A quarterly newsletter of the

Philippine Daily Inquirer Inc.

VOL. XI N0. 1 APRIL 2011

From Silver to Gold

Seminar encourages employees to embrace,

live the values of the Inquirer brand
By Annelle S. Tayao a whole day discussing and relearning what the Inquirer brand is,
and how they can add to its growth as PDI expands into a multi-

“ First, fair, fearless!” is now the mantra of PDI employees after

participating in the recently concluded seminar “From Silver
to Gold,” held at the Marriott Hotel, Resorts World Manila
in Pasay City. The seminar is part of the company’s continuing
celebration of its 25th anniversary.
platform company.
PDI senior vice president for sales and marketing
Rene Reinoso, during one of the sessions,
described the event as a
“unique” seminar, since “it
Divided into 14 batches, employees, under the facilitation of includes all employees.”
business modeling consultancy firm Management Strategies, spent The first half of the seminar
was dedicated to understanding
the concept of branding—how
employees should present
the Inquirer to its audience
(readers, advertisers and
other customers),
SEMINAR/ p.2

PHOTOS BY RODEL ROTONI

 Seminar encourages. . .
(from page 1)

as well as workplace behaviors that are

considered “on-brand” or “off-brand.”
The afternoon session had employees
sharing more of their insights through
group exercises. Focus was on the
company’s values of integrity, editorial
independence, responsibility, team work
and dynamism.
Some of the on-brand actions/
values employees identified were:
inter-departmental and inter-company
coordination; being proactive, not reactive;
generating enterprise stories; strengthening
convergence, among others.
On the other hand, some of the off-
brand attitudes identified were: pointing
the blame to others for one’s mistakes;
accepting “payola”; outdated hardware
and software; unclear implementation of
policies and procedures.
To concretize what had been discussed,
each employee wrote down their personal
action plans—achievable goals they could
set for themselves as key players in the
company’s improvement in the next two,
six and 12 months.
“Everyone is part of the process,”
noted PDI president Sandy Prieto-
Romualdez at the end of one session.
“We are, together, part of this journey…
together we will produce the brand.”

PHOTOS BY RODEL ROTONI

2
 ‘25 YEARS OF INQUIRER’

The past comes alive

By Vanessa Hidalgo
at
PDI exhibit
For several days in February, the recent
past came alive at the SM City Annex
on North Avenue in Quezon
City. At the mall’s exhibit
City
hall, visitors were treated
to glimpses of momentous
events in our country’s history—
moments that today still echo in
North Africa and the Middle EastEast.
The exhibit, “25 Years
of Inquirer,” showcased artwork
and photographs that detailed
significant, as well as intimate, moments
during the 1986 Edsa People Power
Revolution. It also featured key events
of the last quarter century as seen
through the eyes of the country’s No.1
newspaper.
The event was held from Feb. 15
to 25, in time for the 25th anniversary
of the 1986 People Power uprising.
The newspaper celebrated its 25th
anniversary last December.
It was no ordinary exhibit.
Walking through the gallery, viewers
were treated to reproductions of the
Inquirer’s front pages, which detailed
history as it unfolded. There were
also tools of the print trade, once
considered indispensable, such as old
cameras and typewriters—indeed relics
of an exciting past.
The exhibit was conceptualized
in June 2010. According to Connie
Kalagayan, Inquirer corporate
affairs manager, it was Sandy Prieto-
Romualdez who suggested that
an exhibit be held in honor of the are still in use. who painted the mini-Guyito sculpture
company’s silver anniversary. One old typewriter is in the custody also came to the exhibit.
“Sandy was inspired by the of Isagani Yambot, the newspaper’s “They’re teenagers now,” Kalagayan
annual exhibits by the Inquirer Camera publisher, which he uses to this day, says of the kids. “They were so happy
Club and the Arts and Crafts Club at Kalagayan says. Ernie Sarmiento, the when they saw the sculptures, and they
the PDI main office,” Kalagayan says. Inquirer’s chief photographer, found the also felt very proud because the (pieces
“(The exhibit allowed) the public to oldest camera in his office. of artwork) bore their names.
appreciate the heritage and culture of “The mini-Guyito sculptures that Kalagayan estimates that over
PDI.” were hand-painted by some kids from 5,000 visitors went to see the exhibit.
Some of the relics on display were way back were in my baul (storage box),” “There was an outpouring of love
kept in storage for years while the others Kalagayan says. To her surprise, the kids THE PAST p.4

3
 (from page 3)

and support for the Inquirer from visitors.

