KALIBO, Aklan—Secretary Salvador S. Panelo, chief presidential legal counsel, will address and induct into office the officers of the of Aklan Press Club Inc. (APCI) here on Saturday, August 27.
The induction ceremonies and fellowship dinner will take place at the Gov. Corazon Legaspi Cabagnot Training Center at 7 p.m.
Panelo will also preside over a media forum, dubbed as “Kapihan sa Aklan,” at the NVC Carmen Hotel, with special guests that include broadcaster Allan Sison, president of the Federation of Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines Inc.; publisher Nelson Santos, president of the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc.; former Makati Vice Mayor Bobby Gomez Brillante, currently a brodcaster; former editor of Philippines Graphic Cesar Carpio; publishers Jaime C. Vistar, Joseph Punay of Alpha Times. Some Manila-based mediamen are also expected to attend the Aklan media affair.
Lawyers, judges and other leading citizens representing various sectors are attending the Aklan press event.
In its recent general membership meeting, attended by key leaders and Aklan media practitioners, the 59-year-old Aklan Press Club has adopted resolutions to be vigilant vanguard of press freedom, human rights, an educative outpost, and as a proactive partner of government in promoting public interest and welfare.
Newly elected officers, led by veteran journalist Odon S. Bandiola, are determined to squarely dwell on issues concerning freedom of information (FOI), federalism, human rights, drug menace, food security, constitutional reforms, including the controversial plan to build a 2-kilometer bridge connecting Boracay island and Panay mainland.
APCI officers, aside from Bandiola, are Ernesto Solidium, executive vice president; Recto Vidal, vice president for print; Arnel Vicente, vice president for radio; Gary Vargas, vice presidentfor cable; Richie Oloroso, secretary; Mary Joy Reyes, treasurer; Lynn AbitangArguilles, assistant secretary-treasurer; Megs Lunn, auditor; Jun Aguirre, Edwin Ramos, Aris Asucion, Joel Naingue, Delano Tefora, Prof. Jay Tejada, Roben Laserna and Frank Iturriaga, board members.
APCI board of advisers is headed by Dr. Allen Salas Quimpo, representing the School of Mass Communication of the Northwestern Visayan Colleges as an institutional member, chairman. Its members are composed of former presidents, namely, lawyer Ronquillo C. Tolentino, Dr. Ambrosio Villorente, Edwin Pelayo, Boy Ryan Zabal, Megs Lunn and Gary Vargas.
Juan P. Dayang, surviving founding organizer of APCI, is chairman emeritus. Dayang, a veteran journalist, is a retired publisher of Philippines Graphic, former president of the Manila Overseas Press Club, Publishers Association of the Philippines and secretary-director of the National Press Club. At present, he is secretary and trustee of the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) Foundation and columnist of Manila daily publications.
Aklan Press Club, founded in 1957, after the separation of Aklan from Capiz, is an affiliate of the Federation of Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines and Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc.