This week began last Sunday with the opening of the National 9/11 Memorial Plaza in New York City, a decade after that terrible morning in 2001 when the World Trade Center’s iconic twin towers came crashing down after a terrorist attack. Thanks to live TV media coverage of the solemn opening ceremonies, I was able to virtually follow visitors as they ran their fingers over the names of the 2,977 people killed in the terrorist attacks there, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania; as well as the six slain during the bombing of the trade center earlier in 1993. The names are etched in bronze and ring the two pits remembered as Ground Zero. I am sure you have followed this as well as detailed reports by media the next and following days.
I remember visiting the area some years ago in a visit to New York when it was already cleared and initial work was being done on “the pit” as it was then known. It was enclosed in railings, on which were posted signs about its history, as well as the pictures and names of some of the victims. And I remember that with so many viewing visitors, the place was respectfully silent.
Last Sunday, TV also replayed scenes of the terrorist-hijacked planes crashing into the towers 10 years ago and of terrified people running away as the towers burst into flames and came crashing down in clouds of debris. That dreadful day 10 years ago, I was in Texas watching the coverage on TV, and staying on it for continuing reports the rest of the day.
Then last Tuesday, the 13th, was a day of elation for the country when Shamcey Supsup of General Santos City, our candidate in the prestigious 2011 Miss Universe beauty pageant in Sao Paolo, Brazil, finished third runner-up. We are proud that Miss Supsup is an outstanding Beauty with Brains: a magna cum laude University of the Philippines graduate with a degree in architecture who topped the architecture licensure examination last July! And the only contestant in the beauty pageant who needed no interpreter, but spoke in English when interviewed by the panel of judges.
It is especially significant in this Broadcast and Press Freedom Month of September that we continue to be informed of fast-breaking events as they happen, with further details in follow-up reports.
Which leads us on to what dyLA Station Manager Jun Tagalog contributed as a panelist on our Women’s Kapihan last Saturday. The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) Cebu Chapter, of which Jun is a board member for AM radio, plans to hold technical skills training for personnel, and seminars for would-be-practitioners.
Let me share more details next week on the subject of women in martial law taken up in that Women’s Kapihan, including the late Inday Nita Daluz, a militant and outspoken anti-martial law radio broadcaster. She began as a young radio drama talent, then wrote, produced and directed some of the industry’s most memorable Cebuano radio dramas or soap operas. With the insight she developed on the human condition and her popularity, she was elected to Congress. After serving one term she returned to the industry as station manager and radio commentator, becoming one of Cebu’s most outspoken women against the evils of martial law until she passed away due to failing health because of her militant efforts, dying figuratively “with her boots on,” God bless her.
Her former colleagues, a few of whom still remain and remember her, are members of the Curta (Cebu United Radio and Drama Talents), Inc., of which I am a consultant. At our latest monthly meeting last Saturday, we assessed the results of our induction of new officers last Aug. 19th. Members of an organized committee are still deliberating on who of Curta will be this year’s lifetime media awardee. Our first awardee was Leonardo “Nards” Gutierrez, father of our current president Edgar. Last year, it was Cora Rosales Jayma, current Chairman of the Curta program committee.
Which now leads me on to a belated report on the results of the Executive Committee meeting of our Cebu Girl Scout Council last Aug. 31st. We heard a report on the participation of two of our Cebu Girl Scout members in the successful latest Girl Scout International Camp in Korea last month. Since our last Council Board Meeting for the triennium will be held on Sept. 21st, we discussed, among other administrative concerns, the forthcoming orientation for chairmen of the nominating and elections committees for the new triennium to be held on September 23rd and 24th. While Council Vice President Dr. Lita Ortiz reported on our forthcoming participation in the international four-day Macau Tour.
But even as we move on in time, we pause awhile, as I did the other day, to oberve the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, yesterday, I was saddened to learn of the death on the 13th of our Maestro Emilio “Mil” Villareal in Canada at the age of 90. He was dyRC musical director for the duration of our 25 pre-martial law years. Condolences to his bereaved wife Enriqueta “Tita” Orcullo Villareal and their family. Do include him in your prayers for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Till next week, then, may God continue to bless us, one and all!