DAILY STAR’s
grand 30th anniversary

It was a time for remembrance…a time for joy….a time for celebrating 30 glorious years! Thus, the Visayan DAILY STAR pulled out all the stops and celebrated its 30th anniversary recently with a luncheon at Planta Centro Hotel, attended by the directors, DAILY STAR staff, VIPs and special guests.

We were asked to come in “passionate red”, the official color of the paper and of course, pearls, symbolizing the Pearl anniversary. As guests walked into the venue, the sounds of Bagguer Villaluz’s one-man band could be heard dishing out songs from the past three decades.

Fr. Felix Pasquin gave the invocation, after which the guests raised their glasses in a toast given by Tutay Corral, for the VDS. Lunch was an array of scrumptious dishes highlighted by a super crispy lechon. A surprise number was given by Monsignor GG Gaston, who sang “Jalisco” to the delight of the crowd. STAR president and editor-in-chief Ninfa Leonardia gave a beautiful speech about the humble beginnings of the VDS, the constant struggle to meet the payday of the staff, the hardships to continue despite storms, fires, revolutions, threats, etc. And, the satisfaction of knowing that the DAILY STAR had truly become the community newspaper of Negros.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., in his speech, admitted that he was one of those who thought the DAILY STAR would only last for two months. But then, he acknowledged that he was happily mistaken – it has lasted for 30 years! He even said the DAILY STAR is now global, as he often receives calls from relatives and friends abroad on the news they read from the DAILY STAR website. Mayor Bing Leonardia congratulated the staff for doing an excellent job in keeping the people informed of what is really going on. Songstress Token Lizares entertained the audience with her rousing performance. Ninfa called on Mitchell Duran, one of the former staff of the VDS, who is now with the International Labor Organization. Mitchell reminisced about the good old days when they were still struggling to get the paper out, by hook or by crook. Paeng Golez gave the closing remarks while Token enjoined the audience to join her in the song, “Look For a Star”.

Everybody did, with passion.*