Stronger as ever.
The 73rd anniversary celebration of the Pampanga Press Club (PPC) last November 24 proved this once again. But more than just the strong bonding between and among members, the gathering at the Royce Hotel in Clark Freeport was an event with a common goal – to highlight the partnership between media and our leaders in government and the private sector. Especially for the past two years.
The PPC recognized partners in recovery as we all reel from the impact of the global pandemic that hit since 2020. It doffed its hat to LGU leaders like Governor Dennis Pineda, Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, Mayor Cris Garbo and Mayor Pogi Lazatin.
From the private sector: The NLEX Corporation; Mr. Rene Romero of Romac and Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and, Mr. Prudencio Garcia of Mekeni Food Corp.
The Clark Development Corporation and two of the busiest and most sought after government doctors were also feted – Dr. Dax Tidula and Dr. Monserrat Chichioco. A brief description of their contributions is written on their profiles, down this article.
Here is the continuation of my article that states the contributions of the Awardees. Written in the latter part too is a copy of a speech I delivered as PPC president. (ad libs removed for space consideration)
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CLARK DEVT CORP. In collaboration with the various locators in the Freeport, CDC took a united stand to "Care as One." During the health crisis, the state-owned firm extended a helping hand to the most vulnerable sectors of society.
Provision of PPEs, accommodation for Locally Stranded-Individuals during the lockdown, conversion of Clark buildings into COVID-19 facilities, provision of reliable lockdown transport (the Clark Loop), and provision of essential materials and goods to Metro Clark Local Government Units near the Freeport are some of the initiatives that were implemented.
During the height of the health crisis, the CDC also provided assistance to members of the media who were also on the frontlines, providing reliable information and news. The state-owned corporation also offered financial help to its media partners in order to assist them in recouping from the effects of the pandemic.
MEKENI FOOD CORP. The Porac-based food processing company was ready to face the challenges brought by the pandemic even as other companies were not expecting it to get worse.
Conceptualized and developed before the pandemic, its Bayani product line of products helped stem the tide for those who were selling products from home when Covid 19 struck.
At the height of the pandemic, Mekeni is one of the very few companies, which, instead of laying off workers, even hired some more in order to be able to produce food products for delivery to home-based workers and people who were confined to their residences.
DR. DAX TIDULA. A graduate of Medical School at the Angeles University Foundation in 1998, he has more than two decades of experience in medicine, specializing in Family Medicine, Pain Medicine, Primary Care and sub-specialties in critical care and emergency ultrasound.
Dr. Tidula, who is a fellow of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians and the Philippine Medical Association, now serves as the incident commander of the Pampanga Covid-19 facilities.
On several times, some PPC members had to call him and he did not mind being disturbed for the slightest Covid symptoms.
DR. MONSERRAT CHICHIOCO. The chief of the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital, has a Master in Business Administration and is a Fellow of the Philippine Society of Pathologists and Philippine College of Hospital Administrators.
During the earlier outbursts of Covid-19, the JBLMGH was one of the government hospitals that performed its duties excellently, with Dr. Chichioco at the helm. Needless to say how she has helped people by the hundreds and thousands. Not just Pampanga but the whole of Central Luzon region.
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Good evening everyone. Allow me first to acknowledge our Awardees who will all be named later, our sponsors, and partners.
Thank you for sharing with us this special night. This celebration of the Club’s 73rd year of existence.
Now, some of you may ask “Why celebrate 73rd and not just wait for the Diamond Jubillee which is just two years from now”? It is the same question I also asked myself before, and probably my fellow officers did the same too.
Tonight, we are not just observing the anniversary of PPC. We are also celebrating how we all overcame the past two years, when we all endured a great deal of hardship, of pain, of sacrifices, and even fear and horror.
Katulad ng iba ring organisasyon o grupo, dumanas din po ng hirap ang PPC – walang mga nagging events, press conferences. Kapag mga walang ganito, wala rin pong masyadong istorya at ang ibig sabihin ay walang sweldo, lalu na sa ilan sa amin na naka per story basis.
Ang ilan sa amin at mga mahal namin sa buhay ay mga na-ospital din. Kung hindi man na-ospital ay na mandatory quarantine din ng ilang beses sa mga pasilidad ng gobyerno.
Isabay pa sa hirap ng dinanas ng Club sa nakalipas na taon ay ang pagpatay sa aming kasamang si Jess Malabanan
It was a horrible past two years from which we emerge with new outlook in life, new objectives and new goals.
We are just so grateful, first to God, for keeping us safe and secure. This occasion is also our way of saying thank you and recognize our partners, especially our awardees who led the fight and campaign to keep us all safe, we in media included.
Tonight is a celebration of triumph. Tonight we give due recognition to our leaders and friends in business sector, who despite falling victims too to the pandemic, did not waiver. On the one hand, they continued to serve, to lead, to take charge and rallied people to recover.
Tonight is more than just about PPC. More than just about its rich tradition and history, its challenges and triumphs.
We would like this night to be a celebration of our partnership for resiliency and for recovery with each and everyone.
Thank you all very much.