MEMORIES: Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal — Chapter 26b (2018 telling): Joins AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE (French News Agency) Manila Bureau as News Editor

It was in July 1966 that I joined and worked with Agence France Presse (French News Agency), an International News Agency’s Manila Bureau. During that time in the Philippines, there were four international news agencies, providing national, regional and world news to Asia – United Press International (UPI), Associated Press (AP) both from the United States, Reuters from Great Britain and Agence France Presse (AFP), from France.

These four International News Agencies, all operating in the US and Europe, has great power. They helped greatly in building the world and people to what the thought are good, even if it will work bad for the many. These four International news agencies controlled the worlds public opinions.

That time, I have limited training on news writing works. We were best in Proof Reading jobs. But with almost zero experience in News Editing job. And I am not good in English. Writing was always a struggle and hard work for me. I’m working as Proof Reader of the Philippines Herald. It was the oldest newspaper in the country. It was one of the newspapers closed by President Ferdinand Marcos when he declared martial law in September 1972. Other national newspapers- The Manila Times, Manila Chronicles, Manila Bulletin and Philippine Evening News, re-opened and published again. But Philippines Herald decided to close forever.

While doing Proof Reading works, I was always invited by other Page Editors to assist them, when their assistant was on vacation leave or other works. They asked Mr. Bote Bautista to allow me to assist the other Pages Editors - the Business page Editor, Travel page editor, Foreign News Editor, Sports Editor. I was never invited to assist the Women's page Editor. I enjoyed my work as Proof Reader, and always invited by the other pages editors to assist them I was also given extra fee.

While doing proof reading works, a friend who works with Agence France Presse, Ed Magtoto visited me. We had a good conversations. Then he said, "Rudy, there is vacancy at Agence France Presse. Only one vacancy. We are looking for another News Editor. Kid Tatad, the Senior Editor has resigned two days ago. Mr. Vincent Lateve asked me to find someone to replace him. I have not told yet anyone of the opening. If you want, you apply tomorrow. Bring all your needed documents."

"If you would like to apply, come to the office tomorrow at 11:00 AM. I will introduce you to the manager." The job was news editing. I thought, the job offered was much better than proofreading. He told me, aside from news editing, I will have more opportunity to cover news, news for international audience.

I prayed for God's guidance. The following day, I went to the Office of Agence France Presse (AFP). with my application letter and other needed documents. Agence France Presse office was at the Ground Floor of the Manila Chronicle building, in Intramuros. Chronicle was owned by the Lopez family.

Fernando Lopez was active political leader He served as Senator and this time, Vice President of the country. Every national and local elections, the Chronicles Printing Press was busy producing elections propaganda materials, including Sample Ballots for distribution during election campaigns.

At Agence France Presse (French News Agency) that morning, I was introduced by Mr. Magtoto to Mr. Vincent Lateve. He was a toll, middle aged Frenchman. He came to Manila as Correspondent of AFP. He took the place of Teodoro (Teddy) Benigno, AFP Manager, who went to Paris on scholarship. After he returned, Teddy Benigno was appointed Press Secretary by President Cory Aquino.

I have a pleasant conversation with Mr. Lative. He accepted me as the newest editor of AFP. One thing I remembered of him. After some discussion during my interview, he said, “You have a good voice. It will be important when you make interviews”. I smiled and extended my hands for a handshake. I remembered his words.” You have a good voice.” I thought my practice of deep breathing paid off. For I have a squeaky and effeminate voice when I was younger. Then, he referred me to Mrs. Trinidad, Assistant Manager to give me further instructions and details of my work.

Mrs. Trinidad gave me needed instructions. She gave me information of the other AFP News Editors. Their time and assignments. She said, if possible I must start work in three days. I am really needed. I immediately resigned from the Philippines Herald. Three days later, I was already with Agence France Presse. And started my work as News Editor.

I feel I cannot believed my luck. I am now News Editor of an International News Agency. Soon, I will be assigned to interview top people in government, diplomats and politicians. What, if I did not decide to study in high school. Or, if I did not pushed myself hard to study in college as work student -scrubbing 2 rooms at Valentines Hall or later washing dishes of student interns at Weston Hall? A new opportunity has opened. I thanked God for his help and guidance.

We were seven AFP staff. Mr. Vincent Lateve, International Correspondent and Manager. Mrs. Trinidad, Assistant Manager and in charge for Philippine Features write-ups for national and international release. Ruben Alabastro, Senior Editor and Assistant Correspondent, Edgar Sibal, Assistant News Editor, Mr. Ed Magtoto, News Editor and of course now, Rudy Bernal, News Editor.

There were 3 Teletypists that mans the receiving and transmission of news. The 3 teletype machines worked 24 hours a day receiving news from around the world. There was also an installed Telegram Machine, where we sent messages, very fast if needed. We looked at all the incoming news. Those that were of interest to Southeast Asia, were transmitted to Singapore, where they were distributed to Southeast Asia cities.

Here, I discovered the power of Teletype and Cables machines. Every minutes the Teletype machines spews news items coming from all over the world, and transmitted to Newspapers, radio TV Stations in the Philippines. These were wonders of mass communication. I never thought of this things, while taking care of our carabaos when I was in grade school.

Mr. Vincent Lateve and Ruben Alabastro prepared and wrote the news for Southeast Asia and news International release three times a day --in the mornings, noon times and in the evenings.

News service works were exciting job. When news in the Philippines broke with international interests we, at AFP. have to work fast, so we can transmit it faster than other news bureaus for a few minutes. International news are highly competitive jobs. A minute ahead of other news agencies, means good business. It was a work that carries discipline, fast action and hard challenges.

The News Editor, I replaced at Agence Frence Presse was Francisco (Kit) Tatad. He resigned from AFP and joined Manila Daily Bulletin as Columnist. Kit Tatad was a very good writer and columnist. On many occasions while covering diplomats who arrives or who were leaving Manila, Kit Tatad was always there.

I only come and cover events when Ruben Alabastro, Senior News Editor was busy and sent me to r the event. We were often at the Press Lounge of Manila International Airport for Press briefings I listened always carefully, as Kit Tatad asked questions during interviews. I tried to study and learn his style and methods of asking questions to high ranking diplomats that arrives or go out of the country.

Kit Tatad continued working as Manila Bulletin columnist for abour 2 years. Then President Ferdinand Marcos appointed him Press Secretary. then Secretary for Public Information. He became the official spokesman of President Ferdinand Marcos. He was transformed from a columnist, and become the powerful voice of the President of the Philippines.

When President Marcos declared martial law, Secretary Francisco Tatad, read the Martial Law declaration on newspapers, radio and television. I remembered, It seems to me, his lips quiver and his hands trembles a bit, as he reads the Martial Law declaration. For that was a defining moment in the Philippines. In other countries, a similar situation have brought upheaval and revolutions that toppled governments.

It was privilege to work with Agence France Press. It was a great learning process. The Press Card, used with humbleness, opens wide opportunities for an ordinary man like me. It opened closed doors in governments, business and diplomatic offices. That’s one power of media.

I remembered the first time I was assigned to interview a Senator. I was assigned by Mr. Robin Alabastro to interview Senator Jovito Salonga. It was during the Jabidah massaquer. I went to Congress. I proceeded to Senator Salonga's office in the Senate. There was a name on his door. I knocked. But I stopped. My heart was beating hard. I did not open the door. I stopped for a moment. I breathe deeply and hard.

Deep breathing lessen the tension and throbbing of my heart. Then, I went around several offices, a distance of about 100 meters. Then, I came back to the office of Senator Salonga. I knocked. I opened the door. I proceeded to the Secretary. I flashed my Press Card. I spoke slowly. I said: "Agence France Presse Maam is requesting to interview Senator Salonga";

The Secretary looked me straight on the eyes. He took my Press Card. Then he asked me to wait. She will talk to the Senator. She ushered me to the room of the Senator. The Senator was pouring on pages of letters when I came. He look at me. I gave him my Press Card. He look at it. Then asked me to set down.: "Senator, I| am Rudy Bernal from Agence France Presse. I would like to have an interview with you."

"Iam from Iloilo City and formerly with CPU. I am a Baptist. I was at Central Philippine University, several months ago, when you spoke at CPU students and faculties." Senator Salonga extended his hand for handshake. He thanked me for the information. He said, he was happy that the Baptists in Panay and Negros supported his candidacy. Then the Senator sat on the other side of the table.

He was very friendly and accommodating. I know Senator Salonga was a Protestant. I readied my tape recorder. And I began my interview. I asked him several questions that we prepared at Agence France Presse. He answered clearly and lengthily. And the interview lasted for nearly 20 minutes. I thank the Senator. We shake hands again. I went back to our office. I wrote the story. And my job for the day was done. After that first interview with the Senator, covering news and doing interviews with government leaders, political leaders, military leaders and diplomats became more easier and a challenge.

I made an interview with Ninoy Aquino. It was about the Jabida massacre case, where several Muslim trainees in Corregidor were reported massacred. There was only one survivor. The wounded young man, who swam from Corrigidor to Cavite. He said, they were told, they will be sent to Sabah. It was a short interview with Ninoy Aquino. Fifteen minutes with my Tape Recorder.

Interviews were jobs that needs and demands preparation. The need for background checks and former pronouncements of the persons to be interviewed. There were always invitations for press briefings and press conferences. These jobs offered me opportunities to rub shoulders with those in power, knowledge and wealth.

One time, I was covering a conference. I cannot remember any more that conference in Quezon City. That day Sen. Robert Kennedy was shot. One of my instructions, when covering news, was to call the office every 15 minutes. That will provide us the opportunity to get news that came any time of the day. When I called the office, Edgar Sebal, news editor, told me that Sen. Robert Kennedy was shot.

I shouted to the reporters that Robert Kennedy was shot. Max Edralin, a cousin of President Marcos ran to me. “What did you say? What happened? Robert Kennedy was shot”. I told him Senator Kennedy was shot. Then, I saw all newspapermen were on the phones calling their offices.

There were no cell phones then. Big news were hot events. The competitions in news business were great. Edgar Sibal, transmitted Robert Kennedy assassination barely a minute ahead of other news group in Manila. Transmission of news fast, even for a minutes, was an achievement.

Under a different situations, I cannot shout to Max Edralin, a cousin of President Marcos. But media offered me time to be on the level of the powerful in our country, even for just a few minutes.

