• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Panay News columnist Erwin “Ambo” Delilan was elected president of the Negros Press Club during the club’s general assembly and election of officers Saturday at the NPC Media Center in Bacolod City.
Delilan becomes NPC’s 88th president after garnering 33 votes over Romeo Subaldo of Digicast Negros who got 22 votes, and Chito Berjit of ANB-Aletheia Netcast Bacolod who garnered 13 votes.
Nida Buenafe of Negros Weekly/Negros Now Daily who got 44 votes, Lourd John Diaz – 39 votes of Aksyon Radyo Bacolod and Nanette Guadalquiver of the Philippine News Agency – 47 votes, ran unopposed for the positions of vice president, secretary, and treasurer, respectively.
Aksyon Radyo Bacolod station manager Nonna Magbanua was elected auditor with 35 votes.
Elected members of the Board of Directors were Mae Singuay of Panay News who garnered 38 votes, Yves Montecillo of RMN-DYHB Bacolod – 37 votes, Rey Siason of DYRL – 30 votes, and Dolly Yasa of The Daily Guardian – 29 votes.
Montecillo, Siason and Yasa are past presidents of the Negros Press Club, the oldest press club in the country.
The total number of members who cast their votes were 71 out of the total 89 registered members.
The newly elected set of officers for 2024 to 2025 will assume office on March 1. Outgoing NPC president Bryan Morden, station manager of XFM Bacolod will serve as ex-officio director.
Delilan, also a content creator on Facebook via Binalaybay Ni Ambo, is the first NPC president from Panay News.
In his victory speech, Delilan stressed, “This is really a clean victory. I knew I am unwanted by some of our fellow NPC members. But I promised to myself and to my family that I will do my best to be relevant to this club.”
Amid the financial challenges that the NPC is facing right now, Delilan enunciated to look for other appropriate means to enliven the club anew.
“To be NPC president ain’t an easy journey. More so with the current challenges confronting the club. But one thing I can say is, I only have one honest intention – to work for the advancement/welfare of all NPC members – no less, no more.”
“It’s time to raise our (NPC) flag again!” Delilan also told his fellow media professionals.
Likewise, Delilan said he intends to revive the defunct NPC scholarship program that will benefit any direct kin of the club members who wish to take up mass communication courses in college.
“Quite challenging. But I will try my best to revive this scholarship program within my incumbency. It’s a promise!” Delilan vowed.
He also vowed to advocate “servant leadership” at NPC.*
