What words do you have for Philippine STAR on its 25th year?

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Congratulations, The Philippine STAR! You make my breakfast every morning.

Ma. Melissa Bigcal, Manila: Congratulations to Phil. STAR. I enjoy reading your newspaper. Cheers to another 25 years ahead.

Shine on

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: The ‘stardust’ that Philippine STAR has spread the world over has kept Filipinos knowledgeably informed for 25 years - a feat other newspapers can only envy. Congratulations!

Bong Nebrija, Quezon City: Bravo! Journalism in the Philippines wouldn’t be the same without Phil. STAR. Balanced views, factual reporting, diversified segments (news/entertainment/ sports) and reader empowerment (Inbox World) are just a few of the reasons why, after 25 years, you are still going strong. Filipinos only rely on one standard when it comes to reading news, and that’s Phil. STAR. More power and let your luster continue to glow in delivering information to the Filipino people.

Dr. Francis Regalado, Manila: Fireworks! May you continue to be the super-STAR of Philippine newspapers. Kudos!

Nick Ocampo, Quezon City: Happy 25th anniversary to my one and only newspaper. May The STAR shine more in the future.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Let your STAR shine more. A blessed silver anniversary and thanks for always bringing the news straight to our homes at a very low cost.

J.T. Fuerte, Manila: When I left the Philippines in the mid-’50s, Manila Times was the most widely read newspaper in Manila. When I came back 18 months ago, Phil. STAR was the talk of the town! It still is, and I think I know why. The STAR’s daily frontpage layout alone always shows that it has interesting and important news stories to tell. With such diversified opinion writers, who never fail to inform, enlighten, and educate, and with its bold and thought-provoking editorials, you feel like you just want to keep reading the moment you pick up a copy. It’s a newspaper that connects and educates people from all walks of life, and even from faraway places. I know for a fact that Phil. STAR is one important source of factual information that helps our countrymen in the US get abreast with what goes on everyday in the Philippines. Congratulations and happy 25th anniversary! Keep The STAR brightly shining, because there are always those of us who are hungry for the “light” you bring everyday into our lives.

Purveyor of truth and fairness

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: More power on your 25th anniversary! May you not waver in your mission and objective of “Truth Shall Prevail”. God bless.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: For 25 years of indefatigable, uncontaminated news reporting, happy 25th anniversary to Phil. STAR, where truth always prevails.

Kelvin Casamayor, Ilocos Sur: With your silver anniversary, I wish the editorial team and all the persons behind The STAR’s success to continue the crusade for truth. Truth shall prevail.

Noel Alquiza, Metro Manila: Happy silver anniversary to Phil. STAR. May the spirit of truth guide and be always with The STAR, so that the truth will always prevail. Mabuhay!

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Congratulations to Phil. STAR and its staff for 25 years of its existence and service to the public. In terms of fairness, your paper is it.

Dr. Mel Jaingue, Quezon City: Congratulations to Phil. STAR on its silver anniversary. Thank God for a newspaper that provides fair reporting of news, balanced content, and whose aim is to bring out nothing but the truth. Everyday, I wait with eager anticipation to read the latest news and interesting, informative articles and columns that it contains. To Phil. STAR, continue the good work! Mabuhay.

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: Congratulations for being consistent as purveyor of press freedom. Modesty aside, I have been one of the avid readers of the paper since the start. The pioneers - Mrs. Betty Go Belmonte, Max Soliven, and Teddy Benigno, the most loved writers during their time, are gone, but Phil. STAR has continued this best legacy of providing vital information as an exponent of truth.

My favorite newspaper

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Congratulations to the best newspaper I have read. Long live, Phil. STAR!

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Happy 25th anniversary! Congratulations to the editors and staff for making The STAR the top daily in the Philippines. Cheers.

Hubert Monge, Metro Manila: Congratulations to my favorite newspaper on its 25th anniversary. It’s the only newspaper that I read from cover to cover; a rich source of vital news.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Happy birthday, Phil. STAR! You’re our favorite broadsheet because of Inbox World, news reporting and columns of the likes of Jarius, Ana Marie and the Chairwrecker Big Bill. However, let us be blunt to say that never have we read your editorial to take on the evilness of the almighty tax evader who speaks barely comprehensible Filipino language that is a matter of very great national concern. Make this your crusade for the Filipino people’s sake.

Adrian Catral, Quezon City: Phil. STAR will always remain my favorite newspaper in town. Your Inbox and entertainment sections are my favorites. Three cheers to the best newspaper, Phil. STAR!

Daily habit

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: My heartfelt felicitations on your silver anniversary! My fervent wish is for the broadsheet’s consistency in pursuit of highly professional and ethical journalism of the highest order, centered on its battlecry/slogan - Truth Shall Prevail - no in-between, just proper. The Inbox World section has been instrumental, for it regularly provides me a sort of mental calisthenics. Interestingly, I’ve been “addicted” to it for the past three years, though I only bother to send a view on a selective basis. No matter what, behind the scenes, it lets me be a part of the paper’s momentous celebration. More power to the people behind the star-studded Phil. STAR. The latter’s suffix readily gives justice - it’s a morning star to an early morning breakfast.

On to the next 25

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: Do a great job again - for another 25 years!

