either. “Sick’ning is when someone looks sooo good, it makes you gag and vomit due to envy. Sick’ning is beyond fierce,” said Jay Salvador, a 37year-old sales support administrator. If someone is (or goes) above and beyond what is expected, they’re extra. Ira uses it in a sentence: “My sister is so extra, right?” Maryanne Mendoza, a 30year-old program manager for an international nongovernment organization, chose the word ‘disruption.’ “It’s a buzzword across industries and
people are taking more notice of it. It simply means a disturbance in the status quo. Most would associate it with technological disruption, an introduction to an innovation. Think the emergence of Airbnb, Uber and Alibaba … Everybody should be more aware of it because, one way or the other, these disruptions would challenge how we regularly do things. It pushes our generation and the younger generation to be more agile and critical and become creative thinkers.” Fandom Let’s get to the words inspired by fandoms; there are a number of them. Cake, a 29-year-old pop culture writer, explained ‘OTP.’ “‘One True Pairing,’ often used in fandoms to distinguish one’s favorite fictional couple/love team.” Ship isn’t a big boat, Cake said. “‘Ship’ is short for ‘relationship.’ It’s used in fandoms to denote romance between two characters. The verb ship means to support a romance between two people.” And then there’s stan. “There’s actually a hierarchy in being part of a fandom. There are occasional fans, legit fans and there are those we refer to as ‘stans.’ Stans are what the older generations call the ultimate die-hards,” said Vinz Lamorena, a 23-year-old Super writer.
And, she says, in this digital age, there are so many ways to be a stan. “These are the people who create messaging app group chats, Facebook pages and groups. They are the keyboard army controlling online voting polls and Twitter worldwide trending topics … Most stans would be burning their paychecks on various merch and tickets.” Another word that looks like a typo but isn’t is ‘af.’ “Acronym for ‘as fuck,’ it’s used to emphasize or intensify something,” said Nikka, who calls herself a “no to fake news advocate” and says she is “extra IRL.” (IRL=in real life, ha, we knew that!) Nikka gave an example that will surely get people triggered. “Mocha tweets destabilization. Me: Girl that’s fake AF. Also me: GUYS STOP RETWEETING HER.”
“Agit” is the short form of agitated that is used to express frustration or annoyance. “‘Agit’ means mad or angry. Example: I’m so agit with the traffic! Nakaka-agit ka!” said Ira Pablo, a budding entrepreneur in her 20s. We’re pretty sure Anton Roxas, a 20-year-old sports broadcaster/journalist and athlete was triggered by our question. His millennial word? “‘Google.’ It has the answer to everything.” ‘Shookt’ We know we can Google it but we asked Irene Perez, Super Squad member, to explain “shookt.” “Shookt means ‘shaken.’ Being shookt means being shocked, surprised or frazzled by either good or bad reasons. It also means having too many ‘feels’ at the same time. ‘We won the game with only one point! Shookt!’”
Shooketh is not the same as shookt. “‘Shooketh’ is to be extremely shookt,” said Irene, using the word in this sentence: “Is it true that they sold the game? OMG, I’m so shooketh!” And Irene warned, “Shooketh shouldn’t be confused with the word ‘shokot’ which is beki-speak for ‘takot’ or scared.” Thanks to Dexter, a reporter, we now know never to say that we’re thirsty in public—even if all we wanted was a glass of water. Because thirsty now means “sexually needy.” Or really, really horny. This word isn’t exclusive to millennials though. I do know a lot of thirsty titas. ‘Fuccboi’ How about fuccboi? A thesis can be written about this. “Fuccbois think they’re cool but they’re not. They’re douchebags, they’re losers who don’t know they’re losers which are the worst kind of losers,” said Amy, a 24-year-old entrepreneur. Basically, fuccboi= not a good thing. Fleek, born in a Vine video, was first used to describe perfectly groomed eyebrows but Niarchos explained, “It has since been used to describe anything that’s cool, trendy, desirable.” And his explanation came with a disclaimer. “Hindi ako yung gumagamit niyan, yung millennial kong kausap.” Aesthetic, Cake said, is “the millennial version of ‘vibe,’ vi-
sual style or overall look.” Lit is not the past tense of light, it’s not even someone intoxicated—it means exciting or excellent. OG is original gangster (or gangsta). “Enrile is the OG of the Philippine Senate,” said Nikka. Low key is exactly that—to keep something quiet, to do something discreetly. “I am low key stanning on James Reid,” said one millennial who refused to be named. Two words millennials already know but need to be reminded of: driven and empathy. “Driven! A big part of what I love about the culture today is that we’re not only encouraged to go for what we want, but we’re supportive of others’ goals as well,” said Gabby Dario, a wellness coach, badass dancer and multimedia artist in her early 20s. Student Nica Alivia said: “I think everyone knows this word, but I believe we should all act on it: empathy—understanding another person vicariously. I think this is what this generation lacks, so I think it’s about time to think of one another once again.” And perhaps the most heartening part of this entire exercise: the number of millennials who wanted to teach us the word “woke.” “It isn’t about getting up in the morning. It’s about being aware of issues. About not having ignorant political opinions. Worried about gender issues? Woke. Active in civic groups? Woke. Pro-due process and antiEJK? Woke. #MarcosNotAHero? Woke. And these days, that’s just what we need,” said Ceej Tantengco, a journalist, broadcaster, public speaker and advocate for Women’s Rights in her 20s. Carl Cuevas, a 28-year-old public relations manager added, “It’s important since it acts against the older generation’s perception that millennials are passive and indifferent … It also acts as a reminder for millennials to remain vigilant since we live in the modern ‘dark ages.’” INQ
A WELCOME RESPITE
FACING NEW CHALLENGES, REACHING NEW MILESTONES By Cynthia D. Balana @cynchdb Truth in the narrative. This has always been the guiding principle that chartered my career path as a journalist and as a senior reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer for 30 years. Unlike other employees, I never dreaded the prospect of retirement. In fact, I was looking forward to it as a welcome respite from the daily grind of finding stories and reporting the news. So, as early as five years ago, I made sure I would be prepared to face new challenges in the latest chapter of my life. All things, even the good ones, must come to an end. On July 26, 2017, I wrote “30” to 30 years of hard work, dedication and perseverance in bringing news to the people. It was time to turn the page but remain relevant. Two years ago, I obtained my
What I don’t, and won’t, handle, however, is what PR and media practitioners often refer to as ‘special operations,’ otherwise known by a less complimentary term— ‘dirty tricks’ Cynthia Balana Retired Inquirer reporter
Cynthia Balana is now her own boss.
MA in Journalism as a fellow of the Konrad Adenauer’s Asian School of Journalism at Ateneo de Manila University. I thanked PDI management for being so gracious as to give me a year of sabbatical leave with full pay and benefits so I could complete the course. I also finished short courses on Trends in Visual Journalism, Digital Publishing, Social Media Live, Copyright Law and Feature Writing at Ateneo. Having mastered how to write content for 30 years, I then worked on honing my technical skills. I enrolled in Adobe Photoshop, Web Design, and Adobe Illustrator courses. On August 1, I launched my own company, CBCOMM Public Relations Services, which is based on the ground floor of a condominium unit just across the school of my only child. This way, I can keep track of her while I do my work.
The focus of CBCOMM is image-building, reputation management and corporate social responsibility. What I don’t, and won’t, handle, however, is what PR and media practitioners often refer to as “special operations,” otherwise known by a less complimentary term—“dirty tricks”—to promote a client’s interests or objectives. But old habits are hard to break. I still wake up late at night and find the urge to write about my favorite subjects—defense and military issues. Thus, the birth of defensejournalph.com. I am the owner and publisher of this online news magazine. Looking back, I am happy to note that I reached this milestone because I made sure always to enjoy every journey that I had taken. For this, I am forever grateful to the Inquirer. I will make sure that the Inquirer DNA will stay with me forever. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I8-3
19 8 5
After 15 years, enjoying life without deadlines By Leti Boniol @letsgo_manila
A
lmost two years after I left this paper, some friends still introduce me as somebody “from the Inquirer.” While I’m not overjoyed at the description, I notice that this facilitates things and lights up people’s faces. But while I’m sometimes still identified by my previous work affiliation, I have broken free from the demands and constraints of the job that had me processing stories from the regions for almost 15 years, and doing sundry desk work for more than two decades before that. Without the daily deadlines that ruled my life at the Inquirer, I now find myself with enough time to do what I want when I want, and however I want to do them. A year before I was due to retire, I had already planned what I’d do and years before that, had saved for the eventuality. I also checked and revised my bucket list a few times to reflect my fondest wish at the moment. In November 2015, I bought plane tickets to Amsterdam and in the spring of 2016, began my 35-day tour of six countries in Europe with a friend. Encouraged by the invitation of a friend in Germany, we toured the continent that first fascinated me when I went to Switzerland 28 years ago. This time, we joined tours and visited museums, and marveled at centuries-old opulent churches, lush gardens and parks where peacocks freely roamed. Trains, buses, cable cars and river
My Inquirer training, it turns out, will always be with me Leti Boniol Retired Regions editor
cruises—we made sure we enjoyed them all. Uncontrollable Traveling teaches you not just about other people’s cultures, but also how to manage your luggage, your health and your fears. I’d start traveling light with just a small rolling luggage and a carry-on, but always ended up buying a bigger luggage along the way because our controlled shopping was, well, uncontrollable. Health concerns were unavoidable as well. I had not experienced windburn before, but there I was, face red with rashes. I had to get a doctor’s prescription for an ailment neither I nor the doctors knew the name of, except that it threatened to take the joy out of my travels. In October of that year, I traveled with three friends to Ubud, the spiritual and cultural center of Bali, Indonesia, and appreciated the soft-spoken and kindred people there who were much like Filipinos, with their rich culture and their
Leti Boniol poses with tulips in bloom and beside murals of great artists in her recent trip to Europe.
affordable food, guest houses and souvenirs, like clothing. From Ubud, we went on a retreat in Mt. Abu in Rajasthan, India, where the Academy for a Better World offers a respite from the hassles of this old world as it teaches people how to manage their life amid conflicts. Friends and I also went local, traveling to places we had not visited before, like Samal Island, Tagum City, Davao City, Boracay and Bohol. We also revisited Puerto Princesa, Cebu and Zambales. In most of these places, there were friends who welcomed us, toured us, cooked for us and treated us to local food,
music and hospitality. Full, rough life Like most retirees, I regularly touch base with long lost friends and relatives, recounting past lives and slimmer days when we all had a healthy head of hair. Later, we’d wander off to our more recent life and enjoy each other’s company over food and drinks. A few would show me their art galleries or thriving businesses, which make me wonder how they managed these ventures while having a full, sometimes rough, life. Back in my cozy home outside Manila, I find time to indulge myself in affordable hot
springs and healing spas, while exploring the locality’s forests, museums, gardens and parks. There is enough energy to spend learning how to grow food naturally using vemicasts and biopesticides in my garden, and how to source and cook my own food. There’s also time left to volunteer for causes, join rallies, and attend symposia and similar activities. I always look forward to learning new things, like cooking vegetarian dishes such as Spanish sardines using jackfruit, or steak using coconut meat. Without pressing deadlines and appointments, and the convenience of having househelp, I find myself doing chores, stuff that I often put off. I do a million
other things before plunging into the inevitable cleanup. With Christmas around the corner, I prepare to give away preloved clothes and knick-knacks, while encouraging friends to organize a visit to nearby orphanages to share our blessings. While I want to enjoy my days while my legs are still sturdy and my mind clear, I realize that my resources might run dry before I do. So occasionally, I resurrect the old skills that defined my other life: I accept invitations to lecture on writing, or write and edit stories for newsletters and sundry publications. My Inquirer training, it turns out, will always be with me. INQ
STAYING TRUE @
I8-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
LIFE AFTER INQUIRER “Moving on is accepting reality” By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasINQ
T
hat all good things must come to an end is an eventuality that Cita Goyagoy had prepared for long before her 31-year journey with the Inquirer concluded in April this year. “Retirement has always been a reality for me. I’ve conditioned myself for it. Everything in life is temporary after all,” said Cita who had served as secretary to Inquirer chair Marixi Rufino-Prieto and former publisher Dean Raul Pangalangan. While she misses dressing up and going to the office, she has come to enjoy the free time that she spends going out with friends and traveling, Cita said. She now shares a lot of fun times with four circles of friends: the Chemco Ladies, her former colleagues at the Far East Chemco Leasing and Finance Corp.; Batch ’73 from Calasiao High School in Pangasinan; her Inquirer friends and coretirees, and her “tour group,” people she met during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land in October. It was a “fruitful” trip, she said of her 14-day trip to the Holy Land with 44 others—her tour group composed of doctors, surgeons, a dentist, and a chaplain, among others, who traveled across Jordan, Israel and Egypt. From being baptized at the Jordan River to riding a camel and braving the freezing temperature at the top of Mt. Sinai where the Ten Commandments were given to Moses, Cita said she felt blessed to had checked it off
Cita Goyagoy now enjoys the free time she spends with friends and traveling.
her bucket list. Travel goals Her trip also brought her to Nazareth, Bethlehem, the Nile River, the Dead Sea, the Western Wall, the Sea of Galilee, Petra, and the Pyramids of Egypt. Traveling with her fellow Inquirer retirees during the initial months of freedom from work brought her to Baguio, Baler,
Iloilo, Bacolod, and her hometown, Pangasinan. She has always loved traveling, said Cita who admits that her travel goals include visits to Rome, the Vatican and Spain. When she’s not packing her bags, she’s fixing up and declutterng her room, said Cita. Finally, she has found the time to tend to her garden and to organize her photographs
in an album. The rest of the time she spends pampering herself in a spa, grocery-shopping, exercising, and malling with the family. Eight months after retirement, Cita said she had accomplished a lot of things, but had yet to push through her ultimate retirement plan, which is to put up a profitable business. For those who are about to
welcome the next chapter of their life after Inquirer, Cita has some words of advice: “Prepare yourself, save money for retirement and look for other ways to enjoy your time. Interact with relatives and friends.” These days, she defines happiness as focusing on herself and her family. “Life is always moving on. (It is about) accepting changes and
reality. I’m looking forward to what makes me stronger and more complete. I’m happy now. I’ve learned to appreciate what I have,” she said. To maintain that state of mind, she said people should “always feel privileged. Give without expecting anything in return. Most of all, learn to appreciate God’s blessings and thank Him in return.” INQ
Congratulations! on your 32nd anniversary from
/SEAOIL @SeaoilPH SeaoilPH
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I9-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
30-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
‘There will always be room for a good newspaper’ HOORAY! On Thursday, Philippine Daily Inquirer honored 57 employees for their work and service to the company over the years. They included 4 employees who had worked for 30 years, 6 who had worked for 25 years, 20 for 20 years, 4 for 15 years, 14 for 10 years and 9 for 5 years. Their scope of work cut across the various departments and operations of the Inquirer—from editorial to marketing and advertising, and financial and general services. Those who had worked for more than 20 years admit to having spent the best years of their lives with Inquirer. Read their stories in this section.
By Artemio T. Engracia Jr. News Editor
F
or the past five years, I’ve been looking forward to this; at the same time I’ve been dreading this moment. It is therefore with mixed emotions that I speak here in behalf of the three other loyal Inquirer employees—Ely Fugaban, Cynthia Balana and Tino Tejero—who have devoted a good portion of their lives—30 years at least—in the service of this company. This speech signals my emancipation from the slavery of deadlines, from the daily grind of newspaper work, and from a lifelong addiction to this substance called news. Finally, I will soon be able to drive my car with music, not news, on the radio, and have dinner with my
family on a daily basis. For the past 45 years, I never got to be home for most of the holidays, Christmas in particular. I was never home when the kids would come home from school, and I was never of help with their homework. I hope it’s not too late to make up for lost time. Otherwise, as one retiring journalist once said, I will just be another pretty face with plenty of money to buy maintenance medicines with. I have long dreaded this moment, for I will soon be bidding goodbye to my other family—the Inquirer and the dedicated men and women who, for more than three decades, turned what was once a ragtag operation into an organization that, as I have said many times before, has become the yardstick by which all other media—print, broad-
cast or online—are measured. Many years ago, I attended the party to commemorate the 50-year journalism career of the respected editor Rod Reyes. I wondered then if I would ever reach that milestone, the way I once wondered if I would ever finish an Ironman Triathlon. Today, I’m five years away from that milestone, and I’m determined to reach that summit one way or the other. Loyal service Also today, I want to reintroduce to you the three other Inquirer employees who had rendered 30 years of loyal service to the company. Ely Fugaban of DPU was part of the editorial team that I organized when the Inquirer bowling tournament switched from duckpin to tenpins years ago. I asked a
friend of mine to teach the team the rudiments of tenpin bowling and I’m proud to say that Ely and the other members of that team went on to become among the Inquirer’s top bowlers. Ely was as dedicated as a bowler as he was as an Inquirer worker. I never saw much of Tino Tejero in the last 30 years. Although we shared the same newsroom, it’s no exaggeration to say that we shared no more than 30 words in conversation for 30 years. I heard he would sneak into the office and work well into the night when everyone else had gone home to sleep. Once, Letty Magsanoc, our beloved editor in chief, asked Tino to join the newsdesk but he refused. His reason: Life is too short to be correcting other people’s mistakes. Tino, as you probably know by now, is a man of
I9-2
Artemio T. Engracia Jr.
