This pandemic coupled with incessant rain and the noise of politics really sucks. One has to be extra creative to keep the mind and muscles working perfectly. In my case, after working around the house, I utilized solitude and silence as a tool to reflect on the beautiful things of the past – high school days, courtship, long lost friends, family activities, climbing mountains, strolling on the park, teddy bears and lollipops.
My favorite group of people outside my family are those who speak my language and who sail with me on the same boat – the local media practitioners. They are the people who are tuned in with me in the same wavelength and who leave an indelible print in my heart. Allow me to share with you a brief account on how we work and behave as a group.
In the not so distant past, the media practitioners of San Pablo City used to meet regularly by choice beneath the giant Balete Tree (ficus elastica) near the City Capitol. Each had her/his stories to tell to the merriment of everybody. Though they were not formally organized during that time, they respected each other and voluntarily shared ideas, concepts and news whether good or bad. When one is maligned or criticized by onlookers (miron), somebody from the group will surely come forward to defend him/her either through broadcast or in print.
Since computer, the internet and its so many apps (Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) were totally foreign to us during that time, we had to content ourselves with manual typewriters, Webster, Miriam and Thesaurus dictionaries, Encyclopedias and World Almanac. Ruben E. Taningco, our “Local Walking Encyclopedia” was always ready to share his knowledge on practically everything so we can save time scanning books. During parties or gatherings of the group, the late Nelson Cornista and Tony Valencia would make the whole group turned upside down laughing by rendering a duet off key.
The media group then was like one big happy family sharing views, lending ideas and agreeing to disagree on some vital issues affecting the community. Respect for each other’s opinion was one of the values they strictly observed. I treasure the years I was with Publisher Nena E. Mallari of the Herald Group of Publications as a freelance writer because it was during those times that I had the opportunity to work with Dinah M. Carabio (now my publisher) Lilian de la Cruz, Dodie Banzuela and Eric Aquino.
During my free time as a Court employee, I would be at the house of Daystar Gazette Publisher-Editor Venus P. Funtanilla which is just a stone throw away from our office to partake of anything she prepared for snacks. It was there when we would have some serious brainstorming about political issues affecting the cities which would often culminate beneath our favorite venue – the shade of the Balete tree. There we would be joined by the late Fiscal Esperidion L. Gajitos, Fiscal Florante G. Gonzales, Eddie “Kulot” Ticzon, Romy “Palasig” Evangelista, Celso Angeles, Boyet Marcelo, Irineo Maranan along with Irene R. Albajera and Cristy T. Villamor.
Later on, Tribune Post Publisher Nani Cortez, Columnist Sandy Belarmino, Ruben Taningco and the rest of the writers-columnists created an interim set of officers and agreed to name the group Seven Lakes Press Corps with Nani Cortez as President. He remained as such till the day he was called to the bosom of the Father. Some members faded away from the horizon and new sets of writers came in. Now, Sandy Belarmino holds the position left by Cortez. The rest is history.
“The media group then was like one big happy family sharing views, lending ideas and agreeing to disagree on some vital issues affecting the community. Respect for each other’s opinion was one of the values they strictly observed. I treasure the years I was with Publisher Nena E. Mallari of the Herald Group of Publications as a freelance writer because it was during those times that I had the opportunity to work with Dinah M. Carabio (now my publisher) Lilian de la Cruz, Dodie Banzuela and Eric Aquino. “
Video credits: In my life, an enduring song by the legendary Beatles. A beautiful cover by Sara Niemietz, W.G. Snuffy Walden. One of the greatest love songs ever written, the prosody of the lyric is exceptional and the melody is introspective, longing and emotional.
Melinda Bagsic Evangelista
I was born to write and I believe that’s my calling. I love writing because it brings me to the realm exclusively of mine. It is also my opinion that “immortality” can be achieved not by searching for the Holy Grail and drinking from it but by living your life worth-writing or writing something worth-reading. Since I cannot promise you a life worth-writing, I keep myself busy writing something worth-reading. I am thankful to God for giving me the talent and skill to see life in different perspectives not seen by many and the courage to share it to my readers. This first ever Tutubi Digital News Magazine is a perfect avenue to bring you the many facets of life that you can ponder upon in this time of the pandemic. Enjoy reading all the articles.
