HERNANDEZ. Good Evening! I'm Christopher Hernandez from De La Salle University to conduct an interview with Mr. Ruben Taningco about Journalism. Sir, Good Evening!
TANINGCO. Good evening! For the information of your instructor, I am Ruben Taningco, I'm a Geodetic Engineering graduate from the Mapua Institute of Technology class 1960 and have been a news correspondent for Philippine News Service from 1968-72 held at Crame for two months, then a correspondent of Philippine News Agency from I think '73-'79. Then alternately I contributed news to Philippine News and Features, which was recently closed, Philippine News and Features, I was used to be edited by Casathor Ocampo. And at present I am working as a project development officer at the Office of the City Planning and Development Office of San Pablo City. But on the side, I am working as a consulting editor, editor-in-chief, and sometimes typist encoder in seven local newspapers being published here in the City of San Pablo, one in Los Banos and the other in Calamba. And I am also a correspondent for the Eagle Broadcasting Corporation, DZEC, and here at the San Pablo City, working as a sort of contributor to local CATV station at Channel 11. And as an employee of city government, I serve as the unofficial spokesman of the City Mayor and a sort of a public relation man for the city government of San Pablo.

Q. First question, did you like journalism from the very start?
A. Actually since my high school days, my dream is to be a writer. Unfortunately, it is against the idea of my parents and elder brother so instead of taking up communication course, I was forced by my parents to take up Tech. Engineering course. Then after working for several years as engineer, I transferred to communication work. First I was appointed as a news correspondent for Philippine News Service. Then during the Martial Law era, when the local government requires putting up a planning office, Mayor Cesar Dizon called me then, to serve as his communication officer. And being a graduate of Geodetic Engineering, I was appointed as a project development officer. First, a survey man. And my background in engineering and my love for writing helped much because I am in a government unit and we are used to be the target of criticism especially during pre-martial law. And my knowledge of engineering is a great help in defending the side of government in any issue.

Q. What were the circumstances leading to your employment with a newspaper?
A. Because as being connected with a local government unit, I am connected with a local government unit and the local government unit often serve as the target for criticism. So I tried to device the answer on the side of the government. Because then, there were in the area of national government and even of local government, the position of information writer or information officer, or communication officer were not included. So, as having a background in engineering, I am in proper position to transfer or to translate the technical jargons into layman's language. And in the process in the preparation of reports, every time that there are newspapermen visiting the City of San Pablo, it is hidden, the mayor's and city engineer's are must always prepare to meet for information. Until in 1968 I was invited by the Philippine News Agency, my good friend Romeo Abundo, I was invited because of my press releases so it is indirectly because of circumstances prevailing then, no other could write the story. So I had to write the stories to defend the criticism on local government and to project the image of the city government in other places.

Q. Right now, what newspaper are you into?
A. Since 1983, I used to edit for hometown newspaper. Originally I am a columnist to the Barangay newspaper, a judicial newspaper. Then we have the Monday Mail put up by the Dean of College of Lawyer in San Pablo City in 1983. Then another group put up the Wednesday Herald. Then I put up my own newspaper, the Network News. And then the Monday Mail changed ownership, so I was again invited by the new owner to be a columnist reporter. Then another group from the court, a private venture put up the Laguna Courier and the Laguna Bulletin and I am serving as their editorial consultant because I have many trainings under the program of the Philippine Press Institute, then during the late 80's at the Communication Foundation for Asia, then some program of the defunct Ministry Interior and Local Government. And so because of my background, I'm being invited as a sort of a consultant. And at this point in time, my column now is in Filipino because in late 70's, I was able to persuade the local newspaper to be in Filipino. So in 1987, during the commemoration of the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa of their 50th Anniversary, I was chosen as one of the ten awardees. The nine awardees build the title of PhD. In my case, I have the HPD-hindi po doktor.

Q. Sir, where can we find your newspaper office?
A. We have many offices here. The Wednesday Herald, correction please, I am no longer contributing at the Wednesday Herald, the Monday Mail is located at Balagtas Boulevard. They have their own building there. The Barangay is adjacent to our San Pablo City Cathedral. The Laguna Express is in Brgy. Santo Cristo. The Network News is in Brgy. San Lucas at Marino Subd. Then the Guardian News is in Los Banos. Then the Laguna Score is in Calamba. Then we have also the Southern Herald based also in Los Banos where I used to contribute also. But at this point in time, in the national scene, I'm a stinger for Mr. Rudy Fernandez, the Agricultural writer for the Philippine Star. So there are many occasions that I have an article being published at Philippine Star under the byline of Rudy Fernandez.

Q. Do you think that place of the office is appropriate for newspaper business?
A. Actually we have to admit the fact that we have nothing in our offices but computers because what we print into the printer are camera ready. So what we need is only a place where we can… In the case of the Herald and Monday Mail, most are air conditioned because what we need is small cubicles where we can keep our computer that serve as our publication because through e-mail, we can also transact business.

