Please see for an update NUJP Disowns Getting “Massacre” Donation

By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA (© Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – A group of Filipino-Canadian journalists is marking the first anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre with a memorial service officiated by Fr. Romeo Tolentino at the Our Lady of the Assumption church at Bathurst St. and Eglinton Ave. in Toronto’s suburb of North York, Ontario, Canada, on Sunday, Nov. 28, according to Edwin C. Mercurio of the www.hubpages.com MercuryNewsOnline.

At the same time, Antero “Tenny” Soriano, past president of Philippine Press Club of Ontario (PPCO), disclosed that the group will also launch a new group called Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mamahayag sa Canada or OPM-Canada.

Mr. Soriano said the PPCO “remains as a social club while OPM will work differently as it will address pertinent, substantial and important issues regarding Filipino journalists both in the Philippines and abroad.”

He told this reporter, “we will soon coordinate with you as to linkages and other matters of mutual interest to our organizations.”

Edwin Mercurio quoted Butch Galicia, veteran newsman from Southern Philippines, as saying that “the organization was borne out of the need to commemorate, pay tribute and honour the heroism and work of the many fallen 171 media Filipino journalists, including the 33 community journalists who were brutally killed in the heinous November 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

“In 2009, the Philippines has the highest number of journalists killed worldwide.”

A total of 171 Filipino journalists and media workers were killed since 1986, Commissioner on Human Rights Jose Manuel Mamaug said. “Of the 171 cases, 116 were killed in line of duty.” Seventy-eight percent of the killings happened during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

OPM-Canada will be actively involved in the development of young Filipino-Canadian journalists, broadcasters, photographers and artists and plans to undertake projects to help promote the Filipino community and establish strong linkages with the media sector in the Philippines.

The core group is composed of veteran writers and broadcasters from major daily newspapers from the Philippines.

Veteran journalist Antonio Sicat was designated interim chair. The founding board of directors are journalists Antero “Tenny” Soriano, Edwin Mercurio,  Robert “Butch” Galicia and Ramon Datol. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at:  (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)

Please see for an update NUJP Disowns Getting “Massacre” Donation