STAYING TRUE @
I9-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
S I N C E
‘THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ROOM FOR A GOOD NEWSPAPER’ few words. His elo-
is in his FROM I9-1 quence writing and the In-
quirer is a much better newspaper today because of the quality of his work. Cynthia Balana was one of the reporters who made life exciting for me and the other editors for 30 years. Her passion for her stories is legendary. It was therefore inevitable that she would have run-ins with the editors who were as passionate with their work as she was with hers. I was Cynthia’s favorite editor to torment, and I’m sure she believes she was my favorite reporter to torment. But unknown to her, I liked Cynthia’s copies. She wrote her stories the way I wanted to present them to the readers—short, simple, direct to the point, uncomplicated and most of all, grammatically flawless. Of course, I never told her this. Otherwise, she probably would have liked me too and that would have made working in the newsroom less exciting. So today, I make my peace with Cynthia. Newsboy How I got to become a journalist is a long story, but I’ll try to make it short. Let me take you back 65 years; that’s right, six and a half decades. Very few people know that I was born into the newspaper business, with printer’s ink in my veins and newsprint in my cereals. My maternal grandfather was a newsboy who went on to become the exclusive newspaper dealer in my hometown. Newspapers sent my mother and her seven siblings to college. I remember seeing my grandfather deliver newspapers to subscribers on foot and so it was just natural that I would later join the family business, as a newsboy. During
From left: Cynthia D. Balana, Eligio S. Fugaban and Constantino C. Tejero the summer, I sold almost everything printed—newspapers, magazines, comic books etc. Later, I was promoted—I inherited the newspaper route of my grandfather, delivering newspapers to subscribers on a bike. Until one day, a subscriber complained that he had not been getting his paper for a month. It turned out I had delivered his paper to his neighbor. That was how I got fired from my first job. My father was a voracious reader. He read everything that I sold. He also read the Philippine Free Press, Time, Newsweek, Readers Digest, and when there was nothing else to read, he also read comic books. Anything printed, he read. He was my No. 1 customer. His favorite newspaper to read, and my favorite newspaper to sell, was the Manila Times. That was, of course, when the Manila Times belonged to another era. From high school, my career path was laid out very clearly in front me. I became a campus journalist as staffer of the High School Advocate, the school organ of the Far Eastern University boys and girls high school. My title was society editor; I had ab-
solutely no idea what I was supposed to do as society editor of a high school paper. But when one of the editors dropped out of school, I was promoted to news editor. Prophetic, isn’t it? My first real job as a journalist was as a sportswriter in the Daily Express where I learned from the best mentors—Bert Cuevas, Tony Siddayao, Neal Cruz and of course, Pocholo Romualdez, the editor of editors who has outlived his contemporaries and still practices his craft to this very day. I was a big sports fan and being a sportswriter was a dream job. It was like watching the big games for free and getting paid for it. To be exact, my salary then was P350 a month plus P150 transportation allowance. I felt so rich I thought I could get married and start a family, if only I had a girlfriend at that time. Martial law A few months into my job, martial law was declared and the Express became one of three newspapers allowed to continue publishing. The Express was printing so many copies that the presses were running well into
the afternoon. This prompted the paper to put out an afternoon edition, the Evening Express where, as a 19-year old college dropout, I became the sports editor, one of only two titles that I want my name to be associated with. At the ripe old age of 32, I retired from the Express to be editor in chief of the afternoon newspaper that the Bulletin group was going to put out. Aptly named PM, the paper did not last long. I went back to the Express after a year and was later invited to join a post-Edsa newspaper trying to replicate the Inquirer’s phenomenal rise. But that too did not last long and the publisher still owes me four months’ salary. I was between jobs—meaning I was jobless—for the next three months during which I lowered my golf handicap to a single digit and made money hustling in the fairways. I made more money—and lost more friends—in three months in the fairways than I did in my first six months in the Inquirer. In early 1987, Dick Pascual invited me to the Inquirer and offered me the job as national editor, a position he created to lure me out of gainful unem-
ployment. It turned out that the title was just a euphemism for provincial news editor, night editor and desk editor rolled into one. Four years later, when Letty Magsanoc took over as editor in chief, I was promoted to news editor and that, my friends, was the last time I was ever promoted. Not that I wanted to be promoted. I fell so in love with the title I refused to give it up. In fact, when Letty tried to change my title to something else (I’m not sure if it was a promotion), I told her this: Letty, the day I cease to be news editor of this newspaper is the day I leave the Inquirer. She relented. She said: OK, you keep the title, but please don’t leave. Turbulent year The year 1987 was a turbulent one in our country’s history. The country had just emerged from a long period of darkness, our democratic institutions were just beginning to flourish, and the new government was facing coup attempt after coup attempt. The Inquirer was in the thick of things not only as chronicler of this transition but also as an active participant in the momentous, and sometimes convulsive, events that shaped this important part of our history. For 30 years, the Inquirer never relinquished that dual role and I take pride in the fact that we—Ely, Cynthia, Tino and I—were all part of this. We stood up to Presidents, we fought criminals, both in an out of government, we exposed the ills of society, and at the same time raised hope for our people. We did what every great newspaper was expected to do. For the opportunity to be part of all these, we thank the
25-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES Inquirer management, led by Sandy Romualdez and Marixi Prieto, and the rest of the Inquirer family. It has been a pleasure and an honor. Wherever we go from here, we will be carrying with us the DNA of a great newspaper. In good hands The Inquirer will be around for another 30 years. This confidence comes from the words of two journalists who inspired me to endure in this noble profession. When I was a student, we presented our laboratory paper in journalism to then UP president Salvador P. Lopez. He obviously was not impressed by our effort, but he told us to always remember this: THE PRINTED WORD WILL ALWAYS BE KING. Years later, when I was vacillating about an editing job offered me, I consulted Pat Gonzales, the then editor in chief of the Bulletin, and asked him if there was room for another afternoon paper in the market. His reply: There will always be room for a good newspaper anytime. In this age of fake news, their words carry a lot weight and offer great hope for the future of the Inquirer. Finally, we can all rest assured in the knowledge that, in the words of Executive Editor Joey Nolasco when he made a similar speech two years ago, the Inquirer is in good hands. The Inquirer has had its ups and downs. But I am most proud of this great newspaper when the chips were down; when it had to reach out from the depths to remain true to its mandate; when it remained steadfast when buffeted by storm after storm. Today, more than ever, I am proud of the Inquirer. INQ
IN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY Rosario A. Garcellano Opinion Editor Called to a photo shoot on the roof deck, this small group of 25ers could not do much more than giggle nervously and make things difficult for the multiawarded photographer Lyn Rillon. It was a sad-happy event: We were glad to mark a milestone, but we were catching ourselves at turns distracted and pensive under the bright, blistering sunlight—John Updike’s “El Greco sky”—watching the sand thinning in the hourglass ... Told to say what he could for this milestone, Ernie Manlapaz of Production recalls that he started at the Inquirer in 1992 at its old office on UN Avenue. In fact we, the 25-ers, all did, but he makes a point to point it out: “Dati maliit lang ang opisina,” he says. Quite right. I remember how small it was, how cramped, how, after smoking was banned in the newsroom, smokers like myself lined the hallway, cheek by jowl with LJM, and grumpily flicking ash on the potted plants. And also how mice brazenly leaped out of desk drawers and occasionally even stopped to glance at how startled we were. We moved to this glass-andsteel building in 1995—“maganda
From left: Marc Anthony E. Reyes, Ernie M. Manlapaz, Rosario A. Garcellano, Charles E. Buban, Joel I. Dela Cruz and Delson C. Tangcora at malaki ang opisina,” in Ernie’s words. Big and beautiful, with a staircase to inspire legend (and also to render the oldies breathless and wheezing). And here we are now, a quarter of a century after we began. For three of us—Marc Anthony Reyes of Sports, Delson Tangcora of IT, and Charles Buban of Motoring, Health and Property—it’s their first job. There has to be something to this office that young men like them would not yield to the temptation of wandering away. Delson started out providing tech support for the 1992 election coverage—the first time, he says, that the Inquirer would be “trans-
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
19 8 5
20-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
STILL PASSIONATE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS By Robert Jaworski L. Abaño Acting Regions Editor Princess Diana died in a car crash and her funeral in London, beamed live on television, drew millions of mourners. A week later, the world mourned Mother Teresa’s death. In Scotland, scientists cloned Dolly the sheep. In the United States, Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace was murdered by Filipino-American Andrew Cunanan, while in Hollywood, “Titanic” secured a place in film history for its box office earnings. Closer to home, the United Kingdom handed over Hong Kong to China; the Thai baht crashed and triggered an Asiawide financial crisis. In the Philippines, a landmark law protecting the country’s indigenous peoples was passed. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front carried out a public execution in Lanao del Sur. The original “Ang Probinsyano” film, starring the late Fernando Poe Jr., was shown on the big screen. The country also saw the deaths of former President Diosdado Macapagal, poets Jose Garcia Villa and Rolando Tinio, comedian Chiquito and character actor Max Alvarado. These were among the biggest events of 1997, the same year when a group of 21 young men and women, including myself, found a home in a concrete, steel and glass building on Chino Roces Ave. in Makati. The building, then two years old, was and still is the Inquirer main office, and became, over the years, a symbol of our still unfolding journey. We joined the Inquirer in our 20s and early 30s, some of us fresh graduates itching to start first jobs or waiting for another that would hopefully be the “one.” Learning the ropes Twenty years later, we are now holding positions of responsibility in the Inquirer’s newsroom and other departments—a testament to how the company has nurtured our growth and opened doors. For all of us, learning the ropes from our editors, supervi-
Jerome Joeffrey B. Aning
From left foreground: Marites P. Dela Cruz, Ma. Lourdes C. Montegrande, Michael L. Ubac, Abelardo S. Ulanday, Edwin E. Bacasmas, Menelyn L. Monreal. Standing, from left: Josephine A. Samonte, Robert Jaworski L. Abaño, Laura Josephine A. Mansilla, Jesus M. Cayabyab, Ma. Carmen S. Abis, Ma. Aileen C. Corales and Arnel B. Francisco sors, managers and senior colleagues was enough to keep us going. We inched our way up the editorial and corporate ladders through their guidance. What made us stay? We stayed for various reasons, but were linked by a common passion for the jobs we were doing. We stayed in the belief that we were doing something that matters, that we were part of an institution critical to nation building. Fellow 20-year colleagues Jojo Samonte and Tsai Montegrande described the Inquirer as home and said that they feel like valued members of the family. Icar Abis treasured the friendships she forged in the Inquirer. Day Desk chief Mike Ubac cited passion for outstanding journalism and the opportunity to work with, and learn from, some of the best minds and talents in the field as the main reasons he has stayed. For Natty Cayubit and Aileen Corales, it’s the pride and honor of being part of the country’s leading newspaper that makes a difference. Bodeng Valencia cited finan-
cial security, and indeed, we are all witnesses to the generosity of the Inquirer management. All of us remember how, some two years after we became regular employees, we received the biggest profit share in Inquirer history—six digits before taxes. But working for the Inquirer is not just about shelter, food, clothing and education for our families. More than the material things, being an Inquirer employee entails a huge responsibility. We are duty-bound to protect its legacy as the leading light in the fight against wrongdoing, oppression and tyranny. Whether at the frontline or in the background, we are witnesses to history as it is drafted by Inquirer reporters and polished by its editors. Adversity It is also an affirmation of our faith in our mission, even in times of adversity. One of those times was in 1999, when then President Estrada pushed for an advertising boycott
of the Inquirer for what he believed was a critical and adverse coverage of his administration. One November morning that year, fresh from a trip from Baguio City where I was then based, I found myself alone in the newsroom, too early for a scheduled training. While waiting for the designated hour, I scanned a bulletin board and started browsing faxed letters from readers sympathetic to the Inquirer. These readers promised to help the Inquirer by buying multiple number of copies of the daily. Such words of encouragement from faceless readers strengthened the Inquirer, and united and inspired us to carry on and weather the storm. The Inquirer, I would like to believe, still has those core readers, the same kind of readers who believe as we do, and who continue to inspire us. We strive to stay relevant for those very readers, even in this age when technology is revolutionizing the distribution and sharing of information. And yes,
I9-3
19 8 5
Nelson G. De Gracia
Maria Natividad A. Cayubit
Maria Doris C. Dumlao-Abadilla
Invicratus H. Valencia
even when multiple sources of news distract and confuse readers, and when disinformation and fake news on social media gain traction because of their sheer ubiquity. Through the years, we’ve aspired to live what journalists Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, in their 2001 book, “The Elements of Journalism,” identified as the first element of our craft: “Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth.” Truthtellers We are truthtellers. It’s our obligation to our readers to strive to get the best obtainable version of the truth despite the proliferation of fake news. It won’t help to press the mute button. Crank up the volume and let the truth be heard, even if it hurts. In 2012, 21 of us celebrated our 15th year in the Inquirer. This year, as we receive recognition for our 20th year of service, we are down to 20. Let us offer a few moments to remember the late foreign news editor Luverne Gueco. Let me also recognize our longtime provincial correspon-
Marie Joselle R. Badilla
James S. Jacosalem
dents who have faithfully spent the past 15 to 30 years as the paper’s standard-bearer and human face around the country. Even today, our pioneer correspondents Anselmo Roque of Nueva Ecija and Carla Gomez of Bacolod City, as well as Tonette Orejas of Pampanga, Delfin Mallari Jr. of Quezon, Juan Escandor Jr. of Camarines Sur and Yolanda Sotelo of Pangasinan have maintained the passion for their craft. My special gratitude goes to my first Inquirer editor and mentor, Northern Luzon Bureau chief Rolly Fernandez, for guiding me during
the 18 years that I spent in Baguio. I will forever be grateful to the Inquirer’s corps of provincial correspondents and the bureau chiefs and staff, present and past, in Northern, Central and Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, for making the Inquirer a truly national paper. In five years, I hope to see most of us still in the Inquirer. And I hope that the same wideeyed excitement of being part of something big, that sense of mission, that passion to change the world, that fire that led us to the Inquirer, will still be there. INQ
mitting news reports through dial-up connection, making stories available in a couple of minutes.” He eventually applied to fill a vacancy, and has stayed put since. “How is it possible to work for 25 years with the same employer?” Charles asks. “It’s easy when work presents itself as a challenge to improve one’s skills and to keep learning.” And he found such a challenge in the Inquirer. Budget’s Joel dela Cruz describes his 25 years as an “exciting and fruitful journey” that has made him “a better and wiser person” and given him “the courage and strength to face the realities of work and life.” Myself, looking back at these
two-and-a-half decades, I find that I am no less brimming with superlatives. This lengthy chapter in our collective narrative is a life lesson, and not a mere plus point in my CV. To be a cog in the wheel of the Inquirer work force, to carry this great newspaper’s name like a badge, to “enjoy” it, as Ernie says (on two points, according to him: equal treatment of and benefits for officers and regular staff, and harmonious relations between union and management), is a matter of pride, especially now that we are, as in the song, “trembling on the brink,” and an era is close to ending. Delson calls the Inquirer “my second home.” Joel is “proud and
grateful to have worked with the best men and women in the Inquirer for 25 years.” Marc delivers the clincher: “I have spent more than half my life with the Inquirer. Those were prime years. And it's been worth it.” This quarter-century has been, and is, a distinctive period for us who work in the Inquirer. To lead the national conversation, to present factual information and reasoned opinion to its readers in order to enable and empower them to make correct decisions: This is our work and our privilege. Now, to answer the question “For whom do you write?”
Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer cited Albert Camus’ “courage in one’s life and talent in one’s work” and Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “The best way a writer can serve a revolution is to write as well as he can.” Gordimer was pondering on that question that, she said “plagues the writer,” and she believed that these two statements might be “the credo for all of us who write.” These can serve as our credo as well, all of us women and men who work in this newspaper: “They turn the face of the writer squarely to her and his existence, the reason to be, as a writer, and the reason to be, as a responsible human, acting, like any other, within a social context.” INQ
STAYING TRUE @
I9-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
10-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
15-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
From left: Jasmine W. Payo, Normandy A. Dela Paz, Richard S. Marasigan and Irene Andrea C. Perez
5-YEAR SERVICE AWARDEES
From left: Napoleon M. Sarez, Jr., Rudyard S. Arbolado, Mark Anthony F. Lopez, Arlene G. Astapan, Pocholo M. Concepcion and Roderick C. Villanueva From left: Sunshine I. Velasco, Glorielyn N. Ebayan, Rolando D. Leonardo, Jeannette I. Andrade and Roy Raul C. Mendiola From left: Elizalde V. Pusung, Raoul Isagani J. Chee Kee, Sara Isabelle A. Pacia, Raymund Caesar S. Soberano, Jea Jean A. Esperas, Glenn Mark M. Velasco, Jennifer S. Santiago, Jovic Maurice L. Yee and Raul J. Palabrica
SIDEBAR TALE
MY 20-YEAR JOURNEY WITH THE INQUIRER From left: Marvin L. Isorena, Michael C. Quinao and Ronald E. San Jose
By Michael Lim Ubac Day Desk Chief Home is where the heart is. Sounds like a cliché, but this was the lead paragraph of the very first essay I wrote for the Philippine Daily Inquirer in 1996 as part of the admission requirement for its scholarship program. When the late publisher Isagani Yambot saw what I wrote, he promptly asked his staff to book me for an interview. I got the scholarship. Two decades later, I realize that my journey with the Inquirer has been far from boring. Rising from the ranks, I practically covered all news beats, and even headed the paper’s labor union at one time. After I ‘graduated’ from the Metro section and began covering for the National News section, travels for coverage became routine. Foreign assignments took me to the United States, Europe, South America, Southeast Asia and East Asia, China, India, Australia and New Zealand. Under the able guidance of City Editor Gerry Lirio, who has given me lots of career breaks, I managed to turn in scoops for the paper. My passion for truth took me to the hinterlands of Maguindanao in 2005, in search of Virgilio Garcillano, the man at the center of the alleged ballot fixing in the 2004 presidential election that became known as the “Hello, Garci” scandal. The exclusive interview would not have happened had I resisted the cloak-and-dagger approach of his handlers. I was ‘snatched’ by five heavily-armed men from a taxi on a highway in Cotabato, blindfolded, and forced into a waiting van. The circuitous trip felt like forever. The bumpy ride eventually led me to a deserted hill overlooking the Moro Gulf where I, thankfully, found Garcillano. That was a hair-raising experience that may have defined my career on some level. It dawned on me that no story was worth one’s life—a journo should always live to tell the tale. Earlier, in 2001, I was nearly mobbed by Estrada supporters during the siege of Malacañang. The scandals that rocked the Estrada and Arroyo administrations defined a tumultuous decade that, however, became the fieldwork for honing my investigative and reportorial skills. Transition plan In 2011, with the heady days behind me, I took a breather and left posthaste for the Unit-
Michael Lim Ubac ed States. I was at the crossroads, a confused guy in his 30s looking for a deeper meaning to life. It was LJM (the late Editor in Chief Letty JimenezMagsanoc) who encouraged me to take further studies abroad, telling Inquirer management that someday, “it will redound to the benefit of the paper.” When I returned in 2013, LJM sent word through former Day Desk chief Juliet LabogJavellana that I had been promoted to desk editor. Little did I know that she was already drawing up a “transition plan” for her graceful exit from a life that was inextricably linked to the nation’s democratic process itself. One of LJM’s favorite mantras was “speaking truth to power.” I was one of the privileged souls who worked with her through the dead of night. She was a light that burned so brightly, and I enjoyed that light. LJM died on Christmas Eve in 2015, five months before I finished my master’s degree in liberal arts (concentration: international relations) at Harvard University. In honor of her memory, I wrote these words on the acknowledgment page of my master’s thesis: “You may have crossed over to the great unknown, but your passion for knowledge and search for truth have left an indelible mark on my life.” The thesis, which highlighted supertyphoon “Yolanda” as a textbook example of climate change, won the “Director’s Prize for Outstanding Thesis” in 2016. ‘Pay my dues’ My original plan had been to work for the Inquirer for five years just to “pay my dues,” a phrase I pilfered from the late Sen. Joker Arroyo, one of my mentors. But I stayed. Why? When we love what we do, we’re oblivious to the passing of time. Maverick Senators Raul Roco and Arroyo exposed me to genuine public service: always work for the common man, they said. Roco and Arroyo, both pride of Bicolandia, belonged to a different era but saw the world sans rose-colored glasses. The two brilliant lawyers and human rights' advocates saw justice—when dispensed liberally
to the hoi polloi—as the beacon of hope and democracy. When I became president of the Philippine Daily Inquirer Employees Union in 2007, Arroyo gladly acceded to my request for him to administer my oath of office. “You told me to pay my dues, right?” I chided the Senate’s jester. Working with some of the best editors, brightest minds and amazing talents in the profession today, I realized that I have had much to learn from my Inquirer colleagues. Admittedly, journalism is not the most lucrative and appealing offshoot of the invention of writing. Every day, one has to maneuver his or her way through a highly stressful environment where the story deadline is king. Winds of change But, perhaps, my journey mirrors that of my fellow 20-year awardees. I believe that all of us have the passion for finding the truth that drives us to walk the extra mile; we’re perpetually searching for compelling stories and multimedia content that will empower our readers. Transitions may be difficult, but they are avenues for great opportunities, too. As we go through this winnowing process, I hope my Inquirer family will survive the winds of change now sweeping us. The Inquirer remains credible because it’s relevant, fearless and transparent. Beyond its watchdog role in our society, its bias for truth and justice consequently gives us a moral compass and a seat at the head of the table. The Inquirer prides itself with its unflinching dedication to running stories that make a difference in the life of the nation. Lending its voice to the marginalized sectors, besides periodically holding to account the powers-that-be, the Inquirer marches on, with its own story forever intertwined with the narrative of a rising nation. That, I submit, is our DNA that distinguishes us from the rest of the lot. I told a dear friend on July 8, my anniversary date, that the past two decades had been “the best years of my life!” But she promptly but lovingly corrected me, saying: “Best years yet.” Indeed, those were 20 years of success nurtured with love by my parents, Arlene and Fidel Jr., and brother, Crisostomo, and forged through the liberating power of the pen. But above all, I firmly believe that it was the hand of the Lord that plucked me from the sleepy town of Masbate and brought me to my second home, the Inquirer, 20 years ago. INQ
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I10-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Most award-winning newspaper in the country
T
he Philippine Daily Inquirer has bagged over 570 awards since December 1985 for its comprehensive news coverage, investigative reports, insightful opinion pieces and attention-grabbing photographs. This year, it received awards in new categories like infographics and page design, making the Inquirer the most award-winning newspaper in the country in editorial content and form. Since January this year, the Inquirer has received 38 awards from local and international groups. The first for the year went to “Lamentation,” the Inquirer’s front page photograph on July 24, 2016, showing a young woman cradling the lifeless body of her partner, which won for Inquirer photographer Raffy Lerma the silver medal for Breaking News (Photography) from the
prestigious Society for News Design (SND). The alleged drug user was killed by suspected vigilantes in the government’s unrelenting war on drugs, which Lerma had been documenting. Lerma’s silver medal, the highest given for this category by SND this year, is granted for work that rises above excellence representing “an elevated level of execution, originality of concept, or high-end work done with a high degree of difficulty,” SND said. “The gripping image stops you immediately and pulls you into studying its details, which make you feel like you are witnessing a tragedy in person: their bare feet, the sidewalk, the signs,” the SND judges said. “The photograph is perfectly composed, the lighting is gorgeous, and the emotion is potent.”
Lerma’s “Lamentation” also won Best News Photograph from The Society of Publishers in Asia (Sopa) in awards it handed out in 2017. Writing editor Daxim Lucas, who was a finalist for Journalist of the Year, bagged an honorable mention in The Scoop Award category for breaking the story about the 2016 Bangladesh central bank heist, while Inquirer Briefing received an honorable mention for information graphics category in the same event. Lerma’s award gave the Inquirer a “three-peat” win at the prestigious Sopa in the news photography category, following wins by Edwin Bacasmas and Marianne Bermudez in 2015 and 2016, respectively. “The journalist captured a powerful emotional moment that depicts the human cost of the
I10-2
Some of the awards the Inquirer received this year. —EDWIN BACASMAS
STAYING TRUE @
I10-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
The Inquirer’s chief operating officer, Rene Reinoso (center), and Central Desk chief Juliet Labog-Javellana (sixth from left) lead other officers and employees of the Inquirer and its magazine arm Hinge Inquirer Publications (HIP) in receiving the Tinta Awards at the Manila Hotel. The newspaper won the grand prix, one gold, three silver and three bronze awards, while HIP bagged a total of seven silver and bronze awards.
MOST AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER IN THE COUNTRY FROM I10-1 Philippines’ war on drugs,” Sopa judges said of Lerma’s picture. “This is an outstanding work of photojournalism not just for the impact of the harrowing image but for its ability to raise questions about a government’s controversial use of extrajudicial killings,” they added. The same photograph by Lerma also won the Grand Prix at the Tinta Awards, where the Inquirer also won one gold, three silver and three bronze awards in newspaper design, layout and photography categories. Another multi-awarded photograph was Lyn Rillion’s “Savior to the Street Oldies,” which won the gold for feature photography at the Asian Media Awards, gold for newspaper photography at Tinta and best news photograph in the Catholic Mass Media Awards. Rillon’s award recognizes visual creativity (originality of perception and treatment), as well as ability to expand knowledge or understanding of an issue through the effective use of the medium and technical skills. Capturing genuine compassion in a single image may be difficult, but Rillon’s “Savior to Street Oldies” made it seem so effortless. The photograph, which accompanied the Oct. 9, 2016, story about a former bank teller, Bennielita “Bennie” Sanchez, showed an elderly bedridden woman smiling faintly during Sanchez’s visit. The photo resonated with the kindness, caring and purity of intention of this young woman who picked up abandoned old folks off the streets and took care of them until they are reunited with their families or are “rescued” by social welfare workers. The Inquirer was also recognized by the academe for its news content, receiving the Best Newspaper award from Gawad Tanglaw, Best in Editorial Content from Lyceum of the Philippines University and Most Outstanding Broadsheet in the Philippines from De La Salle Araneta University. “The Philippine Daily Inquirer was chosen (as) best newspaper (broadsheet) for its fearless views, truth and fairness in its news reports, and credible and highly respected columnists,” said Dr. Jaime Gutierrez-Ang, president emeritus of Gawad Tanglaw, an academe-based media critic. The Inquirer’s award for the Most Outstanding Broadsheet in the Philippines in the Gawad Lasallianeta 2017 organized by De La Salle Araneta University
The Inquirer’s business news team was named Best News Source at the 26th Business Journalism Awards night of the Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines (Ejap) in Makati City. Ejap president Chino Leyco (leftmost) presented the award to the group, which included business features editor Tina Arceo-Dumlao, reporter Miguel Camus (reporter of the year for telecommunications and transport), business editor Raul Marcelo, assistant business editor Corrie Narisma, reporters Amy Remo (reporter of the year for trade) and Ronnel Domingo, and writing editor Daxim Lucas. —CLARISSA BATINO/BLOOMBERG
Reporter Maricar Cinco bags a Special Citation in the investigative report category at the 39th Catholic Mass Media Awards. Philippine Daily Inquirer was awarded Best Newspaper for 2016. —ERIKA SAULER was for being “the most balanced, the most fair, and the most informative newspaper among its competitors.” Sheila Cabidog, head organizer for the award, said that “at present, our millennials are loaded with information because of their exposure to various forms of media and so it is important that they are given the chance to choose the ones they find credible and Inquirer is one of those.” The Inquirer received the Best News Source for business award from the Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines (Ejap) after giving the Best Reporter award to Miguel Camus for telecommunications and to Amy Remo for trade. Reporter Doris DumlaoAbadilla won the Best Feature Story of the Year. This was the fourth time the Inquirer has won the best news source award, the top award given by Ejap to the media organization whose reporters have garnered the most number of awards for best coverage of the various business beats and for best feature story of the year. Inquirer Executive Editor Jose Ma. Nolasco was named
Inquirer Metro reporter Jhesset Enano wins the Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education at the 2017 Lasallian Scholarum Awards. Journalist of the Year by the Rotary Club of Manila for being “a grizzled veteran of such a veritable combat zone where skirmishes flare day to day.” The Philippine Daily Inquirer’s redesign initiative and communications campaign “#MyInquirer” also got the Bronze award in Best in Newspaper Marketing in this year’s Publish Asia conference. The #MyInquirer campaign was part of Project OMG of the Inquirer Group of Companies that highlights how the paper has embraced the evolving behavior of its readers through its different platforms. The campaign was recognized for how it managed to connect with various audiences of the Inquirer: from the core mid-
"The Inquirer Story" publishing team wins platinum at the 52nd Anvil Awards. —JILSON SECKLER TIU
Daxim Lucas is cited by the Society of Publishers in Asia for his story on the 2016 Bangladesh central bank heist. dle-aged readers to the vibrant and social media-savvy millennials, and even to advertisers. Inquirer Briefing got the first four awards in different infographics and newspaper design categories, namely: honorable mention for excellence in information graphics from Sopa, silver and bronze for best infographics from Tinta Awards and bronze for magazine and newspaper design from Adobo Design Awards. Started on Oct. 16 last year, the infographics section of the Sunday Inquirer looks at an issue, institution, process or event, to provide factual, historical and thematic context through the use of infographics, maps and charts.
Photographer Lyn Rillon (center) leads the Inquirer awardees in the 39th Catholic Mass Media Awards. With Rillon are correspondent Juan Escandor Jr. and Eline Santos, cited for their feature on a Church-supported rehabilitation center in Masbate province.
Inquirer editors Abelardo Ulanday and Rolando Fernandez receive the Glory Medal of Distinction from the UPCMCAA for their outstanding work in journalism.
