Altiora (adj.) – nobler, higher (things)
Petere (v) – aim at; reach towards; to desire; to seek after
These two Latin words, a mere utterance, a simple phrase. Literally meaning “to seek after nobler things,” these two words symbolize Vox Bikol’s dedication to Bikolanos.
More than just a community newspaper, Vox Bikol has grown into a standard, a golden rule for Bikol media. True to its roots, Vox Bikol has shown repeatedly in its 25 year history its thrust towards things nobler and greater than all the wealth and power in this world.
What started as a meeting between friends and colleagues at a vacant lot straddling the town boundaries of Canaman and Magarao, grew into what it is today, a stalwart of justice and truth.
Twenty-five years ago, a group of young men from different local news publications convened not in a gala restaurant, or in a palatial hall, but in an unused lot. Of this group, two have since then met their maker, one of them, the father of Vox Bikol, Jose “Joe” Narvadez and Boboy Ordas.
At a time when media men were continuously under surveillance and hounded by the military, this group of daring and brave men met and decided to establish a newspaper unlike anything that Naga or Bikol has ever since.
It was in the darkness of the Marcos dictatorship that Vox Bikol was conceived as an alternative to existing local newspapers. And it was during those dangerous times that the name “Vox Bikol” came into being. Its name alone spelled out its advocacy, to be the voice of Bikol.
Being a news writer during the Martial Law period was tantamount to being watched by the oppressive Marcos military and government. Narvadez and the other founders of Vox Bikol, Joe Obias, Junet Ayo and Atty. Tordilla as well as the staff of the publication faced this insurmountable obstacle, knowing quite well that they were always under close watch. Nevertheless, they still pressed on with their passion for writing and journalism despite increasing problems. During the first trying years of the paper’s existence, it managed to slowly achieve its goals in becoming a credible source of news and information. Under Obias’ editorship, its readership started to increase. People become more and more aware of Bikol society. The editorials reflected the Bikolano sense of liberation and independence. With each issue of Vox Bikol, Bikolanos grew even more bolder and braver in the face of tyranny and oppression. In the words of Joe Obias, young blood flowed through the veins of the writers, serving as the driving force of the newspaper. It was this intense dedication by young, idealistic men that ensured the success of Vox Bikol.
From the time Vox Bikol was founded, many local newspapers adopted the standard of quality of its news articles. The reporters of Vox Bikol were well-known for their credible news accounts and fair coverage of various issues. Its editors were recognized for being objective and truly committed to the paper’s aspirations.
Though the hours were tedious and the financial compensation was minimal, the staff of Vox Bikol pushed on with their commitment to Bikol and its citizens. More often than not, reporters spent more money doing their duties than the compensation they got for their articles. But then again, they did not stay for the money.
The pillars of the newspaper, the great journalists of the yesteryears, Frank Mendoza, Junet Ayo, Willy Prilles and Atty. Ben Villaluz tell of their experiences during their stay in the newspaper. They all firmly believe that their stay with Vox Bikol shaped them into what they are now. It was a matter of commitment and dedication, not wealth. The mere appearance of one’s name in the by-line was enough to satisfy a writer’s needs.
Through the years, Vox Bikol has ventured into territory which other local newspapers did not. Even with the risk of being tagged as rebel supporters, the brave news writers of Vox Bikol gave voice to the National People Army’s grievances. To prove the paper’s integrity and fairness in reporting news, they took it upon themselves to make contact with the insurgents. The now judge Junet Ayo says that they considered the NPAs as rebels, not as terrorists like the government tagged them to be. It was this astounding feat of journalism that gained the trust of the people. Vox Bikol proved that it was not one-sided and that it will never be biased.
It has been a time-honored tradition and an unwritten policy of Vox Bikol writers to undertake risks just to get to the truth. And in the past, the former staff of the paper faced the usual cacophony of libel threats. However, the paper’s excellent credibility, coupled with its writers’ sense of justice proved to be greater than any claims of libel.
Though serious when it comes to work, former Vox Bikol staff had their sense of humor too, often playing practical jokes on radio reporters too excited to report the news to realize that half of the news article they were reading live on air was missing. Other times, the writers blamed the linotypists of the printing presses of changing the text, resulting in humorous misprints like the time the surname Magay was spelled with an “L”, resulting in Lagay (bribe). As expected, the error raised a few eyebrows and forced a few smiles and even fewer smirks.
In time, the paper matured even more. With the advent of a renewed era of democracy in 1986, Vox Bikol remained steadfast to its commitment to the Bikolano. One by one, the founding fathers of the paper left, pursuing their careers. Some became lawyers, others, bankers. Some pursued teaching professions while others entered public service. Even so, the paper remained strong and became a training ground for journalists and writers.
In recent years, technology made it possible to report news instantaneously. Newspapers lost their lead in the media. But what the print media lacks in immediate news coverage, it more than makes up in documentation. Radio and TV reports may come and go but newspapers preserve the news indefinitely.
In 2000, Joe Narvadez died. For a time, the luster of Vox Bikol dimmed. Even so, his legacy of undying search for the truth lived on in the hearts of many. But now, Vox Bikol is experiencing its rebirth. Under the care of the Ina nin Bikol Foundation, headed by Fr. Wilmer Tria, the paper is on its way to take the lead once again.
Empowered by new blood and renewed conference, Vox Bikol is making its way to the reins of the local print media that it held in its golden years.
At its helm today is Erick Lagdameo, a “socially-oriented” editor. While other local papers focus more on news that will ensure sponsorships and advertisers, Vox Bikol gives importance to developmental issues that directly affect Bikol society. It now serves as an intelligent alternative with the objective of raising social awareness.
Vox Bikol has faced a plethora of changes. It had been a part of the golden era of print media and has seen the rise of broadcast media. Nevertheless, it has always been strong in its conviction of truth and justice.
Twenty-five years have passed since that fateful day when a band of hopeful young men came together to realize their dreams of making history. In those twenty-five years, Vox Bikol has witnessed the assassination of Ninoy, the fall of a dictator, countless coups and five presidents.
For the past twenty-five years, Vox Bikol has been Bikol’s pillar of truth. Surely, Vox Bikol lives up to its pledge, Altiora Petere, aim for greatness. Bikol has its voice and it is Vox Bikol.