US-based Philippines Global Media Group to hold induction in August

Los Angeles – The Philippine Global Media Group (PGMG) will hold its induction of officers and gala night on Aug. 8 at the Crystal Ballroom of the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel at 12725 Center Court Drive, Cerritos.

This was announced by its incoming president Dan Niño and Val Abelgas, president and board chairman, respectively of PGMG.

Niño, a lifelong journalist will succeed Abelgas, also a seasoned journalist and editor, who will serve as chairman of the board.

Niño began his media career in Manila in 1973 as contributing writer for Sports Weekly Magazine and Mod Magazine before becoming the managing editor of Car & Truck Magazine. Recently, he was conferred The Outstanding Pilipino (TOP) award for his achievement in the field of journalism, along with other honorees from various disciplines.

Abelgas, who was the first president of PGMG, is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Philippine Post, a digital weekly. He has been a professional journalist for 54 years starting as a sportswriter for The Philippine Daily Express before becoming its managing editor.

Abelgas moved to The Manila Standard in 1987 and later to Philippine Times Journal, serving as managing editor for both. In the US, he has edited several Fil-Am newspapers. He was also the first TOP awardee for Outstanding Achievement in Journalism in 2018 and the first FAPCCA Journalist of the Year in 2016.

Other officers to be sworn-in by Philippine consul general to Los Angeles Adelio Angelito Cruz include: vice presidents Lydia Solis, Nimfa Rueda and Jannelle So-Perkins; Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo (secretary); Meg Ilagan (treasurer); Rick Gavino (auditor); Ellen Rodriguez-Swing and Joe Cobilla, Jr. (public relations officers); along with board members: Marc Pijuan, Louinn Lota, Alfred Gabot, Meh Guevarra, Bobby Crisostomo, Julian Oriel, Vics Magsaysay, Joy Mariño, Doeleth Gatdula, Nemen Cabatuando, Benny Uy, Isidric Panganiban, Mylene  Capati, Fernando Gonong, Jr., Eddie Ferrer and Mel Velasco.

PGMG was founded in November 2023 with the mission of uplifting the journalistic and ethical standards among men and women of Southern California and later on to include media practitioners in the global Filipino diaspora.