LIST OF 2017 AWARDS BY AWARDGIVING BODIES, DATE AND CITATIONS Society for News Design awards on Feb. 18 - Raffy Lerma’s “Lamentation,” silver award for Breaking News (Photography) - Lerma’s “Dead Serious,” silver award for single-day photo series UmalohokJuan awards of the Lyceum of the Philippines University on March 3 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best in Editorial Content - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best in Readership Anvil Awards on March 10 - Inquirer coffee table book, “The Inquirer Story: 30 Years of Shaping History,” Platinum Anvil Asian Media Awards of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-Ifra) on April 19 - Lyn Rillon’s “Savior to Street Oldies,” gold award for Best in Feature Photography - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” silver award for Best in News Photography - Inquirer’s redesign and campaign initiative, “#MyInquirer,” bronze for Best in Newspaper Marketing Adobo Design Awards Asia on April 19 - Inquirer Briefing, bronze for magazine and newspaper design Gawad Tanglaw awards on April 25 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best Newspaper - Dolly Ann Carvajal, Presidential Award (for entertainment writing) The Society of Publishers in Asia on June 15 - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” Best News Photograph of 2016 - Daxim Lucas, finalist, Journalist of the Year; honorable mention, The Scoop Award - Inquirer Briefing’s “21st Century Vision,” honorable mention, Excellence in Information Graphics Rotary Club Manila on June 22 - Jose Ma. Nolasco, Journalist of the Year Annual Southern California Journalism Awards on June 25 - Ruben Nepales, third prize, Best Columnist or Critic (foreign correspondents) De La Salle Araneta University on Sept. 19 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Most Outstanding Broadsheet in the Philippines
- Ambeth Ocampo, Zeal for Lasallian Excellence in the Field of Print Media Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility on Sept. 28 - Aie Balagtas See, Award of Recognition Economic Journalists’ Association of the Philippines on Oct. 20 - Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best News Source - Miguel Camus, Best Reporter (telecommunications and transport) - Amy Remo, Best Reporter (trade and industry) - Doris Dumlao-Abadilla, Best Feature Story of the Year Lasallian Scholarum Awards on Oct. 23 - Jhesset Enano, Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education in a Nationally Circulated Publication Tinta Awards on Oct. 24 - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” grand prix for Newspaper Best Photography - Rillon’s “Fistful of Panic,” gold for Newspaper Best Photography - Inquirer’s President Duterte Inaugural Special, silver for Best Illustration - Inquirer Briefing’s “Unfinished Justice,” silver for Best Infographics - Marianne Bermudez’s “Holy Cow,” silver for Newspaper Best Photography - Inquirer Briefing’s “Nativity as Faith and Fact,” bronze for Best Infographics - Jeoffrey Maitem’s “Clearing the Route,” bronze for Newspaper Best Photography Catholic Mass Media Awards on Oct. 25 - Rillon’s “Savior to Street Oldies,” Best News Photograph - Maricar Cinco, special citation for Best Investigative Report - Juan Escandor Jr. and Eline Santos, special citation for Best Special Feature - Lerma’s “Lamentation,” special citation for Best News Photograph University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication Alumni Association (UPCMCAA) on Nov. 11 - Abelardo Ulanday, Glory Medal of Distinction - Rolando Fernandez, Glory Medal of Distinction COMPILED BY KATHLEEN DE VILLA AND MINERVA GENERALAO, INQUIRER RESEARCH
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I10-3
19 8 5
Ten years of spreading the joy and love of reading By Minerva Generalao Inquirer Research Head, and Inquirer Read-Along, founding member, and coordinator
A story behind every Guyito
2
017 also marked the 10th anniversary of the Inquirer’s Read-Along program with its initial session on January 27 drawing the most participants in a single session since the program began in 2007. Over 1,000 students had fun and laughter during the session held at Saluysoy Central School in Meycauayan, Bulacan, on January 27 this year, stressing that the key messages of the Read-Along program need to be told and retold to more children. The Inquirer Read-Along messages for children aged 7 to 12 have been: Reading is cool and reading is fun (Sarap magbasa). Celebrities, role models for the youth, and trained wacky storytellers have helped make these messages come across. The overriding aim is to promote the love of reading among children who know how to read but do not read on their own. Five years into the program, Inquirer president and CEO, and Read-Along ambassador, Alexandra PrietoRomualdez, said: “It has now come to a point where people recognize and realize what this program does. It gives me hope that we could build a nation of readers.” One of the innovations of the program was the annual Inquirer Read-Along Festival. Started in 2011, the festival features a two-day marathon of reading sessions at a single venue and storytelling competitions for students. Contestants have to undergo a storytelling workshop conducted by veteran Read-Along storytellers Ann Abacan, Rich Rodriguez and Dyali Justo. The workshop emphasized book-based storytelling techniques, as well as the proper use of body language, eye contact, facial expressions, voice, volume, diction, poise and pacing. This requirement is to help train children to read to their fellow kids. “What we really want to say is that the joy of reading is something that should be continuously nurtured and that in the learning process, even in our very high-tech world, reading should still be a part of our lives,” Romualdez said during the Inquirer Read-Along Festi-
Inquirer CEO and Read-Along Ambassador Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez tells the story of “Ang Huling Puno” complete with costume and props during the 7th Inquirer Read-Along Festival.
Students of Saluysoy Central School act out a scene in the story being read by Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong.
val in November last year. This year’s festival, held on October, carried the theme: “Hope for the Children, Hope for the Country.” It included a special session for older students in Grade 12, where the tragic story of a 17year-old victim of the government’s war on illegal drugs took center stage. Award-winning actress Cherry Pie Picache read “Si Kian,” a children’s book inspired by the life of Kian Loyd delos Santos, the Grade 12 student killed by Caloocan City police during its “One-Time, Big-Time” drug raid on Aug. 16. “Kian’s story is special because it reminds us to be aware of what’s happening in the community, and to be vigilant and cautious,” Picache said in an interview after the event. Through themed sessions, the Read-Along has also been promoting, through selected mix of storybooks being read, Filipino and global values such as respect for elders, love for peace, care for the environment, respect for diversity and,
in the case of the reading of Kian’s story, the value of kindness and respect for life. For its advocacy, the ReadAlong has been honored here and abroad. In 2013, it won the silver award of the World Young Reader Prize for enduring excellence given by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers. In 2011, it was also declared overall grand winner in the communication management division of the 10th Philippine Quill Awards for staging 25 simultaneous storytelling sessions across the country on Dec. 4, 2010, in time for the Inquirer’s 25th anniversary. The program has also been recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Reading Association of the Philippines. The story so far: 21 – Number of Inquirer ReadAlong sessions held in 2017 Over 20,000 – Number of kids who have participated in ReadAlong program Around 400 – Number of
MOBILE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ARM
MEGAMOBILE: IT’S APPS TO YOU By Miko Morales Megamobile Subeditor As the Philippine Daily Inquirer celebrates 32 years as the leading newspaper in the country, Megamobile, Inquirer’s mobile technology company, looks back at its own achievements and innovations as a pioneer in merging news with the latest technologies for a new generation of readers. Known as Inquirer Mobile in the media and advertising industries, Megamobile has been recognized for its innovations in the mobile digital industry over the past 12 years. In 2011, it launched InqSnap, Inquirer’s groundbreaking augmented reality app for newsprint. InqSnap allowed readers to see supplemental material from the Inquirer using their smartphones to snap QR codes found on the pages of the broadsheet. It was one of the first forays of Megamobile to successfully merge print and mobile content. Eventually, Megamobile developed apps for the other publications of the Inquirer
Inquirer is the first media company to establish presence across all messaging apps Group, beginning with the Inquirer Mobile app. With over 200,000 downloads, it is one of the apps most used to obtain news reports in the country. In succeeding years, Megamobile created other apps that offered a variety of content to cater to the varied tastes of readers, ranging from current affairs and regional news to entertainment and lifestyle. The Radyo Inquirer, Inquirer Bandera, Inquirer Libre, Cebu Daily News and Inquirer To Be You apps are proof of Megamobile’s strength as one of the pioneers in app development and as a
provider of digital content for different demographics. From 2014 to 2015, Megamobile enjoyed a streak of successes and exposures. It was able to develop an app for the popular Mind Museum, the first app for a Philippine museum. In the same year, Megamobile was also a major sponsor of the 1st AdSummit and launched its first multiplatform campaign during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. Megamobile also enabled Inquirer to be the first news media company to launch in all chat apps. Through Megamobile, Inquirer became the first news organization to establish a presence across the major messaging apps—Viber, Line, WeChat, Kakao Talk and Firechat. That breakthrough has opened a new stream of followers of the Inquirer brand. In recognition of its work, Megamobile was awarded the Silver Tinta Award in 2015 for Best Integrated Marketing campaign for the Pacquiao Fight Series featured across Inquirer’s multimedia platforms. INQ
celebrities who have read in Read-Along sessions 600 – Number of local titles read in Inquirer Read-Along More than 50 – Number of cities Inquirer Read-Along has visited More than 400 – Number of stories that have been written about the sessions, most of which are also published online at Inquirer.net 13 – Number of special events held by the Read-Along team: the holding of 25 simultaneous Read-Along sessions from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi (2010), seven Read-Along Festivals (2011-2017) and four Reading for Healing sessions (for the survivors of “Ondoy,” “Sendong” and “Yolanda”) and school tours 8 – Number of awards won by Inquirer Read-Along program 19 – Number of storytelling workshops held for students, teachers and volunteers in Metro Manila, and in Negros, Marinduque, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Cebu Around 2,000 – Number of students, teachers and volunteers who have participated in ReadAlong workshops since 2008 INQ
For Ann Abacan, there is a story behind each Guyito doll she has received. And there are over 100 of them. She has been one of the active volunteer storytellers and partner of Inquirer ReadAlong program since it started in 2007. For 10 years, Abacan has received a Guyito doll for every storytelling session as a token of appreciation for promoting love for reading among children. “Each Guyito reminds me of the time and effort in sharing stories, and seeing the kids smile and learn from them is the best part of the experience,” said Abacan, principal of Sophia School in Meycauayan, Bulacan. As a prelude to the school’s 25th founding anniversary in 2020, Abacan said students, with the help of teachers and parents, dressed up 25 Guyito dolls to represent colorful festivals in the country for a project exhibit today (Dec. 9). Recycled materials such as newspapers, wooden sticks, plastics and old clothes were used for the costumes to emphasize the school’s core values of love for country and care for the environment, Abacan said. Among the featured festivals included the Moriones Festival of Marinduque, Singkaban Festival of Bulacan province, Ati-Atihan Festival of Aklan, Pahiyas Festival of Lucban, Quezon, and Vinta Festival of Sulu. To date, more than 20,000 children aged 7-12 from more than 50 cities nationwide have joined the program, which has featured 400 celebrities and role models as storytellers. Guyito, the carabao, is Inquirer’s mascot. It originated from cartoonist Jess Abrera’s comic strip “A. Lipin” where it was depicted as the loyal, if somewhat sassy, companion to farmer Alipio A. Lipin as they talked about the situation in the country. RAFAEL L. ANTONIO, INQUIRER RESEARCH
I10-4
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
DZIQ-AM evolves into Inquirer 990 TV By Jake J. Maderazo Station Manager
S
even years from inception, Trans-Radio Broadcasting Corporation’s (TRBC) radio station dzIQ, also commonly known as Radyo Inquirer 990/Inquirer 990 TV, is at the forefront of evolving technological and journalistic challenges in the digital broadcast, mobile and streaming industry. The journey to be a broadcasting and digital media orgaA happy Radyo Inquirer 990 staff flash the “No. 1” sign as they pose with Inquirer CEO and president nization was realized in 2016 Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, board chair Marixi Prieto, TRBC president Paolo R. Prieto and Mr. Alex Prieto. with an actual TV broadcast on May 8, 2016, on BEAM Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), at the eve of the presidential elections. This was a milestone which allowed the station to engage the broadcast giants in the highly competitive Tagalog teleradyo on digital TV. We have our own mobile app, and streams our programming via Facebook and YouTube livestreaming. We are ready for cable satellite and will soon be streaming on internet-based “Multichannel Video Programming Distributors” such as Comcast and Verizon, when full service Facebook and Google TV arrive in the country in 2019 through its undersea cable landing in Baler-Quezon-Poro Point, La Union, onto Hongkong. Today, Radyo Inquirer 990/Inquirer 990 TV airs original news content for 18 hours, with programming focused on breaking news, talk and analysis. We sign on every 6 a.m. until midnight on BEAM DTT which is now available on all six million ABS-CBN digiboxes and generic digital boxes. We are seen in digiboxes in Cebu and Davao, and soon in Baguio City and Dagupan. This year, we won Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Best AM Radio station for Metro Manila,
Jake Maderazo, station manager of Inquirer 990 TV, holds the trophy received by the company from the KBP as the best AM radio station in Metro Manila.
beating dzMM, dzRH and dwIZ. In the September ratings also this year, we were Top 8 news radio station in the Kantar-KBP ratings for Metro Manila, while per reports, our Inquirer 990 TV is performing well in DTT ratings via BEAM. dzIQ’s lineup of talk radio format and anchorpersons are highly formidable in today’s era of endemic fake news and knee-jerk reactions on issues. Deep experience and automatic fact-checking of developing stories enlighten our listeners and viewers on the appreciation of real issues for their own discernment and disposition. Leading is our early morning news and public affairs program “Banner Story” by the undersigned and News director Arlyn dela Cruz from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. “Good Morning Inquirer,” hosted by veteran broadcast journalists Ira Panganiban and Den Macaranas, follows until 10:30 a.m. These programs are heavily peppered with breaking news, flash reports and live
TV reports on developing stories. From 10:30 a.m. until noon, the multiawarded public service show, “Bantay OCW,” hosted by Ms Susan K and JC KWADS airs. At 6 p.m., seasoned journalist Caesar Soriano hosts “Punto de Bista,” a public commentary show. Our sister company, I DO, will air our radio TV broadcast, with closed captioning on installed digiboxes on more than 100 buses including public railway systems. Next year, TRBC together with Inquirer.net, will be at the forefront of 24/7 news and long form coverages. We are ready to engage the competition in breaking first important news stories as well as videos. As we progress, the new TRBC, now a broadcasting and digital media and outdoor company, according to our president Paolo R. Prieto, we are challenged to impart on the citizenry our brand of balanced news, fearless views, first and fair. INQ
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I11-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
32 landmark theater productions in the last 32 years By Gibbs Cadiz Theater Editor
T
hough it has always fought to survive, Philippine theater has gone way beyond survival mode the past three decades. As it has doggedly shed light on the stark realities, stories and aspirations of Filipino society, along the way—and just as important—it
has developed a bigger and more engaged audience, resulting in the diverse, vibrant scene we see today. 1. Evita (1986, Repertory Philippines). Why “Evita”? Because of the historical quirk that, for the longest time, with Imelda Marcos around, the musical could not be performed anywhere in the country, because the then all-powerful
First Lady felt Eva Peron’s controversial life story too closely echoed her own. But, in the wake of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, Rep was finally able to mount “Evita” (Baby Barredo and Joy Virata alternated in the role)—further confirming that democracy was, indeed, back in the country. 2. Bongbong at Kris (Bulwagang Gantimpala, 1987). Writ-
ten just months after the end of the Marcos era, Bienvenido Noriega’s funny, pointed satire imagined the scions of the most consequential feuding families in Philippine history—Bongbong Marcos and Kris Aquino—falling in love a la Romeo and Juliet in 1991, when rebel leader Marcos Jr. kidnaps superstar Aquino to force her president mother to allow the
Marcos family back into the Philippines. Noriega characterized his play as a “Romansa’t Komedya sa Pelikula’t Politika”—highlighting the uniquely intertwined worlds of politics, celebrity and pop culture at the heart of Pinoy society. 3. Dalagang Bukid (1987, Tanghalang Pilipino). The collapse of the old order ushered in new configurations at Imelda’s
old playground, the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The erstwhile resident theater companies, Rolando Tinio’s Teatro Pilipino and Tony Espejo’s Bulwagang Gantimpala, were eased out, replaced by a new company—Tanghalang Pilipino, with Nonon Padilla as artistic director. TP’s inaugural show was a revival of the sarsuwela “Dalagang
I11-2
STAYING TRUE @
I11-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
32 LANDMARK THEATER PRODUCTIONS IN THE LAST 32 YEARS Bukid,” which reminded the public about pioneering sarsuwela queen Atang de la Rama, also the Philippines’ first film actress; that year, she would be conferred the National Artist Award for Theater. 4. Macli-ing Dulag (1988, Peta). Malou Jacob’s play shone a light on the excesses of Marcos’ martial law and paid tribute to the heroism of the Cordillera peoples in their struggle to preserve their domains and culture, specifically through the story of Kalinga leader Macliing Dulag (played by Nanding Josef, under Soxy Topacio’s direction), who was slain for his opposition to the Chico River Dam Project. 5. Katy! (1988, Musical Theatre Philippines). The work of a raft of top-flight talent—music by Ryan Cayabyab, libretto by Jose Javier Reyes, direction by Nestor Torre, and lead performances by Mitch Valdes, Celeste Legaspi, Marco Sison and Bernardo Bernardo—“Katy!” celebrated the life and legacy of bodabil queen Katy de la Cruz. The show, hailed by then Inquirer columnist (later editor in chief) Letty Jimenez Magsanoc as having created “the prototype for the Filipino musical,” birthed the now-classic anthem “Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako.” 6. Twelfth Night/Ikalabindalawang Gabi (1992, Teatro Pilipino). Shortly before Rolando Tinio was to open his Filipino translation of “Twelfth Night,” his wife and muse, the revered actress Ella Luansing—who was slated to play Viola—died in a car accident. Tinio, instead of canceling the performances, reconfigured Shakespeare’s comedy into a haunting elegy for his wife. It also marked the final curtain call for Teatro Pilipino, the company Tinio had founded and nurtured for 17 years with an incomparable repertoire of original translations/adaptations of classic world drama for Filipino audiences. 7. M. Butterfly (1990, Dulaang UP). David Henry Hwang’s Tony-winning play made its Philippine premiere via a much-buzzed-about staging by Tony Mabesa. Starring Behn Cervantes as the French diplomat Gallimard and R.S. Francisco as the opera singer Song Liling, “M. Butterfly” became a certified blockbuster for Dulaang UP, both critically lauded and extensively toured around the country. 8. Ang Memorandum (1990, Tanghalang Pilipino). Vaclav Havel’s satire of the bureaucracy, translated into Filipino by Orlando Nadres, was staged by Nonon Padilla in 1990—with no less than the world-renowned Czech playwright, dissident and by then president of his country in the audience, as part of his official visit to the country. 9. Minsa’y Isang GamuGamo (1991, Peta). The 1976 Lupita Kashiwahara film, touching on the US bases and pervasive American influence, was transformed by Peta into a play that marked the theater debut of the movie’s original star, Nora Aunor—at about the same time that the Philippine Senate was deliberating on and making the historic vote to kick out the American military presence in the country. 10. Kung Paano Ko Pinatay si Diana Ross (1991, Peta). Rody Vera’s Palanca-winning play explored, in harrowing and revelatory ways, his evolving Filipino gay identity via a semi-autobiographical story he described in his notes as “halos din maging isang pangugumpisal”—an exercise in confessional honesty that, in a period still bereft of thoughtful gay representation in the public consciousness, helped stir the conversation on issues of gender, patriarchy and social prejudice. 11. DH (1992, Peta). Nora Aunor’s second collaboration with Peta tackled another burning issue of the day—the oppressive conditions experienced by many Filipino domes-
FROM I11-1
Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Himala, The Musical” (2003) —JONJON VILLAREAL
Marco Sison, Mitch Valdes, Katy dela Cruz, Celeste Legaspi and Bernardo Bernardo at the premiere of “Katy!” (1988)—INQUIRER PHOTO
SK Productions’ “Rama at Sita” (1999)—SK PRODUCTIONS
tic helpers abroad as a consequence of the country’s labor export policy. Conrado de Quiros was moved to wax eloquent afterward: “They don’t give awards for plays, but [Nora] will have all the awards she needs in the warmth she gives to the lonely, the balm she gives to the wounded, and the hope she gives to the grieving.” 12. Hard Times (1993, Actor’s Actors Inc.). A Charles Dickens adaptation, AAI’s first production, directed by Jaime del Mundo, just had four actors—Robbie Guevara, Gina Wilson, Mylene Rosal and Bart Guingona—playing 16 characters. It’s hardly remembered now, but where would the likes of Red Turnip Theater and similar companies be today without the template set by Guingona and co.—the boutique theater company, as it were, specializing in “serious,” idea-driven, nonmusical plays? The banquet of such fare today is thanks to AAI’s beginnings. 13. Les Miserables (1993, Repertory Philippines). In gratitude for the gold mine of fully-formed talent he was able to poach from the Philippines, mostly from Rep, Cameron Mackintosh gave special permission for the country’s premiere English-language theater company to mount an all-Filipino “Les Miserables.” It was a colossal undertaking, but Rep more than delivered with a show, directed by Bibot Amador, that was hailed as a milestone in Philippine professional theater for its unstinting production values and performances by the industry’s cream of the crop, among them Cocoy Laurel, Michael Williams, Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, Jaime Blanch, Jon Jon Briones (now the Engineer in “Miss Saigon” on Broadway). 14. St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos (1993, Dulaang UP). Floy Quintos’ provocative look at a largely forgotten but illuminating moment in Philippine history—the display of a number of Filipino tribes people at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, to show Americans their government’s supposed civilizing ways in their
new colony in faraway Asia—was a heavyweight production from its subject matter to its sprawling cast, which included such luminaries as Joel Lamangan, Ronnie Lazaro, Amiel Leonardia, the late Rolando Tinio, Mario O’Hara, Ogie Juliano et al., under Tony Mabesa’s direction. The play was remade into a musical in 2005. 15. Ang Paglalakbay ni Radiya Mangandiri: Isang Pilipinong Ramayana (1993, Peta). “Ang Paglalakbay ni Radiya Mangandiri,” subtitled “Isang Pilipinong Ramayana,” was based on an old Maranao version of the Indian epic. Peta’s production of it underlined the Philippines’ ancient cultural connections to the Asian heartland. According to scholar and playwright Nicanor Tiongson, “Through imaginative use of ethnic movements and music, Peta's ‘Mangandiri’ succeeded in raising crucial questions about the nature and direction of leadership, seven years after the fall of the Philippine Lawana (the Marcos dictatorship) in 1986.” 16. Noli Me Tangere, The Musical (1995, Tanghalang Pilino). A new Filipino musical mainstay was born when Ryan Cayabyab and Bienvenido Lumbera, now National Artist for Literature, teamed up to retell Rizal’s novel in musical fashion. Nonon Padilla’s original production, starring Audie Gemora and John Arcilla alternating as Ibarra, and Monique Wilson as Maria Clara, has spawned a number of revivals through the years, and was also toured in Japan and Malaysia. 17. Angels in America (1995, New Voice Company). The Asian premiere of Tony Kushner’s masterpiece—a “gay fantasia” on the Reagan years, as the playwright called it—happened in Manila courtesy of the bold and fresh theater-making of Monique Wilson’s New Voice Company. The detailed Americana and often explicit nature of “Angels”—or even its length—didn’t deter New Voice’s young actors; a one-off schedule saw the company performing Part 1 and Part 2 of the play consecutively at the Music
Museum, with only a break in between—truly a groundbreaking seven hours in Manila theater. 18. 1896 (1996, Peta). Peta’s thundering musical production (music by Lucien Letaba, libretto by Charley de la Paz), staged in the run-up to the Philippine centennial celebrations in 1998 and reran a number of times after, starred Rody Vera as Andres Bonifacio, Ariel Rivera as Emilio Jacinto and Bodjie Pascua as Emilio Aguinaldo. It was, in the words of political commentator Manuel L. Quezon III, “the highlight of the Centennial celebrations and a musical I wish would be constantly performed.” 19. Ang Larawan (1997, Musical Theatre Philippines). Rolando Tinio’s swan song was this play—a musical version of Nick Joaquin’s “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino,” generally regarded as the most important Filipino play, now set to Ryan Cayabyab’s soaring, melancholy melodies, with translation and direction duties by Tinio himself. Celeste Legaspi played Candida, Zsa Zsa Padilla was Paula and Ricky Davao was Tony Javier; also in the cast were Hajji Alejandro, Louie Reyes, Fides Cuyugan-Asencio, Armida Siguion-Reyna, Dawn Zulueta ... Tinio died a few days before “Larawan’s” opening, making this essential musical his last masterwork. 20. Rama at Sita (1999, SK Productions). An independent production, “Rama at Sita” is still remembered by many theatergoers as the most lavish theater production they have ever seen. The musical, which combined the Cayabyab-Lumbera libretto from Ballet Philippines’ “Rama, Hari” with new music by Danny Tan, Roy Iglesias and Dodjie Simon, spared no expense, from its opulent costumes and sets (at one point, a full-size elephant ambled its way to the stage carrying a resplendent Rama, played by Ariel Rivera) to its star-studded cast that included Lani Misalucha, Raymond Lauchengco, Robert Seña, Jaya, Nonie Buencamino, Franco Laurel, Pinky Marquez. 21. Rent (1999, New Voice Company). Monique Wilson’s New Voice Company electrified Manila audiences when it staged Jonathan Larson’s triumphant musical, directed by Bobby Garcia, at the Music Museum in the dying days of the last century—the closing months of 1999, when the world was welcoming a new millennium, and “Rent,” meanwhile, seemed to be speaking to young audiences with a new voice. Bituin Escalante, Ricci Chan, JM Rodriguez and Michael de Mesa (who, before this, was known more as a film actor) were among the original cast’s breakout actors. The show would have several more Manila iterations over the years. 22. Miss Saigon Manila (2000). Ten years after the Filipino invasion of London’s West End led by Lea Salonga’s star turn in “Miss Saigon”—and the ensuing international opportunities that seminal door opening would offer several generations of other Filipino artists—the Boublil-Schonberg musical that started it all finally played in the Philippines, with the original Kim herself reprising her iconic role. 23. Luna, An Aswang Romance (2000, Gilda Cordero Fernando). Produced by literary and arts doyenne Gilda Cordero Fer-
CB Garrucho and Audie Gemora in Peta’s “Ang Paglalakbay ni Radiya Mangandiri” (1993) —PETA
nando, “Luna” was another Palanca-winning play by Rody Vera that, as directed by Anton Juan, became a conversation-piece production melding together Cordero-Fernando’s lifelong pursuits: theater, literature, fashion (specifically Filipiniana), Pinoy melodrama and mythology. As she wryly recalled in her Inquirer column: “For director I wanted Anton Juan, the only one I could imagine to be devilish enough to give it fangs ... It was an unforgettable piece and won an award as well. I was its producer again, and lost my pants as well.” 24. The Vagina Monologues (2001, New Voice Company). Wilson once again blazed a trail when she brought Eve Ensler’s taboo-breaking “The Vagina Monologues” into the country. At first, audiences and venues alike tiptoed around the play’s frank talk on women’s sexuality and identity, but, in time, Wilson’s strategy of inviting diverse groups of well-known women from theater, film and other fields to perform the play would be embraced, the public readings themselves becoming high-profile advocacy events for women and community empowerment. 25. King Lear (2001, World Theater Project). In an audacious case of gender-bending casting, director Anton Juan cast Repertory Philippines founder Zenaida “Bibot” Amador as Lear—perhaps the first female Lear in the world (Glenda Jackson tackled the part at the Old Vic in London just last year), and certainly in this country. One lifestyle editor would recall that “her portrayal stirred shock waves in the theater industry”—the good sort of shock, of course, with observers validating the unconventional but brilliant casting. 26. Himala, The Musical (2003, Tanghalang Pilipino). Ishmael Bernal’s cornerstone film about faith and superstition, starring Nora Aunor and written by Ricky Lee, was reimagined as a musical in 2003, with Lee himself collaborating with songwriter Vince de Jesus on the libretto. The result was a powerful musical production whose stature has only grown with time, acclaimed these days as a contemporary masterpiece. A 10th-anniversary concert version was staged in 2013; the full show will be restaged next year with an entirely new cast. 27. Kanjincho (2003, DUP). A Kabuki play by an all-Filipino cast? Dulaang UP’s Tony Mabesa attempted such an unprecedented undertaking in 2003, based on a Filipino translation by Jerry Respeto of the classic Japanese text “Kanjincho.” The cast—among them Neil Ryan Sese, Romnick Sarmenta, Lex Marcos and the Dulaang UP Ensemble—trained rigorously under two Kabuki experts, learning the performance elements and techniques of the age-old art form; student musicians also learned how to perform as a Kabuki musical ensemble with Japanese drums, flute, shamisen and vocals. 28. Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah (2006, TP). Beginning as a cult comic book and then transition-
ing into a wildly popular musical, “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah”—directed by Chris Millado, with music and lyrics by Vince de Jesus and book adaptation by Chris Martinez—proved to be a joyous, unbridled celebration of Pinoy camp and kitsch, and would itself become an entry in local pop culture with its adaptation into a mainstream comedy movie. Several runs later, the beloved musical remains Tanghalang Pilipino’s biggest blockbuster. 29. Orosman at Zafira (2008, DUP). Dexter Santos, in his first directorial job for Dulaang UP, made a splashy debut with “Orosman at Zafira,” in which he completely reconfigured the Francisco Baltazar komedya into a galvanizingly danced and sung spectacle of warring tribes and mercurial lovers (Carol Bello provided the rousing neo-ethnic music). Any play in the city these days that features extensive storytelling choreography probably owes its inspiration to Santos’ movement-led body of work, especially “Orosman at Zafira.” 30. Sa Wakas (2013, Culture Shock Productions). A work by first-time theater producers, “Sa Wakas” was an enormous surprise hit in 2013, fuelled mainly by a distinct new congregation of theatergoers: millennials. Young people who grew up on the featured songbook of the pop-rock band Sugarfree, on John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo rom-coms and all the other trappings of the zeitgeist found their lives mirrored in the musical’s urban, buoyantly modern take on relationships and manners in the social-media era. So strong was the clamor for a rerun that “Sa Wakas” returned for an encore in January this year. 31. Rak of Aegis (2014, Peta). Peta struck gold with “Rak of Aegis,” an unlikely jukebox musical that—through “musical director Myke Salomon’s brilliant reworking of the Aegis songbook and a crackerjack cast responsible for what Lea Salonga has called ‘probably the best ensemble singing I’ve heard in a local musical in a very long time’” (as we wrote in our 2014 yearend theater roundup)—became the company’s most commercially successful production, a bona fide phenomenon that simply went on and on. 32. Virgin Labfest. Not a play, but an annual festival of “untried, untested and unstaged” one-act works that has become the prime driving force for the flowering of contemporary Filipino playwriting. Since 2005, over a hundred new plays by emerging and established playwrights have been staged, a development that has also propelled the growth of actors, directors, other allied creatives, and the theatergoing community itself. And the canon is now richer with stalwart works such as Nicolas Pichay’s “Isang Araw sa Karnabal,” Floy Quintos’ “Ang Kalungkutan ng Mga Reyna” and Layeta Bucoy’s “Doc Resurreccion: Gagamutin ang Bayan.” INQ (With inputs from Dennis Marasigan and Arturo Hilado.)
