Media's role in society

Media's role in the development of society is very paramount. How media behaves and its perceptions influence society. Bacolod media has done its share in helping the growth of our economy.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Negros Press Club holds its annual election. NPC is now on its 70th year, founded in 1936 by a group of local newspapermen.

Except for the Rotary Club of Bacolod which will also celebrate its 70th year next year, I do not know of a civic or professional club celebrating its 70th year and still active and vibrant.

NPC has the distinction of having three of its former presidents serving as congressmen and also three serving as Bacolod mayor.

The three Congressmen are the late Carlos Hilado and the late Inocencio Ferrer and the incumbent Monico Puentevella. And the three mayors are the late Vicente Remitio and the late Aurelio Locsin and the incumbent Evelio Leonardia. Hilado was president in 1945, Remitio in 1946, Ferrer in 1951.

Except for Aurelio Locsin the rest were NPC president first before they went to politics. Locsin was Bacolod mayor after the war and became NPC president in 1967. Puentevella was president in 1983, Leonardia in 1985.

Only two former presidents had their sons follow them as NPC president. Past NPC President Rex Remitio who this past many years has been the head of the election committee every election time is the son of the late former Mayor Vicente Remitio. Rex was president in 1956.

Modesto Sa-onoy, president in 1982 and 1989 had son Aufred serving as president in 2002.

* * *

I have the distinction of serving as president four times, in 1969, 1981, 1988, and 2005. Many became president only twice. The NPC Constitution allows only a term of one year. Two years after, yes.

In my last two terms I was asked to run because of some problems in the Club.

There are two declared candidates for president now, vice-president Amado Villacarlos and auditor Cyrus Garde. Floor nomination is allowed. Both Amado and Cyrus served me well.

If I have done quite enough it's because Amado has been a good implementor of the plans and the direction I set. He did almost all the work. Frankly, I was just sitting pretty.

And if our finances have been good Cyrus has done his job as auditor. And I salute our treasurer too, Mrs. Avelyn Agudon Marañon who, because she is now working in government, respects our unwritten rule. She will not be a candidate.

* * *

I am just happy that I have done many things for NPC this year.

We held so many seminars to improve media skill of our members that started with business reporting sponsored by San Miguel Corporation.

Our members were honed on the knowledge on libel laws, responsible reporting, in-depth and investigative reporting, a study of our Constitution and the planned amendment and many others even including income augmentation through food production.

All these with the help of our public officials and friends. We also promoted closeness of media people with our celebrity nights, a party that honors birthday celebrants for the month.

Gov. Joseph Marañon, a great benefactor of NPC seminars, also hosted a big bash for media, "Media Night at Pana-ad" and Congressman Charlie Cojuangco sponsored another big bash, "Media Night at MassKara."

I am proud to point out that in my incumbency no one has turned down my request for a donation to the Club from friends.

I am very proud of the donation of the Sunshine Boys chaired by businessman Ric Yanson by airconditioning the social hall of NPC. One unnamed media man texted me criticizing my closeness to Ric, to Sammy Palanca, and to Baciwa Chairman Pompey Querubin.

My answer was, so what? They are my friends and I will always stand by them. What kind of a man are you if you cannot stand by a friend?

Ric was a neighbor in Homesite more than 40 years ago and our children growing up together. I knew him when he only had one jeep and he has not changed even now that he has 2,000 buses that ply the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao routes. He is top in his line, I try to follow him by trying to be top also in my own line, media.

Another close friend, lawyer William Mirano is also top in his line, lawyering. That's what Ric Yanson calls, the culture of excellence.

* * *

I am proud of our fellow media men. They are interested in professionalizing the work. I wanted to correct the practice of paying our annual dues of only P120 a year or P10 a month during election time. Candidates would pay for individual dues. Most always got P240 if there were two candidates. That's vote buying.

So, I said, all past accounts are written off. But dues must be paid not later than Sept. 30 of the previous year. But appeal was made to move it to Dec. 15. I am happy of the 100 members 93 paid on time. Now there's discipline among our media.

Who says we don't have a responsible press? If they pay now, they are still members but just cannot vote. This was a test of whether one really wanted to be an NPC member. Discipline!

All of us media people have cell phones spending no less than P300 a month for the cell card. If one cannot afford to pay P10 a month just a little more than a minimum jeepney fare, then there's no interest in being an NPC member.

Privilege always carries with it responsibility. I am very proud a very big majority of our media people here are responsible.

The public can be of help by encouraging our media to be responsible and credible.*

back to top