Tribute to Tribune

SASKATOON—It has been over a month since the Saipan Tribune ended its three-decade-long run before we said goodbye to 2024. The Tribune, one of two newspapers in the CNMI, printed its final issue on Tuesday, Dec. 31. It was a bitter moment for Chief Editor Mark Rabago—one of my former bosses, frenemy, and one of the longest employees of the former daily publication. It was on Oct. 28 when the Saipan Tribune announced it would be closing.

The Marianas Variety, established by the late Abed Younis, was the Commonwealth’s first newspaper, where I started my employment as a sports reporter and where I again experienced the Filipino culture of community where everyone extends a helping hand when one is significantly in need. Side note: it is at the Variety where I again saw a former Sun Microsystems Philippines co-worker, Tess Managuio, after almost a decade.

I have been part of the Tribune family for almost seven years, combined, since I had a brief stint from January 2007 to June 2008 (if I remember correctly), when I returned to the Philippines to join GMA network’s online news team and later moved to Business Mirror before returning to the island in 2014.

The Tribune has witnessed the CNMI’s ups and downs for over thirty years, from the economic boom brought by the garment industry to the fluctuating arrivals of tourists, mainly from Chinese and South Korean markets. Then, the global financial crisis affected even the wealthiest nations. Finally, the recovery was brought about by revenues collected from major investor Best Sunshine.

During the tumultuous period of financial troubles, CNMI businesses had to cut their working hours to save money. It impacted their employees where delays with their salaries were common. Everyone was pinching pennies during that time. Yet, the people held on, with several establishments—from hotels and restaurants—that have operated for years, surviving and continuing to operate.

The Tribune was there when Japan’s emperor Akihito arrived on Saipan in 2005, visiting historic sites Banzai and Suicide Cliffs to pay respects to those who died—American and Japanese soldiers and civilians—during the Battle of Saipan in the final months of World War II.

The Tribune was present at every governor’s inauguration, sessions at the CNMI Legislature, typhoon devastation, achievements, scandals, crime, festivals, visits by US officials and other foreign dignitaries, fundraising and other community-related events, and sports events—Micronesian Games, Pacific Mini Games, Oceania Athletic Championships, and other regional matches—to report and inform the public.

The long list of journalists who became part of the Tribune had a front-row seat in witnessing different historical events and shared the information with the people of the Commonwealth.

The expected closure saddens me, but I will forever cherish all the memories I experienced with my co-workers, who became part of my extended family in the CNMI. From the daily office banter that included the Harold and Kumar-like comedic duo of Mark and me, the buffet lunches and dinners, and the never-ending deadlines to finish four stories where you can always hear the sound of the EIC Jayvee Vallejera’s voice saying in Filipino: “Nasaan na ang mga istorya niyo? Bilisan niyo!” (Where are your stories? Write faster!).

Management notes changes in media consumption due to technological advancements, wherein internet access and mobile devices have increased the demand for instant news. Many industries, including media, are reshaping business models to adapt. The local economic challenges and recent calamities have impacted the operations, and the decision to close was difficult for management.

There will be no more office chitchat, and the daily greetings and messages of esta will be later. The clacking sound of keyboards as reporters try to beat the deadline has stopped. An eery silence lingers inside the second floor of J.P. Centre in Garapan. Now, the Tribune’s watch has ended.