IN CELEBRATING the 11th anniversary of Punto! Central Luzon, I cannot help but ponder on the memories that I best remember about this newspaper and the people behind great writing and publication.
1. Dr. Leopoldo H. Lazatin, the man behind Punto!
It was Dr. Leo Lazatin who asked my thoughts about having a local newspaper in Pampanga. Doc Leo, as he is called, is from the prominent Lazatin clan of the City of San Fernando. It was in January 2007 when we had a meeting at the Lazatin Heritage House in San Fernando discussing newspapering and publication, two ideas that we have no background to speak of at that time. Nonetheless, I knew he was serious when he followed up on my feasibility study on the matter in the succeeding weeks. In about two weeks, I met with Dra. Tina Basilio, a very influential friend in Angeles City and asked her if she knows current publishers of newspapers that I can interview. The following day, I saw myself meeting with Edgar Movido, the publisher of Punto! national newspaper. The rest followed smoothly as Doc Leo provided all the financial support in publishing the local Punto! in Pampanga. Thank you, Doc Leo, for being the man behind the success of Punto! Until now, you have not given up on us and continue to show support and guidance. It was Doc Leo who pushed for the online publication of Punto!, and indeed, this man knows what we are to meet for the next 11 years.
2. Ed Movido helped us in our birthing years
In 2007, Ed Movido allowed us the four-page Punto! Pampanga section in his Punto! national newspaper. He also introduced me to Joey Aguilar, then an aspiring journalist. Joey became our editor and we gave him leeway to select his own staff . Eventually, the four-page Punto! Pampanga devolved into a separate and distinct publication when Punto! National ceased to exist. And in 2007, we have the first Punto! Central Luzon newspaper, covering the whole region.
3. Joey Aguilar, as our first editor
Joey Aguilar, a thin and young writer in the local scene served as our first editor, accepting the position despite the meager salary we offered. Upright and principled, Joey takes truth and the call of his conscience as his only guide, serving him in good stead as he presided over the transition of Punto from the four-page insert to the total newspaper that it is now. However, as the golden sands of Qatar beckoned to him, and with a loving wife that he has to grow old with, Joey resigned from Punto! in June 2012, subsequently becoming a reporter of Gulf News. Thank you, Joey, for painstakingly taking care of Punto! in its growing and difficult years. And thank you for still being there watching us and continuing to guide us.
4. The awesome Joanna “Ning” Cordero
Advertising is the backbone of any media entity. Without this amazing lady, Punto! would not even reach its third anniversary. Juggling the expenses prevailing over the newspaper’s income, Ning persevered. There were times that we could not anymore pay Mexico Printing and the salaries of the editorial and marketing staff . But Ning always found ways. After four years of existence, Punto! attracted advertisers and since then started to feel the blessings of her hard work. Despite several offers from other publishers, Ning stayed with us. She never left us during our difficult times, and henceforth, she was rewarded and has been rewarded as Punto! continues to soar high in this very competitive world of newspaper publication. Thank you, Ning, for keeping us alive!
5. The only A. Caesar “Bong” Lacson
After Joey resigned from Punto!, Bong Lacson took over. He was the unanimous choice, having been our consultant and editorial writer from the start, and contributing news and feature stories as well as writing his column Zona Libre at every issue. A veteran writer and critique, he added pride and passion to Punto!. People listened to him, discussed his thoughts, and are all awed by his one-of-a-kind writing skills. He managed the editorial desk so well and in details. Bong, thank you for staying with us despite other opportunities coming your way. You are our father, our mentor, our boss. I salute you!
6. Dondie Ventura, our lay-out artist
In this world where technology changes at the blink of an eye, Dondie never failed us. With his special skills and knowledge of technology, he consolidates all the edited news stories, editorial and opinion pieces, photos, advertisements and legal notices and get them into pages to be sent direct to Mexico Printing. Lay-outing the paper is no easy task. But looking at Dondie doing it, it seems so easy. You deserve an increase this coming year, Dondie.
7. Our writers, our wealth
What is newspapering without the stories? We owe them to our hardworking intrepid correspondents based all over Central Luzon: Ding Cervantes and Ashley Manabat in Pampanga, Ernie Esconde in Bataan, Rommel Ramos in Bulacan, Johnny Reblando and Malou Dungog in Olongapo City and Zambales, the esteemed professor Anselmo Roque and Armand Galang in Nueva Ecija.
Also our Capampangan columnist Felix Garcia and movie writer Arci Pineda.
Ditto those who have written their 30 and gone to the great editorial desk in heaven: showbiz columnist Cesar Pambid, correspondents Dino Balabo of Bulacan and George Hubierna of Tarlac.
8. The generous Chris Gomez of Mexico Printing
During our hard times, Chris never left us. He continued to print our publications despite the uncertainty of payment. There was even a time that we owed him a year of printing costs, but never did we hear a single word from him demanding payment. He believed in Punto! and trusted that we would not renege on our obligations. Thank you, Chris and staff of Mexico Printing, for the trust and the generous support. Our partnership will surely go beyond our lifetime and we will be forever indebted to you, by way of gratitude and kindness.
9. Our advertisers, supplying the blood that keeps us alive
The malls — SM City spread throughout Central Luzon, Marquee, Robinsons, and Nepo. The airlines – Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, and PAL. The telcos – Smart and Globe. Convergys. The real estate developers – Hausland, Solana, NorthPine, Villar Group, Rimaven, Century Properties, Lakeshore, Alviera. Government agencies and corporations – BCDA, CDC, CIAC, SBMA, SSS, PhilHealth, DepEd, DOT, DTI, DOE, PCSO. The hotels and resorts – Widus, Quest, Midori, Fontana, Park Inn, Marriott in the freeport; Azzurro, Century, Lewis Grand, The Orchid Gardens, Best Western, Harvest, Camayan Beach.
Publications from the courts and quasi-judicial agencies, local government units, and to all our local businessmen and women, SALAMAT PO. Your contributions to Punto! throughout these years kept us alive and kicking. Our partnership has been tested and there is no way for us but to keep up with your expectations in terms of publication, substance and reach.
10. To our Executive Judges, thank you for the accreditations
Punto! solidified its niche in local media when it was granted accreditation by various courts in Pampanga and Angeles City. From then on, our share in judicial notices increased and became the sustenance for our daily operations. Rest assured that we will keep up in complying with all the rules on publication of judicial notices
11. To my family, thank you for believing in Punto!
My wife has been asking me about my role in Punto! and why I need to maintain it as it is taking much of my time and resources. I explained to her that Punto! is part of me. I helped in its birth and treated it as my own child, would not want to see its death in my lifetime. In Punto!, I have met a lot of wonderful people. Ning, Bong, Dondie, Irma, Bong, and Lacson are my family, too. We have been through ups and downs, seen the worst libel suits, threats, intimidation. But in the end, we have seen the freedom to write and publish stories. We give truthful information to the public with only the facts. We serve the public the information they need and may want. We help in information dissemination, and raise the level of public discourse and critical thinking. Not many people can have those opportunities. However inchoate, they feed my soul. Thank you, Gilda, Gabby, Djay, Mai and Gerard for always being there, reading Punto! and giving me your feedbacks and discernment. Thank you for believing that Punto! is worth all the sacrifi ces. MABUHAY ANG PUNTO! HAPPY 11TH ANNIVERSARY!
