The difference
 24 Jan. 2008

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Last Friday, we joined Rey M. Langit, Chairman of KBP Metro Manila Chapter, Boots Anson-Roa, President of PRIME Foundation, Inc., Angelique Lazo, Manny Luzon, Dodi Lacuna, Dong Puno, and Deo Macalma at a forum for broadcast journalists, aptly titled "Quest for Broadcast Excellence."

That was the first lecture and workshop series under the auspices of the Pete Roa Integrated Media Endeavors, Inc. or PRIME and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, Metro Manila Chapter.

It was a candid sharing of views and reviews on broadcast journalism, how one could become a good one, or stay good in the long haul. A forum was held after the speeches. Angelique and Manny stayed on — as panelists, and Rey, particularly, had the young broadcasters eating out of his hands, with his twice-told tales of classic media wars resolved with bruised egos, but integrity intact. I was tempted to note how times have changed, but prudence got the better of me. As a man of government, I have to be above that fray.

One question or point, however, I could not let pass. "What is your gauge in measuring your success as a broadcast journalist?," the panel was asked.

Different answers came up. Of course, to that question, there are as many answers as there are practitioners. Or media celebrities, if you will. But for me, one thing immediately came to mind: Only when you’ve made a difference in the lives of others, only then can you claim success in what you’re doing. It could be the life of just one, or of the entire nation. The number does not really count. It’s how you made a positive impact on another’s life that truly matters.

Like what American news anchor Tom Brokaw said, "It’s easy to make a buck, it’s a lot tougher to make a difference."

From where I sit now, wearing two hats -- that of media and for government -- the opportunity to make a difference is doubled. But the challenge, and expectations, that go with the dual role, is risen dramatically.

At our Cerge for Truth on RPN 9 last year, we ran a series of successful entrepreneurs -- the mega achievers in the microfinance sector. These are heartwarming and inspiring stories of life at the fringes, brought to the economic mainstream by timely government interventions in the micro, small and medium enterprise sector.

Elizabeth Bedra, a mother of two, supports her family from earnings of a business established with a R5,000 loan from the Barangka Credit Cooperative.

Salvacion Canlas, displaced by the extension of a mass transit line, has a successful doormat business capitalized under MSME. Her earnings support the family, mainly.

Virginia Navarro Borde of Negros, rents out tractors and agri-machinery, also under an MSME program. She, too, could hardly make ends meet, until she went into entrepreneurship.

The Bedras, Canlas and Navarros define the clear line between the journalistic success of those who are popular and those who made a difference.

For me, service through media is familiar territory. Years ago, from my radio program at DYLA in Cebu City -- InterAction - I was able to facilitate assistance, support and service for those in need. Simple folks, intimidated by the bureaucracy because of unfamiliarity with the system, got proper attention through InterAction.

Long after I had joined government in 2001 and given up my program at DYLA, I would still get much-delayed but quite profuse thanks and gratitude for one or another small favor obtained in InterAction.

Grateful people have long memories; gratitude, even if delayed, is gratifying.

I will not forget that lady who came up to me years ago, in tears, crying: "Sir, salamat kaayo sa tabang nimo. Maayo na akong bana karon." She thanked me for helping her husband, whom I did not even remember, just as I had difficulty recalling this particular lady. In any case, I was overwhelmed with a realization of real success, in real terms.

Truly, success is measured not by what we’ve reached and what we’ve achieved. What matters is the difference we’ve made in the lives of others.

The workshop participants, in their time, will make that difference, too.

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