The Gift of Beautiful Memories

Last Wednesday, December 12, was both momentous and memorable day for me. I met with The Freeman and Banat News personnel. Before the meeting, we celebrated the Holy Mass together, to thank for another fruitful year for both papers. The day was also the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Cebu.

There were a few who were not able to make it, though. Some were pursuing news stories in the field, as this is always topmost priority with us; others were a little unwell that day. Nevertheless, the meeting was a memorable one. 

During the Mass, I was deeply touched by the homily of my good friend, Rev. Fr. Ian Balankig, that we ought to be always grateful, to work hard, to be more dedicated as we are living in perilous times.

Some families may not be able to celebrate Christmas as joyfully this year, as their breadwinners may have lost their jobs amid the economic hard times; or they may have lost a loved one or may be experiencing poor health. These people need our prayers, for sure. And we may also realize how lucky we are for our good health and the jobs and the loved ones we still keep.

On December 19, Wednesday, my wife Nena and our little princess, Jo Anne Marie, distributed Christmas goodies to all The Freeman and Banat News personnel. This was a personal gesture on our part, independent of the gifts that the company was giving. We wanted to convey to our people that we value their services to the company and we are happy to have them around.

Incidentally, in the evening of that day was the annual Christmas party of our people in both papers. We were lucky indeed to have been able to celebrate, despite the present trials in the newspaper industry. That, to me, is everyone’s best Christmas gift.

It has always been my prayer to my constant companion Senor Santo Niño, with the ever-protective arms of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the watchful eye of the Blessed Virgin and the guiding hand of my brother, Servant of God Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, that both The Freeman and Banat News will remain a bringer of news stories to Cebuanos, in the characteristic “fair and fearless” way.

Gratefulness is the memory of the heart. We are still here – almost a hundred years hence. Perhaps, that is already a remarkable achievement. In hindsight, if I did not bite the bullet of reviving The Freeman in 1965, then there will be no centennial to celebrate. And I wouldn’t have the chance of meeting these nice people working for The Freeman and Banat News now.

I wish that our people remember to pray for the souls of The Freeman founder, my uncle Tio Paulino Gullas, and his wife Tia Hilda. And of course, for my men Friday, Mr. Balt Quinain and Mr. Juanito Jabat – the three of us dared and weathered the storm to bring The Freeman out in the streets of Cebu in those early days. And for my people at J and Js Printers, particularly Luis Sipalay who manned the linotype machine. These people are worth remembering, for they paved the way for the current The Freeman and Banat News employees to have their jobs.

It is written – there is a moment for everything, a moment to be born, a moment to grow into adulthood, to mature… and, if I may add, a moment to reminisce and look back to yesterday. I continue to be guided by the words of my late parents: “At all times, it pays to be humble, to be humane, and compassionate (in Cebuano, “mapaubsanon,” “manggiloy-on,” and “matinabangon”), for we are living on borrowed times; we are like the wind, like smoke that passes swiftly.” To add to that, the favorite saying of my maternal grandmother, Lola Andrea Rivera, still rings in my ears: “Sa abo ka gikan, sa abo ka mobalik. (From dust you came from, to dust you will return.)” 

Merry Christmas to all The Freeman and Banat News personnel and to our readers who make our two publications a part of their everyday living!