Twenty-four years ago, I was invited by a group of business leaders to an exploratory meeting – for the establishment of a weekly publication with a socio-political and business outlook.
While the idea of helping found a newspaper initially fascinated me, I had in mind some doubts on its sustainability, especially that I was thinking of an equitable compensation for the staff.
Adding to that dose of skepticism was the knowledge of existing weeklies in the city, which mainly operated to accommodate judicial notices. News reporting and issue analyses generally appeared as secondary functions as reflected in the content of the publication.
There was also the concern that daily newspapers were blooming in the city, thus grabbing a decent slice in advertisements and legal notices, the lifeblood of the media institution, from the established publication seemed a case of impossibility.
I sought God’s guidance for the crucial step ahead, knowing the task can only be meaningful if it lasts beyond just a season.
The incorporators eventually gave the go-signal for the start of the operations with Nida Buenafe and Dolores Epacta respectively handling the editorial and business operations while I served as editorial consultant. “Progress for Negros” became the guiding policy of the publication.
Throughout the first decade and five years, the Negros Weekly has been an up-and-down journey but it persevered. While operations slowed down during the pandemic years, it still continued to circulate.
Like many weeklies, it has depended on judicial notices but its list of advertising supporters have also grown little by little. To them, we are grateful.
We were initially and eventually helped by a team of dedicated workers, who have moved on to other pursuits, like Lorena Quizan-Martinez, Sharon Besiata, George Siruelo and Alain Roy Baradas.
Presently, in our fourth location since foundation, we are assisted by a team of hardworking workers – Roger Beltran, our faithful layout artist, Richard Dela Cruz, who has been in NW service for at least 18 years, Allan Leonardo, Raquel Riego and Trinidad.
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Our sincerest gratitude to the founding investors represented by Boy Velez for their confidence in the Negros Weekly team, to our columnists and other writers, advertisers, supporters, news sources, readers, friends and partners through the years.
What was started as a small dream 24 years ago, has rebounded from its low moments and has grown to become a major player in the local media landscape, especially after it gave birth to its tabloid platform, Negros NOW Daily and its online edition, which are simultaneously marking their fourth anniversary.
Thank you, Lord for your guidance and grace.
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) | NWI
