MB 125 Anniversary
It started with two. Former US Army soldier Carson C. Taylor together with H. G. Farris started a shipping journal called The Daily Bulletin with just the two of them as staff in 1900. After 125 years, the paper no longer just covers shipping news and, in fact, is no longer just a newspaper.
Over the years, people have come and gone at the Manila Bulletin, its name since 1989, working as editors, reporters, photojournalists and then going up the editorial ladders.
As the Manila Bulletin celebrates its 125th anniversary on Feb. 2, we asked a few of them who have become part of its historied past to share their memories of the big stories they brought to the pages of the nation’s leading newspaper.
Loreto Cabañes
Former Editor-in-Chief
Loreto Cabañes, former MB editor-in-chief, counts as his biggest story the banner headline announcing Jose “Jobo” B. Fernandez, Jr. as the new Central Bank governor in the Jan. 15, 1984 city edition. Only the Bulletin Today, as it was known then, had the story.
How Cabañes got the story is the stuff that separates the “men from the boys” in journalism. The actual announcement from Malacanang was about Central Bank Governor Jaime Laya who was appointed as education secretary. But Cabanes knew there was a bigger story.
“So I worked on a possible story on who would replace him at the Central Bank, but I could not find anything on that up to deadline time,” Cabañes related. He saw a way to the story through a reliable source who was one of the contenders for the CB position. “I told him that if he does not tell me who would be appointed, I’d write a story announcing his name.” And so, the name of Fernandez was confirmed.
“Bulletin Today’s first edition banner story on Laya was replaced by Fernandez as new CB governor in the city edition,” Cabañes said.
That’s only one of the many big stories that Cabañes brought to MB’s Business Section where he eventually took over Art Sales as business editor from 1992 to 2021. He was appointed Editor-in-Chief on May 1, 2021. He retired on July 31, 2023, serving Manila Bulletin for 51 years.
Johannes Chua
Former editor, Cruising, Home & Design, Property & Living,
and Environment & Sustainability
Johannes Chua began his professional career at The Manila Bulletin (MB) right after earning an Economics Degree from De La Salle University in 1999. He later pursued a master’s degree in Creative Writing from the same university in 2017 and is currently working toward a doctorate in Communications at the University of the Philippines. His first role was as an editorial assistant for Cruising Magazine, MB’s dedicated motoring and travel glossy publication.
From 1999 to 2023, Chua steadily rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the editor of various sections, including Property & Living, and Environment & Sustainability, and Lifestyle section’s Home & Design. He also served as the editor of Liwayway Magazine, the country’s longest-running Filipino magazine, which received the prestigious “Gawad CCP Para sa Sining” award in 2020. This accolade, the highest honor for arts and culture from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, recognized Chua’s editorial leadership and the magazine’s pivotal role in preserving and promoting Filipino culture.
Among his more recent works for MB was the opinion piece “Zombies have infiltrated the PR industry,” published on June 2, 2023. The article sent shockwaves through the publishing and PR industries, offering readers a look at the challenges journalists face in today’s media landscape. More than that, it showcased Chua’s ability to provoke thought and elicit strong reactions—highlighting the power and influence of his voice.
Chua’s style of storytelling, his dedication to work, often giving up food and rest, and his creative mind provided inspiration to the new writers, many of them his students in the universities where he taught journalism and creative writing.
Nate Barretto
Former editor,
Provincial News Sections, MB Online
Barretto was with the Manila Bulletin for almost 24 years, but he puts it exactly – “for 23 years and seven months.” Here’s what he wrote about his biggest and most memorable stories:
“I served the MB organization (first with Tempo and then the Manila Bulletin—also bits in MB Online and Cruising, Sports, and The Panorama magazines) for 23 years and seven months.
“For Tempo, my most memorable story would be my first banner, an exclusive I covered in Cavite: “US visa faking syndicate busted.” But I also had something special—even if it did not bear any byline: the obituary I wrote while in grief for our beloved chairman, Dr. Emilio T. Yap, whose midnight calls to change the language and tone of the front-page stories had my full attention. I [learned] from him an enduring lesson that journalism must be truthful but not nasty.”
Barretto also headed the Luzon news correspondents whose skills he nurtured through many private training sessions and conversations.
Tito Talao
Former Sports editor
Tito Talao, who was Manila Bulletin sports editor from 2017 to 2022, started with Tempo. He writes about the highlights of living his dream for 40 years:
“I worked for 40 years (from 1982 to 2022), the last four or five with the prestigious Manila Bulletin newspaper.
“The first time I set foot at the Manila Bulletin Publishing office was as a cub reporter for Tempo back in 1982, covering sports. The first time I attended the Monday MB editors meeting was in 2017, being in the presence of the boss and the veteran editors and department heads.
“My most memorable piece: Being a witness to history when Hidilyn Diaz won the weightlifting gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, delivering the Philippines’ first ever gold medal in the Summer Games, and being able to write it for the Manila Bulletin. And weeping while writing about it after Gilas Pilipinas rallied from a double digit deficit in the closing minutes of the semifinal game against host China in the Hangzhou Asian Games, behind the miracle three-point baskets by Justin Brownlee.
“Another was being in shock after South Korea’s Lee Sang-Min beat the buzzer with a three-point shot in the semifinal game of the 2002 Asian Games in Busan against the Philippines, which was up by two until that fateful trey. I had to do the story in a press room filled with wildly celebrating Korean sportswriters.
“I was able to live my dream for 40 years, and only have gratitude in my heart for all those unforgettable, treasured moments. Happy anniversary, Manila Bulletin!
