Councilor Pilar Braga, chairperson of the Datu Bago Awardees Organization, recognized the late Antonio M. Ajero, former editor-in-chief of Edge Davao, as one of the most influential editors and publishers in Mindanao in her privilege speech at the City Council on Tuesday.
Ajero is among this year’s Datu Bago awardees.
Braga said as an eminent publisher, EIC, radio, and television broadcaster, Ajero was considered the “Dean of Davao Media”.
“Who has built a long and impressive career that spanned six decades. He is recognized as one of the most influential editors in Mindanao who shaped public policy and public opinion,” she said.
Ajero was president of the Davao Press Club, chairman of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas-Davao, and Trustee for Mindanao of the Philippine Press Institute.
Braga also enumerated Ajero’s other affiliations/positions that include the founder of the University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network (UMBN), station manager of DXMC and DXUM for more than a decade, EIC of all the major community newspapers in Davao City, and one of the pioneering investigative reporters on the radio.
She also mentioned that Ajero also ventured into television broadcasting as host of the popular weekly public affairs television program in the 80s and the 90s, “Brainstorm.”
Braga added that Ajero’s contribution went beyond the media industry as he was also a socio-civic leader in the Rotary Club of East Davao, Ambassador Club of Davao International, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII), Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), and the Davao Inventors Association.
“Throughout his life, he had stood for integrity, truth, fairness, and freedom of the press and had dedicated his life to mentoring young journalists, who are continuing his legacy today,” Braga said.
Braga also recognized other Datu Bago awardees namely Brenda Sofronia Zafra Barba, an art educator; and Elenita Cruz Dumlao, a Dabawenya artist.
Braga passed a resolution congratulating the 2023 Datu Bago awardees.
The Datu Bago Awards is the highest awards given by the city government of Davao to honor outstanding Dabawenyos for their contribution to the growth and development of Davao City.
It was founded by the late city mayor Elias Lopez in 1969. Since then there has been 180 awardees who excelled in various fields such as in education, business, humanitarian service, arts and many more.
“This year’s three awardees will increase the total number of awardees to 183, hence, the Datu Bago awards has become an institution, a tradition given during the celebration of Araw ng Davao every year,” Braga said.
