I have been, modesty aside, a very pivotal part in the recreation of ABS-CBN in 1986 immediately after the EDSA Revolution that toppled and sent to exile the dictator and his minions.
I am brave enough to assert myself as an original jump starter of the second wind of ABS-CBN after Martial Law.
Whether you like it or not, I can safely say I started the entertainment news of ABS-CBN long before many showbiz-oriented programs and bits and pieces in the network were conceptualized and launched.
From the first day of my entertainment beat coverage in full regalia--with my cameraman, assistant cameraman or video recorder, driver of news vehicle, microphone, U-matic tapes and the likes--I was already passionate about broadcasting, especially a new approach to movie journalism.
I was also aware that the owners of ABS-CBN are Visayans, Ilonggos--the Lopezes.
I would always see in the compound Eugenio Lopez, Jr., better known as Genny Lopez, the Kapitan, who was jailed during Martial Law because of his anti-Marcos sentiments.
The fledgling post-ML station was literally bereft of office equipment except for rickety typewriters or decrepit tables we shared, initially, at the Chronicle Building in Ortigas Avenue.
When we moved in to its original home in the former Bohol Avenue (now Sgt. Esguerra), there were still old studio cameras apparently recycled gadgets of the past era until the reinvigorated management purchased new, state-of-the-art facilities.
I was a field reporter for "Balita Ngayon," the primetime news broadcast before it was reconstructed to tabloid-on-air "TV Patrol" which I also pioneered its star news.
I would always hobnobbed with the ABS-CBN top brass such as Jimmy Navarro (who was in-charge of production before Charo Santos-Concio and dad of singer Leah Navarro), Freddie Garcia, Rolly Cruz, Gabby Lopez etc.
I also produced the DZMM entertainment program of Angelique Lazo and Apa Ongpin for a couple of years.
I spent eight years with ABS-CBN then my idealism profelled again so I established my theater group DUMALO (Dulaang Don Mateo Lopez), a cummunity-based theater in Lopez, Quezon and found my fulfillment in stage productions despite limitations.
But I would always carry the spirit of the democratization of the Lopez media conglomerate.
And the reunion recently of all ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs Department (INCAD) people, past and present, was a force that drove me anew to commit to free expression.
It wasn't only a gathering but a homage to ABS-CBN and the bravery and steadfastness of the Lopezes in enduring the test of time and challenges of the status quo in battling the enemies of freedom.
The reunion organized by the group of Pia Hontiveros was a testament of unity of workers in and outside the power of giant corporate control.
Even if Angelique has already left ABS-CBN a long time ago, she still comes back for meaningful media people relationships.
In her social media post, Lazo penned these words about reuniting with her ABS-CBN's brothers and sisters: "It was a day well spent first off with an early lunch with friends from Bahay Kalinga/Foundation. This segued to the Kapamilya Balik-Tahanan where old colleagues and former workers from the News and Current Affairs Department gathered for one last time to bid farewell to the old stomping ground and the iconic tower that witnessed the unfolding of many events in history. After a meaningful program at the Dolphy Theater, we all headed outside, garbed in red, green, blue and black shirts to form ourselves into the iconic ABS-CBN logo. What a special and memorable way to mark the end of an era!"
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