The governor, members of the pronvincial board and the awardees. PHOTO COURTESY OF PETER ALAGOS
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The provincial government led by Governor Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda on Monday honored 16 seasoned Kapampangan journalists who have brought honor to the province as part of the Pampanga Day celebrations.
Septuagenarians all, the 16 – Numeriano Dayrit, Ramiro Mercado, Democrito Caparas, Fred Dela Rosa, Alfredo Roxas, Cris Icban, Jr., Jake Espino, Willie Capulong, Abner San Pedro, Rizal Policarpio, Gregorio Sangil, Lino Sanchez, Jr., Max Sangil, Federico Pascual, Felix Garcia and Ed Aguilar – were present to receive plaques of appreciation from the governor in a simple but touching ceremony at the Benigno Aquino Hall at the Capitol compound here dubbed “Pamamye Galal at Parangal Karing Talasulat at Talapamalita.”
Pineda said in the vernacular that from the time she started her career in politics some 25 years ago she already
wanted to fete members of the media who have contributed to the advancement of the province. She said she realized that early the important role media plays in the development of the province.
She said the Capitol and Kapampangans, as a whole, love media practitioners because of 1 their commitment and
capability to institute change and reforms. Pineda said for many years she had personally witnessed how Kapampangans in media helped the province not only in times of disasters and calamities but in occasions when the province is being put in bad light.
She added that the citations, the fi rst ever in the history of Pampanga, will serve as an inspiration to younger media practitioners to emulate. Veteran journalist and Punto! editor Bong Lacson, who was tasked by the Capitol to institute the awards, said it is of common knowledge that every major media outfit in Manila has a Kapampangan
in their organization which only lends credence to the importance and capabilities of Kapampangan journalists.
In response, the senior Kapampangans in media vowed to support the Provincial Government in its endeavors
and cherish the historic moments. Veteran journalist Ram Mercado was profuse in thanking Pineda and his gratitude and remark brought the house down when he said “Nanay Baby is the best governor Pampanga ever had.”
Highly acclaimed columnist Dik Pascual said: “It is not about age but of speaking the truth and service” as he underscored the contribution of senior journalists in the development of the province. Lacson said the awards were bestowed on senior Kapampangan journalists age 70 and above who have spent 40 years in the media industry and contributed to the development of the province.
Also present during the ceremony were Board Members Rosve Henson, Nestor Tolentino, Mike Tapang, Crisostomo Garbo, Ricardo Yabut and Cherry Manalo.