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: In this age of the Internet, I wish Phil. STAR would prevail in the years to come. Happy silver anniversary!

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Congratulations to The STAR on its 25th anniversary.  I hope and pray that I will still be around on your 50th anniversary.  More power and God bless us all.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Congratulations on your silver anniversary! More power and here’s to more years of balanced news reporting.

Keep it up!

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Keep up the good work. I’ve been one of your regular readers since 1987, and I always look forward to reading your columns, especially the ones written by Ana Marie Pamintuan, Domini Torevillas and the late Teddy Benigno. Happy 25th anniversary. You’re still the best newspaper in the country today.

Ric Vergara, Calamba: Congrats and keep it up. I became a Phil. STAR addict because of MVS and have remained a Phil. STAR fan because of Esposo and company. Bawasan lang ang showbiz news. Puro tsismis lang naman ‘yan.

Missing Max Soliven

Dr. Hiram Tiburcio, USA: On the 25th anniversary of The Philippine STAR I miss the writing of the late journalistic icon, my favorite columnist Manong Max Soliven. May his tribe increase.

More power

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Congratulations and more power! May you bring more news as it happens, without fear or favor. God bless Phil. STAR.

Antonio Bello, Manila: I congratulate Phil. STAR on its silver anniversary. More power to you and may you always stick to your “Truth Shall Prevail” slogan.

Felix Ramento, USA: On its 25th anniversary, I wish Phil. STAR more power and more years of unwavering public service. God bless all the people behind The STAR!

Big achievement

Rene Poder, Manila: Twenty-five years of corporate success in media is a huge achievement.

A salute to the founders

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: I got stuck to one of the popular broadsheets and sometimes bought one other newspaper, not necessarily Phil. STAR, when there were events of great importance or some sensational happenings in other parts of the world, such as the Desert Storm, the visit of Pope John Paul II, the terroristic attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center, etc. And there are two reasons for my total shift to Phil. STAR: 1. I found the columnists fair, with great writing styles, and their investigative journalistic acumen, with courage going with it, is to my liking; and 2. It is a print medium of information where I can contribute in a forum of personal views on the important issue of the day via the Inbox World. At least, here is where interested readers may voice out what they have in mind and feel as if they, too, own this great newspaper. And so, on the occasion of the celebration of Phil. STAR’s silver anniversary, I thank the owners, the editorial board, the editors, contributors and staff, but above all, to two great Filipinos who are now in the great beyond: the founding chairman - Betty Go Belmonte - and my fellow Ilocano who popularized “sanamagan”, the great Maximo Soliven!

Kudos to philstar.com

Mars Mejilla, Europe: More power and congratulations on your 25th anniversary. We really miss the broadsheet of our Manila days, but your online presence is just as timely, scathing and profound. Best regards to Ana Marie Pamintuan and Jarius Bondoc.

Thank you, Inbox!

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque :City More power to you and thanks for publishing my comments in Inbox.

Danilo Rogayan Jr., Zambales: As Phil. STAR marks its quarter-century, I would like to extend my heartfelt felicitations for its unrelenting crusade of delivering comprehensive news, straightforward views, and substantial information on a multitude of subjects. In the past 25 years, Phil. STAR has remained the most credible broadsheet, the bastion of truth and chronicler of the country’s history. On a personal note, I am thankful that this paper welcomes my humble views through the Inbox World. This motivates me more to get involved in the current issues confronting the society as a young man of 19. I fervently pray for The STAR’s continued success! Congratulations and Godspeed!

Janet Lopez, Manila: Congratulations! Not to rain on your richly deserved parade, but may we have Inbox answers daily, please?

Leonard Kristian Gelacio, Cauayan City: Thank you for publishing readers’ opinions regarding top issues of the day through the Inbox. Congratulations for a job well done.

Daniel Occeno, Metro Manila: Thank you, but mostly for allowing the comment text box response. It was where I started expressing my one voice without having to send it to sections like “Letters to the Editor”, hoping the publication would print it. I have been accused of showing off as a writer, which is really a compliment. I want to express my extreme gratitude to the publication and the editors and the writers and the staff members for giving me a chance to be read as well. As a poor and unpaid writer, a print venue is all I need to have a say in the future. My readers can decide if they like my ideas.

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: Thanks for your devotion to publishing my views and for editing them if they are a bit flaming or radical.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Thank you, Phil. STAR! Because of you, I became a concerned citizen and you have made me aware of what is happening around me, which I used to just ignore. This all started when you accepted my comments in Inbox, and from then on, reading about current events became my interest, and now I can say that I have learned much. I wish you more success and never-ending blessings from up above.

What do you think of the censorship of the ‘blasphemous’ art exhibit at the CCP?

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

NEXT INBOX QUESTION: What do you think of the censorship of the ‘blasphemous’ art exhibit at the CCP?

You may also email your views to: [email protected].

 (Editorís Note: We have just added another channel to reach Inbox World via the growing Facebook community. If you have a Facebook account, add up PhilStar Inbox and give us a glimpse of your views on raging issues of the day. Selected comments will be published in The Philippine STAR Inbox World. Readers may also post intriguing questions for other Inbox friends to comment on. See you there.)