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I11-3
19 8 5
From one food craze to another A rundown of trends in the local foodscape that defines the eating habits of Filipinos By Vangie Baga-Reyes @vangiebagareyes
F
rom shawarma to lechon manok to milk teas to ramen, Manila goes from one food craze to another every few years. Some of these trends continue to thrive, while others have faded away. Here’s a quick look of what has in recent years transpired in the foodscape that, in one way or another, define the eating habits of Filipinos and the way we regard food. Shawarma. In the 1990s, this Persian was so hot, everywhere you went, people crowded around smokey roadside shacks to get slices of roasted meat with onions and tomatoes gingerly wrapped in warm pita and smothered with garlic and hot sauces. Donut/Cronut. Filipinos can’t resist sweets, so this fried and sugary confectionery took Manila by storm. Brands like Dunkin’ Donuts, Mister Donut, Go Nuts, Krispy Kreme and J.Co, to name some, have become a household name. Cronuts, a donut and croissant hybrid, have also driven the world nuts. People like the crisp, flaky and airy texture of cronuts with a burst of pastry cream. Pearl shakes. This cold concoction has spawned a host of small neighborhood businesses. The refreshing drink with “black pearls,” made from yam and tapioca balls similar to the chewy gulaman at sago, comes in different colors and flavors that are mixed with crushed ice and blended to a creamy sherbet. Lechon manok. This grilled chicken, marinated in spices, has become a fixture of the country’s food scene, found in almost every street corner. Andok’s and Baliwag are two survivors of the lechon manok craze that started more than a decade ago. They run a string of branches all over the city, all of which are doing well. Other brands have also sprung up, an indication that lechon manok is here to stay. Starbucks. A trend unto itself, Starbucks popularized café culture in the country. When Rustan’s Coffee Corp. opened Starbucks’ first Manila outlet, it instantly became a
hub of students, executives and people who are not even coffee drinkers who line up for a cup of Americano or Cappuccino. It became fashionable to be seen at Starbucks coffee shops. Designer coffee shops. The emergence of various coffee shops in the metropolis has been attributed to the unique café experience in Starbucks. Walk around the city and you will likely see them, small shops with shiny silver roasting machines offering their own gourmet blends and brew. Salted egg. Salted egg as snack—mixed in potato chips, ice cream and steamed buns—has drawn a cult following among Pinoys. Suddenly, this humble ingredient is appearing in all sorts of dishes, morphing into something delicious that builds up layers of flavor, savory and sweet, in one’s taste buds. Tapsilog/Pares/Goto. They didn’t take off until the past 30 years or so—hole-in-the-wall carinderia types offering these quintessential Pinoy comfort food—quick to prepare, salty, greasy. Best of all, they remind you of home. Sisig. Back in college for GenXers (or Titos and Titas as they are called nowadays), sisig used to be classified as pulutan (bar chow)—pig’s face and cartilage sizzling hot on a steel plate, made creamy by chicken liver. With all its savory and artery-clogging goodness, it deserves its current status as a staple in Pinoy mainstream cuisine. Drive-thru. With the advent of fastfood came the drive-thru, a convenient innovation that affords you to dispense with the hassle of parking, finding a clean table and meeting other people. Nowadays there are efforts to have drive-thrus for medicine. But that’s another story. Food delivery. If you belong to the generation preceding the millennials, chances are, you haven’t experienced having food delivered at your doorstep as kids having a latenight Betamax-watching binge. Food delivery is a godsend especially during typhoon season. Convenience store meals. Convenience stores are themselves a latecomer in pop cul-
Anthony Bourdain
Starbucks Frappuccino —RICHARD REYES
ture. But having to buy dinner—or even breakfast and lunch was something unthinkable for Pinoys back then. Now all you need is a microwave oven and dinner is ready. Pizza joints. In the postMartial law era, there were only three: Pizza Hut, which was more of a family dining place; Shakey’s for beer and live band evenings; and 3M for tightbudget days. These days, a whole plethora of stores cater to all kinds of pizza cravings—some have closed shop, others are struggling, but several are still going strong: Domino’s, Joey Pepperoni Pizzeria, California Pizza Kitchen, Yellow Cab, Project Pie, to name a few. Inquirer Lifestyle “Best Desserts” Book. For the past three years, desserts have trumped the main course, occupying centerstage at the dinner table through the Inquirer Best Desserts book launches. The emerging trend spawned from yet another brainchild of Inquirer president Sandy P. Romualdez and Lifestyle editor Thelma S. San Juan, and compiled in book form by this reporter. Burger. A recent mad rush promo for burgers turned into a marketing success for Zark’s. But it was hardly groundbreaking when it comes to selling hamburgers. Scott Burger—yes, that small, street-corner joint with a statue of a fat kid hoisting a giant burger—shifted tectonic plates with its buy-one, take-one promo. That was so successful, it’s still ongoing. Having said that,
Pinoy Burger culture has expanded to sophisticated levels that has brought us the likes of 8Cuts, Brother’s Burger, among many others, as well as something as pedestrian as Angel’s Burger. Maginhawa Street/Aguirre Avenue food strips. What were once residential streets in the heart of suburbia have transformed into rows of chic restaurants. Never mind parking space, let alone traffic jams, what’s important is the food experience in these two of the liveliest, trendiest hotspots these days. Artisanal spirits. Until recently, the bar scene was dominated by San Miguel Beer Pale Pilsen, hard liquor brands and maybe cocktails. But there’s now a remarkable change with the emergence of San Mig Light, Red Horse and bottled cocktails like Smirnoff Mule and Tanduay Ice. More sophisticated, locally produced and flavored liqueurs and rums include Manille Liqueur De Calamansi and Paradise Mango Rum. Celebrity chefs. As food took its rightful spot in mainstream pop culture, it likewise saw the rise of celebrity chefs. Suddenly, the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver, Woflgang Puck and Anthony Bourdain became virtual rock stars with their own reality TV shows and a huge social media following. Cooking tilt shows. Just when did cooking competitions become a spectator sport?
I11-4
Stone bowl bibimbap, Namoo House —INQUIRER PHOTO
STAYING TRUE @
I11-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
FROM ONE FOOD CRAZE TO ANOTHER Through tight editing and just enough realism, these TV shows became a big hit. Local spinoff shows were borne out of such popular programs as “Top Chef,” “Master Chef,” “Junior Master Chef,” “Iron Chef” and “Hell’s Kitchen.” Eat-all-you-can buffet. Trailblazing restaurateur Vicvic Villavicencio introduced buffet in restaurant dining. Decades later, he introduced the no-leftover buffet, a marketing strategy that reshaped Filipino family dining. Today, almost all hotels and restaurants offer a buffet. Weekend markets. They are a good addition to the food arena. Salcedo Market, Legazpi Sunday Market and Sidcor at Eton Centris Walk, to name some, are the most talkedabout and frequently visited places among foodies and nonfoodies alike. Vendors offer fresh produce as well as cooked food. There’s also a visual feast of grilled meats and a variety of organic and ready-to-eat food from new entrepreneurs and weekend home bakers themselves. Stalls are well-arranged, according to merchandise—plants and potted flowers and herbs, clothes, food etc. Jollibee-McDonald’s rivalry. The competition between the two fastfood giants has been ongoing over the years, vying for consumer loyalty by outdoing each other in celebrity endorsements, value-meals and promotional toys. It’s amusing to watch how their creativity is applied to outsmart each other. Al-fresco dining. It has become a trend to eat in covered patios, some of which have misters to cool down the area. Hotels and restaurants make
FROM I11-3
Eastwood Richmonde Hotel is Your Home for the Holidays Make your way to Eastwood Richmonde Hotel for warm and intimate celebrations this Yuletide season! Savor the comforts of your home while enjoying comfortable hotel facilities, sumptuous holiday buffets, and a fun-filled New Year’s Eve party especially made for the family! Have a wonderful time with Richmonde’s awesome room offers for your holiday break. The NoFrills Christmas Rates, which come with a delightful breakfast buffet for two, start at only Php7,350nett. With the Christmas Holiday Package which starts at Php 9,650nett, get to experience a traditional feast as the package includes delectable dining options of either the Christmas Eve dinner buffet or the Christmas Day lunch buffet good for two persons. These fantastic Christmas rates are valid on December 24 and 25 only. Longing for a little more rest and relaxation after the holidays? Book from January 2 to 7, 2018 and enjoy budget-friendly Extended Holiday Rates starting at Php4,500nett with breakfast buffet for two. Nothing beats sharing fabulous feasts with your loved ones. Make your reservation at the newly opened Eastwood Café+Bar, where mouthwatering cuisines for special gatherings are prepared by Executive Chef Patrick Obia, with the help of his very talented kitchen team. Relish in the tasteful flavors and tempting aromas of various
dishes and carvery with Richmonde’s Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet, Christmas Day Lunch Buffet, and New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet, each priced at Php1,650nett per person. Say goodbye to 2017 and welcome the upcoming year with nothing less than a stellar New Year ’s Eve Countdown Party happening at the Hotel Lobby from 10pm to 1:30am this December 31. For only Php1,150nett, revel in overflowing drinks and cocktail buffet, with a glass of sparkling wine for the midnight toast. Live band performances are sure to make you forget sorrows from the past year as you jive to vibrant music and toast to new beginnings with friends and family. After a splendid night of festivity, keep the ball rolling with a hearty New Year’s Day Sparkling Brunch
Buffet, served at the Grand Ballroom from 10am to 2pm for only Php1,150nett. Kids certainly can’t be left out of the celebrations this season. All buffet offers are free-of-charge for children 5 years old while children 6 to 12 years old get 50% discount on the full price. For your inquiries and reservations, call 570-7777. Eastwood Richmonde Hotel is located at 17 Orchard Road, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan Quezon City. Eastwood Richmonde Hotel is accessible from the 2nd floor of Eastwood Mall. For more information, send an email to erh@richmondehotel.com.ph or log on to www.richmondehotels.com. ph. For up to date info on hotel promotions, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EastwoodRich mondeHotel and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @Richmonde_ERH.
Ramen —ROMY HOMILLADA al-fresco dining more appealing by sprucing up the place with plants and flowers entwined on a trellis. Korean food. Korean cuisine has invaded Manila just as K-Pop stars have drawn a massive local following. Dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, kalbi and kimchi have found their niche in the Philippine dining scene. Korean food is said to be one of the most interesting, intricate and most rigorously prepared cuisines in the world, with a history dating back centuries. International celebrity chefs in Manila. A lot of famous international chefs have grown fond of Manila. Anthony Bourdain has visited a few times to shoot for his CNN food series “Parts Unknown.” Canadian chef Anna Olson enjoys exchanging notes with wellknown Pinoy chefs. Culinary goddess Nigella Lawson has introduced a line of pasta. Alain Ducasse visits and gives demos for a culinary school. International food franchise. Filipino restaurateurs/entrepreneurs have been going into food franchising, bringing in popular international food outlets to give Filipinos more dining op-
tions—brands like Pink’s, Todd English, Tim Ho Wan, Din Tai Fung, Maisen and Marugame Udon, to name a few. Ramen. Ramen places have also become a bandwagon similar to the shawarma and lechon manok craze decades ago. A long line of customers enjoy and savor the rich, thick and deep-flavored broth with their choice of noodles, topped with roasted chicken or pork. Organic food. Many attribute the popularity of organic food to people’s shift to healthy eating. There are already a number of purveyors offering premium-quality organic and natural food products. Food trucks/food parks. They create a big buzz among foodies with adventurous palates. These are hubs with multiple kiosks featuring a variety of food and a communal eating area housed in a single location. Foodstagram. People just can’t eat without first taking pictures of their food to post on social media. The thing is, it’s really tempting not to post those photos, especially if the food is exceptionally good. INQ
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I12-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
CLASSIFIEDS: READY TO HURDLE CHALLENGES
RIVERA
Our advantage is we have digital and print combined
E
UGENIO Rivera, assistant vice-president for Classifieds, likes to smile a lot. But when he talks about the huge challenges of the Classifieds, Eugene as his friends call him, suddenly turns serious. Rightly so. Rivera, a product of La Salle-Green Hills and University of Santo Tomas, aims to bring back the glory days of the Classifieds which reached its peak in 2015. This, he admits, is easier said than done because nowadays everybody seems to be enchanted with the digital platform. But Rivera, who is now in his 13th year with the Philippines’ leading newspaper, is undaunted by the digital challenges. Fact is, he is spearheading a move for the PDI Classifieds to go digital. Of course, holding job fairs and events, which can boost sales, remains on Classifieds calendar. “Our advantage is we have digital and print combined,” stressed Rivera. ‘‘Others only have digital.” Rivera formerly handled the sales of PDI’s free newspaper Libre and was an understudy of ex-Classified chief Jesse Rebustillo. For a start, Rivera said Classifieds is encouraging clients to pay online using PayPal instead of bank-to- bank. Rivera knows that the media landscape has changed a lot. But Rivera is confident on the capabilities of his staff to weather the challenges.
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
T
1 9 8 5
STAYING TRUE @
I12-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
MEN AND WOMEN AT WORK
Happy bunch: Circulation department staff with Chief Operating Officer Renato R. Reinoso and VP for Distribution Benjamin D. Garcia.
Some members of the advertising desk pose for posterity. LEO M. SABANGAN II.
AVP for Classifieds Eugene L. Rivera with his staff.
Cubao Classifieds staff: Adela Mendoza, Abby Brazil, Randy Isaac, Julius Ortal and Arnel Santos.
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
19 8 5
INQUIRER SPECIALS
DIGILIFE
Want to know the latest flagship smartphones, or the coolest wearable technology? DigiLife is a section where you can read the latest stories about technology, smart devices and products, and current digital trends shaping the world.
SHOPPING ALLEY
Shopping addicts and fashionistas would find this section a rich source of products that would help them dress their best for their OTD-instagrammable social posts.
MEDICAL TRENDS
Although advances in medicine have made people enjoy fruitful lives, health remains a major concern. What are the modern ways to treat cancer? How do you take care of your heart? Medical Trends is the goto section for all your health concerns.
EXECUTIVE ESSENTIALS
A lifestyle guide for CEOs and top executives The Inquirer has also published a number of client-initiated special features that help these companies reach their audience, build their branding, and send their message across.
I12-3
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I13-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
PARADISE DYNASTY OPENS SECOND OUTLET ON DEC 17 AT THE PODIUM MALL By Kenneth M. del Rosario The xiao long bao served in eight delicious international flavors—a world’s first—is a big hit for Filipinos. This unique take on the famous Chinese food favorite is what keeps diners coming back to Paradise Dynasty, a Singapore-originated casual dining concept that serves authentic Chinese cuisine from the Northern and Southern parts of China. The first location (at S Maison, Conrad Hotel in Pasay) opened in the country just a little over a year ago. It proved to be a winner, popular with families wanting to bond over good food or business associates discussing their latest ventures. On the heels of its success, Paradise Dynasty is set to open its second branch later this
month (on December 17) in the new wing of The Podium Mall in Ortigas. “Filipinos really love to eat. We love to try out new food. When we introduced our xiao long bao flavors, we were confident that they will love them all—and we were right,” said Jonathan Ko, manager of Paradise Dynasty. Ko said that the team is excited to open the new location, which is bigger than the first one. The first location can seat about 120 people, while the new branch can host up to 150. Also, the new branch will have two function rooms, as opposed to one in the first location. The restaurant will follow the same interior design as the first one, which has elements from Imperial China that evokes class and intimacy. The eight xiao long bao fla-
T
hrough the years, companies have steadfastly supported the Inquirer in delivering balanced news, fearless views to the Filipino people and to the world. On the occasion of its 32nd anniversary, the Inquirer acknowledges these loyal companies.
PH's biggest and fastestgrowing trucks and equipment auctioneer Asia International Auctioneers Inc. (AIA) is the Philippines' biggest and fastest-growing trucks and equipment auctioneer. Buyers are assured of a wide range of quality items at reasonable prices whenever they attend AIA's auctions. Consignors are confident that their products are exposed to a diverse clientele at AIA's auctions participated in by thousands of buyers from various countries. To its clients and consignors, AIA is synonymous to quality products and professional service from its management and staff. Through AIA, buyers in the ASEAN region can now have access to quality and globally-traded trucks and equipment by way of the "live public auction" where each auction item must be sold to the highest bidder.
Signature Original Xiao Long Bao vors that continues to draw huge crowds on a daily basis are: the original, ginseng, foie gras, black truffle, cheese, crab roe, garlic,
Lamian with Braised Pork Belly in Signature Pork Bone Soup
and Szechuan. It’s not just the food (they have amazing handmade lamian and dessert options, too)
that has endeared Paradise Dynasty to the most discerning diner. Here, guests feel they’ve just walked into a royal ban-
PARTNERS IN DELIVERING BALANCED NEWS, FEARLESS VIEWS become a staple for every memorable occasion in the Filipino household. With this, Astra continues to dominate the entertainment industry in the country. Astra has also supported numerous Filipino artists in the local music arena. Through its assistance and support, Astra has spurred the growth of original Pinoy music (OPM). With the success of Magic Sing, Astra seeks more opportunities in possible markets here and abroad. Anchored in reliable logistics and distribution systems, Astra has demonstrated the best qualities of a Filipino company which offers highquality products and committed service to their clients. Astra’s team of professionals have been trained to be well-versed in Philippine conditions with a familiarity with global trade transactions. They have been imbued with skills geared toward business organization management, strategic marketing, product design expertise, advertising and promotion strategies as well as a complete knowledge of product sales and distribution. Each team player has a key role to ensure the success of Magic Sing in the Philippines. Astra now has various products in its belt. Aside from videoke microphones, Astra now sells song chips, accessories and XMS audio. It has a come a long way from capitilazing on the Pinoy’s desire to voice out their love for music. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
Capitalizing on the Pinoy’s desire to voice out their love for music
'Greenenergized' largest branded community chain mall
The Filipinos love for karaoke created an opportunity for this homegrown company to create an innovative product that revolutionized every Pinoy celebration. Astra was approached by Enter Tech Corp. to distribute the Magic Sing Videoke Microphone in 1999. It was a hit among Filipinos known for their love affair with music and lyrics. Through the Magic Sing, more Filipino voices have reached feverpitch when it comes to singing their hearts out. The Magic Sing is now the Philippines' leader in high definition videoke entertainment. It has
No doubt about it. Filipinos love going to well-designed, and cool, air conditioned malls to shop, eat, watch movies, and bond with family and friends. The vision for CityMall is to become the largest branded independent community chain mall in the Philippines, with prime locations mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. CityMall Commercial Centers Inc. (CMCCI), is a subsidiary of DoubleDragon Properties Corp. (DD), and will serve as the umbrella company for all
CityMall mall projects in the country. CMCCI is 66-percent owned by DD and 34-percent owned by SM Investments Corp. (SMIC). As part of its branding, most CityMalls will have the same theme, color and look. The Food Court concept will be used and spaces will be provided to top fastfood brands like Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon and Highlands Coffee. Spaces for non-food tenants will complement the project. CityMall is proudly ‘‘Greenenergized” as it uses solar panels for energy, and it has a system for rain water collection. This is to support environmental measures. Ample parking for motorcycles and bicycles will also be provided which will be a convenience for its target market.
