A quarterly newsletter of the
Philippine Daily Inquirer Inc.
VOL. X N0. 2
SALES AND MARKETING
REORGANIZATION
New setup expected
to boost revenues
By Kristine Felisse Mangunay
I
f you happen to see a lot of special features that
are coming out in the Inquirer beginning last
month, don’t be surprised. They are products of
the revitalized Supplements section and would most
probably be a daily staple now for our newspaper
readers.
This new Supplement section is actually an
offshoot of the reorganization of the three departments
in the sales and marketing division which the Inquirer
management has approved in May. Its primary goal
is to create new revenue stream for the company and
to boost revenues as well as to ensure the company’s
dominance in the print industry.
In a memo signed by sales and marketing senior
vice president Renato Reinoso and circulated
amongst Inquirer employees, the advertising,
marketing and digital pre-press departments
were directed to undergo a series of realignments
that took effect on the first day of this month.
JULY 2010
The reorganization aims to “ensure the growth
of revenues of the newspaper, capitalize on the
strength of the Inquirer’s sales force; and to prepare
the Inquirer sales team for the next decade,” Reinoso
said in his memo.
Among the approved changes are the expansion
of the digital pre-press unit to provide support to the
advertising sales group, the transfer of the corporate
affairs department to the Office of the President, and
the “redirection of the selling efforts” in the advertising
division.
Newly appointed Advertising manager Lita Pascual
will head the display sales, Aries Espinosa is now
Supplements manager while Advertising assistant
vice president Kenny Nuyda, along with Advertising
manager Mylene de Jesus will take on the digital,
magazine, “Masa” publications, CDN and Radio
groups, under the new reorganization. The sales and
marketing division is headed by senior vice president
Reinoso and vice president for Advertising and IGC
director Felipe Olarte.
 PDI management, Union ink new CBA
By Joel S. Paradeza

T
he Inquirer management and the PDI Employees The management and Union panels have also
Union have finally agreed to a new Collective agreed on several side agreements namely the five-day
Bargaining Agreement that will cover the years 2010- workweek, compensation for breaking stories and photos,
2013 last July 28. temporary transfer and assignment, and additional Union
leaves.
Highlights of the new CBA as are follows: The union panel is represented by its president,
Wage increase Michael Ubac as panel chair, with members Ernie Sambo,
July 11, 2010 - P 1,000 Norman Bordadora, Noemi Melican, Christian Esguerra,
July 11, 2011 - 2,400 TJ Burgonio and Abigail Ho.
July 11, 2012 - 2,600 The management panel is headed by Mr. Rene
Reinoso, chair, and members Rolando Suarez, Nilo
Rice Subsidy Paurom, Evelyn Escueta, Jesse Rebustillo, Manuel
July 11, 2010 - P 14,000 Chanco IV and Neyla Espinosa.
July 11, 2011 - 14,000 The Union presented its proposal last May 15.
July 11, 2012 - 14,000 Management submitted its counter proposal last June 8
and negotiations began last June 16. On the first day of
Signing Bonus - P 53,000 negotiation, the management panel immediately agreed
Eyecare Subsidy - P 4,000 to the Union’s proposal on longevity pay and eye care
Longevity Pay - P 200 subsidy.
(for less than The subsidy was also expanded to cover not only
10 years of service) eyeglasses and contact lenses but also contact lens
- P 250 solutions as well. Eyeglass subsidy is hereby called eye
(for more than care subsidy.
10 years of service)

Editorial newsroom’s Staff Box

new look
By Kristine Felisse Mangunay A quarterly newsletter of the
The newsroom has a new look. Philippine Daily Inquirer Inc.
To integrate the newspaper’s editorial team with some of the Inquirer Group
of Companies’ editorial groups, a physical transformation of the Inquirer
building’s third floor took place between March 11 to April 2 of this year.
The new editorial space continues to lump together the Inquirer editors Joel V. Nigos
and editorial assistants of each newspaper section, but the inclusion of Editor
other representatives from other departments (the research department,
for example) has rendered a different appearance for the once-crowded
newsroom.
Chito San Mateo/ Mundi Ocampo /
The new newsroom setup is as follows: Kenneth del Rosario/ Vanessa Hidalgo
The Business section, which was once located near the restrooms, has Annelle Tayao / Kristine Felisse Mangunay
been moved near the pantry nearest the Learning section. Staff Writers
The Entertainment section retained its former location. The same
editorial space has also now been allotted to both the INS and layout artists of
the newspaper. Joel S. Paradeza Eugene Araneta
Right in front of the DPU unit is the Lifestyle section, which was relocated Editorial Assistant Photographer
from its initial location near the restrooms to the other end of the newsroom.
The Metro section can now be found in front of the line of editorial
production assistants, which begins in front of the Entertainment section Genie Lagman
and ends in front of the Arts section. Graphic Artist
The new newsroom setup, aside from incorporating some of the IGC’s
editorial groups, is expected to maximize space and work efficiency.

