KBP Aklan inducts officers

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

BANGA, Aklan – The newly elected officers of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Aklan chapter were inducted into office at the Aklan State University (ASU) conference hall on Saturday evening.

Augusto Tolentino, station manager of IBC DyRG Budyong, was inducted as chapter chairman by Provincial Administrator Atty. Diego Luces, who represented Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez for the occasion.

Other KBP Aklan chapter officers are PBS-DyIN Bombo Radyo station manager Eril Ibardolasa (vice chairman), RMN DyKR station manager Jerome Vega (performance officer), DYYM CBIS 98.5 Hot FM station manager Terence June Toriano (secretary), ASU-DyMT FM Banga station manager Dr. Anna Mae Relingo (treasurer), Jonathan Cabrera of CBC 106.1 FM Radyo Boracay (auditor) and Eleanor Defensor-Reyes of IBC DyRG (executive secretary).

Luces said the strong and united KBP-Aklan and all KBP members from all over the country will continue to thrive being the most credible broadcast media organization guided by broadcasting standards.

“’I am fully aware that our Aklanon broadcasters - the voice and the heart of our people – do not meet often at the same place, at the same time. Everywhere, every fleeting minute – significant news to our people, to the public we serve and respect – needs to be served fresh, clear and just. That how ever meager the income you receive from this chosen profession, you are still willing to starve yourselves to feed the public’s mind, to feed our mind,” he stressed.

Luces said two events – the death of Press Secretary and former KBP chairman Cerge Remonde and the Maguindanao massacre – are disheartening, but instead of losing hope and giving up the passion to broadcasting, the KBP members were inspired by Remonde, by the slain journalists and by strong men and women who seek refuge and justice from truth.

“What happened in Maguindanao though in 2009, the brutal killing of our 30 journalists, became one of the worsts in the history of the KBP, our country and the world. It became more painful, however, to note that fair and fast trial has not yet been fully served to more than 50 victims, brutally shot to death,” he added.

KBP also conducted an accreditation exam to its more than 70 members from Aklan, Antique and Capiz and a seminar on responsible broadcasting by KBP legal counsel Regie Jularbal.

KBP Metro Manila chairman Reynante “Rey” Langit, a multi-awarded broadcaster and columnist of Tempo, Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) president Juan P. Dayang, Aklan Press Club president Dr. Ambrosio Villorente, KBP Internal Relations Committee chairman Manny Luzon, KBP performance officer Virgie Velasco and Dr. Benny Palma of Aklan State University (ASU) also graced the occasion.