CEBU, Philippines — Media as truth tellers are expected to speak the truth, and stand for it.
This is the reminder of Rev. Fr. Richie Salgado to the Cebu media during the opening celebration of the 32nd Cebu Press Freedom Week at Robinson’s Galleria yesterday.
Fr. Salgado, who celebrated the Mass for the opening ceremony, revealed his excitement to be part of the activity, as it was his work in the local media that led him to the priesthood.
He revealed that he was a non-Catholic when he joined The Freeman newspaper years back. He said his first assignment was to cover the arrival of the relic of St. Therese of Lisieux at the Carmelite Monastery in Mabolo.
When he decided on joining the priesthood, he joined the Order of the Carmelites.
Yesterday, he reminded former colleagues and young bloods of the media industry that they have a “very important role, as truth tellers, to be beacons of truth especially in our communities, to our readers who rely on us to give them information that would empower, encourage, and inspire them to participate in building God's kingdom here on earth”.
He encouraged all to be “truth tellers with courage, with the determination to really embody and live it out, because we know that God loves us so much, he will avenge us, he will bring justice, he will protect us, he will help us, he will never leave us”.
Fr. Salgado also reminded about his brother Carmelite who has been recognized by the church as a patron of press freedom—St. Titus Brandsma.
St. Titus, he said, was killed by the Nazis on July 26, 1942 because he was telling the truth of the evils of Nazism, while encouraging catholic publications to speak the truth and to stand for the truth.
“When we decide to become a follower of Christ, we must not just speak it, we must do it, we must live it, we must be it, even if we have to carry a heavy cross for it,” Fr. Salgado said.
He also encouraged everyone to keep on praying for strength “so that we would truly be channels, a true medium of God's love for all of our listeners and readers, inspiring them to be God's love for and to all”.
The PFW celebration kicked off with a fun-run organized by the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists (CFBJ) and participated in by 400 runners in the 3k, 5k, and 10k categories.
The ceremony also included free services for media personnel, including massages, doctor consultations, blood sugar and cholesterol tests, and even a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test.
In addition to being media professionals, seven individuals showcased their singing talents on stage. Lian Grace Sinculan from Sun.Star won first place in the solo singing competition. Annabel Sanchez from GMA took second place, while Aldrin Saavedra from The Freeman secured third.
Awards for volleyball and basketball games were also given out during the opening ceremony. A much-anticipated part of the event was the raffle draw, which brought excitement and joy to the media practitioners.
Throughout the week, news organizations in Cebu will host sessions on concerns over the current media landscape and the challenges faced by journalists.
On Tuesday, September 17, The Freeman and Banat News will organize a forum at the University of the Visayas Auditorium titled "Mental Health Matters," featuring Dr. Robert R. Cañete, Dr. Sherryl M. Abellanosa, and The Freeman City Hall beat reporter Iris Hazel Mascardo as reactor.
Moreover, on September 19, the Mr. and Miss Press Freedom competition will be held at Axis Bar, Nustar Resort & Casino, where The Freeman will be represented by Iris Hazel Mascardo and Andrew Matthew Ortoño. (CEBU NEWS)