IF you really count back to the day Bandera was born, it’s been 23 years.
How far we’ve come from a Manila-circulation tabloid to a national superstar, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao where year after year surveys confirm this is the paper that people look for the most.
I‘d like to take this opportunity to thank a pioneer in the staff, editor Lito Bautista, who watched over its growth from infancy and its crossover in 2003 to a new life under the Inquirer Group.
His constant reminder to listen to what readers are asking for, is advice that is timeless.
He treats letters to the editor (today, it’s more voluminous in text messages and Facebook comments ) as precious links.
Putting value in feedback is what will keep Bandera a faithful “Bantay”, a friendly neighborhood companion and watchdog for Filipino readers.
I’m glad the mantra of “Put the readers’ interest first” is one that binds the staff together under Dona Policar, editor in chief, who started out as a young correspondent and today provides unique female leadership in a changing media landscape.
Dona has been in the forefront of bringing Bandera to the digital age while keeping the print edition true to standards of professional journalism.
Congratulations for the relaunched Bandera website that is keeping our overseas Pinoy countrymen in touch with the latest in news and entertainment.
In its second month, bandera.inquirer.net has racked up (100,000 hits/page views during the first month, and counting).
To other members of the team also led by editors Jimmy Alcantara, Ervin Santiago, Fred Nasiad and Melvin Sarangay, keep up the good work and stay true to the mission of empowering Filipinos with a copy of Bandera in every household (print or otherwise).
Eileen G. Mangubat
Publisher