CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has been called a peacemaker, leader and negotiator. I remember him the fondest as a news source.
Cardinal Vidal, before he retired, actively involved himself in political and socio-economic issues of Cebu and the country. He intervened in labor strikes that hit Cebu industries in the 1980s to the 1990s, he took a role in negotiations with rebel forces in Central Visayas, he brought Mother Teresa of Calcutta, now a saint, to Cebu. He served as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
It was unavoidable then that he would figure in the news. He had Msgr. Achilles Dakay as his spokesman then or the one to release statements to media, but the Cardinal knew when to do the talking himself, sometimes to the chagrin of Msgr. Dakay.
It was in the late 1980s, after the Edsa Revolution and during the tumultuous term of President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, when Vidal took the role of negotiator in talks between government and communist rebels. I was one of two reporters in Cebu that the rebels invited to press conferences in the mountains or in some place I did not know. Cardinal Vidal gave me some of my scoops or exclusive reports from covering the peace process.
I recalled how, at one point, the Cardinal sent his aide out of his office so he could speak with me in confidence, together with a representative of the rebel forces. He allowed me to record his message to the rebels that he hoped would reach them through the news reports. He gave me scoops that rattled the competition but also made me a target of government monitoring (or so I was told.)
His calm demeanor and his willingness to listen to all parties enabled him to gain access to labor unions, communist rebels and putschists. That was how Cardinal Vidal became a part of my growth as a journalist.
Vidal remained in the news even in his retirement, sometimes issuing controversial statements such as his support for the pardon of President Joseph Estrada who faced plunder charges. I may not agree with all his statements but Cardinal Vidal, as a news source, was someone who gave out information because the people needed it to reach their own decisions.
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I thank the Cebu Magellan Lions Club for giving my father, Amado F. Cabaero, a posthumous award for his role in the organization. Given recognition also during ceremonies held last October 13 was Frank Yang, a past district governor.
Both Mr. Yang and my Dad led the club at different times through its many projects, among them, the beautification of Cebu, the fountain at the Fuente Osmena circle, scholarship grants and student exchanges with Lions clubs abroad, and the club’s participation in rehabilitation efforts after calamities hit Cebu.
The club, under the present leadership of Neil Alburo, continues with its mission to help fellow men and women of Cebu by undertaking several livelihood projects. Alburo and the new set of club officers took their oaths of office during the same event.