After working a year and a half at AFP, I began to feel that news editing and writing was not the job I would like to do all my life. The job offers good salary. Most of the snacks and meals were free. But I felt, I could not live my life, telling the stories of the people in the news, what they do and how they do it. I thought, perhaps, when I am old, I can just write stories of people’s lives. But at this time, while still young, I must be part of the actions, whatever that action is.

In my brief works in the newspaper and wire service, I have seen the slums of Pasay, Tondo, San Andres in Malate, Makati, Pandacan and other areas with the brutal living conditions of the poor in the slums, a grave contradictions to the affluence and rich and powerful we saw in newspaper society pages.

I have seen, that newspapers were part of the strongest forces that strengthen the elites and the oligarchs to maintain their power and strength. The poor, has no voice and power to change their situations and lives.

I saw the struggle of the students in Metro Manila as they rallied to show the evils of the social, economic and political system of the country. I have seen the challenges of the trade unions and their call for people to organize and work for change. This tinkered my mind and touched my soul. God was giving me a new order. He calls me to a new life’s directions. The directions was clear. To be a minister of the gospel. Or be a labor and organizer Or both, a pastor and labor organizer. I prayed for God’s guidance and direction.

A few days later, I heard that Mr. Curaming, a Herald reporter who covers National Defense and the Philippine Constabulary resigned. He stopped from his newsparework. He will study in the seminary. He will be a Catholic priest, and served his people. I have not heard from him since then. I do not know if he became a priest. But I have, somehow followed the same decision he made, with a little difference. My decision was to be a pastor and a labor leader.

That night, I decided to join the groups that were working for social, spiritual, economic and political change. I will join hands with other sectors of society and helped empower the poor and weak, unite and help fight for the needed structural and political change in our country.

Several months later, I resigned from Agence France Presse. I decided to join and work with farmers and farm laborers and help labor union in Panay. I will go back to Iloilo as base of our works. I have decided to remain in the Philippines and work in the country and helped in the struggle of our change

That night I bowed down my head to God in prayer. I asked God’s guidance. I know, it will be another long way. But God will open my way, the needed way, as I go in service to Him. I will study again as pastor, but will involve myself in the people’s movement, with labor education and people’s organizing as part of my ministry in life.

When I joined Kabataang Makabayan (KM) in Manila, my mind and decision was clear. I will not join the armed struggle, though I’ll respect the stand of those who believe. I will not fight with bullets. I will join a Labor union. I will go back to Iloilo and will join Atty. Nicolas Centeno and the Philippine Association of Nationalists Employees, Laborers & Farmers Union (PANELFU) I will help in education, mobilizing and organizing laborers and farmers in Panay. I will fight with ideas, reasons and power.

I will worked with other sectors of society, educate, organize and mobilize the laborers, workers, peasants, fisherfolk and urban poor, the weakest sector of Philippine society. Together, they can stand and fight for equality, freedom, justice, liberation and social transformation.

---

Part of the series Memories - Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal (chapter 50 of 71)

← Previous: Mets Ruther Batuigas, Joins Philippines Herald Newspaper & L  |  Next: Washing Dishes Give Me Longer Life At CPU, I took a lodging →

MEMORIES: Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal — Chapter 26b (2018 telling): Joins AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE (French News Agency) Manila Bureau as News Editor

It was in July 1966 that I joined and worked with Agence France Presse (French News Agency), an International News Agency’s Manila Bureau. During that time in the Philippines, there were four international news agencies , providing national, regional and world news to Asia – United Press International (UPI), Associated Press (AP) both from the United States, Reuters from Great Britain and Agence France Presse (AFP), from France.

These four International News Agencies, all operating in the US and Europe, has great power. They helped greatly in building the world and people to what the thought are good, even if it will work bad for the many. These four International news agencies controlled the worlds public opinions.

That time, I have limited training on news writing works. We were best in Proof Reading jobs. But with almost zero experience in News Editing job. And I am not good in English. Writing was always a struggle and hard work for me. I’m working as Proof Reader of the Philippines Herald. It was the oldest newspaper in the country. It was one of the newspapers closed by President Ferdinand Marcos when he declared martial law in September 1972. Other national newspapers- The Manila Times, Manila Chronicles, Manila Bulletin and Philippine Evening News, re-opened and published again. But Philippines Herald decided to close forever.

While doing Proof Reading works, I was always invited by other Page Editors to assist them, when their assistant was on vacation leave or other works. They asked Mr. Bote Bautista to allow me to assist the other Pages Editors - the Business page Editor, Travel page editor, Foreign News Editor, Sports Editor. I was never invited to assist the Women's page Editor. I enjoyed my work as Proof Reader, and always invited by the other pages editors to assist them I was also given extra fee.

While doing proof reading works, a friend who works with Agence France Presse, Ed Magtoto visited me. We had a good conversations. Then he said, "Rudy, there is vacancy at Agence France Presse. Only one vacancy. We are looking for another News Editor. Kid Tatad, the Senior Editor has resigned two days ago. Mr. Vincent Lateve asked me to find someone to replace him. I have not told yet anyone of the opening. If you want, you apply tomorrow. Bring all your needed documents."

"If you would like to apply, come to the office tomorrow at 11:00 AM. I will introduce you to the manager." The job was news editing. I thought, the job offered was much better than proofreading. He told me, aside from news editing, I will have more opportunity to cover news, news for international audience.

I prayed for God's guidance. The following day, I went to the Office of Agence France Presse (AFP). with my application letter and other needed documents. Agence France Presse office was at the Ground Floor of the Manila Chronicle building, in Intramuros. Chronicle was owned by the Lopez family..

Fernando Lopez was active political leader He served as Senator and this time, Vice President of the country. Every national and local elections, the Chronicles Printing Press was busy producing elections propaganda materials, including Sample Ballots for distribution during election campaigns.

At Agence France Presse (French News Agency) that morning, I was introduced by Mr. Magtoto to Mr. Vincent Lateve. He was a toll, middle aged Frenchman. He came to Manila as Correspondent of AFP. He took the place of Teodoro (Teddy) Benigno, AFP Manager, who went to Paris on scholarship. After he returned, Teddy Benigno was appointed Press Secretary by President Cory Aquino.

I have a pleasant conversation with Mr. Lative. He accepted me as the newest editor of AFP. One thing I remembered of him. After some discussion during my interview, he said, “You have a good voice. It will be important when you make interviews”. I smiled and extended my hands for a handshake. I remembered his words. ”You have a good voice.” I thought my practice of deep breathing paid off. For I have a squeaky and effeminate voice when I was younger. Then, he referred me to Mrs. Trinidad, Assistant Manager to give me further instructions and details of my work.

Mrs. Trinidad gave me needed instructions. She gave me information of the other AFP News Editors. Their time and assignments. She said, if possible I must start work in three days. I am really needed. I immediately resigned from the Philippines Herald. Three days later, I was already with Agence France Presse. And started my work as News Editor.

I feel I cannot believed my luck. I am now News Editor of an International News Agency. Soon, I will be assigned to interview top people in government, diplomats and politicians. What, if I did not decide to study in high school. Or, if I did not pushed myself hard to study in college as work student -scrubbing 2 rooms at Valentines Hall or later washing dishes of student interns at Weston Hall? A new opportunity has opened. I thanked God for his help and guidance.

We were seven AFP staff. Mr. Vincent Lateve, International Correspondent and Manager. Mrs. Trinidad, Assistant Manager and in charge for Philippine Features write-ups for national and international release. Ruben Alabastro, Senior Editor and Assistant Correspondent, Edgar Sibal, Assistant News Editor, Mr. Ed Magtoto, News Editor and of course now, Rudy Bernal, News Editor.

There were 3 Teletypists that mans the receiving and transmission of news. The 3 teletype machines worked 24 hours a day receiving news from around the world. There was also an installed Telegram Machine, where we sent messages, very fast if needed. We looked at all the incoming news. Those that were of interest to Southeast Asia, were transmitted to Singapore, where they were distributed to Southeast Asia cities.

Here, I discovered the power of Teletype and Cables machines. Every minutes the Teletype machines spews news items coming from all over the world, and transmitted to Newspapers, radio TV Stations in the Philippines. These were wonders of mass communication. I never thought of this things, while taking care of our carabaos when I was in grade school.

Mr. Vincent Lateve and Ruben Alabastro prepared and wrote the news for Southeast Asia and news International release three times a day --in the mornings, noon times and in the evenings..

News service works were exciting job. When news in the Philippines broke with international interests we, at AFP . have to work fast, so we can transmit it faster than other news bureaus for a few minutes. International news are highly competitive jobs. A minute ahead of other news agencies, means good business. It was a work that carries discipline, fast action and hard challenges.

The News Editor, I replaced at Agence Frence Presse was Francisco (Kit) Tatad. He resigned from AFP and joined Manila Daily Bulletin as Columnist. Kit Tatad was a very good writer and columnist. On many occasions while covering diplomats who arrives or who were leaving Manila, Kit Tatad was always there.

I only come and cover events when Ruben Alabastro, Senior News Editor was busy and sent me to r the event. We were often at the Press Lounge of Manila International Airport for Press briefings I listened always carefully, as Kit Tatad asked questions during interviews. I tried to study and learn his style and methods of asking questions to high ranking diplomats that arrives or go out of the country.

Kit Tatad continued working as Manila Bulletin columnist for abour 2 years. Then President Ferdinand Marcos appointed him Press Secretary. then Secretary for Public Information. He became the official spokesman of President Ferdinand Marcos. He was transformed from a columnist, and become the powerful voice of the President of the Philippines.

When President Marcos declared martial law, Secretary Francisco Tatad, read the Martial Law declaration on newspapers, radio and television. I remembered, It seems to me, his lips quiver and his hands trembles a bit, as he reads the Martial Law declaration. For that was a defining moment in the Philippines. In other countries, a similar situation have brought upheaval and revolutions that toppled governments.

It was privilege to work with Agence France Press. It was a great learning process. The Press Card, used with humbleness, opens wide opportunities for an ordinary man like me. It opened closed doors in governments, business and diplomatic offices. That’s one power of media.

I remembered the first time I was assigned to interview a Senator. I was assigned by Mr. Robin Alabastro to interview Senator Jovito Salonga. It was during the Jabidah massaquer. I went to Congress. I proceeded to Senator Salonga's office in the Senate. There was a name on his door. I knocked. But I stopped. My heart was beating hard. I did not open the door. I stopped for a moment. I breathe deeply and hard.