Building communities that transform the urban and suburban landscapes Since 1994, and with a first mover advantage in the middle-income housing segment, Empire East has built up a portfolio of successful projects—choice settings that bring the benefits of harmony, well-being and value to their residents. Today, through a new breed of community developments, Empire East continues to fashion lifestyles that immerse Filipinos in richer and more rewarding experiences right at home. Empire East breathes real estate. And in giving meaning to the field of real estate development, it pays close attention to the “real” aspect. It prioritizes the genuine needs and preferences of its clients as they help them attain that lifestyle enjoyment they long deserved. This is the very inspiration that drives the company to sustain its endeavor in conceptualization and construction of high quality homes and in choosing only the most strategic locations from Metro Manila up to the outskirts of the city.
Currently, the company is focused on its transitoriented condominium in Metro Manila that makes city-living even more convenient as it takes you to the Metro's main railway transit and thoroughfares — making you enjoy exceptional mobility. After these years, Empire East is starting to move beyond market segments to tap a wider client base and to finally take on the role of becoming the soul of continued advancement.
Filinvest continues to build the Filipino dream Established by Filipino tycoon Andrew Gotianum Sr. and his wife Mercedes in the 1950s, Filinvest Development Corp. has grown into one of the country’s largest conglomerates that operates subsidiaries involved in real estate development and leasing, the sales of housing units, and hotel and resort management. FDC is known for real estate development Filinvest City in Alabang, which was established in 1993 through joint venture between FDC’s subsidiary the Filinvest Alabang Inc. (FAI) and Public Estates Authority. Located at the southern end of Metro Manila and adjacent to the South Luzon Expressway in Alabang, Filinvest City is a 244-hectare mixed-use development project . This fully integrated and self-contained community that boasts of green landscapes and pocket parks is divided into several districts that include a residential haven, business central, leisure destination, learning and education zone, and medical and wellness hub. FDC is also known for its malls, vertical and horizontal developments. Through its subsidiary Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI), FDC has established a number of malls, subdivisions, and mid-rise and high rise condominium developments. It has landbanks in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, aimed at future developments projects of its parent firm. FLI’s projects in different cities include 100 West in Makati, Amalfi in Cebu, Asiana Oasis in
quet, with staffers greeting them in unison as they are led to their tables. Once guests are ready to order, staffers (dressed in traditional Chinese outfit) squat—an ancient way to show respect. For the new location in Ortigas, Ko said diners can expect the same quality food and hospitality that their crew members afford to their guests. “We are all very passionate with what we do—from the chefs to the waiters. We want people to walk out of our restaurant thinking of the next time they can visit next,” he said. The first Paradise Dynasty opened in 2010 in Singapore. Today, there are seven locations across Southeast Asia, spread over in Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Dubai, London, Myanmar, and Philippines.
Paranaque, Bristol in Alabang, Civic Prime in Alabang, Fortune Hill in San Juan, La Vie Flats in Alabang, One Oasis CDO and Davao, One Spatial in Iloilo, Sanremo Oasis in Cebu, Studio A in Katipunan and Alabang, The Beaufort in Taguig, The Levels in Alabang, The Signature in Quezon City, and West Parc in Alabang. FDC also owns hotel brands Crimson, a five-star hotel, and Quest, a value-brand hotel. FDC is also into banking. East West Banking Corp. is a universal bank headquartered at The Beaufort, the flagship luxury condominium project of FDC in Bonifacio Global City. It has extension offices at PBCom Tower Makati (Call Center Division), Hanston Building (Customer Care), and Pasong Tamo Extension. FDC’s rural bank EastWest Rural Bank Inc. (EWRB) was established in 2013 when East West Bank acquired FinMan Bank Inc., a 16-year old Pasig-based rural bank and Green Bank Inc. (also known as Green Bank of Caraga), a 46-branch rural bank based in Butuan City. FDC has also interests in power generation and water supply services through its subsidiary FDC Utilities Inc (FDCUI).
Ford marks 2 decades of strong performance in PH Ford Philippines is a national sales and distribution business that handles all local sales, service and marketing activities of Ford vehicles. In September, Ford Philippines marked its 20th year of business operations in the country. “Ford’s business in the Philippines has remained strong over the last two decades, and we are thankful to our customers and dealers for their support,” said Bertrand Lessard, managing director of Ford Philippines. Among its roster of class-leading cars, SUVs, and trucks are Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Ford EcoSport, Ford Mustang, Ford Escape, Ford Everest, Ford Ranger, Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition. In line with its wide lineup of vehicles, Ford is equally committed to further improving its customer experience. This includes customer convenience from an even wider network of authorized dealerships. The Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company
oooI13-2
STAYING TRUE @
I13-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
PARTNERS IN DELIVERING BALANCED NEWS, FEARLESS VIEWS designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electric vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Ford Philippines is running its yearend sale deals, offering customers more opportunities to own a Ford vehicle until Dec. 31. The yearend deals allow customers to purchase vehicles with all-in low down payment, or low monthly fees, or cash discount for the Fiesta, Focus, EcoSport, Everest and the Ranger vehicles.
FROM B10-1
Kenneth M. Del Rosario
In 1979, the corporate social responsibility arm of the bank, Metrobank Foundation Inc., was established. The foundation’s projects include programs in education, visual arts and healthcare. It conducts emergency and relief operations in times of disasters and natural calamities in the Philippines and in Asia. Its flagship programs include the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE), Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), College Scholarship Program (CSP), MetrobankMTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) and Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS).
Forward thinking key at Isuzu unveils 'Blue Power Technology' as it celebrates 20 years in PH Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) continues to be at the forefront of helping the country move forward with tried, tested and trusted commercial vehicles and diesel engines. This tradition lives on as Isuzu provides first-rate customer service, boosts employee satisfaction, and promotes social responsibility. IPC celebrated their 20 strong years in the local automotive industry last September by unveiling the “Blue Power Technology”—an eco-friendly diesel engine designed to promote green technology. All Isuzu vehicles are now equipped with Blue Power Technology, a testament to the Japanese carmaker’s commitment in promoting clean environment. With the latest innovation, Isuzu aims to provide better engine output, low emissions, fuel economy and excellent durability in all its vehicles. “This country has become our second home and gave us the wings to soar higher than what we were 20 years back. We are looking forward to 20 years and more,” said Hajime Koso, the company’s president. In 2016, IPC contributed 11-percent market share in the commercial vehicle segment. In November this year, IPC opened its newest showroom in Baguio City, in a bid to further strengthen its dealership network in the country. Guided by its corporate slogan “Your responsible partner,” IPC has a 13-hectare manufacturing facility at the Laguna Technopark in Binan, Laguna, which is capable of producing 15,000 units through a modest yet productive work force. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. faces the coming decades with a renewed spirit and a workforce that is stronger than ever. Its new line-up of car models and a new plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna, speaks volumes about the company’s commitment to excellence, sustainability, the environment and drive for innovation. Mitsubishi Motors adheres to “The Three Principles” of the Mitsubishi group of companies, which serves as a touchstone for all company activities: customer-centric approach, giving the highest priority to earning the satisfaction of its customers; going the extra mile, paying close attention to the smallest details; and focus development and manufacturing, making sure that the cars they manufacture embody motorists’ driving pleasure and safety at all times. As one of the country’s leading automotive brands with more than 50 years of automotive manufacturing experience in the Philippines, Mitsubishi Motors continues to manufacture distinctive cars with the passion and conviction to overcome challenges. Its plant in Sta. Rosa occupies 21 hectares, which can produce a maximum of 50,000 units every year. In addition to transferring to a bigger plant, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines also upgraded its equipment to further improve the assembly process and quality. One of which is the automated plastic parts paint robot – the first of its kind in the Philippines. Mitsubishi continues to sell more than 50,000 vehicles in the country every year, achieving record sales growth for the company. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Pioneer of the live-workplay-learn integrated urban townships Megaworld is the Philippines' top residential condominium developer and No. 1 office landlord and developer. It is also known as the pioneer of the live-work-play-learn integrated urban townships in the country. Megaworld was founded by Andrew Tan in 1989 to engage in the development, leasing and marketing of real estate. It established a reputation for building high-end residential condominiums and commercial properties located in convenient urban locations with easy access to offices, as well as leisure and entertainment amenities in Metro Manila. Beginning in 1996, Megaworld, in response to the growing demand for residences near offices and leisure facilities, began to focus on developing mixed-use communities targeting the middlemarket. For this purpose, it established the Eastwood City community township that integrates corporate, residential, education/training, leisure and entertainment components. To date, the company already has 21 integrated urban township developments across the Philippines, namely: Eastwood City in Quezon City, Newport City in Pasay City, McKinley Hill, McKinley West, Uptown Bonifacio and Forbes Town Center, all in Fort Bonifacio, The Mactan Newtown in Cebu, Iloilo Business Park and Sta. Barbara Heights, both in Iloilo, Boracay Newcoast in Boracay Island, Twin Lakes in Tagaytay, ArcoVia City in Pasig City, Southwoods City in the boundaries of Cavite and Laguna, Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City, Alabang West in Las Piñas City, Suntrust Ecotown and Maple Grove both in Cavite, The Upper East and Northill Gateway both in Negros Occidental, The Capital in the City of San Fernando, and Westside City in the Entertainment City in Paranaque. Megaworld is involved in The Mactan Newtown in Cebu, Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Santa Barbara Heights in Santa Barbara, Iloilo, Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan, Northill Gateway and The Upper East, both in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
Nissan moves closer to achieving its goals to triple sales across Asean region Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) was founded on Sept. 23, 2013 as a joint venture among Nissan Motor Co.,Ltd., Universal Motors Corp. and Yulon Philippines Investment Co. Ltd. In March 2014, NPI began operations as the sole national sales company for the Philippines, unifying the Nissan brand under one umbrella. Since it began operations, NPI has become one of the fastest growing automotive companies in the Philippines. NPI has spearheaded the aggressive expansion of its dealership network, signing 11 new dealers in addition to the existing 28 Nissan dealerships which can be found in key cities nationwide. NPI intends to reinforce its brand image and grow its share in the market by broadening its product lineup with exciting vehicles, strengthening sales and fortifying its service across the nation. As a corporation, Nissan is committed to driving growth across the Asean region. A key future target in its Asean mid-term plan is to triple sales across the region to 500,000 units and achieve 15-percent market share. Nissan believes that the Philippines is one of the key markets in the region and is an important component to achieving its goals. The establishment of NPI is an illustration of the company’s commitment to the Philippines and the region. Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. is Japan’s secondlargest automotive company, with headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. The car company, with some 236,000 employees globally, delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Entertainment and lifestyle hub that Filipinos love In good hands with Metrobank The banking arm of tycoon George Ty, the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, commonly known as Metrobank, is the second largest bank in the Philippines. It was established on Sept. 5, 1962 by a group of Filipino businessmen to cater to the Chinese-Filipino community. Today, Metrobank has become a financial conglomerate offering various financial services, from regular banking to insurance. In its five decades of existence, the bank has had several milestones. In 1970, it opened its first international branch in Taipei, Taiwan. In 1973, it opened an office in Hong Kong. It also opened its first branch in Guam in 1975. Soon after, branches in Los Angeles and New York opened. Metrobank was listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange in 1981. It established its own credit card company, Unibancard Corp. (now Metrobank Corp.) in 1986. In 1988, the bank entered into a joint venture with Japan’s largest automotive manufacturer and Mitsui Corp. to establish Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. Metrobank and AXA Group formed the Philippine AXA Life Insurance Corp. In 1990, Metrobank launched the country’s first ATM. Five years later, the bank became the first billion-dollar bank, growing its total capital to P22.8 billion.
Resorts World Manila (RWM) is the first and largest integrated resort in the Philippines. It is a one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination that features gaming thrills, worldclass entertainment, unique events, and exciting lifestyle options. Conveniently located across from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, RWM is the modern gateway to world-class Philippine hospitality. It is currently home to four lodging brands—the luxury all-suite Maxims Hotel, fivestar Marriott Hotel Manila, Remington Hotel and Belmont Hotel Manila. Also located within the complex is the three-story convention center housing the country’s largest hotel ballroom, the Marriott Grand Ballroom. Two more hotels, Sheraton Hotel Manila and Hilton Manila Hotel, are currently under construction. RWM is home to the Newport Mall which features international luxury brands, state-of-the-art movie theaters at Newport Cinemas, and an award-winning, and the ultra-modern Newport Performing Arts Theater. RWM’s aims to be the premier world-class integrated entertainment and tourism destination in Asia, the destination that sets the benchmark for service excellence. Among the values that RWM subscribe to include excellence at all times, the desire to wow guests, unyielding integrity, and genuine care for guests and other stakeholders. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
World-class food and beverage products at affordable prices This all-Filipino food conglomerate has come a long way. From being the pioneer in the flourmilling industry in the Asian region to becoming one of the biggest food and beverage companies in the Philippines, RFM Corp. has created a league of its own. With strong brands boasting of quality and value, RFM has created a wide variety of products which elevated the company into becoming a market leader and a significant player in the food and beverage category. It has given Filipinos the options to taste world-class products at affordable prices. RFM Corp. has brought to life many wishes for a colorful Pinoy celebration through its brands: White King, Royal and Fiesta pasta, Sunkist fruit juice, Selecta milk and Selecta ice cream. To strengthen its market presence and further hone its branding, RFM has made strong and reliable partnerships with significant acquisitions. Over the years, these joint ventures have been instrumental in creating a strong ecosystem wherein both parties thrive. And at the end of the day, consumers got more than what they bargained for. These acquisitions allowed consumers to get more value for their money. RFM Corp. has cemented its role as a world-class Filipino food conglomerate. With innovation at its helm, it continues to be a game changer in the industry. Driven by core values such as product excellence, aggressive marketing, keen management and good governance, RFM Corp. still strives to keep moving forward in the path to success.
The company was started by the husband and wife team of Bienvenido (Sr.) and Gliceria Tantoco in 1951. It traces its origin to a humble gift shop on San Marcelino Street in Manila that sold various imported products. Soon the store expanded and eventually became the country’s prominent department store chain. In its nearly five decades of operations, Rustan’s, through its department stores, and additionally through its formidable network of companies, has contributed to the development of the retail industry in the Philippines and in the Southeast Asian region. It has gained a reputation as a premier store where the elite shop. Likewise, it introduced a lot of innovations in retail, particularly in merchandising, sales, displays, and promotions. As the country’s most prestigious retailer, Rustan’s remains the exclusive address of note to many of the world’s most famous names and signatures – from Cartier to Mikimoto, Tiffany to Ermenegildo Zegna, Nina Ricci to Alfred Dunhill, Sonia Rykiel to Estee Lauder, to name a few of the stores-within-a-store concepts that it has pioneered. Apart from Rustan’s Department Store, the Rustan’s Group of Companies has diversified its retail offerings in the country through the following subsidiaries: SSI Group Inc. is the leading specialty retailer in the Philippines, with the exclusive franchise rights to some of the biggest international lifestyle brands and luxury icons. As of September 2015, SSI Group Inc. represents over 116 international brands and trades in 781 specialty stores across the Philippines. Rustan's Supercenters Inc. (RSCI) manages and operates the Rustan’s Supermarkets, Shopwise and Wellcome chain of groceries, hypermarkets and neighborhood stores, respectively. Shopwise is the Group’s first major foray into the discount retailing segment through an adapted European-style hypermarket. In 1997, the very first Starbucks coffee shop was established in the country at 6750 Ayala, Makati. The arrival of Starbucks in the Philippines spawned the coffeeshop trend in the country. Raquel P. Gomez
Vanessa B. Hidalgo
Creating a healthier lifestyle for Filipinos here and abroad The Gokongwei empire reflects founder's survivor instincts If you’ve ever flew Cebu Pacific, or tasted Blend 45, or shopped at a Robinsons Mall, then you’re fairly familiar with some of the top products by companies the Gokongwei family controls or has investments in. John Gokongwei, who has a very interesting and inspiring riches-to-rags-to-riches story, is one of the most innovative entrepreneurs in the country. Gokongwei is a true survivor, having lived through wars, coup d’etats, financial crisis, and martial law. His business ventures reflect this toughness, often taking on market leaders and established players, almost always ending up on top. Gokongwei is the chairman of JG Summit Holdings, one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines with companies involved in food, textiles, retail, real estate, aviation, banking, and petrochemicals. Companies under JG Summit include Universal Robina Corp., one of the largest manufacturers of snacks in Southeast Asia; Robinsons Land, which develops a chain of malls and other real estate properties; and Cebu Pacific, one of the country’s busiest and most profitable airlines. It also includes Robinsons Bank, which has been aggressively opening more branches in the past couple of years; Robinsons Retail Holdings; and JG Summit Petrochemical Corp. Today, John’s six children (Lisa, Robina, Lance, Faith, Hope, and Marcia) all play an important role in the Gokongwei empire.
When it comes to health, fitness and beauty, only one name comes to mind: Slimmers World International. For over 40 years, Slimmers World has remained true to its calling of creating a healthier lifestyle for Filipinos here and abroad. The fitness company has encouraged Filipinos to take care of their bodies by practicing healthy habits. Slimmers World has created a more beautiful and healthy Philippines. With over 25 centers strategically located in Metro Manila, two in Cebu, one in Subic and three in Bangkok, Thailand, Slimmers World has gone from a next door gym to a successful international brand. Over 500,000 lives have been changed by Slimmers World. Just how did they do it? By shedding one excess pound at a time. Founder and CEO Ronald Joseph Moy believes that there is still a long way to go for Slimmers World. With determination and immense desire to bring out the best in every Filipino, Moy as well as the entire team of Slimmers World believes that the best is yet to come. Its dedicated team of professionals join hands with customers to turn them into “happy losers” through its slimming, health, beauty and fitness programs. Now more than ever, the drive to live a healthy lifestyle becomes more of a necessity than just a hobby. At Slimmers World, you can expect warmth and a friendly voice to push you to your limits and achieve a more fit and healthy lifestyle. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
PDI Archives
institutionalized the “one-stop shopping complex” and was the first mall in the Philippines to introduce “malling” as a pastime. Construction of SM City North Edsa started in 1983. Henry Sy Sr. shares: “In 1983, we were building SM City North Edsa, our first shopping mall. Many people at that time said I was crazy. There was a political crisis; interest rates were as high as 45 percent, and the location of the mall was in the middle of nowhere. They said that SM City would not succeed, but the mall was an instant success.” Since then, the shopping mall has undergone several expansions and renovations. Besides being a haven for shoppers, the architecture of the mall blends both old and new, creating calming and colorful scenes. With world-class cinemas, a helpful and convenient transport depot for easy commuting, outdoor parking, and attractive structures, SM City North Edsa aims to be an architectural landmark of Metro Manila’s progress, as well as one of the most beautiful structures in the Philippines. SM City North Edsa’s introduction of the malling culture to the country not only made the pastime one of the favorite things Filipinos do for leisure, malling also created many fond memories for them, as it was usually done to celebrate occasions such as birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, reunions and other significant events. Another fond memory for some people is the early TV advertisement of SM City North Edsa. The TV ad usually had a commercial spot on the television show Family Kwarta O Kahon when it was still airing every Sunday. The one that goes: “Food! Shopping! Fun! Movies! We got it all... SM City! It’s waiting for you.” When the little ones saw it, parents were automatically tugged by their kids to the mall on that day. Thirty years since SM opened its first Supermall, most people still remember that mall commercial, but they remember the mall memories even more. PDI Archives
At par with the most advanced hospitals in the world St. Luke’s Medical Center is fueled by passion to continuously improve the Filipino’s quality of living. Through state-of-the-art healthcare, St. Luke’s delivers a unique patient experience. The needs of the patients always come first in this internationally recognized academic medical center. The leading and most-respected healthcare institution in the country prides itself with being at par with the most advanced hospitals in the world. There is a long list of accreditations and key affiliations with prestigious international accreditations. Its two facilities in Quezon City and Global City in Taguig have earned numerous accolades. St. Luke’s-Quezon City is the first hospital in the country and the second in Asia to be accredited by the Joint Commission International—the international arm of the oldest and most prestigious healthcare accreditation, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). In 2012, St. Luke’s-Global City earned its first JCI hospital accreditation after only two years of operation. Both the Quezon City and Global City facilities are two of the 20 best hospitals worldwide. The Diplomatic Council of Europe also recognized St. Luke’s as “preferred partner hospitals” in 2016. The multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment of specific medical conditions has propelled St. Luke’s to be a leading name in the field of medicine in the country. With this distinction, St. Luke’s has invested with top-notch medical technologies and equipment. They have acquired the services of highlyskilled and the best doctors in the land. With the best equipment and the right people for the job, St. Luke’s has created an ecosystem that is geared to extend the lives of their patients. St. Luke’s College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial (SLCM-WHQM) has produced the finest and most competent medical professionals. Guided by the core values of integrity, professionalism, innovation, patient-centered care, passion for excellence, synergy and social responsibility, the graduates of SLCM-WHQM possess the optimum skills, as well as the heart to care for patients and their families in their time of need. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
SM never fails to inspire Over 20 years of great Rockwell The Rockwell Land story began in 1995 with the transformation of an unused thermal power plant into a thriving, self-sustained community. Now known as the Rockwell Center, this flagship development was the first of several exceptional communities, which serve as the benchmark for living, leisure and business. As a member of the Lopez Group of Companies, Rockwell Land continues to raise the standard for living spaces by creating a community that seamlessly blends residences, work spaces and lifestyle hubs. All of these are made with the Rockwell signature of innovation, exclusivity and unparalleled quality. One of Rockwell’s keys to success is its perceptive understanding of the individual. Since life is not restricted to the four-walled structure of a home, the property maverick recognized the need to extend its breadth. Today, Rockwell’s signature of exclusivity and luxury is felt even outside the comforts of your residence. In 2012, with a vision to provide affordable premium experience through its living spaces and communities, Rockwell Primaries was established. It offers developments that feature innovative property concepts and customer-centric solutions namely, facilities that exceed industry standards, offering full cycle customer services, which lead to lasting property values. Its projects are developed with the same expertise, management team and project consultants as Rockwell Land, but with accessible payment terms. Rockwell Primaries is the developer of 53 Benitez in New Manila, and The Vantage at Kapitolyo in Pasig City.
Where tradition of luxury lives on Rustan’s is a most recognizable brand in the Philippines associated with retail, high quality products and excellent service.
