Chroniclers of growth, development
TO become part of Sun.Star Davao is both a privilege and a responsibility, considering the fact that the paper has already established credibility, not to mention prestige.
This is proven by numerous awards bestowed on the paper, both by local and national award-giving bodies. So it's where the “responsibility” comes in. When you’re a part of Sun. Star, you have to uphold its credibility to maintain its prestige.
The paper's three regular columnists have become an epitome in upholding Sun.Star's credibility and prestige for more than a decade already -- Serafin Ledesma (aka Jun Ledesma), Jinggoy Salvador, and Janette Huang-Teves.
Ledesma's Sunbursts column has been giving the readers a decisive opinion on various topics that are considered relevant and timely.
Sunbursts has been with us for over 15 years already.
Sir Jun, as he is fondly called by Sun.Star Davao staff, accepted the invitation to write for the paper because, according to him, he loves the independence Sun.Star has given him. And it is only here that he found accurate and balanced reports and substantive content.
“Opinions may clash but respect of each other’s views is supreme. I look relatively handsome than the rest of the opinion writers although I bow down to their knowledge,” he jokingly said.
When asked why he stayed this long with Sun. Star Davao, he said, “I am comfortable with its environment of freedom, great editors and writers and Stella's tolerance of my grammar. But I assure her my message and my recitation of facts are accurate.”
Meanwhile, Jinggoy’s experience while traveling abroad or in a new place are always chronicled in his Jeepney Jinggoy. His Of Apples & Lemons, a regular feature in his column, gives us insights on what happened inside an event -- an apple if the event was really great or fantastic and lemon if otherwise.
Jinggoy has been with the paper since year 2000 when the tiny Sunday magazine that came with the Sun.Star Davao issue became a full-fledged weekly newspaper to replace the Sunday issue, which was called Sun.Star Weekend.
“I was invited by Sun. Star Davao’s former manager and the publisher to join the team. I am lucky and honored to be part of the Sun.Star family,” he narrated.
He said he sees fulfillment in knowing that the stories he has written have somehow made an impact to the readers especially his travel stories.
“If the Jeepney Jinggoy encourages the readers to finally travel and head off to their dream destinations, that’s accomplishing a mission for me,” he said.
Jinggoy said Sun.Star Davao’s balanced features have made the newspaper the preferred publication by majority of readers.
“I believe it will still be the same for many more years. I hope I can be a part of the team as long as I can write. And, it would be great to finally have a lifestyle magazine insert on a quarterly or monthly basis, like what Sun.Star Cebu has,” he said of his hopes for Sun.Star Davao in the future.
Moreover, Ms Teves, who has been writing with Sun.Star Davao for almost 11 years viewed her stint with the paper as an honor.
“I was invited by our editor-in-chief Stella Estremera to be a columnist for this paper. Prior to that, I have been contributing articles about Gawad Kalinga and events of the Davao City Tourism Office,” she recalled.
Teves also shared that she and her family have always been avid readers of Sun.Star Davao.
“We love that the paper is well-edited and the lay-out is easy on the eyes. These make reading pleasurable and worthwhile,” she said.
She added that she considers being a lifestyle writer as her “ME” time -- a welcome break from her daily routine.
“It is my creative outlet outside my full-time work at the family business and my busy role as a handson PTA mom. Through the years, I have met countless inspiring people, featured touching stories and awesome events, and learned a myriad of priceless lessons from fellow parents,” she said.
Teves said she is forever grateful that she grew immensely as an individual because of this “hobby”. With this she wishes to continue sharing useful information, most especially to families by being a lifestyle columnist at Sun.Star Davao.
”Based on the e-mails I have been receiving, our family’s travel adventures have become a useful resource to the readers so I also look forward to writing more about this topic,” she added.
“In addition, I pray that God will lead me to men and women of substance and make me His instrument in letting the world read about their remarkable lives,” Teves ended.
Ms Teves’ column tackles everything a Mom is happy to share about. From health to achievements to enrichment activities, Mom-About-Town is always a must read not just for mothers out there but to all those who only want the best for their children and family.
These long-staying writers are just some of the confirmation that Sun.Star does not only care for the community it serves but also for the people who chronicle a community up to its growth and development.