Goodbye to the Guru

After all that has been said about our recently departed publisher, I cannot, not devote space to this brilliant man. The thing is, I can’t even claim to be close to Mr. Max Soliven because we hardly had the opportunity to interact. I hardly go to the Star offices, unless it is for the occasional socials that I attend there. I e-mail my twice weekly columns, so I hardly saw the man. But on some occasions, I found myself seated with him in a table sipping wine and enjoying the festivities of the Star Christmas party or anniversary party or in some business cocktails outside.

I can’t forget, though, one occasion when I had more to say to him than the perfunctory greetings. I had a full-blown libel case for a series I had written on the unsavory business practices of a multinational company. The president of the company was a foreigner and he was trying to pull a lot of strings to put a stop to my tirades. I felt very strongly about the issue, and devoted quite a few columns to air my sentiments, which were shared by many, especially those who were victims of these unsavory practices. Anyway, the company filed a case against me, and for good measure, included the publisher of this newspaper, who was Max, the young but very sharp Isaac Belmonte, our top-notch editor-in-chief, and even all the other section editors whose names appear in our newspaper’s masthead. I didn’t know what the entertainment editor had to do with the issues I was airing, but Ricky Lo found himself with a summons, too, so did my UST Artlets batchmate, Sports editor, Lito Tacujan.

So it was the time when a whole group of officers and editors who met with the Star lawyers while submitting our depositions at a Makati prosecutor’s office. Max sought me out and said "so you’re the guy responsible for this libel case." He didn’t say it with rancor, just matter-of-factly. Having been publisher for practically half his life, and a much-read columnist whose opinions shaped the political landscape of this country, libel cases were nothing new, something he practically ate for breakfast. Still, I appreciated the fact that he spent time with me to share nuggets of wisdom which he learned the hard way over the years laboring over a typewriter. He didn’t lecture me on safe journalism but instead egged me on to fight for what I considered issues that merited public attention. He exhorted me to practice fair journalism, fearless but fair and honest, and proceeded to give me quite a few handy tips on how to go about it without baiting for a pesky libel case.

I have been writing for several years now, and I have kept those handy tips close to my heart, because they have proven very useful and have proven Max right in every way. They say one can’t claim to be a full-fledged journalist if he has not received his share of libel cases. Well, I don’t know about that, but in this day and age where libel cases are a dime a dozen; I have more important things to do. But, as the Guru Max said, journalism must be fearless, and if you are fair and honest about it and most especially neat in saying what you want to say no matter how piercing it may be, surely you won’t be such bait for those pesky cases.

Anyway, nothing came out of that libel suit. We didn’t even get to the point where hearings were set. The complainant just decided not to pursue it and everyone came out of that unscathed, including the non-involved editors. It was just purely a case of harassment.

Although Mr. Max Soliven has, without an iota of doubt, left a much-revered legacy to the journalists of this land (and I’m sure, the other foreign journalists, too, with whom he regularly hobnobbed), his legacy to me will always be something personal, something which only I can appreciate to the fullest. Goodbye and Godspeed Max – the Guru.

Arescom on the move

It was again the concern for the health of the populace that became the focus of the Arescom, specifically that of the 1501st Inf Brigade under the command of Col. Joseph R. Galam and its newly organized unit of Reservists in the area of Camanava.

15,400 cc of blood were donated for Dengue victims in Valenzuela from a blood letting operation conducted last October. The humanitarian undertaking was led by Lt. Col. David S. Karganilla and conceptualized by B/Gen. Dolorfino.

While a month later in November, a medical/dental civic action was held in Camarin, Caloocan City North, which was timed with the birthday of Mayor Echiverre, a reserve officer himself with a rank of Lt. Colonel. Two of the volunteer doctors were reservists Dr. Ramon A. Pasamba and Dr. Rolando Halili. Officers in attendance who helped in the supervision of the Civac operation included Col. Joseph R. Galam, Lt. Col. Roberto G. Gamboa Jr. and Lt. Col. David Karganilla.

These efforts again prove the Arescom’s continued commitment to be always a partner and defender of the populace in whatever situation – war or peacetime.

May I also wish the good and very able Commanding General of the Army Reserve Command (Arescom), Brig. Gen. Emmanuel S. Cayton the best of luck and a life of contentment in his retirement due this month.

Another evening of informative and wholesome viewing

The country’s first ever Olympics qualifier for badminton, Ms. Weena Lim shall take center stage this week on Profiles, the segment on the TV show Business & Leisure that puts on the spotlight celebrities, personalities and people who excel in their fields of endeavor for the viewers to know the persona behind the known name. The 15-year-old business and lifestyle TV magazine is aired every Tuesday evening at 10 o’clock on Channel 13 for Sky and Home cable subscribers and Channel 9 for Dream.

For those who would watch the show for their weekly business update, the present status of the stock market and the current operations of the Philippine Stock Exchange shall be shared by the president of our local bourse, Mr. Francis Lim on Biz Watch, the business portion of the show.

We’ll also have other features of varied interests lined up this week like the lady governor of Bulacan, Gov. Josie dela Cruz shall be featured on the segment Women Power, where we spotlight the prowess of what was used to be termed "the weaker sex" through the chronicles of the exploits of Filipino ladies in power. And on Tipsy, the Tavern on the Square takes center stage for the viewers to know what it has to offer its bar room habitués. Don’t fail to watch.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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