Veteran journalist Gus Arnaiz, writes 30
2nd Update 15:45 December 27, 2009
MAASIN CITY – Veteran journalist and publisher, Agustin Cerro “Gus” Arnaiz, Sr. succumbed to cardio pulmonary arrest after a massive asthma attack at around 7:20 p.m. Saturday. He was 85 years old.
He is survived by his wife Salud, children Eleanor, Agustin Jr, Januario, Filipinas, Margaret, Victoria, Mary May and Marina. Sister Emilia and brother Narciso.
(There was already a premonition noted after he vigorously urged his children to have a Christmas party and reunion at noon with his own family from his native Bogo village and a children’s party at 3:00 p.m. among his neighbors in Mantahan village in the city on the same day on December 26. It was the first time he did that in his life during Christmas.
Earlier on that day, he woke up early and was excited to meet his family and relatives from his native Bogo, which was celebrating its fiesta and the children’s party which wore as Santa Clause giving crisp twenty peso bills and other gifts.
Few hours later at around 7:00 p.m. while preparing to attend the fiesta celebration, he had a massive asthma attack leading to his death. He was asthmatic.)
He maybe tickled pink when somebody addresses him as Atty., but he was only a second year high school drop-out because of sheer poverty. He was the second among 11 siblings.
A World War II veteran who had just received last November his lump sum of $9,000 pension from US government.
Taking odd jobs after he stopped schooling until he enlisted as soldier of Philippine Scout at age 17 during the last World War.
He then became one of the youngest sergeants at age 18.
After the war, he landed a job in Wake Island and after taking up correspondence school in accounting, he was hired as accountant of TransOcean Airlines, then the biggest in USA.
Sensing that they were being exploited, he led a protest and won against Transocean. The protest led to his being barred on entering the US territories.
Back to his homeland he ventured into a sari-sari store and was successful. But the urged for public service, led him into publishing and started his two page (back-back) The Reporter newspaper in 1965 until it folded up after nearly forty years of publication.
The Reporter became the first regional newsweekly and has become an institution. An online version, thereporteronline.com.ph was launched on the day The Reporter was born on October 19 without his knowledge. He was only able to see print-out three days to his death.
An outstanding Southern Leyteño in the Century in the field of journalism.
Incarcerated four times and arrested 19 times during the martial law years of Pres. Marcos.
Chosen spokeperson of journalists in One Asia Assembly at the Asian Institute of Management.
He was always the life in all national gathering of journalists and publishers of Philippine Press Institute and Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc.
He was former official of National Book Development Board and National Commission for Culture and Arts.
An insurance agent of good standing of Insular Life and Malayan Insurance.
According to Yel Kangleon Cobile, of Virginia USA, “I know of Inko Dadoy as a very good man during my growing years in Mantahan. He was also my father’s friend. My father always thought of him as someone with a profound integrity and strong convictions.
I know of Inko Dadoy who was strict and firm with his children. But I saw that he did it for good reasons.
Inko Dadoy had always high regards for me. He always said hi everytime our paths cross. He was never a snub. When I left Mantahan for the states, I knew I was going to miss him.
People who know him will miss him.
For Inko Dadoy, “Godspeed in your journey in the afterlife!”, Sir…
His body lies at his residence in Mantahan, Maasin City. Interment will be on December 31.
Goodbye, Lolo Gus. I will miss you.
It is good to learn that he was happy when he passed away. That is actually a gift that very few are granted during the last moments of their lives. My condolences and deep sympathy to all the family
I toast your wonderful, colorful life, Lolo Gus. Thank you for the words of wisdom often shared with me over the usual glass of red wine.
To you Lolo Gus….CHEERS!
May the good Lord welcome you with open arms into his kingdom. Amen
Dundeet Lerias
Oh!! What a colorful 85 years of life.
I salute you No Dadoy.
You stood steadfastly on things you believe in.
I was lucky to have a good talk with you a year ago.
I will never forget that moment.
My deepest sympathy to the members of the family.
I met this man in several occasions few years back. I always introduced myself as a friend of Ayet and hails from Tagnipa Maasin. He is a big man with huge smile! I love his voice too.
In behalf of my family, I would like to express my sincerest condolences and prayers to the Arnaiz family. I pray that God may give them the strength they need!
to mano jani,
our condolonces….
and thanks for the memories of sir arnaiz and for founding his paper.
our prayers.
our condolences…
…and for founding The Reporter.
Goodbye Sir Gus.