You could feel it when you read the
messages they left on the board,” she
recalls, referring to a feature of the
exhibit, where viewers could write their
thoughts, messages and suggestions on
a message board.
To accommodate all the messages,
the Corporate Affairs Office had to
replace the board 18 times in the course
of the exhibit. Some messages urged the
Inquirer to continue making a difference
in the lives of Filipinos. “They were all very
thoughtful,” Kalagayan says.
One of the most frequented sites at
the gallery was the Inquirer Timeline that
charted historic milestones from 1985 to
2010. Another crowd favorite was the
Inquirer’s own darling mascot Guyito.
The well-known carabao drew
thousands of visitors who all wanted to
have their pictures taken with the mascot.
“Noong mga unang araw ng
exhibit, naka-upo pa siya,” Kalagayan
says, referring to the man who donned
Guyito suit. “After a week or so, naka-higa
na si Guyito. He’s truly a rock star.”

4
Flurry of colors
at hot air balloon Fest
By Annelle S. Tayao photo shoot lasted from 4:30 to 10 a.m. “Digital

A
flurry of color was captured by the Inquirer
Camera Club at its latest photo shoot, held
at the 16th Philippine International Hot
Air Balloon Festival in Angeles City, Pampanga.
It is the club’s second time to shoot the annual
showcase.
A total of 14 employees joined the out-of-
town shoot. Led by ICC president Gerry Jano, the
SLRs are preferred, but I allow high-resolution
compact cameras,” says Jano.
Members were required to submit five
shots each, which will be showcased at the club’s
exhibit at the end of the year.
“We’re focusing now on long exposure
photography,” Jano says.
The club presently has 15 active members. They
keep abreast on photography techniques by
holding in-house seminars, done mostly by Jano
and PDI photographers. Though out-of-town trips
are open to all employees, those interested to
become active ICC members need only fill up an
application form and take a seminar.
Jano plans to take the club next to Calaguas
Island in Camarines Norte, and Humalig Island in
Quezon Province.

PHOTOS COURTESY
OF INQUIRER
CAMERA CLUB

5
 INQSIDER FORUM

What is the one

“My cell phone “For the office, I
because I need it to
perform my tasks
gadget that can’t live without
my cell phone. It’s
as an EA.”–Princess
Ominga you can’t live the way I stay
connected to my
personal and work
“I can’t live
without my iPod.
without? life. At home, I can’t
stand life without
I easily get bored By Vanessa Hidalgo
my stove. How
without music.”–
else will I cook my
Steph Semila
food without it?”--
Sandra Diez
“Because
I am a TV
series “I need my
and movie cell phone to
addict, I communicate
can’t live with friends and
without family.”–Rissa
Rissa
television,”– Camongol
Cake
Evangelista

“I can’t live
without my
laptop. As long
as we have the
Internet, I can
play games,
watch movies,
play music and do
everything with
my laptop.”–Deo
laptop.”–
Roberto
“I use my cell
phone to stay
connected
“With my cell phone, I have my with my loved
“I think this world can survive without camera, alarm clock, calendar, ones.”–Jun
a cell phone. But a laptop is like a messaging and calls. That Veloira
friend. You can always count on it is why I cannot live without
to give you what you need.”–Francis it.”–Louie Bacani
Ochoa
ILLUSTRATION BY ALBERT RODRIGUEZ

6
 A whole new ballgame
By Annelle S. Tayao wife Evelyn, and is a proud father of four. His eldest, Carlo, 36, is marketing
manager for Avon Philippines. Vincelli, his second son, is a doctor on

W
finances.
ith expertise on corporate law, managing company receivables as
well as the banking industry, lawyer Victor Leal, PDI’s new vice
president for credit and collection, is no stranger to dealing with

