I remember it right. It was in 1986 when I started writing for Ang Peryodiko Dabaw. I was already writing for various magazines in Manila but never tried contributing for local dailies in Davao.
I used to send my typewritten articles but at one time, I decided to go to the office which was located at Claveria Street to deliver my manuscripts. It was then that I finally met Antonio M. Ajero, the paper’s editor-in-chief.
“So, you’re the Henry who write for our paper,” he greeted me. We talked for a while and before I left, he said: “Why don’t write also for Press Foundation of Asia.” I returned and inquired, “What you mean, sir?”
He told me that most of those articles I had written seemed to be written for the foundation which released a weekly dispatch called DEPTHnews and circulated throughout Asia and the Pacific region.
That was how I started writing news features – thanks to Sir Tony.
In 1999, during a friendly conversation, he asked me to fill-up the form for a journalism contest in Manila. I did and forgot about it until I received a telegram asking me to attend the awarding ceremony at the Manila Hotel.
The Rotary Club of Manila was named me as Journalist of the Year. Other winners that year were ABS-CBN’s Ces Drillon, Siyasat Team of DWIZ, Conrado de Quiros of Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Again, thanks to Sir Tony, who nominated me.
From time to time, I met him when I visited the office that was transferred to Agdao. Since it was too far from the heart of the city, our encounter was far and in-between. Until finally, I heard that he retired the paper.
But you can’t retire a good journalist like him. A few years later, he launched a business local paper called EDGE Davao. From completely unknown paper, it was getting attention from the readers and advertisers. Under his direction as editor-in-chief, the paper started to win national awards.
It was just a matter of time that I joined as a contributor – writing some features, particularly science and travel. Later on, I decided to write a regular column, “Think on These,” which he approved without much ado.
Last year, we were together in China, where we visited two key cities: Beijing and Shanghai. We were together with other journalists from Davao and Manila. Just like a seasoned journalist, he was able to keep up with the younger ones.
I still have to so many things to say about the man whom I admired since I saw his byline in the now-defunct Asiaweek. But I want to give some space for those who also know him through the years:
“Tony is the best writer alive in Davao City today. Our bonding started decades ago when we were college mates in MC now UM. We actually did not encounter each other in campus. We were both boarding in neighboring houses in Ponciano Reyes St. Many mornings we would see each other in the ‘batalans’ of our respective boarding house while washing our clothes. We were both working students. Thinking of those years when Tony’s waistlines and mine were unmistakably undernourished I am awed how it has grown to a rich man’s belly and equaled only by his enormous success. His only daughter Ann is my only hijada.
“Fresh from college, in the late 1960’s, Tony and I were both delegates to international forum on Nationalism and International Understanding in Tokyo and later in Korea. Last July and August, we too were delegates to an international media forum One Belt, One Road in Beijing. Tony attended numerous other media forums that honed his skills in journalism. He is the man.” – Serafin Ledesma, Jr.
“Manong Tony is my go-to-guy in the media world. He is a towering institution in Davao tri-media, respected not only by his peers but even politicians and the common tao. He writes his articles with such clarity and conciseness that you need not get the dictionary to understand what he wants to convey. He is widely considered as the most respected media practitioner in Davao City.” –Atty. Israelito Torreon
“Tony is one of the most hardworking journalists of Davao, helping chronicle the growth of the city from the ‘60s to the ascension of one of our own to the Presidency. He is a fair, humble and conscientious person, characters that worthy of emulation. He is truly a living media institution. We love to see him with many more healthy years, and read his insightful accounts of life of the ordinary and the famous alike in our city and country.” – Peter Tiu Lavina
“AMA (Antonio M. Ajero) is a father figure, editor, walking Google and handy craigslist in the newsroom all rolled into one. For journalists, especially the younger ones, a stint with AMA should help polish your skills and help you get around the beat. Consider yourself an AMA student once you are under his wings and thank God you for that. He’s been around and he knows every journalistic molecule in this universe. As a mentor, you won’t find anyone like him… and for free. But here’s the catch…you also have to be ready to take some fireballs if you do not do your job well. At the end of each day with AMA, you will find yourself learning new things and if you get lucky, he’ll spoil you with his favorite food right across the street.” – Neilwin Bravo
“He is the grandfather I never had! Always full of amazing stories of his amazing youth and life that never fail to make my every talk with him full of inspiration. Not to mention he’s actually millennial at heart too!” – Ferina Santos
“He is father to everyone that why he is called ‘daddy cool.’ He is a very patient boss who imparts his knowledge in a very comprehensible way. I owe him a great part of my editing skills.” – Gigie R. Arcilla
Now, you know why people love him.
Happy birthday, Sir Tony!
