BY MAE SINGUAY & DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Panay News’ Negrense columnist has been elected as this year’s president of the Negros Press Club (NPC).
Erwin “Ambo” Delilan will be the 88th president of the oldest press club in the country and the first-ever NPC president from Panay News.
He aced the “unordinary” general assembly and election in the history of the club held on Jan. 20.
With 33 votes, Delilan bested two other contenders, which included Romeo Subaldo of ABS-CBN and Digicast Negros, who garnered 22 votes each, and Louie Chito Berjit of Atheletia Broadcasting with 13 votes.
“Ambo” is also a content creator via his “Binalaybay Ni Ambo” on Facebook.
Elected—all unopposed—were Nida Buenafe, executive editor of Negros Now Daily, as vice president, John Lourd Diaz of Aksyon Radyo as secretary, and Nanette Guadalquiver of Philippine News Agency as treasurer.
On the other hand, Nona Magbanua, station manager of Aksyon Radyo, prevailed as the new auditor over her two closest rivals, namely Elsie Jolingan, NPC’s past president, and Henceboy Cestina of dyRL.
Winning as directors included Mae Singuay of Panay News, Yves Montecillo of Radio Mindanao Network, Rey Siason of dyRL, and Dolly Yasa of The Daily Guardian.
In his victory speech, Delilan said, “This is really a clean victory. I knew I was unwanted by some of our fellow NPC members. But I promised myself and my family that I would do my best to be relevant to this club,”
Amid the financial challenges that the NPC is facing right now, Delilan enunciated looking for other appropriate means to enliven the club anew.
“To be NPC president ain’t an easy journey. More so with the current challenges confronting the club. But one thing I can say is that I only have one honest intention: to work for the advancement-slash-welfare of all NPC members—no less, no more,”
Delilan also told his fellow media professionals here: “It’s time to raise our flag again!”
Likewise, Delilan intends to revive the defunct NPC scholarship program for any direct kin of club members who wish to take up a mass communication course in college.
“Quite challenging. But I will try my best to revive this scholarship program within my incumbency. It’s a promise!” Delilan vowed.
He, too, vowed to advocate “servant leadership” at the NPC.
Meanwhile, Delilan and the rest of the newly elected NPC officers will formally assume office on March 1./PN
