SAMALA & SO. Mr. Borjal, when did you start writing in newspapers?
BORJAL. When I was in school, I was the editor of the high school paper and then the college paper so writing has been with me since the high school days and I just decided to go into professional journalism later on, after serving the Macapagal administration. That was long before you were born.

Q. How old were you when you started writing as a professional journalist?
A. I began writing in 1980... or 79. It used to be a once a week column and then I began writing editorials, and then later on it became a daily column.

Q. How was the early years of your being a professional journalist?
A. Well, fine. 'Cause I immediately noticed the power of the pen. The pen got me very, very powerful. That's why I enjoyed doing the work.

Q. How would you describe the physical changes that took place in the industry?
A. There has been a big job in technology. Before we used to use only the typewriter, at time you have to write with your ballpen. And before you have to phone in your report to editors, there were no fax machines. And while they are listening to on the telephone they will type out your story.

Q. Who were the people you worked with?
A. Max Soliven, the great one- Joe Luna Castro, Loui Beltran. Well, so many powerful and influential people, like Letty Jimenez-Magsanok.

Q. What are some of your experiences in the job? Do you gather your news?
A. Ah Yes. Wherever I am I gather news. When I talk to people, that's part of gathering news. Eventhough it looks like a casual, social talk, you are picking up things that you can eventually write about.

Q. What were the things you write about?
A. Well, mainly the political events in our country and the life of the people. I've always had the interest in writing about the "masa", about the poorest of the poor, about the life of the struggling Filipinos.

Q. Were you writing already during the Marcos years?
A. Ahh yes.

Q. So, what were our experiences during those times?
A. Oh very hard. You are to exersise restrain and self-censorship at that time.

Q. What are some of your experiences?
A. Well, because I write quite objectively. I'm not very emotional when I write. So it has been ok. Although there has been some veiled threats.

Q. During the martial law, you were writing?
A. I was writing. but not the first part of martial law, this was the time I was in the government. But during the latter part, 1979 up to the collapse of the Marcos regime, I was writing.

Q. You worked for the government as what?
A. Many, many jobs. I started in the Macapagal administration, the father of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. I was recruited from the school, from Ateneo to serve in his government. That was my first job. And then I moved around from various departments of the executive branch. And then later on I was in congress for three years.

Q. What was the first newspaper you worked with?
A. The first one was in Times Journal, that was one of the top newspapers during the Marcos regime. Then I went to Evening Express, there was an evening express at that time. Then I went to Metro Manila Times, owned by Kerima Tuvera Pulotan, one of the best literary writers

Q. You entered as a writer?
A. Yes, writer. They recruited me. I did not apply.

Q. I heard you are a lawyer...
A. ...Yes I am also a lawyer and I finished AB-Humanities.

Q. Are there any memorable editors?
A. In the profession?

Q. Yes.
A. Ah Jo Luna Castro is very very good. Loui Beltran of course. And Max Soliven and Letty Jimenez Magsanok. They are all very good editors.

Q. During the Martial law, were there any restrictions given to you?
A. As far as I'm concerned there were no direct restrictions given to me. But then knowing the atmosphere, you have to be very careful. You try to be as objective as possible. It is very, very difficult to write at that time.

Q. So, you were writing news reports?
A. No, no. Columns and editorials.

Q. What about the deadlines in submitting your reports?
A. Ah yes. there were always deadlines, most of the time I've been writing daily columns so you have to write your columns the day before the date it comes out. so, you get used to that, the daily routine. Oftentimes, you will prepare only one draft, you don't have chat time to correct. So, what you read in my column today is how I write, the first draft. The typographical mistakes, they correct them.

Q. What are some significant events that you have covered?
A. Well, of course, the assasination of Ninoy Aquino, and then EDSA people's power revolution, then the throwing out of the Americans of the military bases here, and of course the current political and economic crisis right now. These are all memorable events.

Q. What are your best memories as a young reporter?
A. Well, my best memory is, I found that many of my writings are able to influence the decision-makers who follow what I suggest. So in a way, for example, if I talk about the need to undertake a reconstruction program,a road must be repaired or this basic problem in the community must be attended to, I noticed that when I write, they have a response. The people in power respond. So the authorities as well respond.

Q. What are some of your experiences in the process of writing and submitting your reports? Have you ever been late in deadlines? etc.
A. Ahh, no no. Because most of the years that I wrote, I was never censored.

Q. Is it because you write objectively?
A. Probably. And probably because also of the respect. If a writer wants some respect, usually the editors do not touch it at all,they allow your ideas to be articulated without any reservations or without any effort to let you change your mind.

Q. How have your collegues like Max Soliven contribute to the industry and to you as a writer?
A. Oh, they are examples of good writers, they are examples of brave fearless commentators. And they have access, they can interact with the people in power. That's a beauty of being a writer. If you are a commentator but you cannot attract the attention of decision-makers, somehow success is not with you.

