Badajos, TJ Manotoc to address new media group on Induction Night

LOS ANGELES –  Consul General Edgar Badajos and broadcaster TJ Manotoc will be the guest speakers during the Induction Night of the Philippine Global Media Group (PGMG) on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Vineyard Ballroom of Double Tree by Hilton-Norwalk at 1311 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650.

The new media group brings together journalists in print, broadcast and social media, initially in Southern California, with hopes of including media professionals from all over the United States and the global Filipino diaspora to better serve Filipinos in their respective communities.

Broadcast journalist TJ Manotoc will be one of the guest speakers during the Philippine Global Media Group (PGMG) Induction Night on Feb. 10. CONTRIBUTED

Consul General Badajos, whose assignment in Los Angeles was just recently extended until the end of April, will induct the inaugural set of officers and Board of Directors of PGMG. He will later address the group of journalists, community and business leaders and guests who are expected to attend the event.

TJ Manotoc, a 25-year broadcast veteran who heads the North America Bureau of ABS-CBN News, the news bureau of ABS-CBN International and its Media Production Group, will deliver an inspirational address to the journalists.

Master of ceremonies for the event is Annie Nepomuceno, a Katha and Awit awardee in the Philippines and a known vocalist, composer and music teacher in Los Angeles. She will also sing the Philippine and US national anthems.

“Filipinos play a very important role in the US and in other countries all over the world, and it is paramount that the Filipino media professionals come together and help inform their countrymen in the global diaspora of news developments in their respective communities and in our homeland, the Philippines,” said Val G. Abelgas, a 52-year veteran newsman who heads PGMG as its first president.

“By sharing a common goal of rallying fellow Filipinos to play an even more pro-active role in their communities, Filipino journalists can help improve the image of Filipinos before the world and, at the same time, support the Philippines’ development goals,” Abelgas added.

Consul General Edgar Badajos, whose assignment in Los Angeles was just recently extended until the end of April, will induct the inaugural set of officers and Board of Directors of PGMG. CONTRIBUTED

The officers of the PGMG are: Val G. Abelgas, publisher and editor of Philippine Post, president; Lydia V. Solis, associate editor of the Philippine Post and Weekend Balita contributor, and Nimfa U. Rueda, Inquirer.net’s Channel Editor for US & Canada, vice presidents; Dan E. Nino, freelance journalist, secretary; Rick Gavino, photographer of Philippine Post, treasurer.

Manny Ilagan, former Philippine Department of Tourism regional director and freelance writer, is chairman of the board; and the members of the board are: Ruben V. Nepales, Rappler columnist; Meh M. Guevarra, editor of Philippine Tribune; Bobby Crisistomo, chief photographer of the Philippine Post; Marc Pijuan, publisher of San Gabriel Examiner; Julian Oriel, publisher of Philippines & Asian Reports (San Diego); Abner Galino, former news editor of Weekend Balita and now associate editor of the Post; Donnabelle Gatdula Arevalo, correspondent of Asian Journal; Joe Cobilla, photographer of Philippine Post; and Ella Wagner, former Editor of California Examiner and freelance journalist.

The PGMG plans to hold seminars and workshops to uplift the professional and ethical standards of its members, launch scholarships for deserving Filipino journalism students, hold press forums for community organizations, Filipino American local officials, and visiting Philippine officials in coordination with the Philippine Consulate General.

Sponsors of the Induction Night are BayaniPay, Philippine Airlines, Rajah Tours, Azul Balikbayan Cargo, O Skin Care, Cherish Care Staffing and Caregiving Services, Inc., Pen Homes Inc., Vina Lelim Nacionales, Van Dichoso, CSI Professionals Inc., Saladmaster (Pia Legaspi), Print Hub (Erlinda Granada Sabah), Serry and Zeny Sabocor, and Ludy Ongkeko.

For ticket and sponsorship inquiries for the Induction and Gala Night, please call or email Val Abelgas (562) 469-8030 [email protected] ; Manny Ilagan (213) 447-7087 [email protected] ; Rick Gavino (323) 868-9932 [email protected] ; Dan E. Nino (562) 508-8099 [email protected]