FOR the past 22 years, SunStar Davao has been at the forefront of delivering quality and objective news stories to its readers in Davao City and neighboring province, and the Philippines as a whole.
Founded as Peryodiko Dabaw in 1985 by Elpidio Damaso, the newspaper then was able to capture the interest of Dabawenyos with its fearless reporting and quality stories.
This was renamed Ang Peryodiko Dabaw in 1987 following the entry of new investors.
The newspaper back then also took the lead in terms of innovation when it became the first community newspaper in Mindanao to use desktop publishing as early as 1989.
In 1995, SunStar Publishing Inc. took over Ang Peryodiko Dabaw and renamed the newspaper as SunStar Davao, eventually becoming part of the country's longest running community newspaper network.
After the takeover, the company has continued to lead the innovations as it became the first among the affiliates in the SunStar Group to go online. This was even before the SunStar Network Exchange was organized to take care of the network's online presence.
In 1999, SunStar Davao started its Bisaya newspaper, the SuperBalita, to cater to more readers.
Throughout the years, SunStar Davao's commitment to quality reporting has become evident as it received more than 100 awards from various award-giving bodies, particularly the Philippine Press Institute, where the newspaper received Best Edited Newspaper, Best in Business and Economic Reporting, and Best in Photojournalism among others.
SunStar Davao also cements its role in the community as a partner, receiving multiple recognitions from both the private and government sector for its continuous support and balanced reporting.
The newspaper's reportage does not only cover the happenings within Davao City but also Davao Region, as it provides a page for stories from Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and Compostela Valley through its Southern Section.
In the past couple of years, this community paper also takes the lead as ther preferred local daily in Davao City based on the June 2015 survey conducted by the Ateneo de Davao University Social Research Training and Developmet Office garnering a total of 72.12 percent in readership for both SunStar Davao (25.92 percent) and SunStar Superbalita (46.20 percent).
To serve its growing number of readers, SunStar Davao has recently invested into a modern printing facility from one that can only produce just 18,000 copies to a new machine that can print 36,000 copies in one hour.
SunStar Davao's articles can also be read online at www.sunstar.com.ph/davao. Breaking news stories are also found on its official Facebook Page (@sunstardavaonews).
Aside from ensuring balance and quality reporting and stories, the paper has also been at the forefront in producing leaders in the communication field with its alumni holding prominent positions in private companies and government agencies.
SunStar Davao has made its name not just a credible source of information but as a responsible institution guided by its own set of principles.
SunStar Davao will continue to strive to achieve its vision to be in every person's consciousness and success.