Q. How about the printing and office equipment, is it enough for your work?
A. Actually let us admit the fact that our circulation to make it not so expensive, our circulation is limited to 1,000 copies per newspaper. In our case, the Laguna Express, the Network News, the Monday Mail and the Barangay, it is printed in Manila, Castmann along Quezon Avenue and Quezon City. While the Laguna Bulletin and Laguna Courier are being printed at Hertas Printing Press in Lucena City. Then this Wednesday Herald group, they have their own plant in Brgy. San Francisco and actually the major source of our income are from these legal notices.

Q. How about the lighting and ventilation, how does it affect your work?
A. Frankly, I'm not doing my editorial work at these offices. I do it at my own home so I have the atmosphere of my house in doing my editorial activities.

Q. The publisher, the editor, and the colleagues, how do they contribute to your work or how did they treat you?
A. Actually, I am receiving only a meager honorarium because I am connected with the government so I cannot collect the legitimate salary. Actually here in San Pablo City, an ordinary editor if not connected with the local government, and full time editor, we are only receiving here around P7, 000 a month considering the standard of living nowadays. You have to have telephones; you have to have at least your e-mail and so fort. And it is so very expensive to maintain an editorial office. But since I am earning as a government employee, then I have also a little stay in Alaminos, so I am not dependent on my earnings. What I earn out of writing is being spend for my attendance of basic operations. Just like tomorrow, I'm going to Baguio City to attend the National Convention of Publishers Association of the Philippines. So, I have no problem with the physical aspect or the money aspect of the publication business.

Q. How many hours do you do your work?
A. In the case of the Monday Mail, I have to prepare one column at least two to three straight news. That is probably ten pages a week. I have to write at least ten pages of materials in every newspaper. I have to prepare at least 70 pages of news materials in the seven newspapers I am connected.

Q. Do you even work on holidays?
A. Actually I work at night. At least I can finish those 70 pages. What is hard is typing. But because I own my personal computer, but it was brought into Manila because my youngest son is taking up Geodetic Engineering at U.P. Diliman. So, he brought along our personal computer in Manila. So I have to use my old Olympian typewriter and at least of course in between time at my office work because I used to do a lot of field legwork because as a project development officer, I have to visit most of the places where the project are, where the proposed project are so that I can leave some input not only in the political aspects of the project, but as well as the socio-cultural aspect of the project. And it helps because I have a lot of materials. Some media men have the problem where to get their printing materials and I can provide always the materials.

Q. Mr. Taningco, have you ever been a cub reporter?
A. I used to work as a cub reporter, not actually in newsgathering but as photographer for the defunct Philippines Herald. Because I am studying at Mapua and Herald and Mapua are neighbors, so I have some friends who are, the late Serrano, Ricardo Serrano, the late former DENR Regional Director, and we are friends because we have some activities. Then we belong to the so-called Suppressive Group during the time. So I used to work as an assistant of news photographer and that is my exposure as a cub reporter because during the time everything is not yet so sophisticated. So our reporter then, we have only one major police station in Manila, the Manila Police Station along the United Nations Avenue and we have the Sta. Cruz fire station. For fire, if we opted to stay or wait for fire, we have to stay at Sta. Cruz fire station. And if we are after crime report, we have to go to U.N. Station of the then Manila Police Department.

Q. What was it like to be a cub?
A. Actually to be a cub reporter is a risky job. And if you are aspiring to be a cub reporter, before being there, you have to study, study, and study. And try to be friendly with some policemen so that you can have an idea on how crimes are being committed. Even the definition of terms because the name of the case, if the case is the father killed his child that is parricide if the child is an infant. Because there are different circumstances, there are different legal terms so you must be familiar with that legal terms. Then if you are going to say a certain building collapsed, you have to have the suggestion of an engineer to determine, because in building transaction, the person and the thing you will ask must be the building permits. Some building permits, before you can be granted by building permits, the engineer or the architect has to submit a plan where the design of the studied foundation, the type of materials that must be used, the process of construction that must he apply so everything must be in order. So you must be familiar with these legal documentations in building construction if you are going to cover, if you are going to gather news in a certain building that collapsed because of earthquake. Just like this Cherry Hills. You will notice that in the case of the Cherry Hills, it was not the architect and the engineer who were penalized but the one who constructed the building and the one who granted the authority to construct the building.

Q. Sir, what was your first beat?
A. It is a tradition that if you are going to join a media establishment as a beat reporter or cub reporter, it was always the police so you must be tried to train. Do not be afraid of dead person.

Q. What were the important lessons you have learned?
A. In any endeavor, you must observe caution. In the case where we were assigned to take photographs of a strike at the Manila South Harbor then, we tried to expose ourselves. Unknowingly that the harbor police are equipped with handguns, in case that they fire the strikers, we'll be the first one to be hit because we are overexposed. As a cub reporter, you are going to never hitchhike into a fire truck because it is very risky because of the movement of the truck, you might fall. Then never also try attempt to ride in a police vehicle because in the process that they are pushing some of the culprits, you might get hurt so, the first thing that you must do is to try to visibly cautious. Try to have your own means of transportation. Independent from the newsmaker.

