Remembering Balt Quinain, 40 years after

CEBU, Philippines —  He was one of the premier Cebuano journalists of his time, a very prominent and well-respected leader in the newsroom and most importantly, he was one of the pillars responsible for the rebirth of the longest running local daily in Cebu, The Freeman.

Balt Quinain was an advocate for true and accurate information and making it available to all Cebuanos. He believed that information is power. Hence, it didn’t take much convincing for him to help his good friend Jose ‘Dodong’ Gullas to breathe life back to The Freeman in 1965, together with Juanito Jabat, calling themselves “The Three Musketeers”.

Dodong Gullas met Balt Quinain when he was the editor of the University of the Visayas’ school paper the Visayanian and has become one of Dodong’s trusted friends, sharing the same sentiments and foresight for journalism and freedom of the press.

Balt Quinain created the groundworks for the newspaper to start publication. He drafted the editorial policies, journalism standards and even recruited reporters and staff to complete the organization.

He dedicated his life in journalism. He thought that life would be more fulfilling if spent in the newsroom instead of the courtroom. A decision he made when he did not pursue a career as a lawyer even if he finished and graduated law school at the University of the Visayas in 1963.

The newsroom became his second home. There, he wore many hats, not only as one of the publication’s pillars, he was also a reporter, a columnist and an editor.

But after 17 years of a fulfilling life as a journalist, he suffered a massive stroke and later died on March 28, 1982. He was only 46 years old.

Balt Quinain left behind his wife Rose Pioquinto and their three boys, Balt Jr., Ted and Bobby.

Today, as we remember him on his 40th death anniversary, friends, family and colleagues will always think of Balt as the person who led and inspired others in working toward a valued goal and that is being the bearer of truth, fair and accurate journalism. He also left behind his legacy – The Freeman, the paper he helped build where Cebuanos still get news to stay informed. — Noreen Tormis, Contributor (FREEMAN)