2
 They’re also
back at school
By Kristine Felisse Mangunay
It’s back to school for some Inquirer employees
this new school year.
Armed with their pens, notebooks and
nothing less than their penchant for learning,
these working students are obviously all set for the
stressful months ahead. It’s a deadly combination
after all, work and school (not in the most literal
sense of the word, of course), and without the
necessary mental and physical conditioning for
the months to come, any working student may
well be considered a goner.
“I don’t have time to rest. I have no day-
off anymore,” complained Maricris
Tamolang, who is currently finishing her
entrepreneurship and interior design
courses at the University of Santo Tomas
and Philippine School of Interior Design
(PSID), respectively.
“I ha(d) no time for myself,” law
student Emman Cena of the Opinion
section said.
“I haven’t had enough sleep,”
Joel Nigos, who is currently finishing
his Master’s in Media Studies major
in Journalism at the University of the
Philippines Diliman, once complained.
The complaints of some
of these Inquirer
employees may well
dishearten anyone
who wishes to follow in “I have come to love and highly regard the
their footsteps. If there’s likes of Dean Raul Pangalangan, Justices Artemio
anything a person would Panganiban and Isagani Cruz who could write and
not dare give up after all, it’s practice law at the same time,” Emman, confides.
sleep. This is why strategizing “I wish to mentor the youth who want to
and time management are a pursue the same career,” shares Joel who plans
must for working students, so to teach when he completes his Master’s degree.
that the privilege of having longer “Studying also provides me a breath of fresh air
hours of beauty rest can come ever- (new environment, got to know new people) at the
so-often—er, or at least once in the same time I’m able to update myself especially
entire school year. with the rapid changes in the mass media
landscape.”
So why enroll in the first place and save
It’s a whole range of purposes for these
themselves all the effort?
back-to-school Inquirer employees, but the nature
“I decided to go back to school to of these goals aside, the fact is they all have a
improve myself, learning never stops. purpose which they will hopefully achieve a few
It’s been a challenge to make time for (or many?) years from now.
all the readings, but it can be done. In the meantime, the sleepless nights will
Hopefully, I’ll get my postgraduate have to continue.
degree in three years,” shares Tina
Arceo-Dumlao, desk editor of the
Business section. Tina is also taking
MA in Media Studies at UP Diliman.
Tina and Joel are classmates
in one of their subjects–
Investigative Journalism class.
“Career
advancement,”
Maricris said, who
admitted to initially
wanting to put up
her own laundry shop
without the necessary know-how.
Sketching, a must in interior design, is
also a first love.
3
 Mentors in our midst
Teachers are often viewed traditionally as someone who dispenses knowledge, someone who tells, feeds or disseminates subject matter to students. In our
midst are also mentors—PDI employees who happen to be also teaching at our country’s top universities. Let’s get to know more about them as well as how
they shape the nation’s journalism future as well.

GANI YAMBOT
Jack of all trades
By Kristine Felisse Mangunay

He is, as what some people would say, a jack of all trades.

Inquirer publisher Isagani Yambot, or sir Gani as he is fondly called,
began teaching in the late 1970s after the Asian Institute of Journalism was
established. From news editing, copyreading to news writing, newspaper
layout and design, you name it—Professor Gani teaches it all. His are more
than 20 years in the newspaper industry, and when anybody has spent that
much time in one field, there’s no question that he can be deemed as good as
the gods when teaching it.
“Interacting with students can be an exciting activity,” sir Gani said in an
e-mail interview. “You have to constantly study, learn new things, and keep up
with new developments in the subject you’re teaching.”
Working for the No. 1 newspaper in the country has helped him to do just
that. In fact, sir Gani acknowledged that this is one of the advantages of teaching
and working for the newspaper at the same time. To teach, you are “forced to
study.” In the Inquirer, you are also expected to learn new things about the field.
And the downside? “I don’t know of any disadvantage, except that (teaching) takes away from you five to six hours
a week that you could devote to other activities,” he said.
Well, if it’s five to six hours less of bird-watching then maybe that’s not so bad.

