I’m now 15 years old


WARNING: This page is filled with selfies. Forgive me, but “it’s (also) my party & I selfie if I want to. Peace.


That’s 15 in Sun.Star years.

I was born in the pages of Sun.Star Davao newspaper on the year 2000, on the first issue of its Sunday edition.



Our faces in SunStar's big 2-0




The picture is still clear: I was asked to visit the Sun.Star office, it was in R. Castillo Street back then, and while seated before the general manager, I was asked if I wanted to be part of the family. I said yes.

“You will be filling a colored page in the Pull Out section of the newspaper. You can write about anything,” said the publisher.



SunStar Davao marks its 20th year. Sharing the grandest selfie I have taken to date



I knew the beat I wanted to cover: parties, concerts, and other city happenings. During those years, the scene was alive and my social calendar was filled to its brim. There certainly wasn’t any shortage of stories to tell.

My stories, though, is but a pixel of the millions in the broad pictures the Sun.Star Davao develops. For the chance to add a tinge of color, I am honored.

As I blow fifteen candles on my cake for fifteen years of story telling, Sun.Star Davao has an even bigger reason to celebrate. The community newspaper is 20 years old this year.



The SunStar Davao Gawad Dabawenyo Award is given every 5 years. This year's awrdee is Bro. Carlito Kaspar.


Acknowledging the partners of the paper. Jerome Yeo & Lynette Lopez from SM, one of 2015's top advertiser awardees




On this important event, I add another story to tell as I, along with my fellow columnist and older Sun.Star sister Joji Alcantara (she’s 17 years old), hosted publication’s Davao’s 20th anniversary celebration.



Hosting the celebration with fellow columnist Joji Alcantara


No more stage fright at this point. With co-host & columnist Jojie Alcantara & SunStar Davao president Gina Atienza




The grand party was not just about the newspaper’s milestone, but also a chance to thank its partners who, through thick and thin, stood by the newspaper, believing that Sun.Star can deliver the most important stories to the readers. Present in acknowledging the newspaper’s partners were Sun.Star Davao’s President Ms. Gina Garcia Atienza, Sun.Star Manila Marketing President Ms. Joyce G. Dizon, Mr. Francisco A. Dizon, Board of Director, Sun.Star’s Board of Director chairman Mr. Julius G. Neri with Sun.Star Davao’s Editor-in-chief Ms. Stella A. Estremera and Sun.Star Davao General Manager Ms. Tessie A. Pana.



With the SunStar bigwigs



Davao Mayor Rody Duterte, as usual, charmed the crowd with his speech, and agreeing to requests for a selfie (about a ballroom of people) made him more endearing to everyone present.



The Mayor charming the crowd once more


Let me end this story by quoting this excerpt from the event’s script: “This year marks the 20th year of Sun.Star Davao. 20 years of unbiased, objective, and unparalleled reporting. 20 years of providing the latest news going around in Davao City, Davao Region, Mindanao, and the Nation. 20 years of giving you the latest information on the newest trends in lifestyle, technology, business, among many others. Sun.star Davao has come a long way since it began in 1995. It has won multiple journalism awards that are too many to mention.”

Congratulations Sun.Star Davao! I am proud to be part of the SunStar family.



Columnists all- Joji Lacantara, Rudolph Alama & the b-tch. :)


With the editorial team


For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/ and http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/


Published in the SunStar Davao newspaper on September 6, 2015.