Deep breathing lessen the tension and throbbing of my heart. Then, I went around several offices, a distance of about 100 meters. Then, I came back to the office of Senator Salonga. I knocked. I opened the door. I proceeded to the Secretary. I flashed my Press Card. I spoke slowly. I said: "Agence France Presse Maam is requesting to interview Senator Salonga";

The Secretary looked me straight on the eyes. He took my Press Card. Then he asked me to wait. She will talk to the Senator. She ushered me to the room of the Senator. The Senator was pouring on pages of letters when I came. He look at me. I gave him my Press Card. He look at it. Then asked me to set down. : " Senator, I| am Rudy Bernal from Agence France Presse. I would like to have an interview with you."

"Iam from Iloilo City and formerly with CPU. I am a Baptist. I was at Central Philippine University, several months ago, when you spoke at CPU students and faculties." Senator Salonga extended his hand for handshake. He thanked me for the information. He said, he was happy that the Baptists in Panay and Negros supported his candidacy. Then the Senator sat on the other side of the table.

He was very friendly and accommodating. I know Senator Salonga was a Protestant. I readied my tape recorder. And I began my interview. I asked him several questions that we prepared at Agence France Presse. He answered clearly and lengthily. And the interview lasted for nearly 20 minutes. I thank the Senator. We shake hands again. I went back to our office. I wrote the story. And my job for the day was done. After that first interview with the Senator, covering news and doing interviews with government leaders, political leaders, military leaders and diplomats became more easier and a challenge.

I made an interview with Ninoy Aquino. It was about the Jabida massacre case, where several Muslim trainees in Corregidor were reported massacred. There was only one survivor. The wounded young man, who swam from Corrigidor to Cavite. He said, they were told, they will be sent to Sabah. It was a short interview with Ninoy Aquino. Fifteen minutes with my Tape Recorder.

Interviews were jobs that needs and demands preparation. The need for background checks and former pronouncements of the persons to be interviewed. There were always invitations for press briefings and press conferences. These jobs offered me opportunities to rub shoulders with those in power, knowledge and wealth.

One time, I was covering a conference. I cannot remember any more that conference in Quezon City. That day Sen. Robert Kennedy was shot. One of my instructions, when covering news, was to call the office every 15 minutes. That will provide us the opportunity to get news that came any time of the day. When I called the office, Edgar Sebal, news editor, told me that Sen. Robert Kennedy was shot.

I shouted to the reporters that Robert Kennedy was shot. Max Edralin, a cousin of President Marcos ran to me. “ What did you say? What happened? Robert Kennedy was shot”. I told him Senator Kennedy was shot. Then, I saw all newspapermen were on the phones calling their offices.

There were no cell phones then. Big news were hot events. The competitions in news business were great. Edgar Sibal, transmitted Robert Kennedy assassination barely a minute ahead of other news group in Manila. Transmission of news fast, even for a minutes, was an achievement.

Under a different situations, I cannot shout to Max Edralin, a cousin of President Marcos. But media offered me time to be on the level of the powerful in our country, even for just a few minutes.

After working a year and a half at AFP, I began to feel that news editing and writing was not the job I would like to do all my life. The job offers good salary. Most of the snacks and meals were free. But I felt, I could not live my life, telling the stories of the people in the news, what they do and how they do it. I thought, perhaps, when I am old, I can just write stories of people’s lives. But at this time, while still young, I must be part of the actions, whatever that action is.

In my brief works in the newspaper and wire service, I have seen the slums of Pasay, Tondo, San Andres in Malate, Makati, Pandacan and other areas with the brutal living conditions of the poor in the slums, a grave contradictions to the affluence and rich and powerful we saw in newspaper society pages.

I have seen, that newspapers were part of the strongest forces that strengthen the elites and the oligarchs to maintain their power and strength. The poor, has no voice and power to change their situations and lives.

I saw the struggle of the students in Metro Manila as they rallied to show the evils of the social, economic and political system of the country. I have seen the challenges of the trade unions and their call for people to organize and work for change. This tinkered my mind and touched my soul. God was giving me a new order. He calls me to a new life’s directions. The directions was clear. To be a minister of the gospel. Or be a labor and organizer Or both, a pastor and labor organizer. I prayed for God’s guidance and direction.

A few days later, I heard that Mr. Curaming, a Herald reporter who covers National Defense and the Philippine Constabulary resigned. He stopped from his newsparework. He will study in the seminary. He will be a Catholic priest, and served his people. I have not heard from him since then. I do not know if he became a priest. But I have, somehow followed the same decision he made, with a little difference. My decision was to be a pastor and a labor leader.

That night, I decided to join the groups that were working for social, spiritual, economic and political change. I will join hands with other sectors of society and helped empower the poor and weak, unite and help fight for the needed structural and political change in our country.

Several months later, I resigned from Agence France Presse. I decided to join and work with farmers and farm laborers and help labor union in Panay. I will go back to Iloilo as base of our works. I have decided to remain in the Philippines and work in the country and helped in the struggle of our change

That night I bowed down my head to God in prayer. I asked God’s guidance. I know, it will be another long way. But God will open my way, the needed way, as I go in service to Him. I will study again as pastor, but will involve myself in the people’s movement, with labor education and people’s organizing as part of my ministry in life.

When I joined Kabataang Makabayan (KM) in Manila, my mind and decision was clear. I will not join the armed struggle, though I’ll respect the stand of those who believe. I will not fight with bullets. I will join a Labor union. I will go back to Iloilo and will join Atty. Nicolas Centeno and the Philippine Association of Nationalists Employees, Laborers & Farmers Union (PANELFU) I will help in education, mobilizing and organizing laborers and farmers in Panay. I will fight with ideas, reasons and power.

I will worked with other sectors of society, educate, organize and mobilize the laborers, workers, peasants, fisherfolk and urban poor, the weakest sector of Philippine society. Together, they can stand and fight for equality, freedom, justice, liberation and social transformation.

---

Part of the series Memories - Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal (chapter 50 of 71)

← Previous: Mets Ruther Batuigas, Joins Philippines Herald Newspaper & L  |  Next: Washing Dishes Give Me Longer Life At CPU, I took a lodging →

MEMORIES: Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal — Chapter 26b (2018 telling): Joins AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE (French News Agency) Manila Bureau as News Editor

It was in July 1966 that I joined and worked with Agence France Presse (French News Agency), an International News Agency’s Manila Bureau. During that time in the Philippines, there were four international news agencies , providing national, regional and world news to Asia – United Press International (UPI), Associated Press (AP) both from the United States, Reuters from Great Britain and Agence France Presse (AFP), from France.

These four International News Agencies, all operating in the US and Europe, has great power. They helped greatly in building the world and people to what the thought are good, even if it will work bad for the many. These four International news agencies controlled the worlds public opinions.

That time, I have limited training on news writing works. We were best in Proof Reading jobs. But with almost zero experience in News Editing job. And I am not good in English. Writing was always a struggle and hard work for me. I’m working as Proof Reader of the Philippines Herald. It was the oldest newspaper in the country. It was one of the newspapers closed by President Ferdinand Marcos when he declared martial law in September 1972. Other national newspapers- The Manila Times, Manila Chronicles, Manila Bulletin and Philippine Evening News, re-opened and published again. But Philippines Herald decided to close forever.

While doing Proof Reading works, I was always invited by other Page Editors to assist them, when their assistant was on vacation leave or other works. They asked Mr. Bote Bautista to allow me to assist the other Pages Editors - the Business page Editor, Travel page editor, Foreign News Editor, Sports Editor. I was never invited to assist the Women's page Editor. I enjoyed my work as Proof Reader, and always invited by the other pages editors to assist them I was also given extra fee.

While doing proof reading works, a friend who works with Agence France Presse, Ed Magtoto visited me. We had a good conversations. Then he said, "Rudy, there is vacancy at Agence France Presse. Only one vacancy. We are looking for another News Editor. Kid Tatad, the Senior Editor has resigned two days ago. Mr. Vincent Lateve asked me to find someone to replace him. I have not told yet anyone of the opening. If you want, you apply tomorrow. Bring all your needed documents."

"If you would like to apply, come to the office tomorrow at 11:00 AM. I will introduce you to the manager." The job was news editing. I thought, the job offered was much better than proofreading. He told me, aside from news editing, I will have more opportunity to cover news, news for international audience.

I prayed for God's guidance. The following day, I went to the Office of Agence France Presse (AFP). with my application letter and other needed documents. Agence France Presse office was at the Ground Floor of the Manila Chronicle building, in Intramuros. Chronicle was owned by the Lopez family..

Fernando Lopez was active political leader He served as Senator and this time, Vice President of the country. Every national and local elections, the Chronicles Printing Press was busy producing elections propaganda materials, including Sample Ballots for distribution during election campaigns.

At Agence France Presse (French News Agency) that morning, I was introduced by Mr. Magtoto to Mr. Vincent Lateve. He was a toll, middle aged Frenchman. He came to Manila as Correspondent of AFP. He took the place of Teodoro (Teddy) Benigno, AFP Manager, who went to Paris on scholarship. After he returned, Teddy Benigno was appointed Press Secretary by President Cory Aquino.

I have a pleasant conversation with Mr. Lative. He accepted me as the newest editor of AFP. One thing I remembered of him. After some discussion during my interview, he said, “You have a good voice. It will be important when you make interviews”. I smiled and extended my hands for a handshake. I remembered his words. ”You have a good voice.” I thought my practice of deep breathing paid off. For I have a squeaky and effeminate voice when I was younger. Then, he referred me to Mrs. Trinidad, Assistant Manager to give me further instructions and details of my work.

Mrs. Trinidad gave me needed instructions. She gave me information of the other AFP News Editors. Their time and assignments. She said, if possible I must start work in three days. I am really needed. I immediately resigned from the Philippines Herald. Three days later, I was already with Agence France Presse. And started my work as News Editor.

I feel I cannot believed my luck. I am now News Editor of an International News Agency. Soon, I will be assigned to interview top people in government, diplomats and politicians. What, if I did not decide to study in high school. Or, if I did not pushed myself hard to study in college as work student -scrubbing 2 rooms at Valentines Hall or later washing dishes of student interns at Weston Hall? A new opportunity has opened. I thanked God for his help and guidance.

