Seventeen

I remember that late July afternoon when about a dozen of us gathered in what was then the office of Mrs. Belmonte to assess the trial issue of The Philippine STAR. There were not enough chairs in the room for all those assembled there, and there was not enough space anyway to accommodate more chairs, so some of us perched on the arms of chairs and on the desk. No one though took the chair against the window designated "Christ’s Chair".

Betty was behind her desk, and in front were Max Soliven, Art Borjal and Tony Roces, the "three men" tasked by divine order to start the paper with her. The rest of us were scattered around the room, examining copies of the trial issue. Today was practise; the next day would be for real: showtime!

The issue had only eight pages and had no ads (we were also a six-days-a-week paper then). It stayed that way for a while, establishing the character of the paper as primarily an instrument to disseminate information throughout the country rather than a commercial venture: our founders believed that only with an informed citizenry can the nation move forward.

And in July 1986, the Philippines was poised to surge forward–with a new President, a new faith and a new energy, a new stature in the world community.

So much has happened since that rainy afternoon 17 years ago–to the world, to the country, to The Philippine STAR. Some of those in the cramped office that afternoon are no longer with us; dearly missed is, of course, Betty, who has gone home to the Lord, as has Art. Some have retired or gone on to other pursuits. Several of us are still here, and many others have through the years come to join The STAR family.

The world has certainly changed: terms like "terrorism" and "text" had totally different meanings and implications back then. You didn’t have to take off your shoes to go through airport security, and who knew–or cared–about Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda then?

Our country has changed: from having had only one President for two decades we’re now on our fourth President and about to choose another one in less than a year’s time. Our national fortunes have gone up and down and up and down in more loops and drops than a roller coaster.

Our paper has changed: we’re many times eight pages now, with ads a-plenty (our anniversary issue tomorrow will run up to 150 pages). Our press area has expanded every which way to accommodate additional lines of presses, which run practically 24/7 printing advance sections (including STARweek, which is why our deadlines are so early). New pre-press production and desktop publishing technologies have changed the way we work and the speed at which the news is transmitted.

But some things haven’t changed. We’re still committed to bringing information to our people through-out the country and even beyond our shores. People have learned to look to The STAR for accurate information and fair reportage. Even our opinion columns seek balance and fairness; as our Publisher has said on many occasions, "We have a columnist for every prejudice."

Looking back on the last 17 years gives us much strength to look ahead to the next 17 years, and beyond. In faith one woman, three men and a small group of people started a paper, and we have been so greatly blessed. In faith and with praise we continue on.