By Cong B. Corrales

MINDANAO Gold Star Daily has always been there for me and other struggling community journalists.

Even with the onset of the pandemic, I know it will continue to be a beacon for community journalism.

I remember then editor-in-chief Herbie Gomez assuring me that I will always have a local outlet for my news articles when I was still a freelance news correspondent.

You see, I was booted out of a competing local news rag for daring to write for Manila-based broadsheets (Philippine Daily Inquirer and Business World). Kumpetensya kuno nila. LOL

Of course, when that happened, my journo friends Froilan Gallardo and JB Deveza assured me there’s still life after my third retrenchment with the other “star” newspaper.

I remember Froilan telling me that I’m luckier than some journos he knows in that I can write and take photos at a competent level. JB nodded in agreement (I hope).

My prospects were pretty grim that time. We, as a family, had just survived TS Sendong. My youngest stopped talking altogether after seeing the bodies strewn on the streets the morning after.

As luck would have it, Ed Lingao called that January to ask if I was interested in joining the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. I was so excited I interrupted Bok Ed mid-sentence and said: “yes.”

I was already writing for MGSD and because it isn’t an insecure local news rag, it allowed me to continue writing for Manila-based broadsheets and international news wires services.

I learned a lot under the tutelage of Herbie Gomez. For that, I will be forever grateful. But there was a standing invitation to play with the “big boys” in a bustling metropolis. I asked Herbie for permission to join Ed at PCIJ.

After my six-year stint with PCIJ, and with my eldest graduating college, I felt I needed to go back to my roots. Also, I missed Kagay-an so much. I told Herbie about my plan and he offered me an associate editor position with this paper.

This year, in its 32nd year of existence, I am now at the helm. When Herbie told me I was going to be the editor-in-chief starting June 1, I remember being scared. I told him I have big shoes to fill. I joked that literally Herbie has big shoes.

With the influx of disinformation, the health crisis, and the overall erosion of democratic ideals of our Republic, I will do my darndest best to keep MGSD a beacon of community journalism. As Emilio used to say: “Afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.”

Here’s to more years for Mindanao Gold Star Daily.