Boyax and I would miss you. (could not help from crying as I write this message)
Nawawalan ang Pilipinas ng isang mahusay na political analyst sa pagpanaw mo.
our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you.
with our deepest symphathy.
amelia rojas miel
Our condolences to the Family of the Founding Father of Maasin’s “The Reporter. He will be missed indeed!
As a child in Mantahan, I remember him as my father’s confidant and good family friend. My brothers and sisters grew up with his family in a mutual atrmosphere of neighborly giving, sharing and comaraderie. I was always welcome to his house to play lastikohay (rubberbands), shomoy (marbles), jumprope or shatom with Elly, Boy, Fe or Jani while other little kids watch.
Inko Dadoy was always there with other neighbors everytime my father, Fred, is in need in docking our huge fishing pump boat at the notice of upcoming area typhoon or tropical depression. He never was greedy with his strong manpower as he was a strong man himself. As reciprocation to his unfaltering kindness, we always sent towards their way meager offerings out of the day’s catch when the bounty is plentiful. Inko Dadoy and my father, Fred, were indeed friends.
Inko Dadoy was not a selfish individual. At times, when he saw me walking my way to school, he cared to stop just to offer me a safe ride. In his seemingly busy lifestyle, he took time to nurture the value of mutual neighborliness and his adoration and love for children. I think he envisioned and saw the value in the young generation as Maasin’s future leaders.
Inko Dadoy introduced my father to the insurance protection of “Insular Life”. We believed in him.
I always saw Inko Dadoy as a jolly man with an outgoing personality who participated in community events or government-sponsored “bayle”. I remember his big physical build gracefully swaying Maam Alud as they danced to the beat of cha-cha or mellow dance.
Inko Dadoy was extremely articulate in his affinity with The Reporter. When he talked with my father about community issues or political affairs in the local and national levels, he always impressed us the flair of finnesse in delivering his lines of thought. As I write this paragraph, I realize now why his son, Januario “Jani” is good! (More power to you, Jani!)
Conservative in his ways, Inko Dadoy so much loved Southern Leyte that he seemed indiscrete in his expression on the dysfunctions of our local and national governments. I think for this reason, the Ferdinand Marcos regime was not fond of his viewpoints. The Marcos’ ouster proved Inko Dadoy right.
He cared to be at the ‘pantalan’ (now Maasin City Port) to bid me farewell on my way for greener pastures in the United States. He shook my hand and said, “Please don’t forget who we are. Remember always.” Oh boy, how can I ever forget those words!
(On the side, my father, Alfredo “Fred”, also passed away in July this year to natural causes.) I reckon, as He and Inko Dadoy used to, that they are going to take turns indulging themselves on the smoothness of the “bahal” in the afterlife. Tagay, “‘Doy”, my father occasionally said.
Now, I am in Virginia, reminiscing my past with him. For us and those who know him, he will be always be missed. He set the precedence for his family as a community icon and legend in his time. I refuse to say that “he was…” but I will always say that he “is” Agustin Cerro “Gus” Arnaiz, Sr.
Cheers and Godspeed, Inko Dadoy. We will always remember you as we remember ourselves who we are…
Humbly,
Yel Kangleon Cobile and Family
Virginia, USA
Having fought for us in WWII as a Philippine Scout against the Japanese, Inko Dadoy should be declared a “Hero”. As a footnote, he fought side-by-side with my uncle, Filomeno S. Kangleon Sr., a corporal in the Philippine Scouts, with the US forces.
I profoundly urge Maloney Samaco, my cousins Mian and Oging Mercado to posthumously award him as such in recognition for his contributions that set the people of Maasin and Southern Leyte free from the atrocities of the Japanese Army.
I believe in my heart Inko Dadoy unquestionably deserves it.
As owner of the MaasinCity.Com website, I stood down its home page to pay homage and respect to Inko Dadoy, and to post a simple poem for his family. It’s the least I can do for such a man of convictions. Here’s the link: http://www.maasincity.com.
I grew up within Ingko Dadoy’s neighborhood and sometimes we were lucky to have a “drinking session” with him together with the Tiyoys. Having him in the group was already an honor and privilege but what i remember him the most was his very strong personality and encouragement in life. The way he gave his advice to us younger generation ( that was years ago).
For Ingko Dadoy, you are in our thoughts and prayers and will be surely missed…
God bless you and your family during this time and always…
Bernie and Betty
New York City
To the family,
I will remember Tio Gus as a man who stood by his principles at all times. He was firm in his conviction, frank in his speech but affectionate in his ways.
He lived a very colorful life. For as long as I can remember, he was always driving, from one end of Leyte to the other. It was not unitil lately that he settled in Mantahan walking the sidewalks, talking to friends and relatives who stopped by to say hello.