But it’s a whole different ball game for him now here in PDI. “There’s a
family health and industrial medicine, while his only daughter, Niña Talna,
works for KLM Airlines. His youngest, Ephraim Daniel, is a fourth-year legal
management student at UST.
On his days off, Leal is active in his church in Parañaque. His
involvement is mostly on ministry matters, teaching and conducting
big difference. It’s definitely challenging,” says the 61-year-old Leal. “With a fellowships. He enjoys dancing and is a musician, too—in his college years
bank, you get to charge penalties, interest. Here, there’s nothing like that— he performed with his band Headquarters.
your only concern is the principal amount.” “I also like to travel,” says Leal. “Sometimes it’s good to get out of Metro
The challenges, however, don’t deter Leal from looking for ways to Manila and just surround yourself with nature.”
improve the payment scheme for the company’s clients. He finds motivation
in his work environment. “Our president, Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, is
pleasant to work with, understanding and makatao,” he says.
Leal joined the company in in July 2010. He had
established connections with the company beforehand,
when he facilitated a workshop for the Finance
Department on collection techniques.
He has always been a PDI reader,
and his favorite read is the Opinion
section. “Marami kang pwedeng
mabasa.”
Leal is loving husband to

ATTY. VICTOR S. LEAL

PHOTO BY EU-
GENE ARANETA

7
 Resident ‘city
crawlers’
T hey’re our resident ‘city crawlers,’ combing
every inch of bustling Metro Manila for the
latest scoop. Meet the hardworking team behind
PDI’s Metro section.
ABELARDO
ULANDAY
Sense of pride, achievement
By Vanessa Hidalgo
A
ssociate editor and
concurrent Metro editor
Abelardo Ulanday’s
relationship with the Inquirer
dates back to the 1986 Edsa
People Power Revolution.
Abel to colleagues and
friends, shares he was taken
in then as a deskman which he considers as fortunate because what
PDI needs then are reporters and staff members. Just two months into
his job, he assumed the position of city editor supervising reporters and
correspondents. He recalls that at that time, there were no laptops, PCs, cell
phones and Internet and radio sets and typewriters were the primary tools to
deliver the news to readers.
In 1987, Abel was appointed news editor. He became associate editor
in 1992 but left the company in 1994 to accept a job offer in Singapore. The
prodigal son returned to PDI in 1997 again as associate editor.
Today, as Metro editor, he’s in-charge of the day-to-day operations of
the Metro section while as the associate editor he supervises the editorial
systems division. “I also helped oversee the setting up of the PDI website
and the launching of Libre. Today, I watch over the editorial operations of
inquirer.net,” he adds.
“To witness—and actually able to personally contribute to—its growth
as a newspaper company has given me a sense of pride and achievement,”
says Abel. The full computerization of the newsroom, the launching of the
website, and the birth of Libre are what he considers as his “high moments.”
Abel loves playing bowling (he always makes it to the Top 10 male
bowlers’ list during PDI’s annual tourneys), watching movies in DVDs, and
reading. He says he wishes to see—and contribute to—the Inquirer Group
of Companies as it break new grounds and fly to greater heights in the near
future.
8
STEPHANIE ASUNCION
No bed of roses
By Vanessa Hidalgo
Life at the Metro (the Inquirer
section, that is) is no bed of roses.
This is what Stephanie Asuncion
immediately found out right after
she assumed the position of Metro
section desk editor.
Hay, grabe! I wanted to quit
“Hay,
right after I started,” Steph says,
recalling how, at first, she could not
immediately adjust to her new job and her new schedule in the Inquirer.
Steph, a former city editor of People’s Journal, started her stint with
the publication as desk editor of the now defunct Inquirer Compact. At the
Journal, she says, her normal workday would start at around 1 p.m. and end
by 5:30 p.m.
“The job (at People’s Journal) was less demanding,” Steph says. “The
sun was still up when I usually left the office.”
During her first week at the section, Steph shares she committed two
errors in editing a story. The Inquirer newsroom is an unforgiving place, she
found out. She says she was in tears when she called then Metro editor Ester
Dipasupil because of the mistakes she made.
“I wanted to quit. But she talked me into staying. In a few months’
time, I started to adjust to the pressure of working for the paper,” she says.
For her, checking, double-checking and even triple checking the facts
turned out to be the most important lesson the Inquirer had taught her.
“There are a lot of people who are only too eager to point out and laugh
at the mistakes (that appear) in the country’s No. 1 newspaper,” Steph says.
Steph is a travel bug as she enjoys out-of-town trips with her family
especially when she gets to explore new places. She also loves reading and
watching movies and shares that cleaning the house relaxes her mind.
“Hopefully, I’ll be with the Inquirer for a good number of years. Working
in media is interesting because no two days are the same. There’s always
something happening every day, and you’re the first to know about it,” Steph
muses.
NANCY CARVAJAL
Finds ample fulfillment in her job
