SUNSTAR Bacolod Publishing, Inc., an established community newspaper and digital news organization in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, marked its 13th anniversary on September 11, 2021.
A simple celebration was held at Campuestohan Highland Resort in Sitio Campuestohan, Barangay Cabatangan in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
The editorial and business team, headed by newly installed editor-in-chief (EIC) and digital content director Erwin Nicavera and business manager Leilanie D. Kho, led the diminutive but dynamic workforce to celebrate the anniversary.
It was also an opportunity to have fellowship and bonding among the workers to strengthen the camaraderie. Young and energetic EIC Nicavera eyes motivated, participative and collaborative efforts among the news and business teams, given that the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic has its profound economic impact.
Insofar as the operation of the 13-year-old news establishment, under the tutelage of SunStar Philippines Network Vice President Gina G. Atienza, it strives to surmount the challenges by maintaining its focus on its purpose of serving the community with balanced, objective and responsible journalism.
The digitization of the mainstream media has its gains for realizing a prompt and lively reportage using the social media platform. SunStar employs innovative approaches and successfully transitions from conventional to digital news to attune with contemporary media practices.
The lean and mean news and business teams take the challenge of this pandemic to fulfill its mission in serving the community through communication and information.
EIC Nicavera, in his message said, "SunStar Bacolod has been growing with the community for 13 years already, and this is something that we should celebrate and be grateful for. We thank the people, especially our readers, for being with us in this over a decade of relentless journey centered on helping build a well-informed and empowered community.
“Our constant desire and aspiration are to remain steadfast in our mission of delivering truthful, accurate, and balanced news and information, as well as stories that encourage hope and inspiration to Negrenses and Filipinos across the globe through various media platforms,” he said.
“Also, we remain committed to collaborating with our other stakeholders, especially our advertisers and partners, to grow their organizations and share the causes they support to the community. As we continue to battle the unprecedented pandemic, rest assured that SunStar Bacolod will never leave the community behind. Together, we can rise above these challenging times," he also said.
This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme, SSB at 13: Rising above the challenging times.