CHITO SAN MATEO

Personal vocation
By Joel V. Nigos

“Teaching is my personal vocation. This is my mission,” so shares Chito San

Mateo about his other love the other one being as marketing officer of the
Inquirer’s Marketing department.
Teaching actually runs in his blood. His mother, who has a degree in
Education has never seen any other profession other than teaching. Some of
his cousins, aunts and uncles are also teachers.
Chito currently teaches at the De La Salle University Graduate School of
Business where he handles the MBA Program.
He’s now working on his Doctor in Business Administration degree at San
Beda College. “I hope to finish my dissertation this school year,” he shares.
He had also a chance to teach overseas—in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“I learned an entirely new culture. I was able to know also a new
language, Bahasa. I had to. No one spoke English outside the school so I was
forced to study and learn the language,” Chito smiles.
Asked why he can’t just take away teaching in his life, he says, “I believe this is my vocation. Though the rewards
in terms of monetary benefits are not that much, the fulfillment that it provides me is enormous.”

4
 JOHN NERY
Opinion journalist
By Vanessa Hidalgo

John Nery currently teaches opinion journalism at the College of Mass

Communication in UP Diliman. He shares that he was able to get the teaching
job when the university’s department chair learned that he maintains a
column at PDI and that he’s also a blogger.
“I’m an opinion journalist, and I believe it will be better for me if I’ll have
the chance to reflect on it and share it with others,” says Nery when asked what
is his inspiration to teach others.
He cites the discovery of talent among his students as his most rewarding
experience as a teacher. He will also never forget the time when he sought the
help of his students to lend a hand on the first-ever Inquirer sponsored debate.
“They’re very helpful. After the elections, a student even sent me an SMS, just
to say thank you for the experience,” he adds.
When asked how he manages his time as a PDI employee and a part-time
professor, he shares: “Once the groundwork is done, in conceptualizing the course and so on, the time requirement
is actually quite minimal. I teach a three-hour course once a week, and spend probably another three hours each
week preparing for it, or recovering from it! (I mean, for checking papers and reading our class blog and so on.)”
And since he has always taught the “how-to” subjects, Nery now wants to teach the “what- and-why” subjects.
“Perhaps political science and Philippine history,” he says.
John Nery majored in Philosophy in Ateneo de Manila. When asked if he has a Master’s degree, he replied in jest, “I
don’t have one, only a pre-PhD from the school of hard knocks!”

CHRISTIAN ESGUERRA

A breath of fresh air

By Annelle S. Tayao

“A breath of fresh air” is how reporter Christian V. Esguerra describes his

teaching stint at the University of Santo Tomas, especially when he starts
feeling the stress of newspaper work.
“(Teaching) allows me to keep in touch with the younger generation, and
provides me the opportunity to help facilitate their learning,” says Christian.
He handles Journalism subjects at UST every Saturday, his day off, to minimize
the conflict with his work here at the Inquirer. If an important coverage comes
up, Christian puts his reporter duties first. “I need to sacrifice my classes
sometimes.”
Some of Christian’s former students are now his co-employees, and though
they don’t really get to work together too much—as he is always out on
fieldwork—Christian says there is a “sense of affinity” among them.
As a teacher who shares his journalistic knowledge to aspiring practitioners,
Christian finds that he, too, is still learning a lot. “There is always that challenge—and opportunity—to keep
studying and learning myself,” he says. “Every day, every coverage, is a learning experience for me.”

