It was the publication that stood the test of time. I grew up looking at newsstands and newspaper boys carrying The FREEMAN to its customers. Curious passersby would stop to look, scour their purses for a couple of coins in exchange for one copy. The front page had to sell, or else it wouldn't. Every important story was documented carefully, playing a vital role in preserving history. The FREEMAN has always been at the forefront of every major happening, ensuring that today's headlines become tomorrow's records. For many Cebuanos, it has been a constant companion through ordinary mornings and extraordinary events.
I was a young student writer then, running our college publication. A random message requesting a meeting from the then editor-in-chief piqued my curiosity. What would such an institution want from me? During our conversation, they explained that the paper was investing in new writers --young people who could represent the voice of the youth. The stories we were expected to write centered on trends, what was “in”, and the issues that mattered to younger readers, while injecting a broader and more critical perspective. I was stunned and couldn't say no. It was an opportunity that many aspiring writers only dreamed of. Here I am, more than a decade later, still writing the very column that began with that leap of faith. Looking back, it remains one of those defining moments that quietly changed the direction of my career.
There were moments when ideas flowed effortlessly and others when a blank page stared back at me. Through the years, I have written about journalism, disasters, culture, governance, and the small observations that often say the most about society. Some pieces were written out of frustration, others out of hope. Some came easily after a day in the field, while others required hours of reflection. The privilege has always been having a platform trusted by generations of readers.
I'm sure many others can say even more about their experiences with The FREEMAN. For 107 years, it has witnessed countless milestones, disasters, triumphs, and developments that shaped Cebu and the rest of the Visayas. It has chronicled changing governments, evolving communities, and generations of Cebuanos whose stories deserved to be told. That enduring passion is driven by the people's trust, and to carry the banner of being "Fair and Fearless" speaks volumes about its commitment to journalism.
Most newspapers have ended their print operations, folded altogether, or fully transitioned online. The media landscape has changed dramatically, and audiences now consume news with a swipe of a finger. Yet there remains a unique integrity and excitement in seeing stories printed on paper. Holding a newspaper still feels different. It carries the weight of careful editing, thoughtful reporting, and the responsibility of documenting the first draft of history. Ink may fade with time, but the role of a newspaper in documenting history never does. As The FREEMAN marks its 107th year, its greatest achievement is not merely surviving --it is continuing to bear witness, one story at a time.