There is a story of a man who braved the highest mountain in order to get closer to the Lord. Many years had past while he struggled to reach the top. Along the way, he survived dangers, sure deaths, and dark moments. Until one day, he found himself at the base of the summit, smiling up at the clear blue sky. Looking back at the treacherous path he had traveled, the man rejoiced at all he had accomplished. Until he remembered all the fortunes that fell his way, all the people who guided him, encouraged him, and he realized that the journey he undertook was not only his. His journey was that of others before him, blazing a path for him to follow, and those behind him, still struggling to find their way. It was the journey of life, as we have all come to know it.
My life’s journey is that of a publisher and editor of a community newspaper. Not the most glamorous or exciting of vocations, to be sure, but it has had its ups and downs, let me tell you. I am proud of what I have accomplished – thus far (knock on wood). The paper, my staff, my family, and especially my wife (Erlinda), are the very blood and heart that drive me. Looking back at the summit of my life, I recall all the people I have encountered along the way, some bad, some good, and some extremely bad. Then there are those select few who have truly enriched my life, Tom Avendano Sr., Ed and Beth dela Rea,Ding and Marilyn Cunanan, Mitch and Mike Montero, Richard Navarro and Pastor Aldrin Navo to name but a few. I am proud to call them friend, but they are more than that: they are my mentors and my confidants; they are the people I look to when I am down and out; and they are the courage and strength I draw upon when I am weak and alone.
News came to my office that shook my world. Last Tuesday, July 9, one of the pioneering newspaperman passed away peacefully. Mr Cusipag 75, at Markham Stouffville Hospital with his wife Tess Cusipag by his side. He is survived by wife of 22 years Tess and children Ruby, Marjo, Marie, Imelda and Ruben Jr..
Some years back, I heard of Mr. Cusipag’s accident. News circulated that he was badly injured and later died. I found out later from one of his sons who called to inform me that Mr Cusipag did not die in the accident. It was his live in partner Fely who was active in the Anti Martial Law movement who passed away.
This time, however, the news was accurate. I immediately felt the loss of his death. Although, my personal encounters with Ruben Cusipag, publisher and editor of Balita in Toronto, were brief and not too personal, I still felt a certain kinship with him. We were both championing the truth, fighting to spread the news to all our compatriots, good or bad. This vocation did not always make us popular among our Kababayans. But it was our purpose in life, our mission.
I first met Ruben in San Francisco, during the later part of 1989 when the Filipino American Media Practitioner was established. The words “North American” were added on to the acronym to accommodate Cusipag & myself as Canada’s representatives. My memories of the procedures during the formation of the group, we later called FAMAS, are vague. What remains with me to this day are the friendships I formed with the founders, Art Padua and Greg Macabenta. Mr. Cusipag, as I remember, was aloof. He was a true blooded Canadian who adamantly maintained his independence from our American counterparts. It was a personality trait I recognized in him from the get-go, a trait I would later come to admire.
It wasn’t all business for me then. I just bought the Chronicle from my good friend and kumpare, Mr. Leo Ding Cunanan. I was eager to explore the world of publishing. My only connection then to the media practitioners’ loop was my editorial & writing skills. Contacts with my new found American friends introduced me to the very difficult business of publishing a community newspaper. Through Art Padua, I established a connection with Philippine News (PN) which gave me fresh news from the Philippines. I was told that Ruben Cusipag had his sources straight from Manila. At any rate, we both forged ahead. There was a comfort in knowing that I had someone like Ruben standing shoulder to shoulder with, even though he stood as far east as Toronto. It was a though we were attacking Canada from both sides, spreading the news, as brothers-in-arms.
We later bumped into each other again at another conference in Las Vegas & Hawaii. Unfortunately, I did not see him at the Malacanang invite of then President Ramos where I met other publishers from Toronto. The two of us both received the Banahaw Award for exemplary journalism during the Centennial celebration of Philippine Independence in Toronto. I missed the awarding due to a previous engagement in Manila. My son, Rhoel, represented me in the awarding ceremony. I am still searching my archives for photos of my son with Mr. Cusipag.
Though Ruben has passed on to the afterlife, his time on earth will not be forgotten. The path he has blazed will forever be entrenched on the foothills of life. It is a path I myself followed earlier on in my career. He was the veteran editor, journalist, and publisher that I looked towards as an example on more than one occasion. His presence will be sorely missed. But as we all know, the bell tolls for all of us. All we can do is live life to fullest, reach for the stars, and let the cards fall where they may.
Ruben Cusipag may no longer be among us, but his legacy, the Balita newspaper in Toronto, remains strong. As the saying goes, a newspaper man never dies, like the warriors of old, his words and legend lives on in all of us.
Sleep tight Sir Ruben Cusipag, may providence guide thee in thy next journey.