A torchbearer of journalists and writers
NOBEL PEACE prize winner Maria Ressa should serve as an inspiration, not only for her country, relatives and loved ones but also for journalists and aspiring writers.
As the head of Rappler, she has worked her way through hostile government authorities not minding the dangers of her hostile stance towards government excesses and irregularities and speaking about them with alacrity and temerity.
She comports herself well and expresses her thoughts with biting honesty and courage aware that she is subject to censorship by those she banged her head with. There would be more Maria Ressas in the making among our groups of journalists and writers: those who are bold and courageous in the name of fair and balanced reporting and essay writing.
A merry and boisterous gathering of Pampanga media practitioners was held
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at the L. P. Laus corporate center in the city of San Fernando. Merienda was served to the attendees which included members of the local press: broadcasters and columnists who belong to the top echelon of the trade: Bong Lacson, Deng Pangilinan (the aspiring Mabalacat City mayor), Perry Pangan, Chris Navarro, Rey Navales, retired photojournalist Lino Sanchez, Jr., Jay Pelayo, Rudy Abular, Ashley Manabat, Tonette Orejas, Sun Star editor-in-chief Jovi de Leon, Jojo Due and others who are considered the cream of the crop. I attended the gathering addressed by Laus group president Paul A. Laus and we went home with cash token and X'mas packages. Salamat to the Laus group.
There are young, aspiring members of the local press, sons and daughters of current media members.
I only hope that they be trained by their media parents to become useful and productive members of Pampanga press and local media in general. There are scalawags, of course, but these are only few and their identities known by the practitioners and law enforcers.
A one-minute silent prayer was offered for the eternal repose of the slain journalist and member Jess Malabanan.