Philippine Press Club Ontario

Biggest batch of PPCO new members inducted

 

By Mila A. Garcia
Toronto-Canada
December 8, 2014



TORONTO–Ten practitioners from print and broadcast media formalized their membership to the Philippine Press Club Ontario (PPCO) by taking their oath during the organization’s triple-event celebration — 13th Anniversary, Induction of New Members, and Christmas Party — held Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014 at Qssis Banquet Hall in Toronto.

Another seven members who were unable to attend will be formally inducted into the organization during its next major event, according to PPCO President Rose Tijam. This batch of a total of 17 members is the largest group approved for induction to the PPCO, according to Romy Zetazate, Chairman of the PPCO Membership Committee. The seventeen members joined the organization during the terms of the previous PPCO President Hermie Garcia, and the current President Tijam.

Marivel Taruc, CBC senior reporter and tv host of Our Toronto, officiated the oath-taking ceremonies for the new members: Jeff Rustia, Rachelle Cruz, Veronica Silva, Michelle Ramos, Ramon Lansangan, Anjo Pallasigui, Bong Molano, Gian Carlo Bobilla, Sheila Calica and Jaime Padiernos. (The seven other members who were unable to attend the induction ceremonies were: Rhea Gamana, Yshmael Cabana, Macelle Delgado, Beatrice Paez, Judith Gonzales, Sheng Maligsay, and Amelia Insigne.)

Taruc also officiated the formal Oath of Affirmation of nine of the 10 PPCO Board Members present: Rose Tijam, President; Rodel Ramos, Secretary; Noel Perada, Treasurer; Mila Astorga-Garcia, Public Information Officer; and Board Members Melinda Rustia, Jojo Taduran; Romy Zetazate; Ariel Ramos; and Joe Damasco. (Vice President Jonathan Canchela is on leave and will be back Dec. 23rd.)
Taruc, a prominent CBC journalist for two decades, an Honorary Member of the PPCO who was recently recognized and awarded for Outstanding Journalism by the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC), delivered the event’s Keynote Address. She emphasized among other things, that journalism is a profession that carries a great responsibility. “It is a profession with a constant effort to always be accurate, to always be objective, and to always be fair,” she says.

The event also featured guest speakers Finance Minister Joe Oliver, Senator Tobias Enverga, and Consul General Junever Mahilum-West. Just like Taruc, Oliver and Enverga mentioned the role journalists play and risks they take in performing their jobs, sometimes involving the ultimate sacrifice, such as what happened to some of the victims of the infamous Maguindanao Massacre, where 32 of the 57 victims killed were journalists. Mahilum-West emphasized how community journalism helps inform and bring to their attention news that is useful. She says the consulate general would not have easily known the state and level of maturity, and readiness of Filipino participation in the recent political elections, among others, were it not for the community media reporting on their numbers and the names of the Filipino-Canadian candidates. “We would not have known this by ourselves,” she said.

Pastor Teck Uy of Friends of Jesus Christ Church and President of the Filipino Ministerial Fellowship Ontario, had earlier delivered a meaningful invocation fit for the occasion. As he invoked for the protection of journalists from harm in a risky profession that aims to seek the truth, he also called for prayers for the Maguindanao Massacre victims, the majority of them journalists.
The well-attended event attracted a lot of old members of the PPCO, who noted how the organization, energized by its emphasis on journalism-related activities such as the speakers series introduced by Hermie Garcia featuring successful mainstream Filipino journalists, had generated interest especially from among younger media practitioners. The event was also attended by a representative of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada, and members of community organizations, and businesses.

The event, which was emceed by Jeff Rustia, involved the participation of all the members of the Board, with PPCO President Tijam doing the welcome address and introduction of guest speaker Minister Joe Oliver; Romy Zetazate introducing the new members of the PPCO; Jojo Taduran introducing the keynote speaker Marivel Taruc, and Joe Damasco deliverining the closing remarks. Noel Perada was in charge overall of tickets and sound system. Melinda Rustia took charge of the evening’s program while Mila Astorga-Garcia prepared some of the ceremonial literature. Rodel Ramos helped other volunteers in ensuring that guests were seated and served. Ariel Ramos, aside from taking photos, produced the huge PPCO tarpoline ad, in front of which guests had a blast having the souvenir photos taken.

Except for an early confusing start regarding guest seating arrangements, the event turned out well, with the big help of the registration volunteers, Fe Taduran and Shirley Perada. For them and the Board, there was no task, big or small, that was not important to make the event a success. (MAG)