GMA eyes National Press Club as possible site for culture, arts

President Arroyo revealed yesterday her plan to declare the National Press Club (NPC) building in Intramuros, Manila as a possible site for culture and arts as the club prepares for the celebration of its 50th founding anniversary next year.

The President made known her plan during the induction of the newly elected NPC officers at Malacañang.

In a letter sent earlier to Malacañang, NPC president Luis Logarta of the Daily Tribune newspaper requested the President to declare the NPC building a national heritage site in time for the observance of its golden anniversary in October 2002.

The NPC was first organized on Oct. 22, 1951 and was officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the following year.

The NPC building was built in 1955 to house the club’s first formally organized group of print journalists in the country.

The NPC building is situated on a 4,288-square meter property along Magallanes Drive at the foot of Jones Bridge.

It houses a mural painting by renowned Filipino artist Vicente Manansala depicting the travails and roles of journalists in society.

The late newspaperman Teodoro "Doroy" Valencia was the first elected president of the NPC.

Since the NPC building falls short of the 50-year requirement as prescribed under the existing guidelines of the National Historical Institute (NHI), the said edifice instead may be considered as a possible cultural site. The National Museum is the agency mandated to evaluate such sites.

Aside from Logarta, the President also inducted into office the following NPC officers: Al Pedroche (Pilipino Star), vice president; Roman Floresca (Philippine STAR), secretary; Jim Bilasano (PBS-Malaya), treasurer; Sanny Galvez (Manila Bulletin), auditor; Mandy Francisco (ABS-CBN); Fred Roxas (Manila Bulletin); Delfin Perez (Manila Bulletin); Lolit Rivera (Manila Standard); Amor Virata (Remate Tonite); Willie Caliwan (Balita); Dennis Fetalino (People’s Journal); and Jimmy Cheng (United Daily News)as directors.

Present during the induction were Press Secretary Noel Cabrera, Press Undersecretary Roberto Capco, newly appointed Deputy Spokeswoman Isabel de Leon, Assistant Secretary Carmen Suba, former Press Undersecretary Marcelo Lagmay and Court of Appeals Justice Ramon Mabutas.