Former President Corazon Aquino (second, right) and U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone presented the 2005 Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr. Fellowships for Professional Development awards to Yasmin Busran-Lao (left) for public service and to Jose A. Torres, Jr. (right) for journalism in a ceremony held at the U.S. Embassy in Manila on February 16. The award, established by the Embassy in 1988 to commemorate the late senator's accomplishments and public service, includes a study-tour of the U.S. for Busran-Lao and Torres to meet and exchange views with professionals in their fields. Busran-Lao, founder of the Marawi City-based non-government organization Al-Kujadilah Foundation, was cited for her efforts to foster development in the impoverished communities of Muslim Mindanao and to uplift the status of women in community building and peace initiatives. Torres, a senior editor of the abs-cbnNews.com writes for several Manila and Mindanao-based publications and is author of two books that won the National Book Award for Journalism. He is working on several books on terrorism, human rights, politics and church affairs while producing investigative documentaries for television.

"I believe in journalism that simply tells the stories of people's lives. I believe in journalism that does not make celebrities out of journalists. I believe in journalism that contributes to understanding, not conflict."

Remarks by Jose Torres Jr. after receiving the 2005 Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Fellowship for Professional Development given by the Embassy of the United States of America
February 16, 2005


Ambassador Ricciardone, Madame President Aquino, colleagues and friends.

Being a journalist is the best award I achieved in my life. Working as a journalist is a privilege I enjoy. I never expected that doing things I really love merits an award.

I was born in a place where people love to tell stories. I came from a place where stories and dreams are the only things most people enjoy for free. I came from a place where real-life stories are truly stranger than fiction.

I grew up in Mindanao where stories about religious groups doing bizarre rituals were as real as stories about elections and governance.

I just came back from a place in Mindanao yesterday where a town mayor officiated the wedding of more than a hundred couples while hundreds of people were marching around town, carrying the coffin of the witness of a journalist’s murder.

I came back from a town where I listened, for almost two hours, to a killer brag about how easy it is to end the life of another human being. He was proud to tell me how he and his town mates were able to support the local economy by working as guns-for-hire.

I came back from Mindanao where I once more feasted on the vastness of its seas, the greenness of its forests and the possibility of discovering mysteries and stories that seemed to forever hide behind the shadow of its mountains.

I believe in a journalism that simply tells the stories of people’s lives. I believe in a journalism that does not make celebrities out of journalists. I believe in a journalism that contributes to understanding, not conflict.

There’s no lack for stories that make this kind of journalism. For instance, a priest in a town in Basilan hates to talk about Muslim-Christian dialogue, but invites his Muslim friends to the convent for a feast. “I just promised them that I do not prepare pork,” he said.

I just love to tell stories. That’s why I once dreamt of becoming a journalist. I did not know then that I was supposed to be responsible. I did not care then what would happen to the “subjects” of my stories. Why should I care? I did not even care then what would happen to me after I write the stories.

The realization that doing good journalism, writing stories of people’s lives – be they mighty or serf, terrorist or priest – describing their plight, made me feel that I am just one of them – a citizen and a storyteller. It led me to discover later that I also have a responsibility to be part of the struggle to defend the rule of law, human rights and the search for truth.

Working as a journalist made me realize how difficult it is to live in peace. Politicians interpret the law according to their own designs, interest groups try to create their reasons for existence by inventing tales of good and evil, and journalists, who love to be always in the middle of everything, often imbibe the character of both politicians and interest groups.

“We are making extremely difficult the simple fact of living together as human beings,” one journalist once remarked. It is true. But I also believe it is also extremely simple for us to make the fact of living together as human beings simple.

Journalists need not commit to any cause or belief or advocacy to contribute to changing the face of the earth. We only need to commit ourselves to truth and honesty. My only hope is not to forget to continue the struggle to remember it. Journalism is a state of mind, a lifetime task of storytelling.

By the way, I am excited to go to the United States. I was born and raised in a place surrounded by seas and mountains. I thought then that there’s nothing beyond it. I was wrong. The other side of the mountain has its own stories. I hope to listen to the story of America on the other side of the world.

It is an honor to receive this award. I thank the people who made this happen – my mentors, my inspirations and my friends. I accept this award on behalf of all the people whose stories helped me journey to where I am today.

Thank you.

Palace officials a 'no-show' in meeting with IFJ

Government officials Monday snubbed a meeting with representatives of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) who just wrapped up a fact-finding mission on the rising number of journalist killed in the Philippines.

In a statement, the delegation led by senior Australian journalist Gerard Noonan and journalists from Indonesia and the Philippines expressed disappointment after Malacañang canceled a scheduled meeting with Arroyo administration officials.

The IFJ delegation is in the Philippines to investigate the rising number of journalists killed. As part of the mission, a meeting was set with representatives of President Arroyo but was unexpectedly canceled by Palace officials.

More than 50 journalists have been murdered in the Philippines since 1986 -- 13 were killed in 2004 alone, making the Philippines second only to Iraq for the number of journalists killed during the year.

On Sunday, the delegation announced at a press conference in Manila that a widespread culture of violence tolerated by authorities is behind the high death toll.

"When such a culture is allowed to flourish at an official level, it is little wonder that aggrieved local strongmen or political figures turn to hit men to get even with the media," said Noonan.

Poor working conditions of journalists and the lack of safety support from employers were also reported by the delegation as being contributing factors to the high death toll.

"Vast numbers of journalists are receiving a pittance or nothing at all for their work. They are being exploited and sometimes forced into conflict-of-interest situations and do not receive safety support from their employers," said NUJP chairman Inday Espina- Varona.

The delegation traveled to General Santos City in Mindanao, Iloilo and Cebu in the Visayas and Legazpi in the Bicol region to meet with representatives of the Department of Justice, police officials, mayors, governors, victim's family members and a representative of the Commission on Human Rights.

The IFJ and the NUJP will request the Philippines government to reopen several of the cases based on the mission findings. A complete report documenting each case, the mission's findings and recommendations will be available next month.

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.

NUJP condemns latest media slay attempt


The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemned Monday the near-slay attempt against a newspaper publisher in Davao del Norte during the weekend.

Maximo Quindao, a publisher of Mindanao Truck News, was shot by two unidentified armed men in front of his house in Tagum, Davao del Norte on Sunday.

Quindao, 46, sustained gunshots to his chest and remains in critical condition.

In a statement, NUJP said the ambush is reflective of the difficult situation facing mediamen in the country.

"The attack against one mediaman should only be seen as an attack on the public's right to know. It is press freedom which is being assailed here," the NUJP said in a statement.

The group urged journalists to unite and press police and judicial authorities to follow-up on cases involving newsmen.

An international fact-finding mission organized by the International Federation of Journalists and NUJP earlier said a widespread culture of violence is tolerated and even condoned by government officials.

IFJ representative from Australia Gerard Noonan said the mission discovered instances of senior government officials, including mayors in two major cities in the south of the country, who openly supported the use of death squads in dealing with unruly elements in their towns.

"When such a culture is allowed to flourish at an official level, it is little wonder that aggrieved local strongmen or political figures turn to hitmen to get even with the media," Noonan said.

He added: "The IFJ treats this matter as one of utmost seriousness. It is completely unacceptable in a country with democratic credentials like the Philippines."

The NUJP has recorded the deaths of 13 Philippine journalists in 2004. The NUJP is documenting each of these cases and is seeking to pressure the government to reopen a number of the cases.