The Freeman at 90

Seldom if at all to see these days a newspaper reaching the breadth of 90 years. According to many readers I’ve heard: “Ug walay pasensya, ug diutay rag sulod ang bulsa, maglisud gyud gani sa pag-abot ug 20 ka tuig!”

Anyway, The FREEMAN, Cebu’s newspaper since year 1919, the oldest newspaper in Cebu and second in the country, turned 90 years old last July 18. Reaching this far, the occasion was auspicious and needed an appropriate celebration.

And so our dear Chairman Dr. Jose “Dodong” R. Gullas and his wife Mrs. Nena Gullas gathered the almost 300 employees of The FREEMAN including the editors, assistant editors, reporters, photographers, columnists and down to the lever of ordinary workers of The FREEMAN. All were treated by Chairman Dodong to a sumptuous lunch at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel, no less.

The day’s affair started with a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Joe Tajanlangit at the Grand Ballroom. Flying all the way from Manila for this occasion was our president & CEO Mr. Miguel G. Belmonte. And he stayed with us all throughout the celebration as the bigwigs enjoyed the hilarious program presented by the personnel which tickled the audience pink.

To cap the two-day celebration, the next day Chairman Dodong Gullas hosted cocktails and dinner to The FREEMAN’s valued clients, advertisers and avid supporters. A very special guest was our favorite model and supporter, Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia.

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And speaking of Gov. Gwen Garcia, her daughter, lawyer Ma. Esperanza Christina will wed Liloan Mayor Vincent “Duke” Franco, son of Mrs. Cynthia D. Frasco on Saturday, August 8 at 4PM at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Reception follows at the Cebu International Convention Center.