I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and that you all got the nice things you had wished for.
Now comes Year 2009. This is when one normally aspires for a better deal, a happier life than what it was in the year past. Except this time it probably won’t happen. The economy is in recession. For the moment the prospects look bleak. How bad will it get, or how long will it take- only the good Lord knows.
It will be another acid test for the resilient bamboo in us. Not too long ago on his visit to Toronto former President Ramos exhorted us on this subject. He confidently said: “Pinoy tayo, kaya natin ‘yan.” Indeed, Filipinos seem blessed with the gift of rebounding from every kind of adversity. “We have survived worse times,” the iconic FVR remarked. I am hopeful too that we shall again prevail over this one.
So is it that the journey continues. For me, the year has not been without pivotal snags and pleasant surprises. Most unfortunate, personally and to my family as well, was the sudden death of my father recently in the Philippines. Although he was a Canadian citizen and had lived here for sometime, he opted to go back to spend his remaining years at the only home he knew and cared about- at the house where he proudly raised us, his family. It also meant a lot to him to be near my mother’s grave there. Together with our other siblings and their families back home, and in the company of a housekeeper that took care of him, Dad lived the rest of his life comfortable and fulfilled
His Canadian brood had to make the hasty and unhappy trip to the Philippines for the funeral. With my sisters Sonia and Liberty, brother Wilson, my nephew Jason, and my son Edward, we joined the rest of the family to mourn at his side. It was an impromptu gathering with many relatives and friends we have not seen for years. Despite the circumstances, our old family home lightened up once more with our presence. The house and garden looked resplendent. Dad had meticulously landscaped the surroundings, tended the grotto of the Virgin Mary with love that it was well kept and colorfully adorned with different bright lights, and best of all had cared for the orchids such that they were all in full bloom. More blossoms primped up around the Bahay Kubo where Mom used to lounge. I could see Dad lovingly at work, savoring the times when we played there as children. It broke my heart to think that it could not last forever.
As the siblings sat at the family dining table together one more time, we recalled the warm memories of the many Noche Buenas our one big happy family held there. It was at this table at the stroke of midnight every eve of Christmas and New Year that we all had to be at home and seated. This time all siblings were there, facing two empty seats- those for our parents. It is hard to accept the reality of it but life must go on. We resolved to preserve the house and garden with its Yuletide decorations as is to keep their memories alive.
Milestone 30 years for BALITA in 2008
When BALITA launched the maiden issue in 1978, it was a daring journey into the unknown. The mission then and now remained the same- to serve our community and protect the Filipino interest with the utmost in journalistic fairness and integrity. Under strict guidance from our Editor and Publisher Ruben Cusipag, BALITA has done exactly that. We are proud to have published stories that otherwise would have gone unreported. By covering countless community organizations and groups, we have made them more effective and interesting, albeit also more accountable to their public. We have given many a kababayan the voice and venue to tell their life’s tales and personal plights. We have become the conduit for the continuing drama in the homeland into our readers’ living rooms, in all shades and sides, from entertainment to the political. In our crusade for truth and justice, we have reported it all, faced many lawsuits, and like the proverbial bamboo, have always risen back.
Manned by seasoned journalists and trusted by our valued advertisers and readers, BALITA continues to be the leading Filipino community newspaper in the greater Toronto area and Ontariowide. It is quite a task to publish twice monthly, but with committed advertisers who share in our vision to build a strong Filipino community for the good of all, not just the paper, your ongoing support have made it possible. Of course, the flow of positive feedbacks from our satisfied readers is what we live for and our ultimate reward-keep it coming.
As we phase into the new year, there is but one hitch in our BALITA journey- a malicious lawsuit for doing our job. Unfortunately, in this time and place, in spite of our best efforts to educate the public to understand how it all works, some people still don’t get it. Hello! This is not small time Pinas where lawsuits are routinely used to gag and intimidate the Press. This is Canada where newsreporting is well respected and an entrenched right, and the media exist to do just that. Freedom of the Press protects the public’s right to know- in case you never heard. And BALITA has lived, not for itself, but to serve that interest of the public, and our community. Sue us and you might as well thumb your nose at your own Filipino community. In our 30 years of newsreporting and being the voice of our Filipino community we have been sued many times, but you know what, time and again the outcome has been the same. The courts have always upheld our position and absolved us. That is why we are still here.
As usual, a grateful Filipino community is wholly behind us. Many see the lawsuit for what it is- bullying the media. Shouldn’t the time and effort be better spent to address the more pressing problems that affect our kababayans from the recession- they ask. Always looking for opportunities to build our community, BALITA is not at all closed to this idea.
Because fellow editors and publishers, friends and partners in the media sector, and members of the Philippine Press Club of Ontario (people who are closest to the issues in this lawsuit) are in full support, we have never in our experience felt so right and confident in what we are doing. Thank you all for the encouragement to stand our ground.
On a personal note
I know things are tough these days all over with the global financial crisis. On the average, investments have lost about a third of their value. Still, those in the know say there is no need to panic. They point to the positive leads in the puzzle and assure us the economy will make a correction in due time. They do advise now may be a good time to assess your situation and make life style adjustments to strengthen your individual position. Simple translation: do not spend unnecessarily.
As for my husband Ruben, our BALITA Editor and Publisher is struggling to get better everyday. Pronounced many times to be at the end of his personal journey, feisty Ruben has also proved them wrong every time. As in any journey there are setbacks every now and then, but with God’s blessings, he has overcome them and have moved on, better and stronger each time. Ruben’s strong will to live, combined with the power of prayer from family and friends, I believe, is what is working for him. In his situation, every day is a precious gift from God. And to me, every moment spent with him is priceless.
Our broods are on their own, basically. The eldest, Michael, Vice President for Investments at Northern Trust, with his wife, has presented us with two beautiful grandchildren. Middle child Anthony, fresh from backpacking in South America and Asia that made my worrywarts grow tenfold, is now settling down as Account Manager of Ricoh. Any talk of more backpacking from him and he’ll surely regret my wrathwarts. Edward, my youngest and still considered the family batangdamulag, is a finance broker. You can see Edward’s full-page advertising on this paper.
At our age, perhaps nothing can give us pleasure as much as watching our grandchildren Caitlyn and Julian run around the house, or swimming in our backyard pool in the summer, or just playfully blabbering about. Their smiles, chatters and kisses for their grannies are ambrosia for Ruben and me.
BALITA journeys on with this set of circumstances. With the recession upon us, let us heed the counsel and adapt our ways. Let us close ranks as one Filipino community and pull each other up. Let us all be positive. I know much prayers got us here. It will take much more of the same to get us through the tough times in 2009. God bless and…
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!!