5
 LITO ZULUETA
Philosophical perspicuity
By Annelle S. Tayao

How Lifestyle Arts and Books editor Lito Zulueta juggles a full teaching load
and his daily newspaper duties is enough to baffle anyone. As faculty member
of UST AB Journalism program, Lito handles classes on literary journalism
and Catholic media. He also teaches modern Catholic writing under UST’s AB
Literature program (where he got his Master’s degree), as well as a film theory
subject under the AB Communication Arts program. On top of all that, he’s also
been adviser of the student publication Varsitarian for almost 10 years.
“The truth is I hardly manage at all; I literally crawl through the two
preoccupations. I try to juggle the two, but I’m not really adept at juggling.”
Although his busy schedule causes him stress and pharyngitis (“I lecture
three to six hours a week”), Lito believes that a journalism teacher should also
be a practitioner.
“I think, by and large, as shown by the students’ evaluation of their professors, journalism practitioners who are
part-time teachers of journalism are better teachers of the craft than full-time academics,” he says.
Just some of Lito’s former students, and now co-employees, include Volt Contreras, TJ Burgonio, Charles Buban,
Christian Esguerra, Irene Perez, Ruth Navarra and Miko Morelos, among others.
Lito continues to enjoy what he is able to impart to the younger generation of aspiring journalists: the
philosophy that goes behind certain aspects of journalism. “To articulate journalistic practices with philosophical
perspicuity and sophistication—that’s what teaching has afforded a journalism pedagogue like me.”

EDSON TANDOC
A sense of fulfilment
By Vanessa Hidalgo

Immediately after completing his Master of Mass Communication degree from

Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, Inquirer reporter Edson Tandoc
began his part-time teaching career. He started with communication research,
and after a few semesters he included thesis proposal, news writing and
introduction to journalism as the other courses that he handles. He teaches at
the country’s three top universities at the same time—at UP, Ateneo and DLSU.
He credits his fascination with teaching to his former professors and
mentors. “I am fortunate to have had many teachers who had a great impact
in what I have become and in what I believe in,” he says. He believes that to be
able to produce an excellent journalist, “it begins with moulding their young minds.” “I believe that education is
very important. I want others to experience the inspiration and encouragement I got from my mentors,” he adds.
He finds covering with his former students who are now professional journalists as his most rewarding
experience as a teacher. “When I read the papers and articles of my students, I feel fulfilled,” he says.
Starting August, he will be taking up his PhD. When asked why he would want to pursue further studies he
replied,” I would like to be of better service to my community.” And he would like to teach journalism ethics in the
future. “I believe journalists should have a solid college background about media ethics,” he adds.

6
de tiny
O
Embracing
Compiled by Joel V. Nigos
s
n to his first 100 days in office, President
Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III seems pretty
warming up well in his new role as our
country’s top executive. Faced with a gargantuan
task of putting the country in order, the President
now enjoys the support of the majority of our
countrymen as the latest Social Weather Stations
survey shows that he has a trust rating of 88
percent. This is even higher than her late mother
President Corazon Aquino’s score during her first
100 days in office. Recently, Inqsider asked around
to know what some employees thought of the
President, their hopes and wishes, as well as how
they would wanted him to solve the nation’s ills.
“I hope he quits smoking, becomes a
vegetarian and convinces 90 million
Pinoys to do the same.” – Tessa Salazar,
reporter

“I hope that he stands by his

“I wish that words during the campaign period
his eloquence “Hindi ako magnanakaw! I wish him
translates into good luck!” – Darwin Romanillos, “I wish that he, following his
action.” – Marlet newspaper production specialist parents‛ footsteps, would
Salazar, writer become a role model to all “Just make good on his
“I hope he will only Filipinos.” – Marc Cortezano, promises ... baka kasi matulad
listen to his conscience management assistant lang sa mga dating presidente
“Patubo sya ng and not to the people ... panay ang pangako pero
buhok at mag- around him. I hope “I wish that President Noy will be able napapako naman!” – Noli
asawa na para that he will also to solve graft and corruption as he Navarro, IT section head
kumpleto ang first fulfill all his campaign promised during the campaign.” – Peter
family.” – Arnel promises.” – Grace Pormento, video editor
Santos, sales Pagulayan, secretary “I hope he will stay strong
assistant in pursuing his plans for the
“I hope he will stand true to his benefit of the Filipino people.
promises and beliefs especially I hope he also succeeds in
“That Noynoy must really be honest in his resolve that alleviating poverty and in
to his statement about
he will wipe out corruption in the government considering helping uplift the condition of
reconciliation with justice.”
that corruption has become part of Filipino culture; that the poor.” – Eve Bacani, trade
– Aggie Pinili, account manager
he must think things many times over before he opens his officer
mouth because sometimes there‛s a need to double check
the facts; and that he must come forward why he is so
negative about GMA to the extent that he doesn‛t want Movement From To
to live in Malacanang, and when he would, on his terms.” Mary Ann M. Ayos Editorial Production Assistant
Asst. Head/
– Babes Good, branch manager Editorial Systems
Aries B. Espinosa Special Projects
Supplement Editor/
Ad Manager
HR Corner Edna A. Garcia Secretary to the Exec. VP Account Executive
NEW EMPLOYEES Margarita Ivy R. Garcia Corporate Relations Associate Account Executive
Leah M. Babadilla Treasury Assistant/Treasury Andrea Isobelle O. Ocampo Corporate Affairs Associate Mktg. Services
Gervacio M. Broñola Business Development Officer/Circulation Coordinator
Maricar Ann P. Cinco Chief of Correspondents/Southern Luzon Bureau Miko Morelos Editorial Admin Assistant Reporter 1
Rima Jessamine M. Granali Editorial Admin Assistant/Day Desk Perlita Pascual Account Executive Sales Manager
Monika Tarra V. Quismundo Reporter 2/Day Desk Marlon D. Ramos Reporter 1 Reporter 2
Jacqueline Lyla F. Sanchez Collection Assistant/Finance

