Journalists are ordinary people like you who perform extraordinary roles in our community through news and public information.
We are the people’s immediate or last recourse when they face problems that can hardly be addressed by those in government, disputes in the workplace, property ownership, and family, among others.
People would normally go to us to seek immediate action through the aid of airwaves, print, and social media to call the attention of concerned people for action.
Some consider journalists heroes of our community because they know that actions will be fast when the media tackle them.
But, of course, concrete actions are taken by those leaders in government who enjoy the mandate of the people. The media is just there to ensure public welfare.
As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Sunstar Bacolod, we also would like to share with you how we do our tasks every day.
For me, being assigned to write feature stories to fill in the Yuhom Page, I write about arts, success stories, tourism events, debuts, weddings, sports, birthdays, graduations, foods, restaurants, hotels, transportation, airlines, and anything that inspires and motivates others.
Writing stories are part of our everyday life.
Teresa Ellera is assigned to the Capitol Newsbeat, where she writes stories unfolding at the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.
She covers news events of visiting national leaders and those happenings in the province, from the daily news to emergencies, celebrations, and reports from the Capitol.
Merlinda Pedrosa is assigned to the Bacolod City Government Center.
Melinda said, "As a journalist, it's not an easy job. You need to be more patient to get and write the news. You need to meet the deadline for the submission of the stories. We need to deal with our sources of news every day and of course, there are ups and downs while in the field. But, still, it's my passion to deliver and help the people. I've been happy with SunStar Bacolod for almost 15 years. It's a dream come true to become a journalist! Happy 15th-anniversary Sunstar-Bacolod!"
All of us look for news every day to fill in the pages of Sunstar Bacolod with the assistance and guidance of our Editor-in-Chief, Marchel Espina who also writes the editorial. She is supported by Associate Editor Keith Brandon Cari-an who oversees business and community pages and also writes stories for both from time to time. Both check all the story submissions for editorial appreciation and correction.
Our articles and breaking updates designed by layout artists Keith Magalona and Dindo Bullag Jr. With them in the office are our energetic marketing team, Primy Rose Villar and Rommel Salazar, and those in the production, also do their respective tasks.
We all work as an orchestra, with the Editor-in-Chief handling the baton.
President Gahum Vincent Garcia leads the Cebu executives. The rest of his team ensures that our management and operation are well taken care of.
We battled the challenges of COVID-19, and we all endured the impact in health and the economic aspects.
We hope to get better as we turn a year stronger and bolder.
Happy 15th anniversary to us and may our reader supporters and advertisers continue to be with us in the coming years.
We get our strength from the Almighty God and from you, our beloved readers advertisers and supporters.
We can only continue with you lifting our wings more and further.
God bless everyone.