We were seven AFP staff. Mr. Vincent Lateve, International Correspondent and Manager. Mrs. Trinidad, Assistant Manager and in charge for Philippine Features write-ups for national and international release. Ruben Alabastro, Senior Editor and Assistant Correspondent, Edgar Sibal, Assistant News Editor, Mr. Ed Magtoto, News Editor and of course now, Rudy Bernal, News Editor.

There were 3 Teletypists that mans the receiving and transmission of news. The 3 teletype machines worked 24 hours a day receiving news from around the world. There was also an installed Telegram Machine, where we sent messages, very fast if needed. We looked at all the incoming news. Those that were of interest to Southeast Asia, were transmitted to Singapore, where they were distributed to Southeast Asia cities.

Here, I discovered the power of Teletype and Cables machines. Every minutes the Teletype machines spews news items coming from all over the world, and transmitted to Newspapers, radio TV Stations in the Philippines. These were wonders of mass communication. I never thought of this things, while taking care of our carabaos when I was in grade school.

Mr. Vincent Lateve and Ruben Alabastro prepared and wrote the news for Southeast Asia and news International release three times a day --in the mornings, noon times and in the evenings..

News service works were exciting job. When news in the Philippines broke with international interests we, at AFP . have to work fast, so we can transmit it faster than other news bureaus for a few minutes. International news are highly competitive jobs. A minute ahead of other news agencies, means good business. It was a work that carries discipline, fast action and hard challenges.

The News Editor, I replaced at Agence Frence Presse was Francisco (Kit) Tatad. He resigned from AFP and joined Manila Daily Bulletin as Columnist. Kit Tatad was a very good writer and columnist. On many occasions while covering diplomats who arrives or who were leaving Manila, Kit Tatad was always there.

I only come and cover events when Ruben Alabastro, Senior News Editor was busy and sent me to r the event. We were often at the Press Lounge of Manila International Airport for Press briefings I listened always carefully, as Kit Tatad asked questions during interviews. I tried to study and learn his style and methods of asking questions to high ranking diplomats that arrives or go out of the country.

Kit Tatad continued working as Manila Bulletin columnist for abour 2 years. Then President Ferdinand Marcos appointed him Press Secretary. then Secretary for Public Information. He became the official spokesman of President Ferdinand Marcos. He was transformed from a columnist, and become the powerful voice of the President of the Philippines.

When President Marcos declared martial law, Secretary Francisco Tatad, read the Martial Law declaration on newspapers, radio and television. I remembered, It seems to me, his lips quiver and his hands trembles a bit, as he reads the Martial Law declaration. For that was a defining moment in the Philippines. In other countries, a similar situation have brought upheaval and revolutions that toppled governments.

It was privilege to work with Agence France Press. It was a great learning process. The Press Card, used with humbleness, opens wide opportunities for an ordinary man like me. It opened closed doors in governments, business and diplomatic offices. That’s one power of media.

I remembered the first time I was assigned to interview a Senator. I was assigned by Mr. Robin Alabastro to interview Senator Jovito Salonga. It was during the Jabidah massaquer. I went to Congress. I proceeded to Senator Salonga's office in the Senate. There was a name on his door. I knocked. But I stopped. My heart was beating hard. I did not open the door. I stopped for a moment. I breathe deeply and hard.

Deep breathing lessen the tension and throbbing of my heart. Then, I went around several offices, a distance of about 100 meters. Then, I came back to the office of Senator Salonga. I knocked. I opened the door. I proceeded to the Secretary. I flashed my Press Card. I spoke slowly. I said: "Agence France Presse Maam is requesting to interview Senator Salonga";

The Secretary looked me straight on the eyes. He took my Press Card. Then he asked me to wait. She will talk to the Senator. She ushered me to the room of the Senator. The Senator was pouring on pages of letters when I came. He look at me. I gave him my Press Card. He look at it. Then asked me to set down. : " Senator, I| am Rudy Bernal from Agence France Presse. I would like to have an interview with you."

"Iam from Iloilo City and formerly with CPU. I am a Baptist. I was at Central Philippine University, several months ago, when you spoke at CPU students and faculties." Senator Salonga extended his hand for handshake. He thanked me for the information. He said, he was happy that the Baptists in Panay and Negros supported his candidacy. Then the Senator sat on the other side of the table.

He was very friendly and accommodating. I know Senator Salonga was a Protestant. I readied my tape recorder. And I began my interview. I asked him several questions that we prepared at Agence France Presse. He answered clearly and lengthily. And the interview lasted for nearly 20 minutes. I thank the Senator. We shake hands again. I went back to our office. I wrote the story. And my job for the day was done. After that first interview with the Senator, covering news and doing interviews with government leaders, political leaders, military leaders and diplomats became more easier and a challenge.

I made an interview with Ninoy Aquino. It was about the Jabida massacre case, where several Muslim trainees in Corregidor were reported massacred. There was only one survivor. The wounded young man, who swam from Corrigidor to Cavite. He said, they were told, they will be sent to Sabah. It was a short interview with Ninoy Aquino. Fifteen minutes with my Tape Recorder.

Interviews were jobs that needs and demands preparation. The need for background checks and former pronouncements of the persons to be interviewed. There were always invitations for press briefings and press conferences. These jobs offered me opportunities to rub shoulders with those in power, knowledge and wealth.

One time, I was covering a conference. I cannot remember any more that conference in Quezon City. That day Sen. Robert Kennedy was shot. One of my instructions, when covering news, was to call the office every 15 minutes. That will provide us the opportunity to get news that came any time of the day. When I called the office, Edgar Sebal, news editor, told me that Sen. Robert Kennedy was shot.

I shouted to the reporters that Robert Kennedy was shot. Max Edralin, a cousin of President Marcos ran to me. “ What did you say? What happened? Robert Kennedy was shot”. I told him Senator Kennedy was shot. Then, I saw all newspapermen were on the phones calling their offices.

There were no cell phones then. Big news were hot events. The competitions in news business were great. Edgar Sibal, transmitted Robert Kennedy assassination barely a minute ahead of other news group in Manila. Transmission of news fast, even for a minutes, was an achievement.

Under a different situations, I cannot shout to Max Edralin, a cousin of President Marcos. But media offered me time to be on the level of the powerful in our country, even for just a few minutes.

After working a year and a half at AFP, I began to feel that news editing and writing was not the job I would like to do all my life. The job offers good salary. Most of the snacks and meals were free. But I felt, I could not live my life, telling the stories of the people in the news, what they do and how they do it. I thought, perhaps, when I am old, I can just write stories of people’s lives. But at this time, while still young, I must be part of the actions, whatever that action is.

In my brief works in the newspaper and wire service, I have seen the slums of Pasay, Tondo, San Andres in Malate, Makati, Pandacan and other areas with the brutal living conditions of the poor in the slums, a grave contradictions to the affluence and rich and powerful we saw in newspaper society pages.

I have seen, that newspapers were part of the strongest forces that strengthen the elites and the oligarchs to maintain their power and strength. The poor, has no voice and power to change their situations and lives.

I saw the struggle of the students in Metro Manila as they rallied to show the evils of the social, economic and political system of the country. I have seen the challenges of the trade unions and their call for people to organize and work for change. This tinkered my mind and touched my soul. God was giving me a new order. He calls me to a new life’s directions. The directions was clear. To be a minister of the gospel. Or be a labor and organizer Or both, a pastor and labor organizer. I prayed for God’s guidance and direction.

A few days later, I heard that Mr. Curaming, a Herald reporter who covers National Defense and the Philippine Constabulary resigned. He stopped from his newsparework. He will study in the seminary. He will be a Catholic priest, and served his people. I have not heard from him since then. I do not know if he became a priest. But I have, somehow followed the same decision he made, with a little difference. My decision was to be a pastor and a labor leader.

That night, I decided to join the groups that were working for social, spiritual, economic and political change. I will join hands with other sectors of society and helped empower the poor and weak, unite and help fight for the needed structural and political change in our country.

Several months later, I resigned from Agence France Presse. I decided to join and work with farmers and farm laborers and help labor union in Panay. I will go back to Iloilo as base of our works. I have decided to remain in the Philippines and work in the country and helped in the struggle of our change

That night I bowed down my head to God in prayer. I asked God’s guidance. I know, it will be another long way. But God will open my way, the needed way, as I go in service to Him. I will study again as pastor, but will involve myself in the people’s movement, with labor education and people’s organizing as part of my ministry in life.

When I joined Kabataang Makabayan (KM) in Manila, my mind and decision was clear. I will not join the armed struggle, though I’ll respect the stand of those who believe. I will not fight with bullets. I will join a Labor union. I will go back to Iloilo and will join Atty. Nicolas Centeno and the Philippine Association of Nationalists Employees, Laborers & Farmers Union (PANELFU) I will help in education, mobilizing and organizing laborers and farmers in Panay. I will fight with ideas, reasons and power.

I will worked with other sectors of society, educate, organize and mobilize the laborers, workers, peasants, fisherfolk and urban poor, the weakest sector of Philippine society. Together, they can stand and fight for equality, freedom, justice, liberation and social transformation.

---

Part of the series Memories - Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal (chapter 50 of 71)

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Chapter 26 -Joins AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE (French News Agency) Manila Bureau as News Editor

It was in July  1966 that I joined and worked with Agence France Presse (French News Agency), an International News Agency’s Manila Bureau. During that time in the Philippines, there were four international news agencies , providing national, regional and world news to   Asia – United Press International (UPI), Associated Press (AP) both from the United States, Reuters from Great Britain and Agence France Presse (AFP), from France.

These  four International News Agencies, all operating in the US and Europe, has great  power. They helped greatly in building the world and  people to what the thought are good, even if it will work bad for the many. These  four International news agencies  controlled the worlds public opinions.

That time, I  have  limited training on news writing works.  We were best in  Proof Reading jobs. But with  almost zero experience in News Editing job.  And I am not good in English. Writing was always a struggle and hard work for me.  I’m working as Proof Reader of the Philippines Herald. It  was the oldest newspaper in the country. It was one of the newspapers closed by President Ferdinand Marcos when he declared martial law in September 1972. Other national newspapers- The Manila Times, Manila Chronicles, Manila Bulletin and Philippine Evening News, re-opened and published again. But Philippines Herald decided to close forever.

While doing Proof Reading works, I was always invited by other Page Editors to assist them, when their assistant was  on vacation leave or other works. They asked Mr. Bote Bautista to allow me  to assist the other Pages  Editors - the Business page  Editor, Travel page editor, Foreign News Editor, Sports Editor. I was never invited to assist the Women's page Editor. I enjoyed my work as Proof Reader, and always invited by the other pages  editors to assist them I was also given extra fee.