He has finally settled – no more arguments, no more reasons. He will be missed.
May the future genarations learn and follow Tio Gus’ love of provinc which he clearly manifested in thought, in word and in deed.
Our sincerest condolences. We will pray for him. May he rest in peace.
Vic and Rosette LERIAS
Sympathy and profound condolences to the Gus Arnaiz, Sr. family.
Ironic as it may seem for me, I see faces of those who fall while fighting for the flag of their nation. Some do their tasks under the name of radicalized Islam; some, under the guise of conquest; some, under their sheer hatred and envy of the west and US; and, for many, under the name of freedom for the sake of mankind. I thought I became heartless and numb as I see these things almost on a daily basis.
I concede that I was wrong, when I read about Gus’ passing. I felt an inexplicable and invaluable loss of a Maasin icon – the local pioneer of The Reporter. My great, great grandfather, who also fought the Japanese in World War II as a guerilla, told me of his service as a Philippine Scout. To me, he was a Philippine soldier in Maasin’s own terms. I concur with Yel Cobile that Damian and/or Roger Mercado should initiate, in their respective capacities, a move that will allow the officiation of the belated Agustin “Gus” Cerro Arnaiz as a hero of Maasin.
Old soldiers never die… they just fade away. I salute you, (Sergeant) Gus Arnaiz. Know that you will never be forgotten. Till we meet again.
Daniel Espere
LCDR, USN SpecOps
Temp Contingency: Feyzabad, Afghanistan
I met him when I was still in the council. I really don’t know him that much but my colleagues were so warn to him to the point of being starstruck.
If Madam Rosette’s recollection of him before he settle is right, I might have enjoyed his company a lot.
I offer my sincere condolence and sympathy to Maam Alud and the rest of the siblings.
Gus is Maasin’s loss that no one can ever replace. He instilled in his generation the importance of The Reporter. I am glad that Jani, his son, took over the legacy of which Gus Arnaiz left behind. Now, Jani is doing the tasks for us so the momentum of The Reporter’s presence will persist to continue.
I never knew that he was a Philippine Scout Sergeant. I must them thank him in a belated sense for his contribution in recouping our freedom back from the Japanese.
Not much to say but to say so long to an icon. Ironically as one said, we take our turns eventually.
That being said, for those of us left behind… live life, laugh and love… for what lies ahead we know not.
Adieu, Gus. Till then.
Maasin Sentinel
Mantahan, Maasin City
My Sympathy & profound Condolences to No Guz and Family.
The following was published in the Op-ed pages of The Manila Standard Today on December 30, 2009.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2009/december/30/bongaustero.isx&d=/2009/december/30
Are we there yet?
By Bong Austero
Tribute to a hero and mentor
I am a human resource management person by profession, a teacher by calling, and a writer by accident.
I never really thought of myself as a writer—I actually still don’t to this day. Writing was just something I could do when I was growing up. Until I started cobbling pieces for this column, being a writer wasn’t something that defined who I was. And even despite the fact that I have been writing this column for almost four years now, I still do not self-identify as a writer because I feel that it is something that I haven’t really given as much devotion to compared to, say, teaching or my HRM career.
The way I see it, writing is a craft that requires a certain degree of commitment—a commitment to perfection or at least the quest for it—something that I just don’t have the time or the temperament for. Unlike some friends who can truly lay claim to the title “writer,” I don’t agonize over a misplaced preposition or spend sleepless night searching for the right metaphor to express something. This is not to say though that I don’t value the craft because I do.
At any rate, one question that I am often asked is: How did I get into writing? This question is always mystifying to me because I always get the impression that people actually think that the ability to write is something one is born with. I get the feeling people who ask that question expect me to provide an inventory of the chromosomes I got from my ancestors. Sure I was a co-opted into joining—and becoming editor—of my high school and college papers but the truth is that by no means of the imagination can what I did then be classified as writing. I am aware that there’s not a single “writer” in this world who does not cringe or is tempted to commit self-annihilation when confronted with the stuff one wrote in high school or college. I assure you I am not being facetious and I am being truthful when I say that I produced hideous stuff back then.
There’s actually a story behind how I got into writing; a story that needs to be told now because the man at whose feet I learned the rudiments of real—or serious—writing, the man who inspired me to try to be good at it, the man who took pains to mentor me, even teach me to unlearn bad writing habits, is now gone.
Agustin Gus Arnaiz Sr., the crusading provincial journalist who valiantly championed press freedom in Leyte and Samar for many decades passed away Saturday evening in his hometown of Maasin, Southern Leyte. He was 85.