7
 Delightful, bright ideas captured
T
hey say that if you want to know the value of every single day in a week, then you go ask a weekly
magazine editor how he or she brings together all seven days in just one issue. Meet the team
behind Sunday Inquirer Magazine who courageously strings together bright ideas to capture the
delight and imagination of readers. Learn their experiences and know how Inquirer has eventually molded
them into better individuals.
8 9
LEICA CARPO
Strong direction, leadership
By Annelle S. Tayao
A weekly glossy needs strong direction and leadership, and SIM gets plenty of both from publisher Leica Carpo. In 2006, she was tapped
by PDI president Sandy Prieto-Romualdez and editor in chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc to “revamp” the magazine. “They had faith in
me…as I had come from the corporate or advertiser’s side.”
Her entry into SIM as publisher is actually a return to PDI for Leica. From 1995-1999, she had already worked for the company as corporate
relations officer and 2bU contributing editor. She left PDI in 1999 and worked for a US software company, studied law and dabbled in marketing.
Leica has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts (TV emphasis) from Sta. Clara University in California.
When she isn’t busy with SIM, Leica likes to keep active. “I’m currently into triathlons and marathons. (I like) fashion, food and travel,” she
says. “Also, yoga and golf, when I get the chance.”
Exciting developments can be expected from PDI’s Sunday glossy, as Leica still has a lot of plans and ideas. “I’d like to have a stronger
online presence,” she says. “(Also, have) top photographers shooting our covers in experimental ways. (We can also) feature upcoming
illustrators’ works, create an annual event where we meet our readers to get feedback and thank them for their patronage.”
PENNIE AZARCON DELA CRUZ
When work becomes play
By Vanessa Hidalgo
For Josefina Azarcon Dela Cruz or Pennie, Sunday Inquirer Magazine’s executive editor, being with PDI for the last 20 years has made her life
more challenging and rewarding.
After being a part of the “Mosquito Press” in 1986, she decided that she can truly make a difference in
this world. “When Cory took over, people including me felt we could really change the world especially if
we worked with NGOs. I did, for a woman’s NGO (tackling the image of women and giving seminars on
the New Family Code) for several years,” she says. But after having her second baby, she realized
that she needed a more stable source of income and so she went on to become the managing
editor of Mr. & Ms. Magazine in 1989
In April 1990, Pennie felt that she was ready to take a more challenging job. She took on the
desk editor for Inquirer.
She recounts that great earthquake of 1990 as her most unforgettable experience here in PDI.
They were having their regular editor’s story conference in Port Area when everything started
shaking. “Then right before our eyes, cracks started traveling down the walls from ceiling to floor.
We immediately ducked under the table, holding hands and praying aloud. I thought that was the
end because the violent shaking went on and on.”
When asked what are the most important lessons that PDI has taught her the importance
of deadlines and that teamwork is required when one works for a newspaper. “I found that
deadline somehow greases all rusty mental gears. You cannot afford a writer’s block, and
over the years, you develop the discipline to produce stories on demand,” she adds.
Being the executive editor is still a constant challenge for her. “My plan is to
keep SIM interesting…They’d keep reading the issue because the stories are well-
written, substantial, diverse and entertaining. We must offer something new and
irresistible every time,” she replied.
Pennie loves to cook, eat good food and do workouts. But above everything else,
she is a book worm for both fiction and non-fiction. “My favorite SIM theme of all
time is our summer reading issue because I get to read at least 12 books at a
stretch and get to write about them,” she says. But most of all, Inquirer has taught
her that work can truly become an enjoyable task.
Delightful, bright ideas captured
RUEL DE VERA
Soft spot for writers
By Annelle S. Tayao
E ven before he joined PDI, SIM associate editor Ruel de Vera—
“Ruey” to most—was already part of the Inquirer family. In 1993,
while still an undergrad taking up AB Communication at the Ateneo
de Manila University, Ruey became part of the first batch of PDI’s