While   doing proof reading works, a friend who works with Agence France Presse, Ed Magtoto visited me.  We had a good conversations. Then he said, "Rudy, there is vacancy at Agence France Presse. Only one vacancy. We are looking for another News Editor. Kid Tatad, the Senior Editor has resigned two days ago. Mr. Vincent Lateve asked me to  find someone to replace him. I have not told yet anyone of the opening. If you want, you apply tomorrow. Bring all your needed documents."

"If you would like to apply, come to the office tomorrow at 11:00 AM. I will introduce you to the manager." The job was news editing. I thought, the job offered was  much better than proofreading. He told me, aside from news editing, I will have more opportunity to cover news, news for international audience.

I prayed for God's guidance. The following day, I went to the Office of Agence France Presse (AFP). with my application letter and other needed documents. Agence France Presse office was at the Ground Floor of the Manila Chronicle building, in Intramuros. Chronicle was owned by the Lopez family..

Fernando Lopez was active political leader He served as Senator and this time, Vice President of the country. Every national and local elections, the Chronicles Printing Press was busy producing elections propaganda materials, including Sample Ballots for distribution during election campaigns.

At Agence France Presse (French News Agency) that morning, I was introduced by Mr. Magtoto to Mr. Vincent Lateve. He was a toll, middle aged Frenchman. He came to Manila as Correspondent of AFP. He took the place of Teodoro (Teddy) Benigno, AFP Manager, who went to Paris on scholarship. After he returned, Teddy Benigno was appointed Press Secretary by President Cory Aquino.

I have a pleasant conversation with Mr. Lative. He accepted me as the newest editor of AFP. One thing I remembered of him. After some discussion during my interview, he said, “You have a good voice. It will be important when you make interviews”. I smiled and extended my hands for a handshake. I remembered his words. ”You have a good voice.” I thought my practice of deep breathing  paid off. For I have a squeaky and effeminate voice when I was younger. Then, he referred me to Mrs. Trinidad, Assistant Manager to give me further instructions and details of my work.

Mrs. Trinidad gave me needed instructions. She gave me information of the other AFP News Editors. Their  time and assignments. She said, if possible I must start work in three days. I am  really needed. I immediately resigned from the Philippines Herald. Three days later, I was already with Agence France Presse. And started my  work as News Editor.

I feel I cannot believed my luck. I am now News Editor of an International News Agency. Soon, I will be assigned to interview top people in government, diplomats and politicians. What, if I did not decide to study in high school. Or, if I did not pushed myself hard to study in college as work student -scrubbing  2 rooms at Valentines Hall or later  washing dishes of student interns at Weston Hall? A new opportunity has opened. I thanked God for his help and guidance.

We were seven AFP staff. Mr. Vincent Lateve, International Correspondent and Manager. Mrs. Trinidad, Assistant Manager and in charge for Philippine Features write-ups for national and international release. Ruben Alabastro, Senior Editor and Assistant Correspondent, Edgar Sibal, Assistant News Editor, Mr. Ed Magtoto, News Editor and of course now, Rudy Bernal, News Editor.

There were 3 Teletypists that mans the receiving and transmission of news. The 3 teletype machines worked 24 hours a day receiving news from around the world. There was also an installed Telegram Machine, where we  sent  messages, very fast if needed. We looked at all the incoming news. Those that were of interest  to  Southeast Asia, were transmitted to Singapore, where they were distributed to Southeast Asia cities.

Here, I discovered the power of Teletype and Cables machines. Every minutes  the Teletype machines spews news items coming from all over the world, and transmitted to Newspapers, radio TV Stations in the Philippines. These were wonders of mass communication. I never thought of this things, while taking care of our carabaos when I was in grade school.

Mr. Vincent Lateve and Ruben Alabastro prepared and wrote the  news for  Southeast Asia  and  news International release three times a day --in the mornings, noon times and in the evenings..

News service works were exciting job. When news  in the Philippines broke with international interests we, at AFP . have to work fast, so we can transmit it faster than other news bureaus for a few minutes. International news are highly competitive jobs. A minute ahead of other news agencies, means good  business. It was a work that carries discipline, fast action and  hard challenges.

The   News Editor, I replaced at Agence Frence Presse was Francisco (Kit) Tatad. He resigned from AFP and joined Manila Daily Bulletin as Columnist. Kit Tatad was a very good writer and columnist. On many occasions while covering diplomats who arrives or who were leaving Manila, Kit Tatad was always there.

I only   come and cover  events  when Ruben Alabastro, Senior News Editor was busy and sent me to r the event. We were often at the Press Lounge of Manila International Airport for Press briefings I listened always carefully, as Kit Tatad asked questions during interviews. I tried to study and learn his style and methods of asking questions to high ranking  diplomats that arrives or go  out of the country.

Kit Tatad continued working as Manila  Bulletin columnist for abour 2 years.   Then  President Ferdinand Marcos appointed him Press Secretary. then   Secretary for Public Information. He  became the  official spokesman of President  Ferdinand Marcos. He was transformed  from a columnist, and become the   powerful voice of the President of the Philippines.

When President Marcos declared martial law, Secretary Francisco Tatad, read the Martial Law declaration on newspapers,   radio and television. I remembered, It seems to me, his lips  quiver and his hands  trembles a bit, as he reads the Martial Law declaration. For that was a defining moment in the Philippines. In other countries, a similar situation have brought upheaval and revolutions  that toppled governments.

It was privilege to work with Agence France Press. It was a great learning process. The Press Card, used with humbleness, opens wide opportunities for an ordinary man like me. It opened closed doors in governments, business and diplomatic offices. That’s one power of media.

I remembered the first time I was assigned to interview a Senator. I was assigned by Mr. Robin Alabastro to interview Senator Jovito Salonga. It was during the Jabidah  massaquer. I went to Congress. I proceeded to  Senator Salonga's office in  the Senate. There was a name on his door. I knocked. But I stopped. My heart was beating hard. I did not open the door. I stopped for a moment. I breathe deeply  and hard.

Deep breathing lessen the tension and throbbing of my heart. Then, I went  around several offices, a distance of about 100 meters.  Then, I  came back to the  office of Senator Salonga.  I knocked. I opened the door. I proceeded to the Secretary. I flashed my Press Card. I spoke slowly. I said:  "Agence France Presse Maam is requesting to interview Senator Salonga";

The Secretary looked me straight on the eyes. He took my Press Card. Then he asked me to wait. She will talk to the Senator. She ushered me to the room of the Senator. The Senator was pouring on pages of letters when I came. He look at me. I gave him my Press Card. He look at it. Then asked me to set down. : " Senator, I| am Rudy Bernal from Agence France Presse.  I would like to have an interview with you."

"Iam from Iloilo City and formerly with CPU. I am a Baptist. I was at Central Philippine University, several months ago, when you spoke at CPU students and faculties." Senator Salonga extended his hand for handshake. He thanked me for the information. He said, he was happy that the Baptists in Panay and Negros supported his candidacy. Then the Senator sat on the other side of the table.

He was very friendly and accommodating. I know Senator Salonga was a Protestant. I readied my tape recorder. And I began my interview. I asked him several questions that we prepared at Agence France Presse. He answered clearly and lengthily. And the interview lasted for nearly 20 minutes. I thank the Senator. We shake hands again. I went back to our office. I wrote the story. And my job for the day was done. After that first interview with the Senator, covering news and doing interviews with government leaders, political leaders, military leaders and diplomats became more easier and a challenge.

I made an interview with Ninoy Aquino. It was about the Jabida massacre case, where several Muslim trainees in Corregidor were reported massacred. There was only one survivor. The wounded young man, who swam from Corrigidor to Cavite. He said, they were told, they will be sent to Sabah. It was a short interview with Ninoy Aquino. Fifteen minutes with my Tape Recorder.

Interviews were jobs that needs and demands preparation. The need for background checks and former pronouncements of the persons to be interviewed. There were always invitations for press briefings and press conferences. These jobs offered me opportunities to rub shoulders with those in power, knowledge and wealth.

One time, I was covering a conference. I cannot remember any more that conference in Quezon City. That day Sen. Robert Kennedy was shot. One of my instructions, when covering news, was to call the office every 15 minutes. That will provide us the opportunity to get news that came any time of the day. When I called the office, Edgar Sebal, news editor, told me that Sen. Robert Kennedy was shot. 

I shouted to the reporters that Robert Kennedy was shot. Max Edralin, a cousin of President Marcos ran to me. “ What did you say? What happened? Robert Kennedy was shot”. I  told him Senator Kennedy was shot. Then, I saw all newspapermen were on the phones calling their offices.

There were no cell phones then. Big news were hot events. The competitions in news business were great. Edgar Sibal, transmitted Robert Kennedy assassination barely a minute ahead of other news group in Manila. Transmission of news fast, even for a minutes, was an achievement.

Under a different situations, I cannot shout to Max Edralin, a cousin of President Marcos. But media offered me time to be on the level of the powerful in our country, even for just a few minutes.

After working a year and a half at AFP, I began to feel that news editing and writing was not the job I would like to do all my life. The job offers good salary. Most of the snacks and meals were free. But I felt, I could not live my life, telling the stories of the people in the news, what they do and how they do it. I thought, perhaps, when I am old, I can just write stories of people’s lives. But at this time, while still young, I must be part of the actions, whatever that action is.

In my brief works in the newspaper and wire service, I have seen the slums of Pasay, Tondo, San Andres in Malate, Makati, Pandacan and other areas with the brutal living conditions of the poor in the slums, a grave contradictions to the affluence and rich and powerful we saw in newspaper society pages.

I have seen, that  newspapers were part of the strongest forces that strengthen the elites and the oligarchs to maintain their power and strength. The poor, has no voice and power to change their situations and lives.

I saw the struggle of the students in Metro Manila as they rallied to show the evils of the social, economic and political system of the country. I have seen the challenges of the trade unions and their call for people to organize and work for change. This tinkered my mind and touched my soul. God was giving me a new order. He calls me to a new life’s directions. The directions was clear. To be a minister of the gospel. Or be a labor labor and organizer Or both, a pastor and labor organizer. I prayed for God’s guidance and direction.