Q. Who were the other people on that beat? Were there any important persons?
A. Actually if you are assigned as a cub reporter, you are at your own. Unfortunately here in the Philippines, there are no lectures being given to cub reporters before they are being assigned so you have to exist your own creativity. Try to be friends with the old folks, the old dogs and the probation. So never pretend that you know everything. If you are a cub reporter, try to be friendly with the veterans and try to impress them that you are really thirsty of their wisdom and advices.

Q. are there any memorable editors? And why are these editors memorable to you?
A. Among the editors I have my direct link with the national newspaper through the Philippine News Agency. One time I covered a fire in a certain barangay in Rosario Batangas. Actually by the standard then, the cost of house and agricultural barn were less than P5, 000. But when I send the telegraphic message, I said it is P50, 000. So Mr. Romeo Abundo, who was then the editor of Philippine News Service called me up and telling that the whole barangay will not cost P50, 000. But if I use P5, 000, which is the actual value, it will not reach the front page.

Q. How were they when it comes to accuracy, ethics, and the grammar aspects of news writing?
A. Actually of you are working with veterans, be careful. In the case you must observe even how people write their names. Just like the case of Villa-Real. There are several people who spell their name as Villa-Real with a high pen between A and R. It is spelled as Villa-Real. Then just like our governor here Jose D. Lina, Jr. Gov. Lina places comma before Jr. But there are persons who do not place comma with their name, so be extra careful. Try to use comma whenever possible particularly when writing reports on addresses. Just like in the case here in San Pablo City. If you are going to write Osmena St., comma before writing City Subd. because you might confuse the San Pablo City Subdivision with San Pablo City.

Q. What was their attitude toward deadline? Are they very strict about deadlines?
A. Actually in Philippine News Service and Philippine News Agency are news syndicates. They are not very strict with deadlines. But of you are connected with a project newspaper, in our case the Manila Bulletin, Inquirer, and the Philippine Star of my experience, if it is a soft news, the deadline is 3 o' clock in the afternoon. But if it is hot news like crime news and calamities, the deadline is 7 o' clock in the evening.

Q. Are there any memorable colleagues? What made them unforgettable?
A. Actually my most unforgettable experience was when I was assigned to be a photographer covering the visit of President Macapagal to Baguio City and we were asked to bring along heavy clothes because of the cool weather prevailing then in Baguio City. Unknowingly that we will be staying in Baguio City only for one hour and we were not able to even remove our clothing because we are in a hurry because the President is always on the go. So 30 minutes before departure of the President, we have to go to Manila so that we can catch up with the deadline for other newspapermen.

Q. What were your best memories as a young reporter?
A. Actually the best memory is that during the pre-martial law. A certain calamity that struck our place so I was able to make a report. It was told I would be given a big bonus then. But the only bonus that I received was P35, beyond my expectations.

Q. what significant events did you cover?
A. Actually I did not have the opportunity of covering the big events in Metro Manila but during the EDSA Revolution, my position was to give the sidelines and headlines from the provincial end. So it is hot or as active or as thrilling in Manila.

Q. What were your memories as a reporter of Martial Law, The EDSA Revolution and coup attempts?
A. Actually as I have mentioned, there is no thrill here because I'm at the provincial end. During one week after the proclamation of Martial Law at 1972, unfortunately I was not included with Al Celso Karunungan, the first 100 correspondents, news writers and stingers who were detained at Camp Crame. But as a penalty for being a sort of activist, supporter of activists, because I received some materials, I my personal friend of Fr. Lowee Jalandoni, then also of certain Dutch priest who teaches in La Salle, who was George Peron I think, he is a Dutch priest who cam to Philippines who was granted by Marcos with a Filipino citizenship through a proclamation. So, because of my friend, the said two gentlemen, I was included among those who have to go Camp Emilio Aguinaldo every Tuesday and my role is to translate English news report prepared by Isleta into Tagalog. The other three guys have to translate into Hiligaynon, Cebuano and Ilokano.

Q. Final question Mr. Taningco, how did journalism make you a better person?
A. Actually considering my role and my level or position in the city government hierarchy in a military organization, I'm a mere lieutenant, a second lieutenant in the army. But since I knew how to write and have the one who have the direct access to media during the department head's meetings, I am equal putting with department heads. And every time there are foreign visitors, as well as if there are regional meetings and in case that the mayor would like to forfeit to the attendees or to the participants, I am the one being asked to prepare the briefing materials and sometimes brief the visitors myself.

Q. Thank you so much Mr. Ruben Taningco fro making this interview possible.
A. If you are interested, I am offering to you the facilities of some of our hometown newspaper here. If you have time during weekends I think I can meet you and give preview of some events in San Pablo City, prepare materials then we can even published. You will not earn materially but you will learn mentally.

Q. Thank you so much Mr. Ruben Taningco!