Renato Reinoso, chief operating officer of Inquirer Publications Inc., delivers his message during yesterday’s Cebu Libre anniversary celebration at the Plaza Independencia in Cebu City. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
Many doubted if they could last three months, and yet, they’re now on their 1st year.
Cebu Libre, the free distributed newspaper in Cebu from the Inquirer Publications Inc. celebrated yesterday their first year anniversary at the Plaza Independencia in Cebu City.
“Nalipay mi kay sa una baya pag start pa lang sa Cebu Libre daghan nag nagduda kung unsaon pagclick sa paper given nga grabe na baya daan ang existing competition. So nalipay mi nga nakaabot mi’g one year nya grabe ang suporta sa management, and grabe sad ang suporta sa community (We’re happy because, at the start, many doubted if Cebu Libre will click to the public, knowing the popularity of the existing competition. We’re happy that we reached a year, and all because of the support of the management and the community,)” said Rick Gabuya, Cebu Libre’s editor.
For their anniversary, the newspaper gave back to the public by providing entertainment as well as free basic services.
Aside from a videoke competition, raffle promos and a concert in the evening, free legal assistance, veterinary services and a job fair were also provided during the celebration of the paper’s first year anniversary.
Ma. Christine Torregosa, Cebu Libre project manager, said that the goal of the project, which was conceptualized in 2014, is to provide a free newspaper to the general public.
The paper was patterned after the Inquirer Libre in Manila, which is distributed in train stations.
POSITIVE STORIES
However, Torregosa said, the proponents of the paper wanted stories to be more positive, focusing on tourism and the people of the city.
“Gawas nga libre siya nya pangitaon pud nila kay malingaw sila sa mga istorya kay unique daw. Ang gitackle nato nga mga stories di man gud kanang mga usual sa main news. Kana man mga sa kilid- kilid, kanang mga inspiring, sa mga tawo nga naay nahimo sa ilang kinabuhi (Aside from it’s free, the people also look for the newspaper because they find the stories enjoyable and unique. The stories we tackle are not the usual main news. We focus on those in the sidelines, those inspiring stories of people who made something with their life),” said Gabuya.
People read copies of Cebu Libre as they wait for their turn to avail of the free basic services provided to them as part of the paper’s celebration. (CDN PHOTO/ TONEE DESPOJO)
Cebu Libre which is distributed in piers and terminals has a reach of not only in the province of Cebu but also in Bohol, Siquijor, Leyte, Mindanao and Ilo-ilo.
The free weekly published newspaper has first seen in print on May 8 last year and is distributed in public areas every Friday of the week.
Gabuya said the paper’s anniversary celebration was moved yesterday because of the election period.
Gabuya, who is also Cebu Daily News sports editor, said he is hoping for more successful years for the paper.
He said he promises to continue to uphold the identity of Cebu Libre as a newspaper, providing inspiration and entertainment to the public.
He even hinted on the possibility of adding new columns and sections to the paper.
“They can expect more upbeat, meaningful stories, and more trending stories,” said Torregosa.
Rene Reinoso, chief operating officer of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, who attended the paper’s anniversary celebration yesterday also showed his gratitude to the public for helping make the paper a success.
“We are hoping that all the articles, and the features and the life-changing stories that you read in Libre, Inquirer and CDN can ultimately change your life. That is actually the vision of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Inquirer Group. Change your story. Change your destiny,” Reinoso said.
“I hope that the products of the Inquirer Group and the products that we’ll come up with in the future, as we move forward, will be able to make a difference in your life and is so doing you can also make positive changes in your community,” he said.
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