A few days later, I heard that Mr. Curaming, a Herald reporter who covers National Defense and the Philippine Constabulary resigned. He stopped from his newsparework. He will study in the seminary. He will be a Catholic priest, and served his people. I have not heard from him since then. I do not know if he became a priest. But I have, somehow followed the same decision he made, with a little difference. My decision was to be a pastor and a labor leader.

That night, I decided to join the groups that were working for social, spiritual, economic and political change. I will join hands with other sectors of society and helped empower the poor and weak, unite and help fight for the needed structural and political change in our country.

Several months later, I resigned from Agence France Presse. I decided to join and work with farmers and farm laborers and help labor union in Panay. I will go back to Iloilo as base of our works. I have decided to remain in the Philippines and work in the country and helped in the struggle of our change

That night I bowed down my head to God in prayer. I asked God’s guidance. I know, it will be another long way. But God will open my way, the needed way, as I go in service to Him. I will study again as pastor, but will involve myself in the people’s movement, with labor education and people’s organizing as part of my ministry in life.

When I joined Kabataang Makabayan (KM) in Manila, my mind and decision was clear. I will not join the armed struggle, though I’ll respect the stand of those who believe. I will not fight with bullets. I will join a Labor union. I will go back to Iloilo and will join Atty. Nicolas Centeno and  the  Philippine Association of Nationalists Employees, Laborers &  Farmers Union (PANELFU) I will help in education, mobilizing and organizing laborers and farmers in Panay. I will   fight with ideas,  reasons and power.

I will  worked with other sectors of society,  educate, organize and mobilize  the laborers, workers, peasants, fisherfolk and urban poor, the weakest sector of Philippine  society. Together,  they can stand and fight for equality, freedom, justice, liberation  and social transformation.

MEMORIES: Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal — Chapter 26a (2018 telling): Mets Ruther Batuigas, Joins Philippines Herald Newspaper & Learns Photo Journalism

It was big opportunity that I was able to work full time with Philippines Herald, a national newspaper based in Manila. That happened while I was studying at Lyceum of the Philippines, taking Political Science, planning to enter Law School the following year. It was nearly a year after I left CPU. Philippines Herald was a newspaper owned and published by Dr. Andres Soriano, Jr., one of the prominent businessmen in the country that time. The Heralds circulations reached all cities and major towns in the country.

Dr. Andres Soriano, Jr., was one the oligarchs and powerful business elites of the time. He controlled big business conglomerates, on the same lines as the Lopez family of Manila Chronicles, the Roces family of Manila Times, friends of Hanz Menzi, owners of Manila Daily Bulletin, the owners of Philippine Evening News. These were the most powerful newspapers of the 60’s that own and control the big businesses in the country.

I would like to say, that in all the works I involved in, there were people, friends and near strangers who helped me. I realized, generally, people were helpful to ordinary young men and women striving to make life and society a bit better. I believe that God was helping and guiding me.

Even in 3rd & 4th year high school, I tried to read newspapers. It gave me ideas on what were happenings in the country daily. I like also to improve my English. Speaking English was a struggle in my college days. I want to participate in discussions in our class rooms. To help me improve myself, I need to have more ideas and information stored on my mind to be able to participate in class and other discusions.

Since, I have interest in Photography, I tried to get technics from photos in newspapers and magazines. There I read works of Ruther Batuigas. He was Chief Photographer of the Philippines Herald. He was also President of the Philippine Association of Photo Journalists Associations. Ruther Batuigas was well- known among newspaper readers in Metro -Manila. He was a brave, daring and enterprising Police Reporter and Photo Journalist.

Ruther Batuigas’s photos and stories showed and told hard and painful stories and realities of the poor’s deprived lives in Intramuros, Tondo and other slums of Metro Manila. Yet. the Philippine Heralds Society pages, carried also his pictures, showing high livings of the richest, influential and powerful people of Metro Manila.

Ruther Batuigas has won an International Photo Journalist’s Award in the 60’s. His award winning photograph, was a shot at very close ranged of two men fighting in the slums of Intramuros.

The pictures, showed a man with a bow and an arrow on his sling shot. Ruther captured the deadly fight and encounter on the streets effectively. The first shot on his photo showed when an arrow was about to be released from the sling. The second shot showed when the arrow hit the forehead of the man. The third shot show the victim writhing in pain, with the arrow embedded deep on his forehead.

The fourth photo shot, showed the victim on the lap of a woman, her mother. She was weeping with one hand stretched out above, almost praying to heaven. Ruther’s caption of the Award Winning Picture says "Dear God, Please Save Him". It was a beautiful caption. I was beautiful, It moves hearts. It touched souls. . “Dear God, Please Save Him.”

I tried to meet Ruther several times. But he was always busy. I learned, he was from Capiz. Bit one day, I saw him at the Herald’s Canteen. There were numbers of customers. I went direct to Rither and introduced myself. I told him: “ Sir, I am Rudy Bernal from Iloilo. I am studying here at Lyceum. Am Third Year college. I worked as a an Itenerant Photographer. Please help me to learn news papering. I would like to work in the newspaper.” Ruther listened to me. Then he asked some questions. I gave him some answers.

Ruther went to a man seating on another table. He talked to him. Then he called me. He introduced me to Joe Carreon, the Herald Police Reporter who covered the night shift of police beat. Ruther requested Joe Carreon to help me learn news papering works.

Joe Carreon, was a UP graduate. We were of the same age. Joe told me to join him in the Police Beat that evening. We will be working from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. That was the start. For 3 months, I was with Joe Carreon, his Cub, learning the arts and trade of police and crimes reporting in Metro Manila.

I thanked Joe Carreon and Ruther for their help. I went back to my table and finished my lunch. A few minutes later, Ruther came back. He has a stab of Herald canteen meal tickets. Ruther gave me 30 stabs of meal tickets. It has 90 meal tickets good for a month's meals. Ruther made sure, I have food in one month, free breakfast, lunch and supper, while being a Cub Reporter of the Philippines Herald under Joe Carreion..

Every night, at 6:00 P.M. I joined Joe Carreon in the police bit. We rode the Herald Police car with his driver, Joe Mendoza. The jeep had a radio, a walkie-talkie that enabled us to call the Herald office and DYHP Radio station. Our base for police coverage was the National Police Headquarters at United Nations Avenue. During that time, it was headed by General Manuel Yan, Manila Police Chief.

Ruther gave me an Application Form. I signed it. He shot my 2 x 2 pix with his camera. A week later, he came and gave me a Press Card - of the Philippines Photo Journalists Association, Inc. It was signed by my new friend, Ruther Batuigas. I am now a new member of the Philippines Photo Journalists Association, Inc.

Joe Carreon introduced me to other police reporters. They were very helpful. They tried ways to help me learn the arts and technics of covering crimes and writing crime stories. The police reporters of Manila Times, Manila Chronicles, Manila Daily Bulletin, Philippine Evening News were all friendly and tough police reporters. One of them was Jose Burgos, a crusading journalist.

He later organized Malaya newspaper with his friends. Malaya stood strongly fighting President Marcos during martial law. He served as publisher. Later, he gave up his newspaper work, sold his interest in Malaya and started his experiments and study on natural and organic farming in an outskirts of Manila.

While training as Cub Reporter, often at 9:00 PM we visited the 4 police district stations in Manila. About 2:00 AM we visited police stations in Quezon City, Caloocan City, Malabon, Navotas and Pasay City. I saw the night lifes of Metro Manila. Police reporters often stayed and passed the time on Night Clubs in Malate with a few bottles of bear. Club managers were friends of Joe Carreon and other Police Reporters.

One time Joe Carreon asked me to join him at Bayview Club, one of the top night clubs along Roxas Boulevard. We went to a round table with 5 people – two young men and 2 women and a child.

Joe Carreon introduced me to the beautiful woman and the other guests. He also offered me a bottle of bear. I drink only a bottle or two o bear. Never more. The woman was tall and slender. She talked in Spanish to the child near her. She talked to me in English. We have some short conversation. But I did not know her name. It was not clearly said.

Then, she was called on the microphone. She was escorted to the stage. Only then, I learned she was a singer. She sang a song in English. Then, she followed it with a Spanish song. Very beautiful renditions of an English and Spanish songs.

The audience stood almost together as she vowed her head and returned to our table. She's Pelita Corales, one of the well-known singers of the time. And she was wth us. It was the first time, I listened in person to Pelita Corales, whose songs were often played in dances by most young people in Iloilo during our younger days.

Doing reportorial jobs in Manila was hard work. I saw the crimes reported by the police. I heard many crimes that were not reported. I saw many people killed by gunshots. More people were stabbed and killed. Hard crimes continue to flourish. . I often saw young girls going to Police General Headquarters at United Nations Avenue, going to station after having been raped. It was an ordeal for women and their families. Being raped and getting justice was always hard.

I saw some of the girls, still with bloods on their legs, limping to the Police Station. And more and more harder for victims to fight for justice. Many crimes --petty crimes, big crimes and celebrity crimes-- happened always in Metro Manila and remained unsolved.

One celebrity crimes was the murder of the estranged wife of Banjo Laurel, son of Congressman and Speaker of the House Jose Laurel, Jr. We visited the crime scenes. Banjo Laurel was studying at Lyceum when his wife was killed in their home. But the victim’s family has kept silent. It was hard, very hard for the victim’s family to speak. The Laurels, Congressman Laurel and Banjo Laurel were very, very powerful people in Manila, that can never be touched by the justice system in our country.

Stories of the crime were written. But the perpetrators were unknown. And the search for justice was hard, long and lonely for the victim and their family. Here was shown one disparity on people’s lives. I saw the different kind of justice system working. The justice for the rich and powerful. And the justice for those who were ordinary, the weak and poor. And for many ordinary, weak and poor people, justice was always unreachable.

In the political scene, these were trying times. The student's unrest was going strong. The students in Metro Manila saw the deep poverty that buried the poor in sufferings and injustice. They also saw the affluence of the rich and powerful living luxury lives in their palatial homes.

The students specially members of Kabataang Makabayan (KM), saw the situations after they have submerged and integrated with residence of slums. They learned the evils of society under the control of the elites and oligarchs. The students started to think. They truth and social and political realities. . They began to condemn the atrocities and abuses of the rich and powerful.

With Kabataang Makabayan (KM) as the core, they organized and mobilized themselves and begun to expose and condemned the evil of US imperialism, feudalism and bureaucratic capitalism as they begun they work for change.