By Annelle S. Tayao
The daily grind of getting fresh, relevant
news, plus the pressure of submitting
stories on time has always been a challenge
for seasoned Metro reporter Nancy Carvajal.
At the end of the day, though, seeing her
articles published gives her ample fulfillment, “especially if it’s something I
worked hard for.”
A mother of three—Catherine Camille, Carl Philip and Maria
Cinderella—Nancy has been with PDI for 19 years. “My kids practically grew
up with the Inquirer,” she says. Nancy began with the company as secretary
to the editor in chief. She became a reporter in 2005, and now covers the
Quezon City beat.
Nancy is a runner. “I’ve been running even before the sport became en
vogue,” she says. She usually runs 10 km, and makes it a point to join PDI’s
annual fun run.
SANTIAGO ALCANTARA
‘We can only be humble at all times’
By Vanessa Hidalgo
Santiago Alcantara, or Santi, is currently
the editorial administrative assistant
of the Metro section. His task includes
collecting summaries and stories sent
by reporters and consolidate them into a
“Metro lista” or list. Through this list, the editors will choose which stories
will be used for publication. He also facilitates the Metro news coverage for
reporters and photographers as well.
But for him, the most rewarding part of his job is when he gets to
write about sick Filipinos who seek medical help from the Inquirer readers.
“These are small stories with big hearts. I’d like to think that they somehow
define the Inquirer’s corporate social responsibility,” he shares.
In 2001, Santi met the woman of his dreams at the third floor lobby.
After several months of courtship, they were married and now they have two
children. He relates: “In my own standard of being handsome, I was the
most handsome during that courtship period.”
He describes his kids as naturally funny. “I ask them questions and they
give me funny answers without trying to be funny,” he shares.
It was the ad boycott in 1999, he says, that taught him the greatest
lesson on humility. “Being No. 1 doesn’t mean that we’re unshakeable.
Nothing in this world is ever permanent. We can never be so secure with who
we are and what we have. We can only be humble at all times,” he says.
MIKO MORELOS
Unpredictable workdays
By Annelle S. Tayao
Miko’s career with the Inquirer began even
when he was still a college student, having
spent his summer internship with the
company. In 2006, he officially became part
of the PDI family as an editorial production assistant. It’s now his fifth year
with the company.
As Metro reporter, Miko describes a typical workday as “unpredictable.”
“Everyday is a challenge because you’ll never know what’s in store for you
when the daily grind begins,” he says.
When he isn’t busy, Miko takes time to read and cook—his stress-
relieving activities. He’s also into basketball, getting together once in a while
with college buddies to play.
JULIE AURELIO
Reading public deserves no less
By Vanessa Hidalgo
Julie Aurelio’s journey with the
Inquirer began in 1996 when she
was just in sixth grade. At that time,
Julie was a correspondent for Junior
Inquirer.
Later, she became an Inquirer scholar, eventually graduating from the
University of the Philippines. Julie right away sought to fulfill her contract
with the newspaper and was hired as editorial administrative assistant in
2005. In January 2007, she became a reporter covering the Quezon City beat.
Her most unforgettable coverage so far, she says, was the 2007 Manila
Peninsula siege of rebel soldiers led by Antonio Trillanes IV
IV—then a junior
Army officer who’s now senator of the republic.
“It was a day of many firsts for me … to “taste” teargas and to be
“held” by cops after the siege. I wouldn’t trade my life as an Inquirer
reporter for anything else,” she says.
Among the many lessons the Inquirer has taught her, she says, was the
importance of standing up for one’s beliefs and principles.
“I always do my best, because the reading public deserves no less. I
also learned how to adapt to the situation as it changes, and how to deal with
people in circumstances different from mine,” she shares.
JAYMEE GAMIL
Enjoys challenges
By Annelle S. Tayao
“I wanted to be a journalist,” says
Jaymee Gamil of the time when she
first entered PDI as a correspondent
for the Inquirer Southern Luzon
Bureau. She was then based in Bicol,
her hometown, and a fresh graduate
from Ateneo de Manila University.
After around one year as correspondent, and two years as editorial
production assistant at the PDI main office, Jaymee is now one of Metro’s
newest reporters. She covers Manila’s city hall and court.
“My days are spent roaming the courts for interesting or significant cases;
trying to score interviews with local executives for issues; checking on the
city council and ordinances and resolutions; exploring the city when I have
time,” she says.
As a newbie reporter, Jaymee says she still struggles with her beat, keeping
herself abreast on the people and issues concerned. The company’s
“standards of excellence” is also a challenge, but it’s a challenge she enjoys.
“Actually, it fast-tracks much-needed growth,” she says.
But what keeps Jaymee loyal to the company is none other than its people,
her co-employees. “I consider the Southern Luzon Bureau and the EPA pool
as extended family,” she says.
9
 A fun run
for a
cause All smiles for the Inquirer who participated in the fun run.

