STAR: 20 luminous years / Presidential awardees

A mammoth crowd gathered at the Shangri-La in Makati for the Philippine STAR’s 20th anniversary celebration. Of those present, I shall immediately single out three whom I genuinely admire. MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando is a real bayani; he never flinches from doing what he believes is good for the public despite the fierce and often malicious criticisms levelled at him. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye remains cool and unflappable even when "explosive" questions are directed at him during televised press conferences in Malacañang or in public places. My Sigma Delta Phi Sorority sister Josie T. Lichauco, a former Undersecretary, is admirable for her courage and candor. She says everything like it is, or like what she thinks it is. You may not always agree with her, but she’ll say what she has to say, anyway, without batting an eyelash.

The STAR celebration opened with a prayer of thanksgiving from our God-oriented Executive Vice-President Grace Glory Go. An inspiring address by President and CEO Miguel G. Belmonte followed. Publisher-board chairman Max V. Soliven could not make it to the event but was heard over video and duly represented by his wife UNESCO Ambassador Preciosa Soliven.

Helping to entertain guests were Stargate President and STAR columnist Babe Romualdez, Starweek editor Doreen Yu, Lifestyle editor Millet M. Mananquil, editors Tony Katigbak and Joanne R. Ramirez, columnist Domini Torrevillas arrived rather late; so did Executive Editor Amy Pamintuan who was presumably delayed by the evening deadline.

Guests included Vice-President Noli de Castro, former President Fidel and Ming Ramos, Chief Justice Art Panganiban, former Ambassador Jesus Tambunting, QC Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Central Bank Governor and Mrs. Tetangco, Argentine Ambassador Mario Schuff, Socorro Ramos of National Bookstore and her daughter Cecilia whose young son is a piano student of Jiovanney Emmanuel Cruz at the UP. Incidentally, Cecilia’s son must be highly talented because Mr. Cruz does not encourage mediocrity. Rupert and Tinna Jacinto were late-comers.

Former Senator Heherson "Sonny" Alvarez came without his wife Cecile who, was working overtime at the NCCA offices and who as usual, was driving herself too hard. Others I greeted or briefly chatted with were my grandniece Marissa Orosa Concepcion, Alice Guerrero, Carlyn Manning, Consuls Fortune Ledesma and Evie Costa, Maritess Pineda, Willie and Ofie Soliven.

Colleagues present were Glenn Gale and Joan Orendain who introduced to me the young, personable ADB Director General for External Relations Jeff Hiday.

Emcee Johnny Litton presented STAR’s 20 most valuable clients (advertisers) – representatives of BPI, HSBC, Rustan’s, PLDT, Toyota, among others who received framed certificates designed by BenCab. I only recognized one of the awardees, BPI President Aurelio R. Montinola III, popularly known as "Gigi".

Having been a long-time columnist of STAR, I should, on this occasion, give it well-deserved praise for its fair, truthful and just coverage of people and events through all these years. The STAR may sometimes make mistakes in judgment but then what newspaper is beyond lapses? For one thing the STAR criticizes or gives credit to government officials whenever it is due them. For instance, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo brings back huge economic gains from her trips abroad and improves the state of the masses by having houses, schools and health centers built for them.

The STAR has spent 20 luminous years serving the public. When a reader observed that the STAR is a newspaper in the state of grace, I couldn’t have agreed with him more!

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I was expecting only the Madrigal Singers – CCP’s resident choir – to be present at the Presidential Awards Luncheon in Malacañang because it was CCP President Nestor Jardin who had invited me to the ceremonies. What I saw, instead, was a vast gathering, mostly of women.

Principal awardees, besides the Madrigal Singers, were Myrna Yao, National Federation of Women Commissioner; Olivia Ferry, first Asian and first Filipino president of Zonta International, and Precious Lara Quigaman, Miss International 2005. Yao and Ferry were conferred the Presidential Medal of Merit; Precious received the Order of Lakandula with the rank of "Champion for Life".

From the President’s Social Fund, the NFWC and the Madrigal Singers will each receive a million pesos to further its respective social and cultural cause.

Narda Camacho served as emcee; Nestor Jardin gave a wonderful speech wherein he thanked the President for honoring the Madrigal Singers whom he praised for winning First Prize in the Mixed Vocal Ensemble and in the Free Program Category, and a Special Renaissance Prize for its rendition of Renaissance songs. The choir won over 14 others, garnering France’s Grand Prize de la Ville de Tours for best over-all performance. The award gives the Madrigals an opportunity to compete for the 2007 European Grand Prize in Choral Singing.

At the Palace luncheon, the Madz rendered three numbers – a hunting song by Mendelssohn, an avant-garde piece and Sana Wala ng Wakas – all of which demonstrated its excellence.

After the luncheon, President GMA did the rounds greeting guests individually (despite her hectic schedule) and graciously posing for photographs with various groups including that of the CCP Board of Trustees whose member, Behn Cervantes, had kindly invited me to join their table at which were seated Nedy Tantoco, National Artist Arturo Luz and his wife Tessie, Isabel Wilson, Nestor U. Torre and Jaime Laya.

Upon my arrival earlier, Georgitta "Beng" Puyat and Mita Rufino tried to lead me to the Madz table until theater personality Behn Cervantes gallantly led me to his own.