Q. Can you describe you working place?
A. My working place is the community I go around in, coffee shops. But i also go to my office, I have an office that's where I prepare my column. But in order to prepare a column you have to go around, talk to people, talk to people from all walks of life, the rich and the poor, you have to attend social gatherings of the rich, you have to go to street corner where the cigarette vendor or the "taho" vendor is and find out what he thinks.

Q. When you were just starting as a writer, what was the place like?
A. Well, our country was quite stable at that time. At that time we are number 2 in Asia, as far as economic progress was concerned. We are only second to Japan at that time. Now, wow! we are way, way,way below.

Q. At that time. were there computers already?
A. No, no. typewriters, no fax machines. You have to deliver your columns to the newspaper The technology wasn't very good at that time. But that enables us to really strive hard. Eventhough, up to now, there are some good writers who continue to use the typewriter

Q. Why?
A. Well, they are more comfortable, punching the key, and listening to the click of the typewriter.

Q. You wrote about the Nonoy Aquino event, so you went to all those places?
A. During those moments, I followed Cory Aquino, watching the reaction of the crowd, I went to rallies of Marcos. You have to get the feel of both sides.

Q. Which editors you were able to work with?
A. Well, I mentioned Max Soliven, Loui Beltran, Eggie Apostol, Letty Jimenez-Magsanok, Lydia Cristobal, Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, Jo Luna Castro-these were the people at that time.

Q. They were really good?
A. Yes, they are much much better than today's, than many of today's editors. They were strict, they were disciplinarians, there was quality in their work. Now,not much quality is present.

Q. Why?
A. Because the competition is, there are just too many things to do, and there's a dirth of good writers. So whenever you read the newspapers be very careful. Be very discerning of the byline, because the byline, the name and the writer reflects the credibility and integrity of the report. And there is so much sensationalism now.

Q. Were these people much older than you?
A. At that time, yes.

Q. So were they the ones who cultivated your writing skills?
A. Well, they somehow gave me the, they opened the opportunity for me to really try to strive to be better.

Q. Have you ever tried to be a "cub" reporter?
A. No, never. I was never a reporter eh, I've always been a columnist. And a columnist gives out opinions. Sometimes, I recieve a letter-Why are you biased? Of course! if you are an opinion writer,You are biased in favor of your principles, your convictions. But there are reporters should not be biased. because when you report news, you must be very very objective. that's the difference between an opinion writer and a news reporter.

Q. so you prefer being a columnist?
A. Yes.

Q. why? what's the difference? Is it harder being a reporter or a columnist?
A. Both are hard. To be a reporter is hard, if you are enterprising you have to go around. And you have to get both sides of a reported issue. So it's hard also for an opinion writer because you have to try to analyze the things that you hear or read about. It is a daily process of analyzing.

Q. So, any words for the future writers.?
A. Well, for the future writers, strive hard. And always, when you write, always be inspired that what you are looking for is the truth and to bring about a just and progressive society. So you must always think of that. Don't think of the remuneration that you get from writing.Think of the satisfaction that you get out of thinking/making good things happen in ur country.

Q. Any major future plans?
A. For me?

Q. Yes. Do you plan to change your profession or anything like that?
A. No, No. By the way, I'd like to site one thing. Do you notice my column? I use very simple words. because my goal is to make everyone understand what i am trying to articulate eh. and because the secret of effective communication is to be as simple as possible. And here i was guided by a Jesuit priest, Father James Roiter. He was the one who taught me that when you write, try to reach out to as many people as possible so make your work as simple as possible. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Q. I was never married, I got married to my career eh. you know why?
A. Why?

Q. because I use crutches eh. I had polio when i was young, i went to school with my crutches. Then it became a mental behavior. when the people who see me at the time when i was young, they say: Art you better get married so that somebody would take care of you. And i wanted to prove to the world that even with my physical disability i can stand on my own. i refused any help from anybody. that came to my mind. So i became very very busy trying to be self-reliant, and in the process of doing that i forgot to court any girl.

Q. If you don't mid us asking, what happened to you?
A. I had polio when i was three years old. I've been using that, that pair of crutches over there, that's mine. But lately i've been using this motorized wheelchair because i have to conserve my strength now that i am much much older than you are.

Q. Did your condition affect you as a writer?
A. No, and i'm surprised ha. because i think i'm the first disabled journalist who became president of the National Press club and the Manila oversees press club

Q. When did you become president?

A. Twice. 1986-87 for National Press Club, then Manila Oversees press club 1984 and 1987.

Q. So the elections are held yearly?
A. yearly for both. I am the only one who became president of both in the same year. So my physical disability became the trigger for my effort to really strive and I lost my inferiority complex. And then that is the reason why in my work right now, my writings i always try to look after the welfare of the disadvantaged.