Crispina Martinez Belen
Manila Bulletin’s first
entertainment editor
Crispina Martinez Belen was Manila Bulletin’s first entertainment editor, and she started working with the company in 1965 and retiring in 1995. She writes:
“I first worked in a bank, the Philippine National Cooperative Bank. I was only 18 years old at that time. Then I went to the Manila Bulletin and sought admission with the owner, Don Emilio Yap, who was kind enough to admit me to the fold.
“Being the first entertainment editor of the Manila Bulletin, I encountered various problems and challenges. One of my most memorable experiences was my interview with Ms. Gloria Romero, my first interviewee in fact, who was then dubbed the “Queen of Philippine Movies.”
“I was late arriving at Sampaguita Pictures Studios because I had difficulty getting a jeepney ride. When I arrived, Ms. Romero was about to leave; I met her at the gate already.
But we had an interesting interview, and she was an Ilocana like me. That was my most memorable interview.
“I had many other unforgettable experiences, and many showbiz personalities sought to be interviewed by me, being the most popular entertainment editor at that time.
“My advice to young journalists covering the beat is to seek new interesting showbiz personalities, especially those who show great promise as young performers, but to be humble in return, encouraging them and not intimidating them.”
Anjo Perez
Former chief of photography
Anjo Perez joined the Manila Bulletin in 1994 and covered the airport beat where he said he stood at the “moments in history.” He then stepped into the motoring beat where he established a reputation for taking the best photos of cars in motion or in the showroom. He said his life with Manila Bulletin was “filled with stories that shaped my perspective on life and the world around me.” Anjo writes more about his career:
“The year was 1994, and I had just taken my first step into the world of journalism as a correspondent for the aviation beat at the Manila Bulletin. Little did I know, this would mark the beginning of a two-decade-long adventure that would shape my career and allow me to witness some of the most significant moments in history.
“In those early years, the aviation beat was a thrilling space, brimming with stories of innovation and movement. But as I grew, so did my responsibilities, leading me to roles that gave me a deeper understanding of storytelling. By the time I became the assistant editor for Motoring and photo editor of Cruising Magazine, I had developed a knack for capturing the essence of both words and visuals. My eventual promotion to chief of the Photo Department felt like a culmination of years of hard work and passion.
“Among the many assignments I took on, a few stand out as milestones in my career. Covering the Mount Parker tragedy in Mindanao was a somber reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature, but also of the resilience of the human spirit. It was a story that required sensitivity and courage—qualities I learned to sharpen during my time in the field.
“Equally memorable were the arrivals of global dignitaries. I had the rare opportunity to cover the historic visits of US Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Each visit carried its own significance, reflecting the evolving relationship between nations. Yet, it wasn’t just political figures who left an impression. Covering the arrivals of Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis was a deeply moving experience, especially witnessing the faith and devotion of the Filipino people as they welcomed these spiritual leaders with open hearts.
“But perhaps the most personal and unforgettable chapter of my career came with Cruising Magazine. I had the privilege of being part of a team that pioneered cross-country travel in the Philippines at a time when roll-on roll-off ferries were unheard of. Together, we mapped out routes that allowed motorists to explore the beauty of the Philippine countryside. Driving across islands, we not only uncovered breathtaking landscapes but also the warm hospitality of local communities. These journeys weren’t just about showcasing scenic routes—they were about inspiring Filipinos to rediscover their own backyard, one road trip at a time.
“From the bustling newsroom to the quiet moments behind the lens, my years at the Manila Bulletin were filled with stories that shaped my perspective on life and the world around me. Each assignment was a testament to the power of storytelling—whether through words, photographs, or the connections forged along the way. Those 20 years were more than a career; they were a journey, one that will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Alberto Garcia
Former chief of photography
Alberto Garcia, or “Manong Albert” as he is fondly called by those who had worked with him at the Manila Bulletin, is a legend not just in the history of the company but in the history of photojournalism in the country.
In the years that he worked for the Manila Bulletin, including his two stints as chief of photography, Garcia inspired his fellow photographers with his dedication to his craft. What propelled him to fame was the incredible photo he took of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on June 15, 1991. It was a shot taken at the right moment, with all the right elements in place—the quintessential perfect photo.
In an article for the Philippine Panorama, Garcia narrated how it all happened. It was partly luck, or providence, that he was in the lead car of a convoy of journalists that happened to have been on site, covering Mt. Pinatubo when that particular eruption happened. As is seen in the now iconic photo, the second car in the convoy was there, followed by a billowing cloud of ash and dust from the volcano. A mix of fear and excitement, coupled with the presence of mind of a photojournalist who knew why he was there in the first place, got Garcia to bring out his camera and take the shot.
“June 15 was the day I thought I was going to die,” Garcia recalled, years later in a video for the Manila Bulletin. “I thank God for giving me another chance to live.”
Roni Santiago
Cartoonist
For 41 years, from November 1981 to May 2023, Roni Santiago drew comic strips and editorial cartoons for the Manila Bulletin. Although he has already retired, he continues to draw for the Bulletin, sending editorial cartoons and keeping his comic series, “Baltic & Co.”
A legend even among Pinoy cartoonists, Mang Roni created “Baltic & Co.” in the 1970s, making it the longest-running Filipino comic strip today. It first appeared in the pages of the Bulletin sometime in February 1983.
Asked why he continues to draw, he had a simple reply: “Bisyo ko [mag]-drawing. Mahirap itigil. (Drawing is my vice. It is difficult to stop doing it.)” (With reports from Pinky C. Colmenares and Rey Ilagan)