SHARE A VISION

By Terry A. Beldia

“DOWN MEMORY LANE”

“The Capiz Times as a TODDLER…then”

In October this year (2018) The Capiz Times turned thirty seven (37) that would be a
coral or jade birthday if you opt for a gemstone milestone. Its founding guru, Atty Tony Ortiz, a
visionary, no less, thought it was time for Capiceños to be heard and yes, seen through a medium
of print that is a newspaper; so that, it was in 1981 when the first issue of The Capiz Times
rolled out fresh and novel from Sampaguita Printing, a “celebrity” how else!
By the way, the so-named “Down Memory Lane” is actually a reprint from an old “Share
a Vision” column titled “A birthday message to The Capiz Times”. I was able to unearth this
article when I was collating my columns for book-binding.
Now, don’t blame yourself if (like me) a tear or two have spiced up your memory lane; a
little hankie is all you need as you whisper a short nostalgic prayer for those who have gone
ahead for, perchance, a better more enlightened universe.

“A birthday message to
The Capiz Times”

Dear Capiz Times,

I don’t know if you are aware of it, but you have just completed your second year of
existence on this planet earth. It’s for this reason that I’m penning down my special thoughts for
you along with my very warm wishes and greetings for a Happy Birthday!
Now, if you allow me to use simple analogy, let me say, that if you were a human being,
you are now in the stage of growth where doctors and pediatricians will most likely call you a
toddler. A toddler, you will note, is by any means no longer a helpless infant but one who has
mastered enough skills to negotiate s few step expectedly, to what old folks say, in preparation to
that first “mile-trot”. However, my analogy ends here. For while a child’s physical growth is
categorically paced or determined by psychologically environment and heredity and restrained
by laws of natural phenomenon (unless he is a freak)yours isn’t. By leaps and bounds you may
grow, limitless horizons you may reach in terms of service to us, Capiceños; provided, of course,
we don’t allow certain elements to cripple our rights to enjoy basic freedom, like the free
expression of our thoughts through writing and publications.
You editorial, for instance, true to its mission as the “soul” of the newspaper, has done a
good job of “informing, interpreting, convincing, persuading and even entertaining” us. Your
editor Helen Acolentaba we commend, for writing with such a flair that her readers are best able
to “sift, digest and evaluate” significant events or issues directly affecting their lives.
Since the importance of the news can’t be over-rated, we, likewise, congratulate your
news reporter Benny Cortes, for his accurate and adequate coverage of the happenings and the
quality of his writing. Kudos, too, for his socioeconomic updates that benefited farmers,
agriculturists and even the quack doctors who dabble on herbs.
It is also through you column in Bridging the Years that young generations of Capiceños
are able to take the glimpse of the province’s rich cultural heritage or revel in the glory and
accomplishments of fellow Capiceños. To author Fely Rendon, my salute both to her pain
staking research, her admirable writing style and beautiful prose.
A historical gem and a valuable “find”, naturally is a Capiz Notes but not just to history
buffs, I tell you. Mon Atinon, he deserves not only my congratulations for a well written column
but my admiration for his picturesque sketches. Ano sa Banta Ninyo? is not only a classic and a
must in the paper but your columnist Reinaldo Aguilar’s topics are timeless and certainly of
value to all. Now, what else? Oh, I see, I really mean to suggest that you resurrect your
mysterious Juan Pusong. I do miss his irreverence and wit and, shall I say, his courage? I hear
you have a terrific photographer in the person of Mon del Rosario. I agree that he practices his
art to the hilt. Such artistry! Now, ever since a sleuth has uncovered the identity of your
copyreader in the person of Fe G. Villarruz, I no longer wonder why you have such a perfect
grammar and had gotten rid of misbehaving punctuation marks, the usual “illness” afflicting
local papers.
Such novel treatment you have there in People and Events. The different writing styles of
the varied contributors surely add spice to its already highly-charged subjects – why, people of
course!
My one other wish is for your contributors – Mike Albar, Guia Anisco, Lloyd Arengo,
Amando Custodio, Nora Barrios, R. Beldia, Jr., Gerry Green and Ronnie Dadivas – to be more
productive in the coming year 1984, so your circulation/advertising manager, Bern Dela, need
not explain why there’s nothing to read in The Capiz Times expect legal notices.
Do you think I failed to take note of the good work of your other staff? Why no? an
excellent paper like you will not just materialize from even the best offset press in town without
the concerted efforts of Joel Niepes, who, I heard, is a record breaker typist and composer;
Totong Gregorius, the super layout artist and stripper; Val Bulquerin, the efficient plate maker;
Ely Espinosa, the camera wizard and Vic Elloran, the great operator of offset machines in town.
Maybe, I’m too meticulous, but I really notice how spic and span and orderly your office
is lately. I heard two ladies are responsible for this and that they are Kristine Legaspi and Annie
Diaz. Keep up the good work, girls.
Well, that’s really about all for today. May I wish you a thousand birthdays more and only
the very best of everything. May I also call myself “Just from a Fan”?