Guru’s Third

Sorry folks! I know this is two issues late. But I do happen to be the most seasoned writer for your only community paper, so I assume that my views regarding this paper’s third year of existence count for something.

First of all, it’s almost a miracle that the Guru Press managed to hang on for its third anniversary. It will be recalled that the Guru was not able to come out with its anniversary issue last year. In fact, there was even no celebration last year as everybody found it impossible to get away from our busy schedules and commitments for a get-together. Then came the haymaker that brought the Guru down to its knees: the departure of Manong Estanislao Albano by way of a stinging commentary against the way the paper is being managed.

For those who have recently taken up to reading the Guru, Manong Estan was the star of this weekly. I would go as far as saying the famous “Bodong-Basher” was the Guru Press. This paper did not only depend on his news stories and his column to fill up its pages, it was his write-ups that practically sold the paper.

When my long-time friend left, many began to doubt the Guru’s staying power as the longest-running community weekly. I, too, wasn’t very optimistic.

One year later, the Guru Press is still at it. Though the management has not managed to resolve certain defects in the paper’s operation, the fact that it got through a real crisis is no mean feat.

As the GP’s most senior hack (in terms of journalistic experience, not of age), I’d like to take this opportunity to give credit to whom credit is due with regards the Guru’s coming this far.

The biggest contributor to the GP’s continued success has to be its youngest member, none other than the associate editor, Oneil Cagan. As the associate editor, Oneil’s main job is to see to it that the paper comes out and on time as much as possible. When the writers failed to produce, Oneil took it upon himself to write the needed articles. There were issues wherein he was forced to churn in three columns just to fill the spaces in our opinions page. It’s his tough luck (sad to say) that he is stuck with columnists who could not fill up their space with consistency. Even I am no exception (sad to say and more so).

By the way, Oneil is the only original member of the GP who still actively writes for the paper. I came in about six months later. Then, Oneil was just content to maintain his column, What If?, but look how deeply involved he is with the paper now.

Still, Oneil, by his lonesome, could not have saved the paper.

Enter the two guys (I suppose that’s only half-right) who would go on to be the Guru’s stalwarts: Regino Wacas and Marciano “M-16” Paroy Jr.

Regie came in as a columnist a month or so before the second anniversary. His column Native Thoughts was an instant hit to readers who seem not to get enough of the controversies he raised. Seeing the need for more news writers, the very active president of the Kalinga Media Organization (KAMO) willingly obliged. Thanks to Regie, the grit stuff that characterized the Guru as a community paper got a much-needed revival.

Mars was the all-around guy the Guru needed. On several occasions, the KASC’s Earthline adviser did the layout whenever Oneil had an important matter to attend to. He has also proven himself to be the Guru’s most consistent columnist, his Academe having missed only two issues as far as I remember. Having seen his growth as a columnist and reporter, I am very optimistic that my former student will make more meaningful contributions for this paper in the years to come. And years the Guru shall have more of.

One of the most important contributors that deserve some accolades, too, are the PIA writers: Manong Peter Balocnit, Manong Larry Lopez, Manang Naty Genzola and Gigi Dumallig. Several times the PIA penmen were asked to increase their production if only to fill up the pages of the Guru and they never failed to deliver. Without their support, I doubt the Guru could have made it through its worst moments.

Finally, the efforts of Manang Gumie Pinkihan and Manang Christine Wangdali to keep the paper going cannot be overlooked. We who contribute to the GP are like a family and that is because the two ladies try to make it so.

Of course, we should not forget you, our readers. Your growing patronage of the Guru is what gives us the impetus to keep going. The same is true to our advertisers. We owe everything to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you…

Alas, we come to this point when I must give my assessment of the GP’s performance on its third year.

By common standards, the GP did very well the past year. But the truth is, last year’s general achievement fell short compared to the accomplishments of the first year. Still, I consider the last quarter from April to July as our most worthy achievement. Our coverage of the local elections all the way to the violent demolition in nearby Rizal municipality should speak volumes on the GP’s commitment to deliver the news with the highest standards of accuracy, balance and candor.

We could not claim to be perfect, of course, and as the news editor for the duration of the election period, I apologize for a number of events and incidents that we failed to report on although we could always claim to have reported the most essential ones. I, for one, committed a quite a blunder with the headline of an article I wrote on the result of the gubernatorial race. Some wiseass cracked jokes regarding the headline that obviously made supporters of former congressman Laurence Wacnang seething mad at me as evidenced by their impassioned text messages sent through my cousin who is a relative of Apo Wacnang.

To Sir Larry: I’m really sorry about that headline. It was, in all honesty, nothing more than a lapse in judgment brought on by the pressures of rushing to meet deadlines. I’m sure the text of the controversial article will prove as much.

That said, I wish everyone the best. You can be sure the Guru Press shall endeavor to bring you the news whether its good or bad and whether you like it or not.**Bani Asbucan

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