Journalism scholars. The following year, he entered the Inquirer as
reporter, then became staff writer for SIM in 1995. Ruey became
associate editor in 2000.
In his 16 years with PDI, Ruey has enjoyed two things about the
company. “First is the people,” he says. “Committed and devoted, the
people at PDI are simply the best in the industry. We believe in the
company and in each other.”
“Second, the Inquirer gives writers the biggest audience and proper
gravitas,” Ruey adds. He enjoys the attention and significance his work
receives, which he attributes to the respectable name the Inquirer has
built for itself.
When he isn’t working on SIM, Ruey teaches Journalism at his
alma mater, where he got his MA in the same course. He’s been in the
academe for 15 years, but what Ruey enjoys most is writing and editing
books. He has a “soft spot” for writers and authors as subjects in his
articles. He also likes to write about “people who manage to do amazing
and unexpected things…people dedicated to a dream, no matter how
far-fetched.” One of his award-winning stories, for instance, is on Joseph
Nathan Cruz, a squatter who became valedictorian at UP. It won him the
Catholic Mass Media Award.
ERIC CARUNCHO
A part of a whole
By Vanessa Hidalgo
“ Working in a newspaper is being part of a whole that is greater than
the sum of its parts—but the parts still have to be pretty good,” says
Eric Caruncho when asked what is the most important lesson the
Inquirer has taught him.
Eric is SIM’s staff writer. He is in charge of coming up with interesting
feature stories and to help with envisioning and planning for future
issues.
When asked about his most unforgettable experience in PDI, he
shares, “In my first year I was in Basilan on assignment for the magazine
when a firefight broke out near the capitol, where I was waiting to
interview the governor. Thankfully it’s the closest I’ve come to gunfire.”
After working for nearly 19 years with PDI, Eric has come to conclude
that SIM is the best weekly magazine. Not only does he cite the
people he works as gems but the experience he has gathered with the
magazine truly makes it the best there is. “Every issue is a collaboration
where ideas are welcomed. Not that every idea pans out, but every
member has the opportunity to contribute to the finished product,” he
says.
When he is not busy stringing words or ideas together, Eric enjoys
watching DVDs at home or goes sightseeing while riding his bike.
And for the future, he is currently working on his fourth book (that’s
not counting collaborations and contributions).
10
SHARON M. FELIPE
Travel bug
By Annelle S. Tayao
I f you’re the type who likes to hang out and go on DVD-watching
marathons, then you’d be wise to tag along with SIM editorial assistant
Sharon Felipe. When she isn’t combing through SIM’s pages, making
sure not to miss any errors, Sharon likes to maximize her free time to
just relax.
She also uses her spare time to keep in touch with friends who are now
overseas, usually through chatting. “I like traveling, too,” Sharon says.
She has been to Scandinavia, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, Russia,
Australia, Egypt, the United States, among others.
Sharon has been with the company for 20 years. She entered the
Inquirer Jan. 15, 1990. “I responded to an ad I saw on Inquirer’s
classifieds. There was an opening for proofreader and I applied for the
position.”
Before working for PDI, Sharon was employed in a travel agency for one
month. She graduated with an AB Communication Arts degree from UP
Los Baños. In her stay here in the Inquirer, Sharon says what she enjoys
most is “the camaraderie among PDI employees.”
JERITO DELA CRUZ
The right choice
By Vanessa Hidalgo
I t was in 2005 when Jerito dela Cruz started his journey with the
Inquirer. He saw an advertisement at the Classifieds section and
decided to give it a try. After e-mailing his resume, the long wait began.
“Sa sobrang haba ng proseso, nag-apply na ako sa ibang broadsheet,”
he says. Just when he was about to start with the other broadsheet, he
received a call from the Inquirer’s HR Department to inform him that he
has been accepted. “Risk iyon na kinuha ko. Kasi sigurado na ako sa isa
pero mas pinili ko ang Inquirer.
Jerito had a short stint as graphic artist for the now defunct Compact.
And he recalls that his first impressions of his boss were that they were
unapproachable and slave drivers. But he was proven wrong in the end.
“Mababait naman sila at cool silang kasama,” he adds.
