EJAP mourns passing of founding chief Aydinan, cites work as journo

THE Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) on Wednesday issued a statement mourning the passing of its founding chairman, veteran business journalist Abrino Aydinan, who died Tuesday.

“Mr. Aydinan, who was then working for the defunct Business Day publication, the precursor of Businessworld, was the one who made the bold suggestion in 1985 to create an organization of economic reporters,” said the statement by EJAP.

The country’s preeminent organization of business journalists cited the account of EJAP’S history by the late Arleen Chipongian-perez, also an EJAP Founding Member. She had recalled that Aydinan suggested the creation of the organization since their group of 15 junior reporters would always meet after work to talk shop.

It was as simple as that, but what Mr. Aydinan did not yet realize then was that his simple suggestion would give birth to a 90-member strong institution that strives to always uphold excellence in business reporting.

“The EJAP owes much to Sir Abring and we will forever be grateful for his contribution to the industry. As EJAP’S first president, his commitment and ‘intense intellectual’ prowess is recognized by all as the moving spirit behind EJAP during its early years,” according to Fe dela Cruz who, like Sir Abring, was a former Business Day reporter/editor.

She recalled that Sir Abring, a trade beat reporter, led journalists at the time to weigh in on the turbulent political issues of the 1980s, something business reporters rarely do.

Another Founding Member, Chi Liquicia, former Daily Express reporter and Reuters correspondent, described Abring as “tahimik pero malalim [quiet but deep]” and very credible as EJAP leader, said Chipongian’s account.

He was also director of the Department of Agrarian Reform and contributed to the success of the Cordillera Regional Consultative Commission as its chairman. “He will be remembered dearly,” she said.

In expressing deepest condolences to Aydinan’s family and friends, EJAP said in its statement: “May we all find comfort in knowing that Sir Abring and his contributions to journalism will not be forgotten. We will always remember Arleen’s words: ‘Walang EJAP, if wala si Abring’ [There will be no EJAP if there is no Abring].

Sir Abring is survived by his wife, Socorro Queipo Aydinan; his children, Maimai-addi and Macliing Gabriel; and grandchildren, Manuel and Kurt.