The brand name may be short, but behind it, is a long and illustrious history spanning more than half a century. And the history of SM never fails to inspire every Filipino: if its founder Henry Sy Sr., a man from a poor family armed only with his dream, discipline and determination can be the richest man in the Philippines, then any person can achieve his or her goal when one’s vision is in “3D.” At present, with SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) as its holding company, it has become one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines. Henry Sy Sr., is the chairman of the board of directors of SMIC and his eldest child Teresita Sy-Coson serves as vice chairperson. Aside from several businesses, SM also has numerous corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. SM Foundation is the corporate responsibility arm of the SM Group of Companies. The foundation has various areas of advocacy: education, health, community development, and care for the environment and for persons with special need. But before the SM Group became the country’s largest retail shopping center developer and operator, as well as having substantial interests in banking, property and other businesses, it started out as a small shoe store in Carriedo, the then-central business district of Manila. According to its website, entrepreneur Henry Sy Sr. established the first Shoemart store in downtown Manila in 1958. His perseverance made the shoe store very profitable, and within a few of years, Shoemart expanded its shoe store chain. During the 1970s, Shoemart evolved from a shoe store to a department store, and became known as SM Shoemart or SM. In the succeeding years, it diversified into other businesses, and at present, SM has a growing number of malls here and abroad. But it was a mall SM opened in 1985 that introduced a new kind of leisure experience for many Filipinos. It started here The ’80s was a very memorable decade especially for Pinoy kids back then. During those years, their favorite pastime which was watching cartoons on TV became more entertaining with the emergence of new cartoon shows such as G.I. Joe, Transformers, The Smurfs, Thundercats, Care Bears and He-Man. Within this decade, a new pastime also emerged in the Philippines and proved to be very entertaining not just for kids but for the whole family as well: “malling.” On Nov. 25, 1985, SM opened its first supermall, SM City North Edsa, located at the intersection of North Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) in Quezon City. SM City North Edsa innovated and
A lasting home for every Filipino The success of Sta. Lucia Realty has been built on solid foundation and sound practices. Its early beginnings in 1972 as a developer of subdivisions in Pasig, Taytay, Morong and Rizal has now paved the way to even bigger creations for the real estate company. It has grown to an impressive roster of communities in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga, Cabanatuan and Pangasinan. Sta. Lucia Realty has already grown its roots in Visayas through its thriving communities in Bacolod, Cebu and Iloilo. Part of its ever growing family lies in Mindanao: Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Now, more than ever, Sta. Lucia Realty relies on a commitment to help shape a living and working environment where Filipinos are able to thrive with nature. Each development is handpicked with wellthought of designs around human and natural elements. Sta. Lucia Realty believes that growth can only be achieved if it is pursued through sustainable means. Hence, they remain steadfast with their goal of protecting the environment. The next best thing for Sta. Lucia Realty is to provide a home that goes beyond the expectations of its new residents. Infused with experience, dynamism and excellence, the property developer aims to build, grow and strengthen its business. Its legacy will be creating a lasting home for every Filipino where they can turn their dreams into a reality. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
Suzuki Philippines vows to uplift Filipinos' way of life Suzuki Philippines Inc. is a manufacturer of superior quality motorcycle and the exclusive distributor of Suzuki Automobile, Suzuki Outboard Motor and Suzuki Genuine Parts in the country.
oooI13-4
I13-4
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
PARTNERS IN DELIVERING FROM B10-1 BALANCED NEWS, FEARLESS VIEWS
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
The company takes pride in its motorcycle line-up for leisure, sports or business, as well as quality compact vehicles that are tailored to adapt to the customers’ dynamic needs. Suzuki Philippines Inc. wants its name to be synonymous with trust and reliability, and for being a continuous innovator and trendsetter in the Philippine motorcycle and compact vehicle industry. As a company, it aspires to provide vehicles of the highest quality, affordability, safety and environment-friendliness, as they strongly commit to uplifting the Filipino community’s way of life by providing them the best quality vehicles that offer not just ease in transportation, but lifestyle options as well. The company originated from a Filipino family business in the 50s. In 1985, the company became a wholly owned Japanese company in the Philippines by Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd. In 2012, Suzuki Philippines Inc. relocated to Calamba City, Laguna. It boasts of a 37,265 sq.m. plant area which accommodates its localization and expansion programs. It was in 2016 that Suzuki Philippines Inc. officially assumed the distribution of Suzuki Outboard Motor in the country, making it the only integrated motorcycle, automobile and outboard motor company in the Philippines. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Toyota keeps lead in PH's competitive automotive industry Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC) is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp. based in Santa Rosa, Laguna. It is responsible for the assembly and distribution of Toyota vehicles in the Philippines since 1988. TMPC is the largest automotive company in the country, with the widest vehicle line-up of 17 models and a sales distribution and service network composed of 47 dealerships nationwide. Its main production facility is the the 82-hectare Toyota Special Economic Zone (TSEZ) in Sta. Rosa. In the Philippines, Toyota’s presence dates back to 1962 when Delta Motor Corp., a company established by Ricardo C. Silverio Sr., acquired the rights to assemble and distribute Toyota vehicles for the Philippine market. As of this year, TMP has invested P5.2 billion to the government’s CARS program. The increase to P5.2 billion follows TMP’s decision to put up a state-of-the-art plastic injection facility in its Sta. Rosa plant, along with the expansion of its press parts facility and introduction of new hemming technology. “Investments in new parts manufacturing capability constitute a significant portion of our investments. Our major localization projects will drive our goal of advancing Philippine manufacturing,” said TMP president Satoru Suzuki. Kenneth M. Del Rosario
Biggest and only ISO-certified auction company United Auctioneers Inc. is the biggest and only ISO-certified auction company that offers the best remanufactured trucks and construction equipment in the Philippines. United Auctioneer's reputation as the premier industrial auction company in the Philippines has been achieved by providing its consignors and customers a professional venue to buy, sell, trade industrial machines, trucks and vehicles. The company's determination to be the best at doing what matters most anchored on competent, honest service will allow
our consignors, customer, employees, owners and the communities in which we live and work in to prosper.
Trusted quality healthcare Unilab knows what’s best for Filipinos. For over 70 years, Unilab has provided the Filipino people with trusted quality healthcare. Being the biggest pharmaceutical company in the country, it has firmly established itself as a formidable industry leader with a market share of more than 20 percent. It has made every Filipino feel well again by providing quality medicine in the form of the biggest prescription medicines, consumer healthcare and personal care products. Moreover, it has created a corporate culture which is centered around people. The men and women of Unilab place people in the center of everything. And it places a premium around family and community with the core values of cooperation and sharing at the heart of every endeavor. Fueled by its mission to promote and enrich Filipino communities, Unilab remains committed to stand united and do what is best for all Filipinos. This is what differentiates them from all other pharmaceutical companies. The promise to produce only quality products and services remains true after all these years. Also, accessibility and affordability is high on their list so that every Filipino will receive the equal share of care and compassion. Unilab envisions a future where they will be the best provider of healthcare in Asia. In fact, they have already drawn up a plan on how to achieve it. First, opportunities will be translated into sustainable business growth. Within the company, a culture of innovation will be harnessed. Finally, better value will be delivered to both partners and consumers. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
Only the best selection of home products Since 1977, Wilcon has been synonymous to quality and topnotch service. And it has kept its promise to live up to the company’s mission of providing Filipinos with only the best selection of home products. With a wide array of the latest building and finishing materials from both local and international markets, Wilcon continues to give Filipino homebuilders expanded home-building solutions. Putting the customers’ needs first, Wilcon gives their most welcomed guest an experience complete with value-added services such as ample parking space and designated play areas for the shopper’s children. Free membership to Wilcon Loyalty Card Program available to customers, as well as a Design Hub—where customers can personalize their home design. With over 40 stores nationwide, Wilcon provides customers with a wide variety of high-grade home building materials which ranges from tiles, sanitary wares, appliances, plumbing, tools and hardware, etc. For the do-it-yourself (D.I.Y) customers who like to roll up their sleeves, Wilcon Depot makes sure that you have every item for your electrical, building materials, automotive, doors and moldings outdoor living, paints and sundries. Wilcon is set to open 65 Depot branches in key cities in the country within the next five years. Vanessa B. Hidalgo
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I14-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
25-year service awardees
30-year service awardees
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
20-year service awardees
Inquirer honors 57 service awardees in its 32nd year By Meg Adonis Photos by Leo M. Sabangan II
Inquirer Chair Marixi R. Prieto
T
here is a certain pull at the Inquirer that makes its employees stay for five, 10 and even 30 years in its service. “We stayed in the belief that we were doing something that matters, that we were part of an institution critical to nation building,” said acting Regions editor Robert Jaworski Abaño. Speaking on behalf of his fellow 20-year awardees at the 2017 Inquirer Employee Service Awards on Dec. 7, Abaño recalled historic events all over the world and in the Philippines that happened in 1997—the year that he, along with 20 others, finally called the Inquirer their home. Twenty years later, they now find themselves protecting and upholding the credibility and legacy that the past editors have worked hard to establish. “We are duty-bound to protect its legacy as the leading light in the fight against wrongdoing, oppression and tyranny,” he said. “Whether at the frontline or in the background, we are witnesses to history as it is drafted by Inquirer reporters and polished by its editors.” Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) chair Marixi Rufino-Prieto, known as MRP in the Inquirer, lauded the 57 service awardees for “keeping the faith and [continuing] to be critical and fearless.” With the uncertainty ahead of the Inquirer, MRP asked the awardees to keep the paper’s legacy burning. “Whatever the future may bring, promise me that you will continue the legacy … and make it even greater,” she told the awardees in Edades Function Room at Aruga by Rockwell.
15-year service awardees
5-year service awardees
Hosted by editorial production assistant Matthew ReysioCruz and Metro reporter Krixia Subingsubing, the service awards was aptly themed “Staying True at 32,” honoring the Inquirer’s employees who have stayed with the No. 1 newspaper in the Philippines for five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years. Indeed, the Inquirer’s loyal employees have been a witness to the struggles that PDI has faced and endured. MRP’s daughter and PDI president and chief executive officer, Alexandra “Sandy” Prieto-Romualdez, asked everyone to stand and form a circle as one family, thanking everyone for each of their own contributions in making the Inquirer what it is today. “For [all of you] who missed family gatherings just to be able to chase after important stories that shaped the nation in one way or the other, changed policy, corrected wrongdoings, highlighted … anomalies that were going on, know that the Philippines is better because of the work that you’ve done,” she said. Dark times News editor and 30year awardee Artemio “Jun” Engracia Jr.
10-year service awardees
took the awardees and guests even further back into history; the year when the country was just recovering from a long period of darkness. “The year 1987 was a turbulent one in our country’s history … The Inquirer was in the thick of things not only as chronicler of this transition but also as an active participant in the momentous, and sometimes convulsive, events that shaped this important part of our history,” Engracia said. One can say that Engracia was born into the newspaper business; he had “printer’s ink in my veins and newsprint in my cereals,” first working as a newsboy for the family business, only to get fired because of wrong deliveries. But now, the News editor finds himself down to his 30th year with the company—along with Eligio Fugaban, Cynthia Balana and Constantino Tejero—with the title he has long dreamed of having attached to his name. In between the laughs and cheers during his speech, he admitted that he also dreaded his 30th year because it meant nearing the time when he would bid farewell to the people he considered his family, with whom he ate dinner and spent his Christmas more than with his own blood. But it only meant that amid the obstacles that the Inquirer has faced in the past
and in the present—when fake news is prevalent—he remained steadfast in giving the Filipino people the truth that they deserve. “The Inquirer has had its ups and downs. But I am most proud of this great newspaper when the chips were down; when it had to reach out from the depths to remain true to its mandate … Today, more than ever, I am proud of the Inquirer,” he said.
WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE
ON ITS 32ND ANNIVERSARY Contact Numbers: (02) 890-0181 / (02) 832-3145 www.dagxpress.com
STAYING TRUE @
I14-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
Halloween Carnival By Louie Greg Rivera Photos by Genie L. Lagman Come one, come all! Enter the spooky carnival at your own risk for no children will leave this place without a trick and a treat!
Once a year the building of the Inquirer transforms into one of the creepiest places in all of Makati as it holds a Halloween costume party for the children of the families and friends of its employees. This year it was themed:
Halloween Carnival. Preparation Each department tried its best to create the spookiest yet child-friendly carnival out of their office space and they had to do it without the fear of other departments knowing what they had planned. Weeks passed after the announcement of the theme was made and slowly you could see every window get covered with paper and every employee busy preparing. For Laleng Mansilla who is part of the second floor right wing, which consists of the Marketing, Executive, HR and Admin departments, it was teamwork which made everything possible. "It was Patrick who thought of the design and who did the major decorations then it was up to us to do everything else," said Mansilla. She even joked that "the easiest part of it all was scattering the shredded papers all over our area." However, for Editorial department’s Nastasha Verayo it was a challenge for them due to their work schedule of hav-
ing to stay up later than everyone. "We tried to do it early, but our work schedule was a huge hindrance. It's not like we could put up the haunted hallway at once. So we ended up staying up till early morning to complete the decor, but I think it was worth it," said Verayo.
Trick or Treat Children were treated to different fun and games inside the 2nd floor multi-purpose room hosted by Evelyn Bacani and accompanied by Guyito. After the event they were brought to the different carnivals inside the building. Inside the carnivals the kids were given treats by the
employees handing them numerous sweets for them to enjoy. And since it was carnival themed different games were readily available for both the kids and the kids at heart. The announcement of the dress your department winners will be made during the PDI anniversary on Dec. 9.
FINANCE IS 2017 PDI BOWLING TOURNAMENT CHAMPION By Yara Lukman Photos by Genie L. Lagman Finance department was the overall champion in the 2017 PDI Bowling Tournament, beating defending champion Digital Pre-press Unit (DPU) in a close fight. Finance scored a total of 3,081 points while DPU had 2,888. The championship game happened on Aug. 5, 2017 at the Bowling Center of SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. On the other hand, DPU bagged all the group awards: Highest Team Single Scratch, Highest Team Single with Handicap, Highest Triple Scratch and Highest Triple with Handicap. Evelyn Bacani, from Finance team and the top 3 female bowler, said that every year, the bowling tournament was the most awaited game. “Team Finance is overjoyed and proud in beating Team DPU because each player of that team is equally talented and focused to win,” Bacani said.
Sandy Romualdez, Renato Lao, Rene Reinoso, and Abel Ulanday
For Level C, Advertising department was the champion and Marketing followed as first runner-up. The top 10 male bowlers were: 1. Glen John Labasug (IGC) 2. Inocencio Francisco (DPU) 3. Genie Lagman (DPU) 4. Carlito Abing (HR and Admin) 5. Benigno Lati (Editorial) 6. Luisito Bacani Jr. (DPU) 7. Limwell Cayubit (Credit and Collection) 8. Frederick Nasiad (IGC) 9. Glenn Mark Velasco (Advertising) 10. Arnold Buño (Finance)
Champion: Finance Department “To my teammates, thank you for your support and dedication. Team Finance won because each player gave his/her best throws and encouraged each other on bad throws,” she added. Inquirer president and CEO Sandy Prieto-Romualdez was teary-eyed when she was giving the awards and delivering her speech. “It has been an honor working with you for such a very long time. Only God knows why things happen,” Romualdez said. Chief Operating Officer Rene Reinoso jested that he did not enjoy the tournament because he was no longer part of the winning team this year (he was part of the Finance team last year). The second runner-up for Level A was Credit and Collection department. Third runner-up was HR and Admin. Level B champion was IT department. Editorial finished as first runner-up. IGC was second runner-up and Classified and Circulation was third runner-up.
First runner-up: Digital Pre-press Unit (DPU)
The top 10 female bowlers were: 1. Adela Mendoza (Classified and Circulation) 2. Jocelyn Tabuso (HR and Admin) 3. Evelyn Bacani (Finance) 4. Glaiza Garcia (Credit and Collection) 5. Josie Buño (IT) 6. Christine Buban (DPU) 7. Maria Cristina Pilapil (IGC) 8. Dolce A. Abuan (Marketing) 9. Marites Dela Cruz (Marketing) 10. Mary Grace Pagulayan (Editorial) The MVP male bowler was Inocencio C. Francisco from DPU while the MVP female bowler was Adela G. Mendoza from Classified and Circulation section. The MVP guest bowler was Glen John P. Labasug of IGC and the Rookie of the Year was Renato B. Lao of HR and Admin.
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I14-3
19 8 5
Servathon 2017 reaches out to victims of Marawi By Maricris Irene V. Tamolang
W
ell aware of the devastating war that went on for five months in the city of Marawi in Mindanao, the Inquirer joined 26 other companies which gathered at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City last Sept. 23 for the Servathon 2017. Entitled “Mobilizing Manila for Hope in Mindanao” and organized by Hands on Manila (HOM) Foundation Inc., the annual service marathon was the concerted effort of over 1,000 volunteers who signed up for the day-long assembly of kits containing basic necessities. This year's Servathon, however, was remarkably special according to HOM program manager Mai Mislang because it was in support of a particular cause, mainly helping out the victims
of the war in Marawi. The projects, which included home in pails/care packages, sleeping kits, mobile learning kits and mosquito traps, were meant to benefit around 7,820 beneficiaries in the rural communities in Mindanao, particularly the families affected by the conflict. Inquirer, as a long-time Servathon volunteer which participates every year, brought along several of its employees who created learning kits (Number games consisting of Math problems) during the event for the children in Marawi. Volunteerism Volunteerism is an effort that fosters team build-
ing, engagement and camaraderie among Inquirer employees, an initiative of PDI president and CEO Sandy Prieto-Romualdez some years back, said Inquirer senior corporate affairs associate Bianca Kasilag-Macahilig of Inquirer's participation in the relief effort. “In Inquirer, we treat each other as family and she's (PDI president) always been helping Servathon for different projects. Employees sacrifice their Saturdays but they are more than happy to make a difference by helping in their own way, meet other PDI employees, and [thereby] feel that they are part of the Inquirer family.” Likewise, HOM trustee Gina Aboitiz who led the organization of the Servathon 2017, also said in her opening remarks that the service marathon was “a small sacrifice on our part to show that we care about our brothers and sisters in Mindanao.” All the projects were turned
over to International Care Ministries (ICM), an NGO with both demonstrated track record and presence in the poorest areas in Mindanao, and to the Community and Family Services International (CFSI), a humanitarian organization with nearly two decades of extensive experience in the conflict-affected areas of southern Philippines. Kasilag-Macahilig said that what made this year's service marathon a little bit different is that all the finished products were loaded on the trucks deployed in the conflict area right after the event ended at 2 p.m. Life-changing efforts Also, the event was graced
by Vice President Leni Robredo, this year's Servathon keynote speaker who heaped praises on the relief initiative, saying it has become a platform for people who want to get involved in volunteerism, and for life-changing efforts that can go a long way. Some of the companies which participated in the Servathon are Aboitiz Foundation, Ace Saatchi & Saatchi, American Express, Baker & McKenzie, BPI Foundation, Cardinal Health, Casa + Architects Inc., Cibo, Concepcion Carrier, Far Eastern University, ICTSI Foundation, Manulife, Northern Trust, Philippine Daily Inquirer,
Philippine Transmarine Carrier, QBE, Raffles/Fairmont, Republic Cement, Rockwell Land, Romulo-Mabanta Law Office, Roxas Foundation, Roxas Holdings Inc., True Value, Visa, Wells Fargo and Zendesk. Hands on Manila Foundation Inc. is the leading nonprofit organization working to promote volunteerism in the Philippines. It is the first international affiliate of Hands on Network USA, now known as Points of Light Foundation, the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service. It is also accredited by the Philippine Councilor for NGO Certification.
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I15-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
A FORCE TO RECKON WITH New team set to steer Inquirer to higher ground By Amy R. Remo @amyremoINQ
I
t’s an interesting time to be part of the Inquirer’s highly dynamic advertising team. This year likely marked the most number of movements in this division, from its head honchos down to its lineup of young and active account executives—all geared at achieving a single vision: to steer the country’s No. 1 newspaper towards achieving new milestones amid an increasingly challenging print media landscape. Earlier this year, the Inquirer announced three key appointments. Firstly, Buenaventura “Jong” R. Arcano Jr. was appointed officer in charge (OIC) of the Advertising Division. The Special Projects Section is now headed by Theresa “Tek” S. Samaniego, concurrent to her position as the Editor of the revitalized Property Section, while the Inquirer also confirmed the official appointment of Sunshine Irabon-Velasco as group sales manager. “These people are very qualified. They know the business, they know their product by heart, and they’re highly experienced in crafting the appropriate creative solutions and packages for our clients. I’m confident of their capabilities as they have been in this industry for at least more than a decade,” Inquirer chief operating officer Rene R. Reinoso had said. “With them on board, I believe that we will have a highly dynamic Inquirer,” he added. The display account executives now comprise of Kathleen Gale Pascual, Novie Joy Barayuga, and Bryan Angelo Talite, all of whom have been with the Inquirer for several years now. Joining the Inquirer’s roster of AEs this year include Glenn Mark Velasco, Ana Salera Cruz, Joy Santos Pilar, Cherry Lou del Rosario, and Akiko dela Cruz. Clarissa Crisologo meanwhile joins the Display Team as a graphic artist, while Michelle Galang and Glaiza Borais are the sales office assistants. At the helm of the Advertising Desk is Arnel Francisco, who supervises a team comprised of Regina Layague-Dela Paz, Oscar Delgado Jr., Joel Macawile, and Ian Benjamin D. Gonda. Over at the Special Projects team, Magella Pinili serves as the sales manager; Aileen Academia-Garcia is the assistant sales manager; Kris Angelo Roberto as account executive; while Maricel Cuadra is the group’s sales assistant. Serving as the special projects editor is Joel Nigos; Joyce Marie Monponbanua and Ritchie Sabado as graphic designers; Matias Dennis Eroa as desk editor; Raquel Gomez, Kenneth del Rosario, Charles Buban, and Teresa R. Salazar as senior writers; Marlet Salazar and Armin Adina, who will soon form part of a social media team; Eugene Araneta as photographer; while Mylene Francisco is the group’s overall coordinator. Here are some members of the advertising team sharing their most memorable experience in the Inquirer so far.
oooI15-2
STAYING TRUE @
I15-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
S I N C E
NOVIE JOY BARAYUGA 7 years Account Manager The best part about being with the Inquirer is that most of the time, I don’t feel like I’m working because I love what I’m doing. I’m thankful that I am surrounded with friends as this makes the job easier, and the working environment, a bit lighter. My memorable moment only happened last December 4. It was my first time to attend one of my client’s party. Thinking that it was an intimate dinner, with only four tables at the venue, I never thought that we would enjoy that party like there’s no tomorrow. Our friends from Rockwell also made us feel that we are most welcome and loved.
BRYAN ANGELO TALITE 4 years, 8 months Account Manager The best part about my work is when I am able to accomplish my clients’ requests, and when, at times, I get to be good friends with my clients as well. I have so many unforgettable moments in the Inquirer. But if I have to choose one, it would be my first anniversary party as an employee of Inquirer: December 9 2015. It was Inquirer’s 30th year. I was able to perform with the new hires and with our group (classifieds, marketing and advertising)—two performances all in just one day. It was also my first time to bond with other departments. It's like a party of one department.
I15-3
19 8 5
A FORCE TO RECKON WITH
FROM I15-1
KATHLEEN GALE PASCUAL 3 years Account Manager Fearless was the first thing that came to my mind when I thought of the Inquirer way before I joined the company. Even if I’m from the business side, it’s been rewarding because partly I felt like I’ve contributed—no matter how small—to this cause of being vehicle of truth and information. The way I see it, the job of advertising team is more than about securing ad placements. My most memorable experience so far: An editor gave me an opportunity to write as a contributor in her section, and seeing my name on the paper was a proud moment for me.
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
GLENN MARK VELASCO 6 Years (on January 2, 2018) Account Manager You’re not just an ordinary employee but you work as an empowered person. I feel the ownership and motivation to work hard and sell ad spaces. I feel the support of my colleagues and the inspiration of my previous and current bosses as well as the company owner. For me, it’s the everyday learnings and experiences that I will never forget, along with having provided solutions to our advertisers, meeting with clients, building relationships, and hitting quotas. Most of all, it’s the feeling that we are one big family in the workplace.
ANA SALERA CRUZ 10 Months Senior Account Executive/ Relationship Manager In Inquirer, you get to call people “mother” and “tito/tita” in whatever position they are in, and still, the respect is there leveled up with intense family and familiarity feels. It makes me feel younger too. One unforgettable moment for me: It was 11:45 p.m., I was sleepy and about to call it a day, half-dead to the world. My phone suddenly rang. I didn’t even bother looking at who called and just answered. I was then greeted with, “Stop printing, mali yung material!” The said material was a full page, full color, back page of the main section and was already at the last batch of printing and distribution. Needless to say, I was very much awake until the next day troubleshooting.
JOY SANTOS PILAR 9 months Senior Account Executive Working for the Inquirer is already a privilege as it is. I’ve been an account executive for almost 20 years and I can truly say that my heart really belongs to print. To be able to associate myself to a well-respected company that is being trusted by the Filipino people for more than 30 years, I am very honored to be part of it. As for my memorable moment... No comment. Next question please!
CHERRY LOU DEL ROSARIO 11 months Senior Account Manager The best part of working for the Inquirer was when I was able to meet and deal with different people, and gained new friends. I’m happy that I’m part of this new family. I’m proud of our team as well, the display sales team. Everyone is cooperative, accommodating, friendly and efficient. Everyday, we are up for new memorable moments and challenges. But for this year, I think the most memorable moment for me is the celebration of PDI’s 32nd anniversary. We came up with a special supplement and everyone’s very cooperative. Our immediate bosses were also supportive. Everyone’s just happy and inspired because of the support we received from our everyone in the team.
MICHELLE GALANG 1 year Sales Assistant The best part about working in the Inquirer is that I get to work with the best team, and that we have supportive bosses. Inquirer also gives us the chance to grow and provides us, as well, the freedom to promote ideas to do innovative things. One of my most memorable moments was when I performed at the 31st anniversary celebration of the Inquirer. It was memorable because that’s the time when I became officially part of the Advertising team. For me, it also opened doors for opportunities and experiences.
AKIKO DELA CRUZ 9 months Account Executive The best part of working for the Inquirer is that I was able to expand my network as I was able to meet and work with different companies. It’s not about getting a yes or an approval for print budget with my clients, but rather about building a relationship and gaining their trust. These are among the memorable moments I’ve had in Inquirer. I realized I’m not just giving value to my clients but also to myself by fulfilling my duty and bringing revenues for our company at the same time.