Q. From the evening express, where did you work after that?
A. From the evening express i went to Metro Manila times, then from Manila times i went to the Inquirer, and then from Inquirer i went to the Star. Introduction to Print (edited) Oral History project of Arturo Borjal November 24, 2000 By Angela Samala and Cynthia So Samala. Mr. Borjal, when did you start writing in newspapers?

Q. When I was in school, I was the editor of the high school paper and then the college paper so writing has been with me since the high school days and I just decided to go into professional journalism later on, after serving the Macapagal administration. That was long before you were born.

Q. How old were you when you started writing as a professional journalist?
A. I began writing in 1980... or 79. It used to be a once a week column and then I began writing editorials, and then later on it became a daily column.

Q. How was the early years of your being a professional journalist?
A. Well, fine. because I immediately noticed the power of the pen. The pen got me very, very powerful. That's why I enjoyed doing the work.

Q. How would you describe the physical changes that took place in the industry?
A. There has been a big job in technology. Before we used to use only the typewriter, at time you have to write with your ballpen. And before you have to phone in your report to editors, there were no fax machines. And while they are listening to on the telephone they will type out your story.

Q. Who were the people you worked with?
A. Max Soliven, the great one- Joe Luna Castro, Loui Beltran. Well, so many powerful and influential people, like Letty Jimenez-Magsanok.

Q. What are some of your experiences in the job? Do you gather your news?
A. Ah Yes. Wherever I am I gather news. When I talk to people,that's part of gathering news. Eventhough it looks like a casual, social talk, you are picking up things that you can eventually write about.

Q. What were the things you write about?
A. Well, mainly the political events in our country and the life of the people. I've always had the interest in writing about the "masa", about the poorest of the poor, about the life of the struggling Filipinos.

Q. Were you writing already during the Marcos years?
A. yes.

Q. So, what were our experiences during those times?
A. Oh very hard. You are to exersise restrain and self-censorship at that time.

Q. What are some of your experiences?
A. Well, because I write quite objectively. I'm not very emotional when I write. So it has been ok. Although there has been some veiled threats.

Q. During the martial law, you were writing?
A. I was writing. but not the first part of martial law, this was the time I was in the government. But during the latter part, 1979 up to the collapse of the Marcos regime, I was writing.

Q. You worked for the government as what?
A. Many, many jobs. I started in the Macapagal administration, the father of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. I was recruited from the school, from Ateneo to serve in his government. That was my first job. And then I moved around from various departments of the executive branch. And then later on I was in congress for three years.

Q. What was the first newspaper you worked with?
A. The first one was in Times Journal, that was one of the top newspapers during the Marcos regime. Then I went to Evening Express, there was an evening express at that time. Then I went to Metro Manila Times, owned by Kerima Tuvera Pulotan, one of the best literary writers

Q. You entered as a writer?
A. Yes, writer. They recruited me. I did not apply.

Q. Are there any memorable editors in the profession?
A. Ah Jo Luna Castro is very very good. Loui Beltran of course. And Max Soliven and Letty Jimenez Magsanok. They are all very good editors.

Q. During the Martial law, were there any restrictions given to you?
A. As far as I'm concerned there were no direct restrictions given to me. But then knowing the atmosphere, you have to be very careful. You try to be as objective as possible. It is very, very difficult to write at that time.

Q. So, you were writing news reports?
A. No, no. Columns and editorials.

Q. What about the deadlines in submitting your reports? A. yes. there were always deadlines, most of the time I've been writing daily columns so you have to write your columns the day before the date it comes out. so, you get used to that, the daily routine. Oftentimes, you will prepare only one draft, you don't have chat time to correct. So, what you read in my column today is how I write, the first draft. The typographical mistakes, they correct them.

Q. What are some significant events that you have covered?
A. Well, of course, the assasination of Ninoy Aquino, and then EDSA people's power revolution, then the throwing out of the Americans of the military bases here, and of course the current political and economic crisis right now. These are all memorable events.

Q. What are your best memories as a young reporter?
A. Well, my best memory is, I found that many of my writings are able to influence the decision-makers who follow what I suggest. So in a way, for example, if I talk about the need to undertake a reconstruction program,a road must be repaired or this basic problem in the community must be attended to, I noticed that when I write, they have a response. The people in power respond. So the authorities as well respond.

Q. What are some of your experiences in the process of writing and submitting your reports? Have you ever been late in deadlines? etc.
A. no no. Because most of the years that I wrote, I was never censored.

Q. Is it because you write objectively?
A. Probably. And probably because also of the respect. If a writer wants some respect, usually the editors do not touch it at all,they allow your ideas to be articulated without any reservations or without any effort to let you change your mind.

