The Freeman: Standing Strong at 92

CEBU, Philippines - Standing solid and soaring high,  The Freeman yesterday greeted yet another year in its countdown towards its centenary.

The FREEMAN, Cebu’s longest running newspaper, turned 92 years old yesterday. Officers and employees of the paper gathered in a simple celebration at the newly opened MGB Social Hall at the fourth floor of the Star Group of Publications – Cebu Office.

Present during the occasion were The FREEMAN Chairman Jose “Dodong” Gullas, the man responsible for giving life back to the paper, and his wife Nena; The FREEMAN President Miguel Belmonte and his wife Milette; The FREEMAN Vice Chairman John Vicente Gullas; Dodong’s daughter Joie Gullas- Yu, Pilipino Star Ngayon Finance Head Angie Isidro, The FREEMAN and Pilipino Star Ngayon credit and collection manager Emma Doroteo; and suppliers Frank Pe, Joseph Quibral, and Rodrigo Lechia.

In a speech, Gullas recalled how the paper barely survived with seven employees when he revived The FREEMAN in 1965. Among the seven is the paper’s current Publisher Juanito Jabat. Gullas expressed his gratitude to the Star Group of Publications for strengthening the paper’s position further in the industry.

In a speech, Belmonte said the company has had challenges the past year, but the paper surpassed all of them.

“We should celebrate it because it’s quite an achievement to reach 92 years of existence,” Belmonte said. He also credited the efforts of the company’s employees in helping the paper reach 92 years.

“We have to be thankful first and foremost to the Lord for blessing us with another year kasi, again, despite all the challenges we faced, we’re still here and we’re doing well and the company is able to provide livelihood to so many individuals and to their families,” he said further.