I was a college sophomore when a couple of my friends and I walked into the offices of The Reporter, a weekly newspaper in Tacloban City to gather some data for a term paper we had to produce for school. At that time, Gus Arnaiz, publisher of The Reporter, was already quite a “legend” in the region. He had just come close to winning a seat in Congress against the powerful Romualdezes, who, incidentally also put him behind bars for writing about rumors around then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos. All throughout the Marcos regime he was incarcerated four times and arrested a grand total of 19 times. The Reporter was then the lone beacon of freedom and fearless writing in the whole of Region VIII. In the eyes of a then-neophyte activist, Arnaiz was a giant.
Arnaiz granted our group an interview. To this day, I still do not know what he saw in me or what possessed him to do it but he offered me a job on the spot as associate editor of the weekly paper. I learned later on that the post had been vacant for quite sometime simply because Arnaiz didn’t find anyone he liked well enough. It dawned on me many years later that he wasn’t really looking for an employee—he was on the lookout for someone he could mentor like a son. He paid me full wages for a job that was really part-time as I was still studying then. As if to make up for the hours I was in school, I would accompany him some nights and during some weekends in the long drives he made around Tacloban and the Leyte-Samar area. He was always visiting friends and colleagues who were always more than too happy to host him. Arnaiz was a genius at making conversations. I later on learned this was how he got the various “exclusive” stories that he wrote for the weekly paper. It was from these long nights that I learned how to listen, really listen.
It was on those long, very long drives —sometimes we would be driving for hours, even whole days—that I learned so much about writing and life in general. Arnaiz loved to talk—he was conversant about almost anything— from history to politics, from business to current events—despite the fact that he didn’t finish school. He had to drop out from high school due to poverty. I guess telling stories came naturally for a man who lived a very exciting and fulfilling life. Arnaiz was the classic example of a self-made man. He was a war veteran (he finally received his war veteran benefit from the United States government last November). It was from the man that I learned how to weave stories and tell them.
Arnaiz coaxed me out of my shell. He even maneuvered to put me in the board of the regional association of media people where, at 17 years old, I sat as the youngest director for one term. He taught me how to use a typewriter, edited my work right in front of me, and alas, also taught me how to smoke and drink.
I had to quit working for the weekly paper when I was in senior college to yield to paternal pressure to get a diploma. But my relationship with Arnaiz continued, shifting from mentor-mentee to friends. For many years in the late eighties I continued to write pieces for the weekly paper, stuff that I had to send by snail mail every week from Manila where I was already working.
From him I learned how to write letters. Arnaiz was a man who wrote real letters—he typed even social and personal letters using a formal format and with carbon copies too.
The Reporter eventually folded up last year. Although his children tried to sustain the paper with the same fervor and spirit that Arnaiz breathed into it, I guess some things in this world are just never the same without the moving force driving it.
We all have personal heroes that we look up to; people to whom we owe what we’ve become. It had been ages since I last talked to the man but the years have not diminished the affection and respect I keep for the man who taught me how to write.
Farewell, Gus. Thank you for the many valuable gifts you so selflessly shared with me.
Our deepest sympathy and profound condolence to Sir Gus and Family. Not only he deserves as Hero for Southern Leyte as a Veteran, but he also deserves a posthumous Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) in the field of Journalism. I urge Presidents of our local University and Colleges to afford such honor to him.
Cruz Family
Idaho, USA
hi jani,
no doubt the outpouring of sympathy you have received has been
of some consolation
.
hopefully it will served as a reminder to you of how well-loved and
liked your father was.
may GOD bless you and your family.
amelia and the ROJAS family of BANTIG.
ALBUQUERQUE , NEW MEXICO
U S A
@bendz
oh is it some compensatory mechanism for some deficit
thats going on in your life.
how long have been without a job.
its not funny.
@bruce:
Kindly place your ranting under an appropriate article about bendz. Specifically, this article pertains to Gus’ passing. Have some “respect”, Bay…
@ daniel espere
my mistake.
kindly ask jani to delete that comments.
thanks
asa naman tong mga ALLEGREHON. nag
hang over mo bay.mata na oi.
painitan , concerned citizen , mamaklaray , yoyo , maasinman ,
bulljack , berto taga , laddy , maasinhon , magdalo
sogod na pod ug allegre.
tabukid lagi ko oi.
ana nasajop na man pod kong butang sa ahong comments
basaha ninja dali dali kay ipa delete najo.
before ma notice nj sir daniel espere.
kaning laging taga bukid oi. dili ka balo.
@eping:
Ahem!!! Too late, Bay!