Q. How have your collegues like Max Soliven contribute to the industry and to you as a writer?
A. Oh, they are examples of good writers, they are examples of brave fearless commentators. And they have access, they can interact with the people in power. That's a beauty of being a writer. If you are a commentator but you cannot attract the attention of decision-makers, somehow success is not with you.

Q. Can you describe you working place?
A. My working place is the community I go around in, coffee shops. But i also go to my office, I have an office that's where I prepare my column. But in order to prepare a column you have to go around, talk to people, talk to people from all walks of life, the rich and the poor, you have to attend social gatherings of the rich, you have to go to street corner where the cigarette vendor or the "taho" vendor is and find out what he thinks.

Q. When you were just starting as a writer, what was the place like?
A. Well, our country was quite stable at that time. At that time we are number 2 in Asia, as far as economic progress was concerned. We are only second to Japan at that time. Now, wow! we are way, way,way below.

Q. At that time. were there computers already?
A. No, no. typewriters, no fax machines. You have to deliver your columns to the newspaper The technology wasn't very good at that time. But that enables us to really strive hard. Eventhough, up to now, there are some good writers who continue to use the typewriter

Q. You wrote about the Ninoy Aquino event, so you went to all those places?
A. During those moments, I followed Cory Aquino, watching the reaction of the crowd, I went to rallies of Marcos. You have to get the feel of both sides.

Q. Which editors you were able to work with?
A. Well, I mentioned Max Soliven, Loui Beltran, Eggie Apostol, Letty Jimenez-Magsanok, Lydia Cristobal, Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, Jo Luna Castro-these were the people at that time.

Q. They were really good?
A. Yes, they are much much better than today's, than many of today's editors. They were strict, they were disciplinarians, there was quality in their work. Now,not much quality is present.

Q. Why?
A. Because the competition is, there are just too many things to do, and there's a dirth of good writers. So whenever you read the newspapers be very careful. Be very discerning of the byline, because the byline, the name and the writer reflects the credibility and integrity of the report. And there is so much sensationalism now.

Q. Were these people much older than you?
A. At that time, yes.

Q. So were they the ones who cultivated your writing skills?
A. Well, they somehow gave me the, they opened the opportunity for me to really try to strive to be better.

Q. Have you ever tried to be a "cub" reporter?
A. No, never. I was never a reporter eh, I've always been a columnist. And a columnist gives out opinions. Sometimes, I recieve a letter-Why are you biased? Of course! if you are an opinion writer,You are biased in favor of your principles, your convictions. But there are reporters should not be biased. because when you report news, you must be very very objective. that's the difference between an opinion writer and a news reporter.

Q. so you prefer being a columnist?
A. Yes.

Q. why? what's the difference? Is it harder being a reporter or a columnist?
A. Both are hard. To be a reporter is hard, if you are enterprising you have to go around. And you have to get both sides of a reported issue. So it's hard also for an opinion writer because you have to try to analyze the things that you hear or read about. It is a daily process of analyzing.

Q. So, any words for the future writers.?
A. Well, for the future writers, strive hard. And always, when you write, always be inspired that what you are looking for is the truth and to bring about a just and progressive society. So you must always think of that. Don't think of the remuneration that you get from writing.Think of the satisfaction that you get out of thinking/making good things happen in ur country.

Q. Any major future plans?
A. For me?

Q. Yes. Do you plan to change your profession or anything like that?
A. No, No. By the way, I'd like to site one thing. Do you notice my column? I use very simple words. because my goal is to make everyone understand what i am trying to articulate eh. and because the secret of effective communication is to be as simple as possible. And here i was guided by a Jesuit priest, Father James Roiter. He was the one who taught me that when you write, try to reach out to as many people as possible so make your work as simple as possible.

Q. I was never married, I got married to my career eh. you know why?
A. Why?

Q. because I use crutches eh. I had polio when i was young, i went to school with my crutches. Then it became a mental behavior. when the people who see me at the time when i was young, they say: Art you better get married so that somebody would take care of you. And i wanted to prove to the world that even with my physical disability i can stand on my own. i refused any help from anybody. that came to my mind. So i became very very busy trying to be self-reliant, and in the process of doing that i forgot to court any girl.

Q. Did your condition affect you as a writer?
A. No, and i'm surprised ha. because i think i'm the first disabled journalist who became president of the National Press club and the Manila oversees press club

Q. When did you become president?
A. Twice. 1986-87 for National Press Club, then Manila Oversees press club 1984 and 1987.

Q. So the elections are held yearly?
A. yearly for both. I am the only one who became president of both in the same year. So my physical disability became the trigger for my effort to really strive and I lost my inferiority complex. And then that is the reason why in my work right now, my writings i always try to look after the welfare of the disadvantaged.

Q. From the evening express, where did you work after that?
A. From the evening express i went to Metro Manila times, then from Manila times i went to the Inquirer, and then from Inquirer i went to the Star.