Aklan Press Club officers take oath of office

Provincial Prosecutor Ma. Maya Bien Q. Mayor-Tolentino led the oathtaking of officers and directors of Aklan Press Club, Inc. on Saturday morning at Smoke Haus Bar and Restaurant in Kalibo, Aklan.

Boy Ryan Zabal officially took his oath of office as club president along with Conrad Indelible as executive vice president, Melrose Lunn as vice president for print, Arnel Relampago as vice president for Cable, Roben Laserna as vice president for radio, secretary Rechie Oloroso, treasurer William Arguelles and public relations officer Cecille de Lemos.

Other officials who took oath before Mayor-Tolentino are chairman of the board Odon Bandiola and board of directors - Rolly Herrera, Ronnel Irodestan, Jethro Laserna, Amphil Tamboong, Recto Vidal, Jun Prado, Isidro Rasgo, Jr. and committee chairman on ethics Ernesto Solidum.

Late last month, the Aklan Press Club, Inc. elected its officers for their two-year term. Now with over 40 members, the press club will focus to strengthen its membership database, enhance camaraderie and unity among media members and to reach out to other media organizations for activities and projects. The new set of officers also vowed to exert utmost efforts to promote the goals of the press club and at all times advocate freedom and truth.

"It is certainly privileged and honored to lead this organization considering the demanding task and the challenges to build a stronger and bigger press club. This is not an easy job, however, I am optimistic of the press club officers support in the implementation of initiatives to promote unity and welfare among members," Zabal said.

The new president firmly believed that the strength and resilience of Aklan Press Club as a premier media organization in Aklan are rooted in the rich history of this organization. For decades, the Aklan Press Club has witnessed the separation of Aklan from Capiz, Martial Law in 1970s and People Power Revolution in mid 1980s.

The press club has survived all of these and its leaders like Johnny Dayang, Roman dela Cruz, Ronquillo Tolentino, Odon Bandiola and Bellyzarius dela Cruz, had guided the Aklan Press Club in the pursuit for advocacies and programs.

The APCI, founded in early 1950s, is a non-stock, non-organization duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of news reporters, publishers, editors, writers, technicians, and broadcasters who seek to advance the cause of press freedom and truth.

Among those who witnessed the oathtaking of press club officers was APC past president and legal consultant Atty. Ronquillo Tolentino.