Manila Bulletin marks 124 years of commitment to Philippine progress
Exactly 124 years ago today, the first issue of the Manila Bulletin came out.
Carson C. Taylor, a teacher from Illinois, who had served in the US Army during the Spanish-American War, set it up on Feb. 2, 1900 as a shipping journal to give “the public accurate and reliable shipping and commercial information.” Taylor and H. G. Farris, editor, constituted the entire staff of the paper.
“It was a four-page newspaper with pages sized 10" by 12". It was distributed free… [and] was printed by El Progreso at 10 Carriedo Street, Manila up to 1901 when it set up its own plant,” according to historical records.
“In 1912, it came out in a six-column tabloid format. Six years later, it switched to the standard size with eight columns.”
“In the next century — except for the four years that it was closed by the Japanese during the occupation — the Manila Bulletin came out every day.” Its operation was briefly interrupted at the start of Martial Law in 1972.
Indeed, the Manila Bulletin has stood the test time and has continued to weather the challenges that come along the way.
It has remained true to its advocacy of providing factual, fair, and impartial information to help shape public opinion. Not even the emergence of technology has dampened its resolve to deliver the news that matters and when it matters.
Despite the challenges, the resolve and the resilience of management and the men and women of the media company have enabled the Manila Bulletin to stand tall in the industry.
Under the guidance of the late philanthropist-businessman Dr. Emilio T. Yap, the Manila Bulletin flourished into a reliable source of accurate information and an exponent of Philippine progress.
After Dr. Yap’s passing in 2014, his son Basilio C. Yap took over as Chairman of the Board, with grandson Dr. Emil C. Yap III as President and Vice Chairman of the Board. They have initiated transformation in the company and are embarking on innovations to keep in step with the demands of the digital era that has enabled Manila Bulletin to stay relevant.
Amid the challenges, especially with the advent of technology, Manila Bulletin will remain true to its advocacy.
“The Manila Bulletin will continue to be the ‘Exponent of Philippine Progress’. By our presentation of news, we shall strive, as the Bulletin has always done, for fairness, accuracy, and good writing, without bias in political matters. We shall remain independent of party or creed. Our code is one of decency and principle. Our editorial policy will be our guide as in the past, advocating what we think is best for the Philippines. We will continue to be critical of ideas and actuations which we believe to be contrary to the best interest of this country and its people. So far as we can make it, our criticism will always be constructive.”
We will not sacrifice accuracy for speed, fairness and decency for engagement. We will deliver information in the best interest of everyone.