The Philippine STAR says ‘Thank You’
Recognizing the 2016 Loyalty Awardees
“There is a perpetual adolescence to being a reporter.” - Dale Maharidge
Ten months after the EDSA 1 revolution, in a cramped little room previously occupied by The Fookien Times, gathered an unassuming team of journalists and editors conceiving the would-be leading daily newspaper in the country.
“We were gathered there — Mrs. Betty Go- Belmonte, Mr. Max Soliven, Tony Roces, Art Borjal, Ricky Agcaoili, executive editor Bobby dela Cruz, business editor Conrad Banal, Amy Pamintuan, Life editor Millet Mananquil and myself from Sports — driven by a shared dream and mission to come up with a decent, respectable newspaper,” recalls The STAR’s Sports editor for 30 years Lito Tacujan.
“We were then at the crest of a new wave of press freedom the nation was enjoying after years of Martial Rule. We expected it to be touch-and-go, coming in late in the game, but we soldiered on under the leadership of Mrs. Belmonte and Soliven,” he adds.
The close-knit team of 10 people grew into a huge corporation as their shared vision helped shape and witness the major events in history. From chaotic beats, to the hectic newsroom and the roaring printing press, The STAR thrived to become one of the most relevant establishments in Philippine society today. From a challenging era in the Philippines emerged The STAR that shed the light of information to Filipinos, always prevailing the truth.
For 30 years, these people have been manning the machine that creates the daily headlines. More than their loyalty, their passion and commitment to their jobs are admirable. Here, they share their stories.