After Compact, he was then transferred to the Art Department. He
now does the layout of SIM. When asked how he responded to the daily
pressure that his job has, he said: “Natuto akong mag-prioritize dito.
Kung ano ang may unang deadline, iyon muna ang inuuna ko.”
He says that the Inquirer taught him the ropes of time management
and how to prioritize his work. And as an artist, Jerry says that the daily
construction of layout for the broadsheet and for SIM sharpens his skills
as an artist.
After five years of being with PDI, Jerry can only smile and say,
“Mabuti na lang ito ang pinili ko.”
 Donsol
By Kenneth Del Rosario
I t’s simply an out-of-the-
world experience.
For the people who
joined the recent outing of
the Inquirer Outdoor Club
in Donsol in Sorsogon,
seeing the enormous but
gentle butandings and the
thousands of bright fireflies is
an experience they’d never
soon forget.
And why would they? For
many of the participants—
composed of Inquirer
employees, their friends and
families—it’s like being in
Pandora, that fictional planet
where the movie “Avatar”
was set in.
In a convoy of eight
Toyota vehicles, the
Delightful
participants started their participants sailed into the guides parked directly under
long travel from the office darkness of the Ogod River the trees where the fireflies
in Makati City to the Amor
Beach Farm Resort in
Donsol. The “long travel”
to experience the beauty of
the fireflies. They weren’t
disappointed. Soon, the
converged, especially after
the encounter with the giant
butandings.
refers to a 17-hour drive, bright lights of the fireflies, The next morning, the
including stopovers to grouped around trees, tired—but very happy—
eat and picture-taking provided illumination that participants began their
opportunities along the way. extinguished the darkness. journey back to the Inquirer
Organized by It was an almost fairytale office. Who cares if they
Supplements Manager Aries experience watching them travelled another 17 hours to
Espinosa and Motoring from the boat, which the local go home? It was well worth it.
reporter Tessa Salazar, the
trip brought the participants
diving into the waters to
see the butandings (sperm
whales) upclose. For many
of the participants, it was
their first time to see the bus-
sized creature of the water
just a few feet away from
them.
The butandings weren’t
shy at all, with participants
reported seeing some four
of these calm creatures.
For them, it was a surreal
experience being in the
presence of an animal
which they only used to
read about back at home.
It’s almost too funny to think
that the butanding, for all its
humungous size, only eats
the micro-sized planktons.
Still enchanted with the
butanding encounter, the
participants prepared for
a magical night with the
fireflies.
Boat by boat, the
11
 was completely immobilized,
and turned to Edna, who
AN INQUIRER had just raised her head,
blood spurting from the
PHOTO CLUB ADVENTURE corner of her left eye. She
shook as she tried to move,
crying out in pain coming
from her left foot, which was
stuck underneath one of the
broken seats.
The men—Erwin,
Gerry, Mel, Boy and Edwin
Bacasmas—tried to move
the both of us to a clinic
nearby, which did not have
anyone to administer first
aid. Fearing concussion
and the possibility that I
might not see my family
anymore (remember
Natasha Richardson?), I
feverishly demanded for us
going to die, and two, Edna
needed about six stitches
over her eye and a bandage
around her swollen foot.
Someone from the other
team sent word that Adela
and Aileen rode with one
of our forwarders to get the
proper tools to fix the pick-
up.
After having fun with the
thought of the two ladies
– who, hours ago, were
dancing outside a gas station
in Quezon “para magkasya
kami sa mga swimsuit
namin”—in a container
van speeding through the
highway, the crew at the
hospital talked about where
the day should end. While
the doctor sewed through
six hours after, getting word
from the other team that
the pick-up would have to
be brought to a shop along
Ragay. It was late and we
were anxiously wishing that
we were already in Sabang,
where Raffy Esturas sent
word to his mother to expect
us, and to please prepare for
us a meal that was gloriously
not fast food.
The day ended on a
hopeful note, thanks to Mrs.
Esturas’ wonderful Bicolano
fare and Raffy’s precocious
little nephew and niece. We
looked back on the day’s
events, while sipping warm
beer at the Sabang inn
where we stopped to wait
for the early morning boat

