The Freeman: The Early Years (Some Unknown Facts)

Editor's Note:

This is a reprint of a four-part series on The FREEMAN’s earliest years, published in 1979. For our 90th anniversary observance, we believe that it is good to look back once more, so that we can better situate our future path.

Dionisio A. Sy, our former columnist on historical tidbits, obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Philosophy and History, magna cum laude, from the University of San Carlos where he later took some units towards a Master of Arts in History. He wrote a 48-page publication entitled “Butuan through the Ages” and his research on anti-Spanish revolution in Cebu saw print in The FREEMAN. He also contributed articles to national publications. — Marlinda Angbetic Tan

CEBU, Philippines – “In the hands of unscrupulous and unprincipled journalists, the press is the ugliest weapon of destruction, forged in the furnace of Satan. But committed to the hands of men who are true to the ethnics of their profession, it is the greatest empire builder, the greatest educator, the greatest molder of public opinion - the best preserver of law and order, and the most faithful handmaid of private and public morals.”

Thus wrote Paulino Arandia Gullas in the editorial of the maiden issue of THE FREEMAN on May 10, 1919, marking the birth of another newspaper in Cebu. The succeeding years witnessed The Freeman making its weight felt in the consciousness of its readers.

At the start of the twentieth century, the town of Cebu and its environs had become the main center of publishing efforts by enterprising journalists.

The first decade saw the birth of El Nuevo Dia of Don Sergio Osmeña; La Justicia and El Nacional, both shortlived newspaper of Vicente Sotto; El Precursor of Mariano Jesus Cuenco; La Revolution of Felimon Sotto and Nueva Fuerza of Vicente Rama. Besides these, there were many others which lasted only a few months or a few years.

Thus, when The Freeman appeared in 1919, it circulated in a social environment already attuned to journalistic efforts.

In fact, some residents, reviewing the educational and socio-economic conditions then, held the opinion that Cebu conditions did not warrant the existence of another newspaper.

But Gullas thought otherwise. To blunt any criticism regarding the excess of newspapers in Cebu, he pointed out in his editorial that:

“For honest and fearless publication, of the kind which neither wealth nor lure of public office can buy, which cannot be cajoled by flattery nor frightened into submission by any creed or party, there is always need everywhere and at all times.”

Obviously, Gullas did not like the contents and tone of some publications at that time and he wanted to offer his readers some alternative reading materials.

The Publisher

That a dissenting opinion on the state of Cebu journalism in 1919 was harbored by Paulino Gullas came as no surprise to his friends. For Paulino, or simply Paul to his friends, was known to be independent minded.

And no one would accuse his independent-mindedness as chauvinism or sensationalism. For Paul was an abogado, and not an ordinary one. He took the bar in 1916, and brought laurels to his country and to Cebu, in particular.

He topped the bar, defeating the best candidates from law schools in the United States, Cuba and other lands then under U.S. control. Back in Cebu after his studies, Paul by 1919 had launched his legal career under a bright star, thrusting him into the public limelight.

Morever, in his student days at the University of the Philippines in Manila, he distinguished himself not only as an accomplished debater, but also as a reporter, for Cable-news American.

He fully realized the potentials of the newspaper to ventilate issues and to polarize public opinion, besides providing a medium for entertainment and wholesome reading.

Thus, although aware that the “journalistic field” then in Cebu was crowded, he nevertheless pushed his decision through, trusting his industriousness and talents to bring success.

From Manila he brought a friend, Julian Bulaon, to edit the English section. He tapped a local talent, Saturnino Villoria of Talisay, Cebu, to edit the Visayan section. A certain Glen Russel was appointed by Paul as business manager.

With his contacts in Manila, he arranged for regular receipt of national and international news. He also subscribed to some American magazines and some newspapers.

To gather local and regional news, Paul decided to train reporters.

One of those he trained, Gervacio “Basyon” Lavilles, is now residing in retirement at M.J. Cuenco St., Cebu City. His name came to Paul through the recommendation of Mr. Worsely, then principal of Cebu High School. Paul approached Worsely to give recommendees from among the graduates, to train as reporters. (Lavilles later became a lawyer, an editor of El Democrata, columnist of several local newspapers and served in various positions for both local and national governments).

Also among the pioneer personnel was Emilio Alcuizar, who worked as proof reader of The Freeman. He later started to contribute articles and is presently the editor-publisher of Lanao Mail.

Paul also bought a printing press and hired local technicians to operate the machines. The paper’s office and printing press were situated first at P. Lopez corner Colon Streets, and later at Juan Luna corner Colon street.

English-Visayan

The Freeman’s maiden issue consisted of 16 pages, 12 in English and four in Visayan, similar in size to today’s local newspapers. But the next six issues, although still consisting of 16 pages, divided its pages equally into the English and Visayan sections.

Over the succeeding years, the total number of pages varied – 18, 20, 22, 24, 28 – and so did the proportion between the English and Visayan sections. At some periods, the English section had more pages, but issues in 1931 had all its pages in Visayan, except a few scattered advertisements in Spanish and English. In fact, in 1931 the newspaper’s name was slightly altered into Ang Freeman. (To Be Continued)