Former editor and publisher Antonio 'Tony' Ajero. (Photo lifted from the Facebook account of Antonio Ajero)
DAVAO CITY – The City Council here has conferred the posthumous Datu Bago award on veteran newsman Antonio “Tony” Movera Ajero to recognize his contributions to the local media industry.
Councilor Temujin Ocampo authored the one-page resolution dated July 19, with the majority of the council members as co-sponsors.
“Ajero was a believer in fairness, diligence, and truth in having an informed citizenry and the pivotal role of media in nation-building. He upheld his duty as a journalist with utmost professionalism and dedication,” Ocampo, who is also a former media practitioner in the city, said in the resolution.
The Datu Bago Award is the highest recognition given by the city to its exemplary citizens who have helped in the growth and development of the locality in whatever field they excelled in.
Ajero's family announced that he died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday after a lingering illness. He was 72.
The well-respected newsman was the publisher and editor-in-chief of Edge Davao and chairman of the board of Edge Davao Review Publishing, Inc. and Zion Accuprint Publishing, Inc.
He also served as editor-in-chief of SunStar Davao from 1995 to 2002 and as its publisher from 2002 until his retirement in 2008.
Affectionately known to colleagues and family as “AMA, Mang Tony, Daddy Cool, or Tatay Tony,” he had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in May this year.
“This great man served our community relentlessly as a community journalist spanning three decades. His craft served as an inspiration to many young journalists who looked at him with so much admiration and respect,” Ocampo said.
Others who knew Ajero in the field also expressed words of sympathy.
Former Edge Davao editor Jon Joaquin said Ajero taught him not only the value of fairness, diligence, and duty but also the critical role of newspapers as a repository of information.
“One of the duties of the newspaper, he would tell me, is to keep a record of events so that future generations can see and learn from them. It won’t matter a hundred years from now if our news today is a little late,’” he said.
Jenny Mendoza, information officer of the Department of Trade and Industry 11 (Davao region) who worked as a reporter for SunStar Davao, said she is grateful to Ajero for showering them with "love, compliments, and practical advice."
“I’m forever grateful to have you as my ‘daddy,’ not only in the Davao media but also in my personal life. As I recount all the fond memories I had with you, from being a cub reporter to getting where I am today, I always felt loved whenever you’d call me ‘anak’ (daughter),” she said. (PNA)