Crash
to be brought to the nearest
hospital, which the locals
said was two hours away.
With Boy, Mel, Naty, Adela
Edna’s eyelid, we all decided trip to Caramoan Islands,
that it would be a waste Camarines Sur. We, the
to head back home when lucky 13 of the Inquirer
nobody seemed to be in Photo Club, imagined how

Caramoan
and Aileen left to take care harm’s way after all. it could only get so much
of the ravaged truck, the So there we waited at better once we set out for

into
rest of us set out for Mother the Jollibee store in Naga our real adventure.
Seton Hospital in Naga
City. Nobody thought about
the islands that we were all
chirping excitedly about just
a few hours before. The
drive to town was bleak;
the vehicle creaked and
By Mundi Ocampo on top of each other, reminded every one that not
breaking the middle seat only will our adventure have
“Sobrang hassle nitong trip
na ‘to Eds… buti na lang
which woke Babes Good,
Ruth Navarra and Frances
Blurb: the quick to be cut short, but there
are three girls—Frances
sumama tayo!” Katigbak. also sustained a tiny cut
above her right eye—who
Big black waves crashed
against the hull of the MB
Harry, which carried us
I looked up and caught
a glimpse of the pick-up
through the windshield. Boy
brown fox jump over might have sustained worse
injuries than the obvious.
from Caramoan to Sabang was standing beside it and The doctor decided at the
Port. It was the low tide
and the ferry could not pull
surveying the tire which burst
when he hurtled into a wide
the lazy dog hospital that one, I was not

itself any further from the excavation more than a foot

water to dock. So we found
ourselves standing on the
dark beach, watching hardy,
shirtless locals carry one
passenger after another on
their shoulders from boat to
shore.
Not one of the 13 Inquirer
Photo Club members thought
the trip would come to a
conclusion as dramatic as
how it began. Three days
ago a number of us sat for
hours in a Jollibee store in
Naga City, wondering how
on earth will we arrive at
our destination, when six of
the group were stuck on the
highway along Ragay, trying
to piece one ravaged pick-up
truck together—the biggest
casualty of a harrowing road
accident that same morning.
It was around 4 a.m. on
April 16, and most of us in
the vehicle going to Naga
were already asleep. Photo
Club chief Gerry Jano was
tailing the pick-up, which
had in it Boy Abing, Adela
Mendoza, Aileen Garcia and
Mel and Naty Cayubit. Our
AUV suddenly screeched
to a halt, tossing me, Edna
Garcia and Erwin Reyes up
against the roof and crashing
deep, which had none of the
warning signs to distinguish the quick brown fox
it from the rest of the
desolate, pitch-black road.
Gerry, who tailed him closely
in the dark, had not realized
jump over the lazy
what happened to the pick-
up until too late.
By then I could barely dog the quick brown
hear the commotion that
followed. “So this is what
it feels like,” I thought,
imagining how people in
fox jump over the
war movies lose their sight
and hearing at the blast of
gunfire. Erwin scrambled
lazy dog
to straighten me out, as I

12 13
 c o l or f ulk
By Chito San Mateo of an amazed
audience. This
ipings
L ucban, Quezon is around
three hours drive from
Manila. The place has been
gesture is a sign of
respect to San Isidro
Labrador.
famous for its food like the Other segments of the
longganisa and pancit hab parade include a pageantry of
hab. native costumes made of
However, every 15th day local materials and carrozas
of May, the colorful decorated in a very
Pahiyas colorful fashion.
Festival The heat of
takes the summer did
center not prevent
stage in the people to
Lucban, celebrate and
watch the
Quezon. The parade that
festival draws passed in front of the
attention to thousands of row of decorated houses.
people from Metro Manila and The Inquirer Camera Club
nearby provinces to witness also stood on the challenge
the colorful festivities and to capture the life of
unique celebration. the festivities.
The festival is in honor of
the patron saint of farmers,
San Isidro Labrador. Houses
along the selected streets
are decorated with colorful
kipings.
The decorations bring out
the local residents’ ingenuity,
creativity and artistry. Aside
from kipings, vegetables were
also used as decorations.
Tourists, local and foreign,
grabbed the opportunity to
have their photos taken with
the colorful decorations of the
houses as their background.
The highlight of the festival
was the parade.
This year’s parade
welcomed the Philippine Daily
Inquirer’s Guyito in the Gayak
Paragos segment or the so-
called carabao parade. The
carabaos pull well-decorated
and colorful cart. At a certain
point of the parade,
carabaos kneel in front
14