By Nora Soriño
TODAY, July 1, 2021, is the paper’s 32nd year. Looking back at the years, this paper has had several accolades. Thanks of course to the man behind it ― Ernesto “Toto” Chu. And of course the people following his directions, his way of thinking.
In short, his genius.
Among the accolades earned by this paper is “Newspaper of the Year” by the Rotary Club of Manila.
Let me tell you about this particular Club’s events. They had “bigatin” guests through the years. Like at one point when this country was on the verge of a revolution, and the club had for its VIP guest, then Pres. Marcos. At the end of his speech, Marcos made a well, outright threat directed obviously to then presidentiable Cory Aquino: “Isang bala ka lang!” Then he was carried on the shoulders of several PSG. And some blood was seen beneath his barong which people saw as the result of dialysis on him hours before.
On another occasion of this club, they were able to get Cory as their VIP guest and she said after her speech obviously directed at Marcos: “Isang boto ka lang!”
So this “newspaper of the Year” award was one big deal for MGSD that was in 2007 a few years after Cory had finished her bumpy term as President of this country. Other papers that were given such an award all came from Manila.
For one, the trend that only print media from Manila was “the trend” ― that people who read only those from Manila ― Toto Chu changed all that. For he had created a “counter-trend” through Gold Star Daily. By his sheer genius, of course!
I mean people soon patronized this paper. The way they had patronized the papers from Manila.
By and by, the other newspapers here became “copycats.” Sort of saying: If a Toto Chu could do it, why can’t we?
I got to tell you the beginnings of my being very impressed with this paper. In 1991, commander Alexander Noble took to the streets from Luzon to Cagayan de Oro.
Noble and his men in all their militaristic splendor marched through the major streets.
Naturally, they took CDO by storm! People “ahhed” and “ohhed.”
And what did this paper do?
It published out two editions that day!
An example of what a genius of a Toto Chu could do!
Could other newspapers do that? When others who call themselves “daily” couldn’t even make “daily” as in really “daily?” I know that you all know what I mean.
And so this 32nd year of this paper to be marked July 1, 2021, is to be marked silently. That is, without so much fanfare. As this will mostly be in our minds or our hearts. But anyway we had that 30th-year celeb memory to remember.
That was on July 1, 2019. In which the MGSD family with delegations from the whole of Mindanao and even from Cebu and Metro Manila met and interacted amidst sumptuous food and drinks. There was dancing and singing, too. And plenty of posing here, posing there. And mostly with the First Family ― Sir Toto, Ma’am Bebotte, and their kids: Catherine, and Gladys. Lissa was not around.
Of course with the editors too: Herbie, Cong (he is now the chief). The administration staff is led by Ruchelle, with Flor. And those in the nitty-gritty of printing and distribution, like Rudy.
And the columnists like Netnet and Rhona.
At one point, Toto said to me: “Nor, everybody wants to selfie with me!”
We laughed. For it was obvious. Everybody wanted that the genius of a Ernesto “Toto” Chu would all rub on us.
Little did we know that it was to be the “last” event for Mindanao Gold Star Daily. No thanks to the pandemic.
But we know with the Chus there with God and the involvement of those who care, like the customers for which we’re very thankful, we will still be able to pull through this pandemic.
Happy 32nd anniversary, Mindanao Gold Star Daily!
