THE entry of Mr. Rommel Ynion to the Iloilo Press Club (IPC) and his eventual election as its president has brought vitality to this institution that has known better days. Mr. Ynion’s entry was also instrumental in putting together the warring factions -- friends and allies before but because of misunderstanding and miscommunications, became bitter foes and slugged it all in public view.
A renewed and revitalized club and the ushering in of peace and understanding – these are the elements that can move the club to address its future.
Thanks to Rommel Ynion. He is not only concerned about the building and other physical needs of the club. He made himself an instrument for those concerned to lay down animosities and hatred and smoke the pipe of peace.
Truly, men who can transcend the constrictions of petty quarrels, who can see beyond the exchange of harsh words and stand in between to preach the gospel of peace and reconciliation deserve our respect and admiration. And above all, our support.
For Mr. Ynion is not the Iloilo Press Club. All of us are. And all of us can really make the club move and create ripple so it can be felt far and wide, something we can all be proud of -- that in this part of the country, the fourth estate is a dynamic partner of democracy, crying out against things that are not true, crying out against things that are not fair and just, crying out against things that trample and desecrate the dignity of man and his freedom.
Mr. Ynion realizes this. He knows the weight of his responsibility. He is not taking over the helm of a club that is stable and firm. He is taking over the leadership of a club that has been through a lot of strife and turmoil. He sits at the head of a tattered and worn-out table which only saw discord and misunderstanding.
And he has picked up the pieces and helped rebuild the club not with blocks and iron but mending broken hearts and restoring laughter; by creating that atmosphere of congeniality and making hands to shake in friendship.
Iloilo is fast growing and is making leaps and bounds as it moves to the future. Once known as the Queen City of the South, indicators are present that this glorious era will be restored.
The investments by local and outside businessmen, the Iloilo airport as a gateway to Panay, the resurgence of agricultural production, hotels and new establishments mushrooming in city, the expansion of Iloilo -- all these show a new dynamism in the economy of Iloilo.
The Iloilo Press Club cannot stand on the sides. It must grow with the economic tide and must continue to function as expected.
Mr. Ynion as the new president has seen the problems, has gone into solving them one by one and is in the process -- together with other officers and well meaning media persons – of making the club an appendage of Iloilo’s dynamic march to progress.
Today, Mr. Ynion joins President Benigno Aquino III in his state visit to Indonesia and Singapore. He will be exposed to the dynamics of covering the President in a foreign country.
But more than this, this is an act of bringing to the fore the Iloilo Press Club which will be seen and be heard from in the days ahead as a relevant organization of media persons.
Mr. Ynion comes at the right time, at the right place and at the right moment in history.
He comes when he is needed most./PN |
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