CLARISSA CRISOLOGO 4 years Graphic Artist The best part about working in Inquirer is being appreciated in your uniqueness. You can be timid, or sassy, or even eccentric—everyone will accept and love you. Here in Inquirer, we are a family. This institution is home. I will never forget the time I made an error in one of the ads I designed. I realized my mistake the morning after the layout has been approved, the same time as it is scheduled to be printed. Everyone rallied to halt the printing that has already been running for a while. Thankfully, we were able to do so. I have never appreciated my colleagues until that day. We are a team here, we got each other’s back.
JOEL MACAWILE 22 years Deskman The best part about working for Inquirer is knowing that you are working in the country’s leading newspaper and with the best people in the print industry. Being appreciated for what you do is always a memorable moment. A simple “thank you” from your bosses and colleagues makes all your hard work worth it. Being chosen as “Deskman of the Year”—for four times—by an ad agency has been a memorable moment. Such recognition motivates and inspires us to work even harder.
JOYCE MARIE MONPONBANUA 13 Years Graphic Designer The best part about working in the Inquirer is that I get to work with such passionate and hardworking people, as well as some of the most talented people in the game. It’s a great place to learn ethics. It’s also a suitable place to learn media technology. I’ve been with the Inquirer for so long that I’ve had many memorable stories. But looking back, I would say it would be those days wherein we would close the pages until the wee hours of the morning, sleepovers at the office, and waking up beside your computer table. But it’s a happy place especially when you’re always witnessing Angelo’s daily blunders (LOL!)
AILEEN ACADEMIA-GARCIA 28 years of service Special Projects Assistant Sales Manager Working in Inquirer, I was able to send my siblings and my children to school, and help my parents too. You have this feeling of prestige that you are working with the No. 1 newspaper. Through my work in the Inquirer, I also get to collaborate with different prominent people in the business industry. Among my memorable moments was when we had the P100,000 profit share and my kids, together with my parents, had a grand vacation in Boracay. Also memorable, I guess, would be the kindness of the owners, as you get to shake hands, hug, and make beso with them. Through the 28 years, I was able to build a strong relationship with my officemates, who later became my best friends and then kumares. These I will all treasure, the fond memories and all the learnings I had in my stay with Inquirer. And I will forever be grateful. Mabuhay ang Inquirer!
REGINA LAYAGUE-DELA PAZ 24 years Deskperson I got to experience working with different people and dealing with them at different level, in varying situations. Thus, it helped me develop my social attribute towards others and these experiences made me a stronger person. I still remember right after my regularization, most of my co-workers were excited and elated talking about PS (profit sharing) and I was lucky that I was going to receive it that year. But of course, not all was happy for me, someone deliberately suggested that it was unfair for them (old employees) that the new regularized employees will receive the same amount, that they suggested to the Union to revise this provision in the next CBA. Thank God, they did not win and we (new employees) got what we deserved (the full PS amount).
Members of the Inquirer’s highly dynamic advertising team, led by company COO Rene Reinoso, are all geared at achieving a single vision: to steer the country’s No. 1 newspaper towards achieving new milestones amid an increasingly challenging print media landscape. PHOTOS BY LEO SABANGAN
GLAIZA BORAIS 6 months Sales Assistant In the Inquirer, I have the privilege to work with the most wonderful persons. I’ve learn a lot of things in dealing and closing sales, which allowed me to boost my confidence. This is my first job and I am so grateful that they welcomed me with open arms. I am a secretive person, shy, and I have friends that can be counted by the hand. But now that I am out in the real world, I have learned a lot and gained new friends—a family, in fact, in the Inquirer. I am proud to be part of a family that is really working hard to be the best of the best.
OSCAR DELGADO JR. 23 years Deskman My most memorable experience in my 23 years here in the Inquirer was when we won the Intercolor Basketball Championship back in 2004—and the best part of it all is that it was a sweep. Happy 32nd year to the Inquirer and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
IAN BENJAMIN D. GONDA 14 years, Deskman The best part about working for the Inquirer would be my advertising family plus a 360 degree view, which is way better than a corner office. My most memorable moment in Inquirer came during my first run as an advertising deskman. I made an error in placing a full
page Pfizer ad, which I placed at the back page of Lifestyle section, but whose request was to be placed at the back page of main section. It was a full page error, but a coworker took responsibility for it, which could have led to an early dismissal on my part.
ARNEL FRANCISCO 20 years Advertising Desk Supervisor The best part about working in the Inquirer are my colleagues. I enjoy being surrounded by kind, smart, beautiful and hardworking people. Going to work is like meeting your barkada. A memorable time for me was during the time of former President Joseph Estrada, when I accepted from the “Senior Officers of the AFP” a full-page political ad criticizing the incumbent administration then. For some reason, I did not ask the approval of then publisher, the late Isagani Yambot or Atty. Raul Palabrica, which was our SOP. It became a big topic and went on to be part of prime time news, which quoted the said Inquirer ad. My boss asked me to explain or I would be suspended for 15 days. Luckily, he only gave me two days.
MAGELLA PINILI 23 years Special Projects Sales Manager I’m fortunate to be with the company for 23 and a half years, 16 years of which I worked as a regular account executive. I became part of the Supplements team when the management decided to spin off a separate group that will handle the different special projects. In the Inquirer, I’m able to manage my time well since I don’t have to work beyond eight hours unlike the early years of my career in the ad agencies when I had to extend my work up to 12 midnight and sometimes, the whole night. Being with the advertising team during out of town seminars, which are a lot of fun; being awarded in the sales and marketing performance awards almost every month by achieving my sales target (and this is because of the supernatural provisions of God. I can only boast about the goodness of the Lord); and being with the most happy and hardworking persons in the advertising team are some of my most memorable moments that I will cherish throughout my lifetime.
KENNETH DEL ROSARIO 12 years Senior Writer Aside from representing beauty, I am a special features writer, so I attend events, interview people, and write for the paper. The best thing about my work is the prestige that comes with it, the stability, the network. A memorable moment for me was when I was new with the Inquirer (about 3 months), and have met (Inquirer President) Sandy Prieto-Romualdez through the orientation. One night, I was walking home (short distance from the office), when a car stopped on the road. The window rolled down and to my surprise, it was Ms. Sandy. She was offering to take me home. I said I only live a couple of blocks away and thanked her profusely. I really appreciated that!
DENNIS EROA 23 years, Desk Editor
The Special Projects Group
The Advertising Group’s newest batch of display account executives (AEs) is seen to infuse fresh ideas and strategies.
KRIS ANGELO ROBERTO 3 years and 9 months. Account Executive for Special Projects Group The best part of working in Inquirer was that I got to expand my network as a sales person; regained the non traditional advertisers through anniversary supplement, solicitation ads, etc.; and met amazing people inside the department and became my closest friends. I have a handful of memorable memories with this company including our ’80s dance performance during the 30th anniversary of the Inquirer and the MSAP Media Congress in Baguio City last September. But for me, nothing beats the “walang humpay na tawanan moment” over lunch with my co AEs because I consider them as my happy pill.
JOEL V. NIGOS 22 years, Advertising Supplements Editor
MARICEL CUADRA 2 years Sales Assistant for the Special Projects Group Being a part of this company is one of the best parts, and I am grateful that I have the chance to work with good people. I have learned a lot of things, allowing me to fully maximize my skills in the field of sales and to nurture my personal growth. We all know that at this time, soliciting ads and selling spaces for the special projects are hard. Despite that, I need to give my best to do my job and give my full support for the whole team. You know the feeling when in return, you receive a positive feedback from the clients that you meet and exceed their expectations. It’s like your “hard work paid off”. I have so many memorable things that I need to be thankful for. My regularization, as having a stable job is a big help to support the needs of my family. Office colleagues may be the best friends you would ever make especially if you work in a stressful environment. The good thing is, everytime there is an occasion such as the birthday of my coworkers or boss, we usually eat together, we have more chikahan, and we can forget the stress and pressures of work.
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
WEB inquirer.net
EPAPER inq.ph/inquirerepaper
VIBER viber.com/inquirer
I16-1
TWITTER / FACEBOOK @inquirerdotnet | @dzIQ990 (Radio)
STAYING TRUE @
S I N C E
A
N
N
I
V
E
R
S
A
R
Y
S
U
P
P
L
E
M
E
N
1 9 8 5
T
Celebrating the brightest Pinoy stars of the automotive universe By Tessa R. Salazar @ImTessaRSalazar
W
ay, way before the fad terms lodi, petmalu, and werpa became the craze in online discourse, the people that truly deserved to be called idols, malupet, and pawer-ful were making their mark in the local and global automotive circles, be it in business or in motorsports. To celebrate the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s 32 years of existence as the country’s leading news “vehicle,” Inquirer Motoring has likewise assembled 32 of the most remarkable Filipinos in the automotive industry. These 32 personalities have brought us so far, yet they still inspire us to dream of even grander destinations. Randy Rodriguez Tesla Creative Manager of Design Rodriguez, now only in his 30s, is recognized as one of the world’s foremost creative minds in automobile design. He studied at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, but
was born and raised in Vancouver. Yet, he considers himself a Filipino by heart and heritage, as his parents are both Filipinos. In 2014, Inquirer Motoring was able to interview Rodriguez when he was still with Nissan.
As the designer of the iconic Nissan 370z, Rodriguez stressed that Pinoys “must find their passion if they want to make a lasting impression in the global automotive arena. Then focus. Work harder than everyone else.”
Wini Camacho Mercedes-Benz Senior Exterior Designer for Production Cars During the last three years, Camacho has had a hand on the following Mercedes-Benz projects: two X-Class concepts—Stylish
•
Explorer and Powerful Adventurer—shown to the press in November 2016 in Stockholm, which previewed the production version of the X-Class; the prototype of the AMG GT Concept that previewed the latest AMG model shown at the Geneva Motorshow last March; and the early/mid part of the design development of the E-Class Coupe.
• •
Randy Rodriguez
Wini Camacho
Vince Socco
Vince Socco Lexus Asia EVP Mentor to many successful auto executives, Socco’s career with Toyota now spans 34 years. Apart from his current designation, Socco is also an executive managing resource for Corporate Planning and External Affairs based in Toyota Motor Asia Pacific’s regional headquarters in Singapore. Socco’s phenomenal rise in Toyota has become the career template for Filipinos in the auto industry, as Socco is widely considered the highest-ranking Filipino in Toyota, or in any other auto brand, for that matter.
oooI16-2
STAYING TRUE @
I16-2
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
CELEBRATING THE BRIGHTEST PINOY STARS OF THE AUTOMOTIVE UNIVERSE cations Team. Wycoco fills us in on the details: “This includes all major product reveals, launches and first drives, like the recent launch of the all-new Ford Expedition and new Mustang, in addition to key auto show planning like the upcoming North American International Auto Show.”
FROM I16-1
Sunny Medalla Sunny Medalla MINI Asia head For three years now, Medalla has been calling the shots at MINI Asia. Recently, he led the team in streamlining its product offerings with the introduction of three key models in all its markets: the MINI 5-door Hatch, the MINI Clubman, and the MINI Countryman. Medalla has also directed the team’s effort to expand dealer networks in Alabang, Muntinlupa City and soon in Pampanga province in the Philippines, and another dealer partner in Indonesia.
Jesus Metelo N. Arias Ford and Lincoln Middle East and Africa VP for Marketing, Sales and Service Another globetrotter of sorts, Arias has worked for Ford, from Vietnam to Shanghai, then to Dubai. Now, Arias looks over the 56 countries that the MEA region covers. “I officially assumed the position in April but moved to Dubai July this year from Shanghai,” Arias said. “There is no glass ceiling that limits the role you can have in the Ford organization. As long as you show your willingness to learn and the emotional resilience to achieve the organization’s objectives, the company will provide opportunities to enhance your skills and put you in roles to achieve your personal goals,” he stressed.
Robert Coyiuto, Jr. PGA Cars Group Chair Coyiuto was mainly responsible for bringing into the Philippines the Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley brands. He is one of the proponents of the Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia.
Antonio “Toti” Zara Antonio “Toti” Zara Nissan Global Headquarters (Japan) General Manager for Global Aftersales After becoming Nissan Philippines president and managing director, Zara (who is known to have worked overseas for quite some time) moved to Indonesia as Nissan Indonesia president. Just recently, he moved to Nissan’s global headquarters in Japan to become its Global Aftersales GM. Zara underlined the importance of developing the local automotive industry. “I don’t believe the future of our economy is through the ‘export’ of Filipino talents. We need to develop our own industries to nurture talents. If properly motivated, the Filipino worker can do as well as any other,” he said during an Inquirer Motoring interview in 2014.
Felix Mabilog Jr Felix Mabilog Jr. Asianbrands Motors Corp. (Mahindra Philippines) President At 78, Mabilog is considered among the most experienced veteran leaders in the industry, as he was involved in the development of seven different automotive brands in the country. In 2010, the C! Awards’ Pocholo Ramirez Achievement Awards was conferred to Mabilog. Named after the late great Philippine racing legend, the award is given to individuals for their indelible and outstanding contributions to the Philippine automotive industry.
Wellington Soong, and sons Marc and Jason Autostrada Motore Inc. Principals This family of car enthusiasts is responsible for bringing into the Philippines some of the most recognizable ultraluxury brands: Jaguar (in 1997), Land Rover (in 2004), Maserati (in 2007), Ferrari (in 2011), and the Aston Martin (in 2015). Recently, Autostrada Motore Inc. decided to focus on the Ferrari and Maserati brands. “Reflecting back through the years, it was always my fascination for classic cars and speed,” said Wellington, revealing his motivation for going into the business. That, and the family’s love for the brands’ heritage, and that rare opportunity to bring that oneof-a-kind motoring experience to a select group of motoring enthusiasts.
Anika Salcedo Wycoco Anika Salcedo Wycoco Ford Motor Company (World Headquarters) North American Product Communications and Launch Manager After four years of working with the communications and broadcast division of Ford Motor Company in Michigan, Wycoco assumed her current role just this September. She leads the planning and experience development for key auto shows, major product reveals, and drive programs for the North American Communi-
Juan has been an advocate of electric vehicles (EVs) since 2007. He led the two-day 1st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Summit last June 29 and 30, 2017 at the World Trade Center in the hopes of bringing to life the country’s dormant EV industry. The Summit gathered members from government and private sectors, local EV makers and carmakers, and representatives from Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand and the Philippines, among others, to form the Asean Federation of Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Industries. During the Summit, Juan revealed that Evap had submitted to the Board of Investments the Philippine EV road map for the next five years.
Jesus Metelo N. Arias
Lito German Lito German Abdul Latif Jameel Retail Marketing Director (Abdul Latif Jameel is the exclusive authorized importer and distributor of Lexus and Toyota in Saudi Arabia.) True to his name, German can be somewhat called a “German journeyman.” Before moving into his current position and company in Saudi Arabia, German was regional director for BMW Motorrad, directly responsible for the overall management of the motorcycle importer business in East Asia. Prior to that, German held the position of regional marketing director for BMW Asia. German moved to Saudi Arabia in 2015, this time, it seems, as a “German for Japan.” Quoting German, “The jump from BMW to Toyota offered some lessons. The exclusive approach of BMW differs greatly from the mass appeal of Toyota—and this requires different marketing tactics altogether. But marketing for Lexus is right up my alley.”
network of 7 Mitsubishi dealerships. The group also owns one Chevrolet dealership, and one Tata auto dealership. Diamond Motor Group also acquired the first exclusive FUSO truck dealership from Mitsubishi Motors Philippines. Blaylock is also one of those responsible for bringing in the Indian brand Tata Motors. He is also actively promoting the jeepney modernization scheme of the government.
George Blaylock George Blaylock President and General Manager Diamond Auto Group of Companies, Chairman of the Board, Caleb Motor Corporation, Advan Realty Corp Managing Director, Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc. (Tata Motors Philippines) President National Chamber of Automotive Dealers Association President 1998-2016 Having been among the most prominent Mitsubishi dealers in the country, Blaylock is the man behind Diamond Motor Group, a
Rommel T. Juan Rommel T. Juan Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines President and Philippine Parts Makers Association Director
Robert Coyiuto
Ferdinand Raquelsantos Ferdinand Raquelsantos Philippine Utility Vehicle Inc (PhUV) President “My advocacies have always been in local automotive parts development and production,” Raquelsantos, an engineer by profession, stressed. Raquelsantos is also concurrent chair of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines and president of the Philippine Parts Maker Association. Raquelsantos is in the thick of multiple projects. “I’ve been involved in the establishment of the Auto Parts Roadmap and in the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS Program). Now, I’m the co-chair of the Bureau of Philippine Standards in setting the dimensional standards for the eco-PUV under the Jeepney Modernization Program. With this, we are pushing for the local assembly of the eco-PUV by our local body builders, complemented by the supply of other component parts by our local parts makers.”
Felix R. Ang Auto Nation Group Inc. President Ang leads the Auto Nation Group Inc., the authorized importer and wholesale distributor of MercedesBenz, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands in the Philippines. His humble beginnings can be traced 28 years ago when he sold car parts, accessories, and tires. Today, Ang leads a thriving group of companies that has a workforce of close to 500 employees.
Felix R. Ang
Eddie S. Jose Chairman and Founder of the VSO Group of Companies Mr. Eddie S. Jose is the Chairman and Founder of the VSO Group of Companies, a group of original equipment manufacturer supplying the automotive industry with localized parts since 1977. Heavily involved in the automotive parts industry, he is now the Chairman of the Philippine Parts Maker Association(PPMA) and Chairman Emeritus of the Toyota Suppliers Club. Internationally, he is also the first person to be awarded by Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan) with a Special Overseas Recognition Award in 2014.
Elizabeth H. Lee Elizabeth H. Lee EMotors Inc. CEO and Cofounder Lee has been among the most recognizable faces in the local automotive industry, chalking up her formidable portfolio as Universal Motors Corp.’s (UMC-Nissan) COO for 12 years, and the youngest and first female president serving the longest term (7 years) as president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI). Today, she has become a social entrepreneur with EMotors Inc., an e-mobility company, makers of ZüM electric vehicles, founded to help poverty alleviation, job creation, and climate change mitigation. EMotors is a 100-percent Filipino-owned manufacturer/assembler of 3-wheel electric vehicles.
oooI16-3
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
FROM I16-2
Atty. Albert Arcilla
Atty. Albert Arcilla Volvo Philippines President and CEO and TCCI (Chevrolet Philippines) President and Managing Director Arcilla is responsible for the success of the Chevrolet brand in the Philippines since TCCCI’s operations began in 2009. Arcilla has also been leading Volvo Philippines for more than two decades. He credits the successes of both marques to having a strong support of a good team, and him being able to work with his team. Arcilla’s specialization has been Corporate Law. He was a legal technical assistant to then Tourism Secretary Peter Garrucho during President Cory Aquino’s term, and again joined Garrucho as Trade Secretary during President Fidel V. Ramos’ administration. Arcilla was invited by Richard Lee (chairman emeritus of Volvo and Chevrolet) to join the company in 1994.
Marc Tagle Marc Tagle Aston Martin Manila President and Philippine Allied Enterprises Corporation/Bridgestone Philippines President and CEO Marc Tagle sits at the helm of the Tagle Group of Companies. Under this mother company, he heads many other companies. Aside from PAEC, the exclusive distributor of Bridgestone in the Philippines, Tagle is also president of General Heat Corp., the leading manufacturer of kitchen appliances under the trademark La Germania by virtue of a licensing agreement with Bertazzoni SPA. Two years ago, DBPhils Motorsports Inc, in which Tagle was chair and president, was officially appointed as the exclusive distributor of Aston Martin in the Philippines. From his childhood onwards, Tagle was already exposed to the ins and outs of the business. Rising from the ranks, he was one of the youngest CEOs in the local motoring scene. A car enthusiast, Tagle is also the best salesman in his companies.
I16-3
19 8 5
Fe Perez-Agudo Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors President and Co-founder and Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. President and CEO Agudo is a 2014 Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship (APEA) Outstanding category awardee. She was cited among the 2013 Women Icons of Entrepreneurship Awardee (Go Negosyo), and in the 2011 Ernst and Young Women Entrepreneur of the Year-Philippines. She has over 30 years of experience and expertise in the automotive and real estate industries. Under Agudo’s leadership, Hyundai Motor Company cited HARI four times as Asia-Pacific Distributor of the Year (2005, 2006, 2008, and 2013), and as Global Distributor of the
Fe Perez-Agudo
Year in 2011 and 2016. Among the most memorable narratives Agudo shared about her professional and personal life in a maledominated industry was during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Business and Investment Summit in Manila last Nov. 13. She recalled that during her initial meetings with an international car company many years ago, one executive asked her: “You are a woman. What do you know about cars?’” She remembered replying: "Can you treat me as a co-equal even just for 30 seconds? You are a Korean. What do you know about the Philippine market?" “Since then," Agudo continued, “I’ve been able to mark my territory; I was representing the Philippines, after all.”
oooI16-4
STAYING TRUE @
I16-4
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
CELEBRATING THE BRIGHTEST PINOY STARS OF THE AUTOMOTIVE UNIVERSE FROM I16-3
Ginia Roxas Domingo
Vicente T. Mills Jr. Vicente T. Mills Jr. Federation of Automotive Industries of the Philippines (FAIP) President Mills is a 41-year auto industry veteran. FAIP, which Mills has been heading for more than 10 years now, serves as the umbrella organization that include members from CAMPI, the Philippine Automotive Competitiveness Council, Inc. (Pacci), Truck Manufacturers Association Inc (TMA), Philippine Motor Association (PMA), and Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association Inc (MDPPA). Mills acquired his Masters in Business Economics (Candidate) degree at the Center for Research and Communication, 1981-1982; Masters in Business Administration at the Columbia University, Graduate School of Business, New York, in 1972; and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Sto. Tomas, Manila in 1967.
Ginia Roxas Domingo Columbian Autocar Corporation (Kia Philippines) President Domingo is another proud addition to a growing number of women executives in the local auto industry. She was appointed head of CAC in 2011. “I think my being female in a predominantly male industry was actually the source of my strength. My gender has always been a key driver, from when I was growing up and until now. I don’t think (gender) was ever an issue because I refused to let it be so,” she told Inquirer Motoring in 2011. Domingo related that when she was a sales consultant, she “worked doubly hard, literally letting my fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages.” The effort paid off when she was among the top three marketing professionals of another car company nationwide. Domingo, however, said she was attentive enough to “listen and learn from my male peers.”
At 42, Dasig became the youngest president in the Alvarez Group of Companies (of Palawan Governor and businessman Jose “Pepito” Alvarez). He has been credited for being among those who enabled the BMW brand to dominate the luxury car market in the Philippines. “We even surpassed the combined sales of two luxury German brands in 2014,” Dasig remarked. As for Peugeot, Dasig assessed, “Introducing a new brand is no easy feat. We have overhauled our product mix, and there a lot of things to look forward to from Peugeot in the coming months.”
Raymond Rodriguez Raymond Rodriguez Lexus Manila President Rodriguez is on his first year as Lexus Manila president (he started January of 2017). He held the position of first vice-president at Toyota Motor Philippines for several years prior. Under his term as Lexus Manila president, the brand for the first time in its history sold over 1,000 units since its operations started in 2009. Rodriguez was also assigned to Toyota Motor Asia Pacific in Singapore for two years as a GM, handling Pakistan operations. Rodriguez graduated with a BS Mechanical Engineering degree from the De La Salle University. He passed his board exams and was issued a Mechanical Engineer license.
Atty. Rommel Gutierrez
Maricar Cristobal Parco Maricar Cristobal Parco SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. President Maricar has also made her mark in a male-dominated industry, being a top-level executive at that. She rose from the ranks, starting out in 1992 with Honda Cars Philippines Inc. as a marketing assistant, then moved up to assistant manager for marketing and communications. She moved to Ford Group Philippines as public affairs manager and later as AVP for marketing and public affairs. Then, she joined Prestige Cars BMW as VP for marketing. In 2009, she moved to Asian Carmakers Corporation (now known as SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp.) as marketing director. In 2011, she was appointed its president. Parco graduated from the University of the PhilippinesCollege of Mass Communication, and soon hit the ground running when she joined HCPI. Beneath that corporate savvy, Parco told Inquirer Motoring in 2011: “I see myself as a mother—to my two boys and now to my ACC family. In making decisions, I just ask myself: ‘Is it something that I would want my children to emulate or not? Is it something I can be proud of or not?’ Obviously, if the answer is yes, then I know I’m doing the right thing. It’s a simple guideline that works for me.”