Three months after I started as Cub reporter with the Philippines Herald, Ruther Batuigas came He told me my application to work with Philippines Herald was accepted. I will work first as Proof Reader. Then, slowly, as I learn the trade of newspapering, he will help me become also as a Reporter. He said: “ Rudy, you have learned skills on crime and news gathering. You need to learn more. The possibilities are always open"

Now, by reading news reports daily from Police, Congress, the Senate, Malacanan, Labor, Health, Army, Navy, Constabulary, Air Force and events happening around – just reading news reports on galleys, 8 hours a day, helped hone and sharpen your skills on news writing.” Then, Ruther, introduced me to Bote Bautista, a Pampangeno and chief of the Proof Reading office.

I started working at the Proofreading disk of Philippines Herald. We were seven Proof readers daily. We worked 8 hours a day. Four of us starts working 1:00 P.M. until we closed the Provincial News Edition. Three of us start works at 3:00 - PM until we start printing the City Edition. It was great working, just reading, reading and reading galley proofs, 8 hours a day. Then, read the newspapers as it comes out at 2:00 PM for the provincial editions.

During this time and the next 3 years, I saw in Manila the start and growth of the students movements, student demonstrations and people’s rallies. I have seen the steady growth of the students unrest. How it started at Lyceum, the University of the Philippines and moved fast in different directions of the University belt..

It’s expansions to different colleges and universities in Metro Manila. The strength and forces of students movements now gathering force and galvanized for change and social transformation. This movement was starting to be called the First Quarter Storms of the Philippine Revolution (FQS).

One afternoon, there was a student rally at the Lyceum. The speakers were mostly from Lyceum. The heat of the atmosphere could be felt as speakers after speaker hit the social and economic and political evils in Philippines society. The anger of the students were seen on their faces. .

That afternoon, there moves came fast and sudden. I saw a student getting a rock and hurled it at the glass windows of the Lyceum of the Philippines. Then another student followed. And more students hurled stones and rocks in the glass windows of the college. In less than an hour, the glass windows of Lyceum were mostly shattered, broken and ruined.

The following day, the student demonstrations followed at nearby Feati University. Then it moved on fast and strong to most colleges and universities in Manila. In those days, most glass windows of colleges and universities in the university belt and stores along the roads were broken.

A day after, the once beautiful glass windows of colleges and universities were covered with plywood. The anger of the students were shown that day and the following days. It was the students anger and strength revealed for the first time in Metro Manila.

But, I think San Juan de Letran, Ateneo de Manila and San Bida College were not touched by students upheaval. Neither can I remember St. Paul’s College, Sta. Scholastica and Assumption College and other exclusive colleges for girls and boys. They were not hit by student's rallies. These exclusive schools for the rich, powerful and influential, were not touched by the need for change during that time.

Students of exclusive schools have not seen and were not touched by realities of grave poverty in the country. They enjoyed privilege and security. Then the First Vatican Council meeting came in Rome. Little change came at the exclusive schools. It started with some movements in the Catholic church. Some students of exclusive schools, were sent for an hour of visits slums in Manila. For the first time, the students of exclusive schools saw the extreme poverty of the poor and the deprived lives of millions in Manila.

They also learned from the lectures of some Priests, that only 4 per cent of the population, owns and control the lands and other vast resources of the country. That’s the reason for the grave poverty of majority Filipinos.

On 2nd quarter of 1965, I joined the students rally in Malacanan. The Vietnam-US war that started in 1961 has greatly intensified. Vietcong forces had attacked South Vietnamese and American forces in several places. The United States was asking countries in Southeast Asia for volunteers and help fight the communists who were fighting in South Vietnam.

A few thousands students joined the rally. months before the 1965 November elections. It was a peaceful rally held at Malacanan but it has a strong demand. President Diosdado Macapagal asked the student leaders to go up to the Palace for a dialogue. There the student leaders asked President Macapagal not to send Filipino troops to South Vietnam. The students do not see the wisdom of US war involvement in Vietnam. They foresaw millions of Vietnamese and a thousand American and its allies dying in the Vietnam War.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos, who was running for President, in a statement the following day, said if elected president, he will not send Filipino forces to South Vietnam. Some students believed him. But after he was elected President in November 9, 1965, Marcos forgot his campaign promise. One of his first actions was to send Filipino soldiers, the PHILCAG (Philippine Civic Action Group) to South Vietnam under the command of Colonel Fidel Ramos.

President Marcos first year in Malacanang showed the growing strength of the students, workers and peasants’ movement that continued exposing the evils of US imperialism, the atrocities of feudalism and the greed of bureaucratic capitalism . These three evils were the major causes of poverty and deprived lives of Filipinos.

During this years, Ruther Batuigas continued to serve the people with his pictures and newspaper reports. He touched some powerful leaders in Manila, some got angry with him. Some advised him to go slow. But he continued in his work, exposing evils in the bureaucracy and even among his peers in the news and information business.

One day, I was shocked. Ruther Batuigas was ambushed in Malate, Manila. He was brought to the hospital between life and death. I learned he got some 30 bullets passing through his body. When I visited him, he was still unconscious. A lady relative was watching him in the hospital. I prayed for Ruther. I also left some amount for medicine. Many, I know prayed for Ruther. Later, his body stabilized. Little by little he gained strength and recovered. He went back to work as a journalists. He continued serving the people by exposing anomalies in government as a newspaperman, news photographer.

He continued his journey of service through his camera, pictures and the written words. He became a newspaper columnist. He continued for years in the calling. Then he became a publisher of the newspaper he organized with his friends and partners. It was a beautiful journey for my friend, Ruther Batuigas, who ventured to Manila from Mambusao, Capiz, years ago, with his camera.

And with creativeness, enterprise, courage, dedication and faith reached far and touched people’s lives with his camera and his pen. He shared his stories and pictures. He helped brought change in people’s minds, lives and communities

---

Part of the series Memories - Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal (chapter 49 of 71)

← Previous: My 1st & 2nd Year College at CPU, Iloilo City I enrolled for  |  Next: Joins AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE (French News Agency) Manila Burea →

MEMORIES: Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal — Chapter 26a (2018 telling): Mets Ruther Batuigas, Joins Philippines Herald Newspaper & Learns Photo Journalism

It was big opportunity that I was able to work full time with Philippines Herald, a national newspaper based in Manila. That happened while I was studying at Lyceum of the Philippines, taking Political Science, planning to enter Law School the following year. It was nearly a year after I left CPU. Philippines Herald was a newspaper owned and published by Dr. Andres Soriano, Jr., one of the prominent businessmen in the country that time. The Heralds circulations reached all cities and major towns in the country.

Dr. Andres Soriano, Jr., was one the oligarchs and powerful business elites of the time. He controlled big business conglomerates, on the same lines as the Lopez family of Manila Chronicles, the Roces family of Manila Times, friends of Hanz Menzi, owners of Manila Daily Bulletin, the owners of Philippine Evening News. These were the most powerful newspapers of the 60’s that own and control the big businesses in the country.

I would like to say, that in all the works I involved in, there were people, friends and near strangers who helped me. I realized, generally, people were helpful to ordinary young men and women striving to make life and society a bit better. I believe that God was helping and guiding me.

Even in 3rd & 4th year high school, I tried to read newspapers. It gave me ideas on what were happenings in the country daily. I like also to improve my English. Speaking English was a struggle in my college days. I want to participate in discussions in our class rooms. To help me improve myself, I need to have more ideas and information stored on my mind to be able to participate in class and other discusions.

Since, I have interest in Photography, I tried to get technics from photos in newspapers and magazines. There I read works of Ruther Batuigas. He was Chief Photographer of the Philippines Herald. He was also President of the Philippine Association of Photo Journalists Associations. Ruther Batuigas was well- known among newspaper readers in Metro -Manila. He was a brave, daring and enterprising Police Reporter and Photo Journalist.

Ruther Batuigas’s photos and stories showed and told hard and painful stories and realities of the poor’s deprived lives in Intramuros, Tondo and other slums of Metro Manila. Yet. the Philippine Heralds Society pages, carried also his pictures, showing high livings of the richest, influential and powerful people of Metro Manila.

Ruther Batuigas has won an International Photo Journalist’s Award in the 60’s. His award winning photograph, was a shot at very close ranged of two men fighting in the slums of Intramuros.

The pictures, showed a man with a bow and an arrow on his sling shot. Ruther captured the deadly fight and encounter on the streets effectively. The first shot on his photo showed when an arrow was about to be released from the sling. The second shot showed when the arrow hit the forehead of the man. The third shot show the victim writhing in pain, with the arrow embedded deep on his forehead.

The fourth photo shot, showed the victim on the lap of a woman, her mother. She was weeping with one hand stretched out above, almost praying to heaven. Ruther’s caption of the Award Winning Picture says "Dear God, Please Save Him". It was a beautiful caption. I was beautiful, It moves hearts. It touched souls. “Dear God, Please Save Him.”

I tried to meet Ruther several times. But he was always busy. I learned, he was from Capiz. Bit one day, I saw him at the Herald’s Canteen. There were numbers of customers. I went direct to Rither and introduced myself. I told him: “Sir, I am Rudy Bernal from Iloilo. I am studying here at Lyceum. Am Third Year college. I worked as a an Itenerant Photographer. Please help me to learn news papering. I would like to work in the newspaper.” Ruther listened to me. Then he asked some questions. I gave him some answers.

Ruther went to a man seating on another table. He talked to him. Then he called me. He introduced me to Joe Carreon, the Herald Police Reporter who covered the night shift of police beat. Ruther requested Joe Carreon to help me learn news papering works.

Joe Carreon, was a UP graduate. We were of the same age. Joe told me to join him in the Police Beat that evening. We will be working from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. That was the start. For 3 months, I was with Joe Carreon, his Cub, learning the arts and trade of police and crimes reporting in Metro Manila.

I thanked Joe Carreon and Ruther for their help. I went back to my table and finished my lunch. A few minutes later, Ruther came back. He has a stab of Herald canteen meal tickets. Ruther gave me 30 stabs of meal tickets. It has 90 meal tickets good for a month's meals. Ruther made sure, I have food in one month, free breakfast, lunch and supper, while being a Cub Reporter of the Philippines Herald under Joe Carreion.

