When the idea of launching the very first business newspaper in Davao City was still just a bold dream sketched across a meeting table, Gregorio “Greg” Deligero was already there—steady, thoughtful, and ready to build something that would outlast all of them.
Inside that room sat editor-in-chief Antonio Ajero, general manager Olivia Velasco, finance manager Jocelyn Panes, and Greg, the man who would become the publication’s first associate editor. It was a small group with a big vision, and Greg was the pioneer among them—the one who would help shape the identity of what would soon become Edge Davao.
From the moment the newsroom came alive, Greg took command of the news desk with a calm confidence that made him both respected and relied upon. He wasn’t just a journalist; he was the newsroom’s resident statistician, the man who understood that numbers were not merely figures on a page but the pulse of the economy, the story beneath the story. His business reportage was sharp, engaging, and always backed by data—an approach that set a new standard for local journalism.
Colleagues remember him as the kind of editor who could turn a chaotic news day into a coherent front page, who could explain inflation trends as easily as he could mentor a young reporter, and who carried himself with a quiet authority that never needed to be announced.
But Greg’s journey didn’t end in the newsroom. His expertise, discipline, and ability to navigate diverse sectors of society led him to Malacañang, where he served as Director of the Correspondence Unit of the Office of the President. It was a role that demanded precision, diplomacy, and a deep understanding of the public pulse—qualities Greg had honed long before he ever stepped into the Palace.
His stint in Malacañang became a testament to his professionalism and his gift for bridging conversations across communities, institutions, and government. Even there, far from the newsroom he helped build, Greg carried with him the same integrity and dedication that defined his years in journalism.
Gregorio Deligero passed away recently due to cardiac arrest, leaving behind a legacy of service, intellect, and quiet leadership. He is survived by his son, Albert James Biala, who now carries the memory of a father whose life was shaped by purpose and whose work touched countless lives.
In the end, Greg’s story is not just about the headlines he wrote or the offices he served. It is about a pioneer who helped build a publication, strengthened a profession, and lived a life anchored in clarity, humility, and truth.
A life that mattered—both in words and in numbers. Thank you for the memories Greg.