Atty. Rommel Gutierrez Campi President and First Toyota Motor Philippines Vice-president Gutierrez has been with Toyota Motor Philippines for 16 years, and concurrently serves as Campi president. He was awarded the 2016 C! Award for Corporate Achievement. The award giving body cited his “leadership of Campi, a period marked with unparalleled growth and recordbreaking numbers despite the challenges.”
Glen Dasig Glen Dasig Peugeot Philippines President Dasig was appointed as president of Peugeot Philippines in early 2015. As Peugeot president, he said: “To date, I have taught thousands of Filipinos how to pronounce Peugeot, and you will be surprised how such a seemingly simple campaign has allowed us to educate the public about who we are as a premium brand, our French heritage, and our products. "Now, we have a strong team and a solid product strategy. We look forward to a new era for Peugeot in the country with the latest products that are tailored for the Filipino customers.”
Mark Tieng Mark Tieng Solar Transport and Automotive Resources Corporation (Star Corp./BYD Philippines) Managing Director Tieng is one of the youngest, and most gung-ho, of Pinoy car distributors, bravely bringing in electric vehicles (EVs) in the Philippines even if the sector showed no sure buyers. Star, a wholly Filipinoowned and Philippine-based company, was founded in December 2012, and is the authorized Philippine distributor of BYD Auto China Ltd. Co., maker of China’s top-selling local automotive brand. BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, is a leading-edge provider of green energy technologies that are utilized in the IT, automotive and new energy industries. BYD’s automotive business also made the news when world-renowned entrepreneur Warren Buffet invested in the company in 2011 by acquiring 225 million shares, equivalent to a nearly 10-percent stake. Star Corp. has three fully equipped and operational dealerships with sales, service center, showroom capabilities as well as genuine parts and accessories. The main office is on Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, while dealerships are found in Batangas City and Cebu.
Orlando Alvarez Orlando Alvarez Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. Executive Vice-president Alvarez made automotive history in 2013 when he became the first Filipino to be appointed as the EVP of MMPC, the highest position ever for a Filipino in the company. As one source told I NQUIRER , that post made him, like Socco, one of the most powerful Filipinos in Japanese auto companies. Much of Alvarez’s training had been related to treasury and finance for the 37 years of his career in MMPC. In 2008, he was named senior vice president for Treasury and Marketing prior to his appointment as EVP for overall operations in 2013.
Rommel Sytin Foton Philippines President Foton vehicles first came onto Philippine shores in 2006 through Sytin’s United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (UAAGI), which has since been the exclusive distributor of Foton commercial vehicles in the country. Sytin and his team, however, didn’t stop there. Foton Philippines built an 11hectare assembly plant in the in the Clark Freeport Zone, and formally started operations Feb. 12, 2016. In Sytin’s opening remarks, he said: “This assembly plant is truly the ultimate goal that my brothers and I had.” He also commended his Foton family "for showing much of their support in achieving one of the greatest milestones in the history of Asia’s largest vehicle manufacturer.”
Rommel Sytin
Danny Isla Danny Isla Lexus Manila past president Isla made his biggest mark when he became Lexus Manila President in 2009 (when the luxury brand was first established in the Philippines). Isla was Toyota Motor Philippines’ first vice president for more than a decade before he assumed the top post at Lexus. During his time, Lexus successfully made its mark in the Philippine luxury market dominated by European brands. Since then, the brand has become the new standard of luxury, fortifying its stronghold with continuously increasing sales and popularity. Isla retired from Lexus Manila this year. He remains as Lexus Manila’s consultant.
Willy Q. Tee Ten Willy Q. Tee Ten Autohub Group President and Dealer Principal Autohub, an assemblage of a diversified network of car and motorcycle distributorships and dealerships of multiple brands, vehicle rental and leasing, car accessories and customization services and an automotive training center, manages Rolls-Royce, MINI (at Global City and Cebu), Lotus (at Greenhills), Piaggio APE (at Greenhills), UM and Vespa (at Global City), and V-kool. There are other brands in various parts of the Philippines that Autohub manages, including Ford, Nissan (particularly the GT-R), Mazda and Hyundai. Tee Ten holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at De La Salle University in Manila. A businessman at heart, he has also been in the alcohol, sugar, and allied industries. Tee Ten placed second in the licensure exams for chemical engineers (1984), is a 2012 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines finalist, and the winner of the 2012 MVP-PLDT Bossing Award. He is also St. Jude Catholic College’s Outstanding Alumni.
Jose “Pepito” Alvarez Chairman Emeritus, Columbian Group of Companies, Columbian Motors Corp., Columbian Autocar Corporation, Eurobrands Distributor Inc., Asianbrands Motors Corporation Palawan Governor and businessman Jose “Pepito” Alvarez has been admired in business circles as a self-made tycoon with several diverse businesses. An auto industry veteran, Alvarez is responsible for bringing in the Korean brand Kia, French brand Peugeot and Indian brand Mahindra in the Philippines, and elevating the German BMW brand as the leading premium automobile in the Philippines. During his 2011 interview with Inquirer Motoring columnist Aida Sevilla Mendoza, Alvarez said that he was the first assembler of Kia cars outside Korea. “In 1991, no one wanted to touch the Kia brand,” he recalled. “We assembled and introduced the Kia Pride and then the K2700 light commercial vehicle.”
STAYING TRUE @
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
S I N C E
I16-5
19 8 5
THE INQUIRER MOTORING STAFF
If Tessa Salazar had her way, she’d love to take the earth’s creatures on a joyride on an electric vehicle to a place with no suffering and cruelty.
Jeanette Ipapo-Tuason expresses a woman’s take on cars and driving in her column Chicdriven.
Jason K. Ang is the editor of motioncars.inquirer.net, the motoring website of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. He will watch any movie that includes a car chase.
Carl Cunanan is one of the founding editors of the C! Group, which includes the car magazine C! and the watch magazine Calibre.
William Herrera is an avid Formula 1 and MotoGP fan, would work his holiday plans around a Grand Prix weekend, and occasionally attend anticipated mass services because Sunday's are meant for watching the races.
Bong Barrameda writes, but he prefers to do quizzes, one of which appears in the weekly Motoring pages.
For Chupsie Medina, ogling at new car models takes the stress out of editing and meeting printing deadlines.
Jong Arcano is, well, the boss.
Paul John Caña likes cars, music and traveling, or any combination of the three.
Fourteen years of reporting for Inquirer Motoring has given Charles Buban credible knowledge of how vehicles work to be able to communicate this to a wider range of readers, not just motorheads.
Alvin Uy’s passions include an appreciation of classic cars, fine wine and mechanical timepieces.
Aida Sevilla Mendoza began writing for Inquirer 30 years ago, first as a consumer columnist, then until now, as a consumer-oriented motorist.
Botchi Santos firmly believes that cars are a personal means to extended freedom, a turning point in life, a means of escape, and a form of comfort and security.
1
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
The House of Remy Martin
STAYING TRUE @
PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER Editor Alvin Uy
EXECUTIVE ESSENTIALS
S I N C E
19 8 5
PHARRELL WILLIAMS PRESENTS “100 YEARS” LOUIS XIII COGNAC By Alvin Uy
O
aims to inspire these guests to take action and motivate others to get involved to curb global warming. “We are incredibly proud of this innova-
nly visionary artists like Pharrell Williams can come up with such a collaboration with Louis XIII Cognac. Last November 13th, Louis XIII Cognac premiered “100 Years”- the Song We'll Only Hear If We Care - a unique musical composition created by Pharrell that will not be released until 2117. The “100 Years” was played only once during a private listening party in Shanghai, where Pharrell presented the song one time only to 100 VIP guests. During the performance, the audience was not allowed to record the oncein-a-lifetime experience, so This state of the art safe was the song remains a secret for specially designed by Fichetthe next century. The project Bauche
Monterrat Olivier, Yaya Kosikova, Rodolphe de Lapeyrouse and Regina Montemayor tive project,” said Ludovic du Plessis, Global Executive Director of Louis XIII. “Nature and time are at the heart of what we do. If the environment is unstable, even the greatest cellar master would
not be able to compose the exceptional blend that is Louis XIII. Global Warming is one of the most important issues of the 21st century; with “100 Years” - The Song We'll Only Hear If We Care, we
hope to inspire people around the world to take action.” Louis XIII partnered with Pharrell on this innovative project because both share a dedication to environmental issues. The original song is a creative expression of the delicate relationship between nature and time, and the effect humans have on their environment. Each decanter of Louis XIII represents the life achievement of generations of cellar masters, so Louis XIII must always think a century ahead. Louis XIII was founded in 1874 by Paul Emile Rémy Martin and the result was a product created by an ideal environment and generations of owners and cellar masters.
Pharell Williams presents his 100 Years recording
oooW2
The limited edition Rémy Martin gift boxes are now available at SM Supermarket, Rustan’s Supermarket, Robinson’s Supermarket, Metro Retail Stores, S&R Membership Club, Lander’s Superstore, Landmark Supermarket, and other leading supermarkets nationwide.
2
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
EXECUTIVE ESSENTIALS
Rolex honors motorsports champions for 2017 By William Herrera
T
he who’s who in the world of motorsports gathered recently at the iconic Chateau de Versailles, France for the 2017 FIA Prize Giving ceremony and crown the deserving champions in the various championships. Swiss watch brand Rolex continues to support this annual event, which gives drivers, team members and officials from all motorsports disciplines to come for a night of celebration, highlighting success, innovation and dedication to the sport. Rolex’s commitment to motor sports worldwide embodies a shared pursuit of excellence and a desire to continually
push the boundaries of engineering and human capabilities. This quest is further showcased with Rolex’s new relationship with the FIA Hall of Fame, which was just launched in Paris, to honor the famous names, past and present in motor racing. 2017 FIA F1 World Championship With Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel kicking off the 2017 season, with a win at the 2017 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix, it was evident that the 2017 season would be one for the record books. A tight battle between Scuderia Ferrari and Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport was predicted, and the
Rolex Testimonee Sir Jackie Stewart
fans were not disappointed. Neither team dominated, and, until midway into the season, it was anyone’s race. Lewis Hamilton then began his assault for his 4th title by winning back to back races in Italy and Belgium; Hamilton finally bagged the crown with a series of dominant performances in Austin and Mexico to become the 2017 Formula 1 World Champion, equaling the tally of Sebastian Vettel, Alain Prost. It was also in Austin that Mercedes AMG Petronas took its 4th consecutive World Constructors title. 2017 World Endurance Championship Now on its 6th season the FIA World Endurance Championships (WEC) challenged all the teams and drivers across four continents as Rolex continued its partnership as the Official Partner and Official Timepiece of WEC. The biggest event in the WEC series has, and will always be the 24 hours of Le Mans. The 2017 edition saw Porsche record its 19th victory and 3rd successive win at Le Mans. The #2 Porsche driven by Timo Bernhard, Earl Bamber and Kiwi Brendon Hartley won 3 races then went on to secure the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship at the 6 hours of Shanghai, before the season finale in Bahrain.
Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsports Sir Jackie Stewart, Rolex Testimonee and three time FIA Formula 1 World Champion expressed the following - “This season proved to be a standout year for Formula 1 and it was a privilege to see drivers at the top of their game apply themselves week in week out. We witnessed some memorable racing up and down the grid. It was obvious that the drivers felt
truly privileged to drive the impressive Formula 1 cars on such iconic tracks. It is an honor to be part of the Rolex Family and have the opportunity to commemorate motor sport’s successes.” Rolex's presence in motor sports has grown exponentially, supporting iconic endurance races like the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 24 hours of Le Mans,
and the FIA World Endurance Championships, and, since 2013, Rolex partnered with the pinnacle of motor sports, the Formula One Championships. Rolex also has a global appreciation for classic car events, with its elegance, beauty and tradition, including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Rolex Monteray Motorsports reunion and Goodwood revival.
PHARRELL WILLIAMS PRESENTS “100 YEARS” X LOUIS XIII COGNAC
Ellen Von Unwerth, Benoit Ponsaille and Pom Klementieff
FROM B2-0 Without the full balance and wellness of nature, the greatest cellar masters or vineyards would not be able to grow and assemble the exceptional blend of up to 1200 eaux-de-vie that compose each Louis XIII decanter. Like Paul Emile Rémy Martin, André Giraud, Georges Clot and Pierrette Trichet did in the past; today’s Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau is setting aside our finest eaux-de-vie as a legacy to his successors, for the coming century. Pharrell’s exclusive track was a recording made of clay from the chalky soil of the Cognac region, and stored in the
Jesse Williams and Ludovic Du Plessis cellars of Louis XIII in a stateof-the-art safe specially designed by Fichet-Bauche that is only destructible when submerged in water. If the sea levels continue to rise due to climate change, scientists project that in 100 years, a portion of the world’s land might be underwater. The only way to guarantee this original piece of music will be heard again in 2117, one century from now, is if we address the consequences of global warming - if we do not change our way of living, future generations will never be able to hear this song. The Grande Champagne Terroir where Louis XIII soil and vines are nestling, each decanter is the life achievement of
Only 100 guests were invited in this very exclusive performance
The Louis XIII and 100 Years recording secured in a Fichet Bauche safe
The 100 Years recording will not be opened until after a century generations of cellar masters. From its birth in 1874 to the Universal Exhibition in Paris, or by
accompanying the royal dynasties of Europe, Louis XIII was a privileged and silent observer of the 20th century. “100 Years” by Pharrell Williams will be out in 2117, but only #Ifwecare. “I love the fact that LOUIS XIII thinks a century ahead”, said Pharrell Williams. “We should all do the same for the planet. We have a common interest in preserving nature for the future. Each bottle is the life achievement of generations of men and women. It's all about legacy and transmission." Pharrell has long been passionate about preserving our environment and how important human action is to addressing climate change. Following the event in
Vaness Wu and Pharrell Williams
Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl
Louis XIII Global Executive Director Ludovic du Plessis and Pharell Williams
Li Bingbing and Zhao Wei with Pharell Williams
Shanghai, Louis XIII Cognac will launch an international tour in major cities all around the world, in order to raise awareness and funds for environmental organizations through charity dinners. Through these events, LOUIS XIII will directly support associations dedicated to curbing climate change on a local level. In 2015, Louis XIII partnered with renowned actor and creative visionary John Malkovich to create “100 Years: The Movie You Will Never See,” a thoughtprovoking artistic work that explores the relationship of past, present, and future. For more information, visit www.louisxiii-cognac.com
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
3
EXECUTIVE ESSENTIALS
ROGER DUBUIS UNVEILS ITS EXCALIBUR AVENTADOR S AT LAMBORGHINI MANILA By Alvin Uy
L
ast November 28th, Lucerne Group together with Lamborghini Manila hosted an exclusive dinner event for watch afficionados and supercar owners at the Lamborghini showroom in BGC to unveil the latest Roger Dubuis timepiece collaboration with the Italian supercar manufacturer. Oliver Gudin, managing director of Roger Dubuis Southeast Asia and Oceana and Davide Sfrecola, area manager for Lamborghini Southeast Asia flew in just for the event. Lucerne Group is the exclusive distributor for Roger Dubuis, and partnered with Lamborghini Manila to unveil the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Aventador S, along with other Roger Dubuis timepieces. The Excalibur Aventador S have two variants, epitomizing its “Dare to be rare” concept by creating a very exclusive 88 and 8-piece limited edition timepieces in this collaborative project. The 88-piece limited edition Excalibur Aventador S bears the inimitable Lamborghini “Giallo
Orion” yellow paint code while the even more exclusive 8-piece limited edition series comes in “Arancio Argos” color code. These timepieces were revealed last September at the legendary Lamborghini Headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese by Roger Dubuis and Lamborghini Squadra Corse. It is not just a brand partnership, according to Gudin, who explained that both companies shared their technical expertise and use of exotic and “disruptive” non-traditional materials like carbon and cobalt in the watchmaking process. He further explained that in a previous collaborative project with Formula One tire supplier Pirelli, they used the actual rubber from the racing tires used in the 2016 Formula One race held in Monaco and remolded it as watch straps. The Pirelli Excalibur Spider watch was previously featured in Executive Essentials when it was launched by Roger Dubuis earlier this year. Both brands share the same values of using innovative technology and space age materials, with the best of Italian aesthetic
The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Aventador S in Yellow is limited to 88 pieces
Also on display during the event were the other timepieces from the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Collection
sensibilities and no compromise performance to deliver daring customer experiences. That is why Roger Dubuis attracts the younger watch enthusiasts who are always looking for something different, Gudin added. Leading to the creation of these exclusive timepieces are years of research and development outside the field of haute horology. These disciplines include aircraft and marine craft technology and now collaborations with luxury automakers. Performance is engraved in the Roger Dubuis DNA and with
oped Duotor calibre. This Lamborghini-exclusive Roger Dubuis movement embodies an ongoing evolution of the Maison’s expertise, entirely reinterpreted in light of this automobile alliance. Inspired by power in keeping with the proud Lamborghini tradition shared by the Genevabased Manufacture. The Duotor calibre is designed to look like it has engine strut bars as if the engine ‘hood’ were transparent. This looked really well with the sleek double balance wheel that is inclined at a similar angle, supported and highlighted by holders shaped like triangular wheel suspension assemblies. Again, daring to be rare, the angular position of the wheel balance is very unique to Roger Dubuis and designing it took a lot of expertise so that the watch will not be too bulky on the wrist. The casework of the watch uses molded carbon fiber similar to the technology and materials used in an actual Lamborghini, so that the collaborative timepiece will really share the same DNA. Roger Dubuis is exclusively available at Lucerne in Solaire Resort and Casino, and Glorietta 4 Mall.
(Left) Robert Coyiuto III, president of Lamborghini Manila and Emerson Yao, managing director of Lucerne Group
Lamborghini Manila is located at the BGC
Lamborghini, the adrenaline rush of mutual recognition was there right from the start. Breaking the rules and “dare to be rare” is a common intuitive direction for these two maverick brands. So the landmark unveiling of this new partnership in the country had to be at the heart of Lamborghini’s home in BGC, where a red Aventador S sits on the center stage of the event. Living up to the “Powered by Raging Mechanics” signature, the Excalibur Aventador S is powered by a specially devel-
(From left) Davide Sfrecola, Robert Coyiuto III, Ivan Yao, Oliver Gudin and Emerson Yao posing with a red Lamborghini Aventador S
Remy Martin is about taking care of its environment Fifty years ago, Rémy Martin created the first ever winegrowing cooperative in the Cognac region, the Alliance Fine Champagne. It is an expression of tradition and heritage that expounds on several key points that make Rémy Martin unique and uncompromising. Rémy Martin is the only major cognac house to have been founded by a winegrower. While it was rooted in the winemaking, it now has over 900 Grande and Petite Champagne grape growers that provide Rémy Martin with what is considered their best eaux-devie in an equitable partnership.
Because the partnership is deeply rooted in the soil, they are committed to protecting the environment. An utmost respect for nature is part of the Rémy Martin culture. Together with its partners, it has developed a sustainable viticulture policy. Rémy Martin has been a family business for three centuries, run by two families who share the same values, the Rémy Martin and the Heriard Dubreuil families. Above all, Rémy Martin is a company where savoir-faire, family land, experience and formulas have been passed down from one generaThe Remy Martin XO is the gold standard of cognacs and carries a harmony of complex aromas and sweet flavors.
Rémy Martin created the first-ever winegrowing cooperative in the Cognac region
tion to the next. It is the only major cognac house specializing exclusively in Fine Champagne Cognac. In 1948, the brand started producing cognac only with grapes from the two most sought after vineyards, Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne. Their blends contain at least 50% Grande Cham-
pagne grapes. The secret of these vineyards lies in the region’s chalk soil. The estates lie on soft, porous, soil that allows the vine’s roots to grow freely. The permeable subsoil retains moisture in dry weather, maintaining the grapes’ acidity and aromas. The result is exceptionally aromatic grapes and eauxde-vie with superior aging potential. Rémy Martin today remains rooted in chalky soil. Created nearly three centuries ago, Rémy Martin was founded on craftsmanship, savoir faire and dedication. Rémy Martin already understood the magical effects of time – how a company, just like a spirit, can develop and grow finer with age. The eaux-de-vie of Grande and Petite Champagne are particularly rich and delicate, requiring a greater number of years to fully express their true character. They have outstanding aging potential. Because each generation at Rémy Martin believes in the future, it now boasts one of the greatest cognac eaux-de-vie reserves in the world. Rémy Martin is rooted in time, the secret to true elegance.
Rémy Martin boasts one of the greatest cognac eaux-de-vie reserves in the world.
Rémy Martin is rooted in time, the secret to true elegance
BERINGER AND TRIPADVISOR HOLDS MEDIA ENGAGEMENT Beringer Vineyards recently held an intimate dinner with a number of travel writers and bloggers at Toyo Eatery to share the insights that they had from the survey. Marcus Ingleby – Portfolio Sr. Brand Manager for South East Asia, Middle East and Africa for Treasury Wine Estates together with Elise Greene – Portfolio Assistant Brand Manager for Southeast Asia, Middle East & Africa for Treasury Wine Estates, welcomed guests to a specially curated dinner from Chef Jordy. There’s a growing trend of Filipinos who are now travelling in and around the country, if social media is any indication for it. Feeds that have top posts are usually ones that have a photo of a beach or some exotic
place with the top hashtags of #travel #beach and #wanderlust peppering the captions. However, in as much as Filipinos love to travel, a recent survey shows that almost 60% of travellers believe that they could have maximised their vacations had they planned their leaves better. “We were shocked to find that there’s a growing trend of Filipinos who are short changing themselves when it comes to getting the most from their annual leave, given that they work so hard to earn it,” commented Marcus Ingleby, Regional Senior Brand Manager, Beringer Vineyards. “In response to the findings, Beringer has launched a campaign on the world’s largest
Shauna Popple-Williams, Melo Esguerra, Sunny Ku and Kathy Santos travel site TripAdvisor, to inspire a holiday planning revolution. We want people to see that making vacation planning a social occasion is the way forward. A little bit of planning can have
Treasury Wine Estates’ Marcus Ingleby and Inquirer’s Margaux Salcedo a huge impact on the kind of holiday you experience and it’s well within everyone’s reach. We believe that vacation planning is always better when shared with others over a glass
(Front) Kathy Yao Santos, Melo Esguerra and Klay Tan (back) Gail Sotelo, Marcus Ingleby, Cyrene de la Rosa, Elise Greene and John Sicat of wine,” added Ingleby. A well chosen selection of wine was also shared by Katherine Yao – Santos, Managing Di-
rector for Happy Living Phils. Corp. Each dish from Chef Jordy was paired beautifully with four different wines from Beringer.
STAYING TRUE @
I16-6
S I N C E
SATURDAY / DECEMBER 9, 2017 WWW.INQUIRER.NET
19 8 5
Congratulations on your 32nd Anniversary
PRIETO CARGO FORWARDERS Manila 5228505/3135278 Legazpi City 052-4805506/8203268 Naga City 054-4730533 Tabaco City 052-4877311 Sorsogon City 056-4215012 Email: info@prietocargo.com www. prietocargo.com
Congratulations, Philippine Daily Inquirer , on your 32nd Anniversary!!!
BCC NEWSPAPER DELIVERY SERVICES 09399045063 Congratulations on your 32nd Anniversary
FELISEVE ENTERPRISES INC. Greetings from Dr. Rosalinda Alonzo Fernando, D.B.A.
Congratulations on your
Congratulations on your 32nd Anniversary
GARMETHYST CORPORATION Km Tibungco, Davao City
Congratulates the Philippine Daily Inquirer on its 32nd Anniversary
DIMAGIBA (KITCHEN 71)
For your catering needs, pls. call 340-0909 or 09228080588
32nd Anniversary!
Feb 5 Trucking
From: Clair Ann Therese M. Hemedez, MD. DPSP & Kathrina Ana Isabel M. Hemedez, MD
375 SAn Martin de Porres Ave, San Antonio Valley 1, Sucat, Parañaque City Tel. No. (02) 263-1906; Cel No. 09999972509
LANGAHIN DELIVERY
Greetings
would like to congratulate
From:
on its 32nd Anniversary
GREGORIO DELIVERY