Strong and Free at 63

The Ilocos Times marks this month its 63rd Anniversary as a bastion of the free press in Northern Philippines. Community newspapers here and elsewhere have come and gone but this paper has endured the test of time, and while it ceased printing for a couple of months at the height of the quarantine, it continued to serve the public through its Facebook Page, website, and blog.

On this occasion, I remember with gratitude and affection my dear friend Steve Barreiro who risked life and limb with his exposés and scathing commentaries. The man behind “In and Out” always fought for what was just and right. Ironically justice continues to elude him for the murder that sent him out of this temporal world and into the Great Beyond. Out too early, Steve lingers in the minds and hearts of fans, and that includes me at the forefront. We all miss his spunk.

Then there’s Michael Esmino, the brilliant managing editor who is the paper’s journalistic mind silently working in the background. A recluse most of the time, Mitch, with his unparalleled writing prowess, has mentored the likes of Bernard Ver and befriended the likes of me. I consult when writing about controversial issues, and always to good results. He is also the best drinking buddy.

Staff reporters Leilanie Adriano and Dominic dela Cruz have carved their respective niches in the field. Leilanie, one of the more principled journalists in these parts, is also the provincial boss of the Philippine News Agency. She pushes advocacies for the environment, indigenous groups, women and children, and S&T innovations while maintaining objectivity and meeting the highest ethical standards. An active member of GUMIL, she is also a poetess, having co-authored an anthology of erotic poems. Dominic, on the other hand, is our resident Miss Friendship. He can penetrate even the most stonewalled offices because of his charm, wit, and congeniality. He is also a Barangay Chairman in San Nicolas town.

Primo Jay and Efren Jr. of the Ramos Family remain steadfast in their father’s legacy of a free press. To their credit, they have always respected the work of their staff and columnists by not meddling with content, unless of course there is a high risk of being slapped with a lawsuit. But then they are not new to political intimidation, having faced a libel suit in court due to an exposé that cost a politician her public career.

Jay, better known in Laoag City as a politician, is the kapitan of one of Laoag City’s biggest barangays, both in terms of population and land area. An alumnus of San Beda’s economics program and the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitors’ Program, Jay, he served as city councilor for three terms. Jun-b, a civil engineer, pioneered ilocostimes.com in 2000 which he continues to manage until today. A graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, the most IT-savvy member of the Ramos family is now with the City of Laoag Engineering Office. Meanwhile, other members of the Ramos family here and abroad continue to do their share in keeping alive and relevant their biggest contribution to Ilocandia.

We remember with gratefulness many other writers who have been part of The Ilocos Times, those who are still alive—like  former editor-in-chief Juliet Pascual who has unsullied integrity and historian Jose “Pepito Alvarez whose writing led us to a renewed understanding of our Ilocano identity—and also those who have departed who, I am sure, are now scribbling happier lines.

The Ilocos Times is also known as a breeding ground for young journalists. Glenda Gloria, for instance, saw her first byline in The Ilocos Times as an intern. From there, her star shot up. She led ABS-CBN’s news channel before cofounding Rappler. Then a struggling mathematics graduate of MMSU, my cousin Erme Labayog’s first job was as staff reporter of the paper. He pursued law and passed the bar the first time he took it. He is now the legal officer of the Ilocos Norte provincial government.

To everyone who has ever written for this well-admired paper, cheers! To our readers, our profound thanks. We look forward to many more decades of The Ilocos Times engaging the public, speaking truth to power, and helping transform society.