The 30-year journey of The STAR

MANILA, Philippines - From being a newspaper that many believed would barely succeed, to becoming the top broadsheet in the country — that, in short, is the 30-year history of The Philippine STAR.

Success is sweet, yes. But it’s sweeter when shared with the people who matter most to The STAR, many of whom are aware of the paper’s climb to victory, from being the No. 23 newspaper when it started on July 28, 1986 to becoming No. 1 now in advertising and circulation.  

Last July 28, stars from all constellations — government, diplomatic corps, business, the social set, entertainment and journalism — shone brightly at the 30th anniversary party of The Philippine STAR at the grand ballroom of the Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig City.

“Your presence tonight certainly adds glitter to our sentimental journey,” began Miguel G. Belmonte, president and CEO of The Philippine STAR, addressing the jampacked crowd that included guest of honor Vice President Leni Robredo, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, former Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Cabinet secretaries, senators and congressmen, MVP Group of Companies chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, STAR chairman Ray Espinosa, and a sterling roster of stalwarts from the business community.

“Thirty years ago, our founders — my mother Betty Go Belmonte, our publisher Max V. Soliven, and columnist Atty. Art Borjal — got together to put up a newspaper that frankly many believed had very small chances of success. Certainly, it was a case of uncertainty and courage outstripping logic.

“But as they say, fortune favors the brave. If there was one thing that was abundant, it was faith — in vision, in people, in our new leadership at that time, and in our capacity for nationhood and greatness,” Belmonte said.

Speaking at The STAR’s anniversary celebration, Robredo highlighted the role of the media in effecting lasting change in the country. “Many of our nation’s problems could be solved if people read newspapers on a daily basis. We would have a more educated voter base, a more engaged citizenry, youth that understand what critical thinking entails, and parents who know that their children don’t need a lecture on their grades but a lecture on integrity and good citizenry,” she said.

Addressing The STAR executives, editors and columnists present that night, Robredo said, “Your words are a blessing to our nation.”

Indeed, in the last 30 years, The STAR, the newspaper that people read from “cover to cover,” was an effective conduit in nation-building. Living up to its slogan “Truth Shall Prevail,” The STAR, because it adheres to the values passed on by its founders, Belmonte said, “has managed to remain steadfast in our mission to bring only the most accurate, timely and in-depth stories to as many Filipinos as possible.”

Pangilinan, in his speech, echoed the success of The STAR. “Miguel, you and all your people here do your mother proud,” he said. “Thirty years of STAR are a true testament to your enduring relevance, and proof of the power of the vision of the founders of this paper. We honor them tonight.”

“In your journey, The Philippine STAR has reported on the most memorable events in our country’s history. From cover to cover, The STAR has consistently told stories of interest and concern, of national pride and frustration, of false dawns and high noons. We read them. We lived them. We felt them.”

Because the anniversary theme was “Journey to 30: From Revolution to Evolution,” Pangilinan also shared the challenges that confront The STAR today — the digital challenge. “How does STAR respond to this new digital world? It is as simple as embracing it — not resisting it. We believe that legacy print can co-exist with digital media. A good broadsheet still provides an assumption that news and opinions therein passed through some form of verification, validation and thought,” Pangilinan said.

Espinosa said, “The STAR is the industry leader today. And it will rise to the challenge of the digital revolution by arming itself with the tools and technologies that will allow it to make its digital pivot. But in doing so it will not forsake — and it will uphold — the same high standards of journalistic ethics that made it the No. 1 newspaper in the country today.”

On the night of its 30th anniversary, The STAR, with profound gratitude, celebrated with the stars.