Every night, at 6:00 P.M. I joined Joe Carreon in the police bit. We rode the Herald Police car with his driver, Joe Mendoza. The jeep had a radio, a walkie-talkie that enabled us to call the Herald office and DYHP Radio station. Our base for police coverage was the National Police Headquarters at United Nations Avenue. During that time, it was headed by General Manuel Yan, Manila Police Chief.

Ruther gave me an Application Form. I signed it. He shot my 2 x 2 pix with his camera. A week later, he came and gave me a Press Card - of the Philippines Photo Journalists Association, Inc. It was signed by my new friend, Ruther Batuigas. I am now a new member of the Philippines Photo Journalists Association, Inc.

Joe Carreon introduced me to other police reporters. They were very helpful. They tried ways to help me learn the arts and technics of covering crimes and writing crime stories. The police reporters of Manila Times, Manila Chronicles, Manila Daily Bulletin, Philippine Evening News were all friendly and tough police reporters. One of them was Jose Burgos, a crusading journalist.

He later organized Malaya newspaper with his friends. Malaya stood strongly fighting President Marcos during martial law. He served as publisher. Later, he gave up his newspaper work, sold his interest in Malaya and started his experiments and study on natural and organic farming in an outskirts of Manila.

While training as Cub Reporter, often at 9:00 PM we visited the 4 police district stations in Manila. About 2:00 AM we visited police stations in Quezon City, Caloocan City, Malabon, Navotas and Pasay City. I saw the night lifes of Metro Manila. Police reporters often stayed and passed the time on Night Clubs in Malate with a few bottles of bear. Club managers were friends of Joe Carreon and other Police Reporters.

One time Joe Carreon asked me to join him at Bayview Club, one of the top night clubs along Roxas Boulevard. We went to a round table with 5 people – two young men and 2 women and a child.

Joe Carreon introduced me to the beautiful woman and the other guests. He also offered me a bottle of bear. I drink only a bottle or two o bear. Never more. The woman was tall and slender. She talked in Spanish to the child near her. She talked to me in English. We have some short conversation. But I did not know her name. It was not clearly said.

Then, she was called on the microphone. She was escorted to the stage. Only then, I learned she was a singer. She sang a song in English. Then, she followed it with a Spanish song. Very beautiful renditions of an English and Spanish songs.

The audience stood almost together as she vowed her head and returned to our table. She's Pelita Corales, one of the well-known singers of the time. And she was wth us. It was the first time, I listened in person to Pelita Corales, whose songs were often played in dances by most young people in Iloilo during our younger days.

Doing reportorial jobs in Manila was hard work. I saw the crimes reported by the police. I heard many crimes that were not reported. I saw many people killed by gunshots. More people were stabbed and killed. Hard crimes continue to flourish. I often saw young girls going to Police General Headquarters at United Nations Avenue, going to station after having been raped. It was an ordeal for women and their families. Being raped and getting justice was always hard.

I saw some of the girls, still with bloods on their legs, limping to the Police Station. And more and more harder for victims to fight for justice. Many crimes --petty crimes, big crimes and celebrity crimes-- happened always in Metro Manila and remained unsolved.

One celebrity crimes was the murder of the estranged wife of Banjo Laurel, son of Congressman and Speaker of the House Jose Laurel, Jr. We visited the crime scenes. Banjo Laurel was studying at Lyceum when his wife was killed in their home. But the victim’s family has kept silent. It was hard, very hard for the victim’s family to speak. The Laurels, Congressman Laurel and Banjo Laurel were very, very powerful people in Manila, that can never be touched by the justice system in our country.

Stories of the crime were written. But the perpetrators were unknown. And the search for justice was hard, long and lonely for the victim and their family. Here was shown one disparity on people’s lives. I saw the different kind of justice system working. The justice for the rich and powerful. And the justice for those who were ordinary, the weak and poor. And for many ordinary, weak and poor people, justice was always unreachable.

In the political scene, these were trying times. The student's unrest was going strong. The students in Metro Manila saw the deep poverty that buried the poor in sufferings and injustice. They also saw the affluence of the rich and powerful living luxury lives in their palatial homes.

The students specially members of Kabataang Makabayan (KM), saw the situations after they have submerged and integrated with residence of slums. They learned the evils of society under the control of the elites and oligarchs. The students started to think. They truth and social and political realities. They began to condemn the atrocities and abuses of the rich and powerful.

With Kabataang Makabayan (KM) as the core, they organized and mobilized themselves and begun to expose and condemned the evil of US imperialism, feudalism and bureaucratic capitalism as they begun they work for change.

Three months after I started as Cub reporter with the Philippines Herald, Ruther Batuigas came He told me my application to work with Philippines Herald was accepted. I will work first as Proof Reader. Then, slowly, as I learn the trade of newspapering, he will help me become also as a Reporter. He said: “Rudy, you have learned skills on crime and news gathering. You need to learn more. The possibilities are always open"

Now, by reading news reports daily from Police, Congress, the Senate, Malacanan, Labor, Health, Army, Navy, Constabulary, Air Force and events happening around – just reading news reports on galleys, 8 hours a day, helped hone and sharpen your skills on news writing.” Then, Ruther, introduced me to Bote Bautista, a Pampangeno and chief of the Proof Reading office.

I started working at the Proofreading disk of Philippines Herald. We were seven Proof readers daily. We worked 8 hours a day. Four of us starts working 1:00 P.M. until we closed the Provincial News Edition. Three of us start works at 3:00 - PM until we start printing the City Edition. It was great working, just reading, reading and reading galley proofs, 8 hours a day. Then, read the newspapers as it comes out at 2:00 PM for the provincial editions.

During this time and the next 3 years, I saw in Manila the start and growth of the students movements, student demonstrations and people’s rallies. I have seen the steady growth of the students unrest. How it started at Lyceum, the University of the Philippines and moved fast in different directions of the University belt.

It’s expansions to different colleges and universities in Metro Manila. The strength and forces of students movements now gathering force and galvanized for change and social transformation. This movement was starting to be called the First Quarter Storms of the Philippine Revolution (FQS).

One afternoon, there was a student rally at the Lyceum. The speakers were mostly from Lyceum. The heat of the atmosphere could be felt as speakers after speaker hit the social and economic and political evils in Philippines society. The anger of the students were seen on their faces.

That afternoon, there moves came fast and sudden. I saw a student getting a rock and hurled it at the glass windows of the Lyceum of the Philippines. Then another student followed. And more students hurled stones and rocks in the glass windows of the college. In less than an hour, the glass windows of Lyceum were mostly shattered, broken and ruined.

The following day, the student demonstrations followed at nearby Feati University. Then it moved on fast and strong to most colleges and universities in Manila. In those days, most glass windows of colleges and universities in the university belt and stores along the roads were broken.

A day after, the once beautiful glass windows of colleges and universities were covered with plywood. The anger of the students were shown that day and the following days. It was the students anger and strength revealed for the first time in Metro Manila.

But, I think San Juan de Letran, Ateneo de Manila and San Bida College were not touched by students upheaval. Neither can I remember St. Paul’s College, Sta. Scholastica and Assumption College and other exclusive colleges for girls and boys. They were not hit by student's rallies. These exclusive schools for the rich, powerful and influential, were not touched by the need for change during that time.

Students of exclusive schools have not seen and were not touched by realities of grave poverty in the country. They enjoyed privilege and security. Then the First Vatican Council meeting came in Rome. Little change came at the exclusive schools. It started with some movements in the Catholic church. Some students of exclusive schools, were sent for an hour of visits slums in Manila. For the first time, the students of exclusive schools saw the extreme poverty of the poor and the deprived lives of millions in Manila.

They also learned from the lectures of some Priests, that only 4 per cent of the population, owns and control the lands and other vast resources of the country. That’s the reason for the grave poverty of majority Filipinos.

On 2nd quarter of 1965, I joined the students rally in Malacanan. The Vietnam-US war that started in 1961 has greatly intensified. Vietcong forces had attacked South Vietnamese and American forces in several places. The United States was asking countries in Southeast Asia for volunteers and help fight the communists who were fighting in South Vietnam.

A few thousands students joined the rally. months before the 1965 November elections. It was a peaceful rally held at Malacanan but it has a strong demand. President Diosdado Macapagal asked the student leaders to go up to the Palace for a dialogue. There the student leaders asked President Macapagal not to send Filipino troops to South Vietnam. The students do not see the wisdom of US war involvement in Vietnam. They foresaw millions of Vietnamese and a thousand American and its allies dying in the Vietnam War.

Sen. Ferdinand Marcos, who was running for President, in a statement the following day, said if elected president, he will not send Filipino forces to South Vietnam. Some students believed him. But after he was elected President in November 9, 1965, Marcos forgot his campaign promise. One of his first actions was to send Filipino soldiers, the PHILCAG (Philippine Civic Action Group) to South Vietnam under the command of Colonel Fidel Ramos.

President Marcos first year in Malacanang showed the growing strength of the students, workers and peasants’ movement that continued exposing the evils of US imperialism, the atrocities of feudalism and the greed of bureaucratic capitalism. These three evils were the major causes of poverty and deprived lives of Filipinos.

During this years, Ruther Batuigas continued to serve the people with his pictures and newspaper reports. He touched some powerful leaders in Manila, some got angry with him. Some advised him to go slow. But he continued in his work, exposing evils in the bureaucracy and even among his peers in the news and information business.

One day, I was shocked. Ruther Batuigas was ambushed in Malate, Manila. He was brought to the hospital between life and death. I learned he got some 30 bullets passing through his body. When I visited him, he was still unconscious. A lady relative was watching him in the hospital. I prayed for Ruther. I also left some amount for medicine. Many, I know prayed for Ruther. Later, his body stabilized. Little by little he gained strength and recovered. He went back to work as a journalists. He continued serving the people by exposing anomalies in government as a newspaperman, news photographer.

He continued his journey of service through his camera, pictures and the written words. He became a newspaper columnist. He continued for years in the calling. Then he became a publisher of the newspaper he organized with his friends and partners. It was a beautiful journey for my friend, Ruther Batuigas, who ventured to Manila from Mambusao, Capiz, years ago, with his camera.

And with creativeness, enterprise, courage, dedication and faith reached far and touched people’s lives with his camera and his pen. He shared his stories and pictures. He helped brought change in people’s minds, lives and communities

---

Part of the series Memories - Life and Time of Pastor Rudy Bernal (chapter 49 of 71)

← Previous: My 1st & 2nd Year College at CPU, Iloilo City I enrolled for  |  Next: Joins AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE (French News Agency) Manila Burea →