Inquirer chair Marixi Prieto and PDI president Sandy Prieto-Romualdez with Warming up for the run ahead.
Inquirer mascot Guyito in their running attire.

By Joel V. Nigos

W hat a way for the Inquirer to celebrate its silver anniversary and to
commemorate the 25th year of the Edsa People Power 1 Revolution.
Thousands of runners, including PDI executives and employees,
participated in the Inquirer anniversary fun run dubbed “25 for 25” at the
Bonifacio Global City in Taguig last Feb. 27. The run was part of the continuing
celebration of PDI’s silver anniversary which began on Dec. 9 last year. And it was
for a good cause.
Connie Kalagayan, Inquirer corporate affairs manager, said that race
proceeds will go to three beneficiaries namely, the Inquirer Newsboy Foundation,
the children of the Maguindanao massacre victims, and the Gifts and Graces
Foundation, with each receiving P25,000 each. Sea Princess Tessa Prieto-Valdes (middle, with pink tops), runs along with other
The Inquirer Newsboy Foundation has been helping newsboys, specifically participants.
deserving grade school and high school students, finish their schooling through The race had four distance categories—3K, 5K, 10K and the 25K five-man
monthly stipends since 1993. It already benefitted close to 200 scholars. relay. The winners were as follows: 3K (Women): Mary Anne de la Cruz (1st),
The Gifts and Graces Foundation, meanwhile, helps people with disabilities, Janette Agura (2nd), Isabel Roces (3rd); 3K (Men): Kimbert Sarmiento (1st),
urban poor residents, and disadvantaged communities via its livelihood Rami Lacson (2nd), Ronald Salgado (3rd); 5K (Women): Jho-an Banayag (1st),
programs. Mirasol Abad (2nd), Janette Lumidao (3rd); 5K (Men): Daniel Kipkeme Koringo
“We have also chosen the children of the Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao (1st), Christopher Ulboc (2nd), Abraham Missos (3rd); 10K (Women): Mercedita
massacre victims as beneficiaries because they lost their fathers and mothers Fetaluero (1st), Nhea-Ann Barcena (2nd), Luisa Raterta (3rd); 10K (Men):
who were the sole breadwinners of their families. We will provide scholarships for Josphat Kiptanui Too (1st), Rene Herrera (2nd), Willy Tanui (3rd); 25K (Relay):
72 school-age children of the murdered journalists,” she said. Team Brooks (1st), Powerpuff Boys (2nd), Fast Lane Runners (3rd).
Inquirer chair Marixi Prieto inspired the participants with her welcome The sponsors, which provided cash and gift sponsors to the winners,
message while PDI president and CEO Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, as well as included co-presentors K-Swiss and Magnolia, Mizuno, official timekeeper Soleus,
Inquirer executives and employees, participated in the run. About 2,000 runners Powerade, Viva Mineral Water, Unilab Active Health, Nature Valley, Goody and The
joined the event. Coffee Beanery. Exhibitors were Sanofi Aventis, Perskindol and Club Astoria.
10