BEHIND THE SCENES

PGMA and Baguio media
ALFRED P. DIZON

BAGUIO CITY -- It never surprises people anymore if President Macapagal Arroyo sneaks in the Summer Capital every now and then especially during holidays like the Lenten Season giving staff of the regional Philippine Information Agency a headache every time she is around.

PIA staff members are not complaining. But some if not most have not been able to spend their vacation in their respective provinces during such holidays like as they have to do their job.

They also need to see their families during such occasions. Since the Malacanang Press Corps always tails her and since they act like they have the absolute authority to cover PGMA, maybe, a concerned top government honcho could let them have their holidays for once.

Ever since I have been an active newsman, I’ve seen the work regional PIA staff headed by its regional director Helen Tibaldo put on their jobs with dedication and sacrifice.
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Every time PGMA is around, surprises crop up. On Tuesday afternoon, around 30 members of the local chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan held a lightning rally in front of The Mansion while PGMA was about to have dinner with Philippine Military cadets. Authorities quickly responded and detained the activists who resisted police triggering a scuffle. PGMA’s celebration at The Mansion took place after she graced the graduation ceremonies of PMA Class 2008 at Fort del Pilar.

Arrested were John Silverio Saligbon, chairman of the University of Philippines Baguio Student Council; John Voltaire Dalangin, deputy secretary of Anakbayan; Keidy Transfiguracion of the League of Filipino Students; Eddie Mancilla of Anakbayan and Imelda Tabiando, vice chair of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance. The five were released around 6:30 p.m. that day.
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Some 25 to 30 students reportedly sneaked past police and chanted slogans calling on the President to step down. The police was placed on a red alert as a result. The President was also scheduled to visit remote towns in Abra, Benguet, Ifugao and La Union.
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Covering the President and other national personalities always activated our excitement and adrenalin in the past. But as the years caught up, we are now content getting the news from the younger ones instead of being in the front lines.As elder members of the media in Baguio then told us then: “Lumakay kayon to metlaeng.” (You will also grow old.)
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Earlier on Wednesday, the new officers of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club headed by its new president Pigeon Lobien were inducted to office. On Thursday, BCBC members selected the city’s lucky summer visitors. The BCBC had been holding this annual event for more than 50 years already which had become a tradition like the endless nights of imbibing spirits and engaging in discussion which often had turned to shouting matches.
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I went to the media camp at Burnham Park Thursday night since I wanted to meet colleagues who had made their marks elsewhere like the Big City and abroad but no one among the media bakasyunistas was there. Not even Eric De Castro, the Asia bureau chief for photography of Reuters was there. No glimpse also of Kiko Calado of DZRH Manila who could wear an Ibaloi G-string with cowboy boots on occasion. ***
It is always a heady feeling when one sees colleagues who are successful in their own fields and who often go home during such occasions like the Lenten Season to catch up with the local ones like this writer.

During such occasions, elder members of Baguio’s Fourth Estate who had gone beyond are remembered with many a pitik, urging them to bring swerti to living members. Newsmen like Peppot Ilagan of the Gold Ore, Steve Hamada of the Baguio Midland Courier and Cordillera Post, George Jularbal of the Saudi Gazette, Bagnos Cudiamat, Willie Cacdac and Joe Florendo of Sunstar, Isidoro Chammag of Manila Bulletin, Freddie Mayo of Vibrations among others were remembered with fondness.
I was asked by Domecio Cimatu formerly with the Gold Ore to do the pitik so I asked again our peers who went ahead to give swerti to the living ones. Later Domci did the grace for dinner reading from a cell phone the prayer. One could never beat Domci in innovation.
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The week was spent shuttling between Baguio and Bauang, La Union and it was at the latter where I came to know that part of the town ‘s tradition during Lent was for the locals to take a bath at the sea during Black Saturday. This, they said was a form of penitence so their sins could be cleansed and washed away. Happy Easter to everyone!