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The contents of this site are based on
actual events, the author's observations, opinions, true stories that
took place in the course of newsgathering. Nothing is fiction. Every
incident did happen. It is entirely based on truth, the bible truth
and/or the naked truth.
Most of the articles here are from the Ben Emata's books, namely:
Too High The Ladder
and
The Newsbreaker.
The first one, Too High The Ladder, was about his autobiography. It
features the fear and hardship he encountered during his boyhood years;
his struggle to survive against all odds; his lonely and silent battle
for a college education; his adventures in the hills of Claveria when
the country was under the tyranny of martial law and his newspaper was
shut down; his triumph over his 52 libel cases; the corruption of
politicians in their relationship with some newsmen and his narrow
escape from a helicopter crash. It was circulated well in the
Philippines, the USA and some cities in Europe and Canada where there
are Filipinos. It was a hit.
The second book, The Newsbreaker, was mostly about his practice of the
journalism profession, the risk involved, the beating of deadline, the
presentation of behind-the-scenes news, actual events, observations and
opinions and many more.
The author was the recipient of many praises and cheers from the
readers, like Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., Dean of Law and Commissioner
of Immigration, Rofus Rodriguez, Congressman Jun Baculio, Atty. Jerry
Pacuribot, Justice Jerome Hermoso, Rev. Pastor Jim Garcines, Government
Auditor, Boy Allere, Dr. Dalmacio Paraguya, M.D., CPA-Lawyer Pacianito
Paraguya, Atty. Roderico Villaroya, Atty. Elli Pamatong, Guam
Commissioner, Ben Cendana, Anthony Guitarte, Shirley A. Quiambao, Engr.
Pol Ramiro, Dr. David Horsup, Ph.D., Dr. Jesus Lazo-Taberdo, Ph.D,
Regional Director, Department of Education, Region 10, Dr. Arturo
Panoringan, Ph.D., Dr. Augusto Guitarte, Jr., MD., Dr. Estrellita
Guitarte, Ph.D., Dr. Philip Gutirez, DDM, Journalists: Rufino Magbanua,
Uriel Quilinguing, Susan Palmes, Roy Gaane, Cito Valmores, Sonito
Guillena, Richard Vallar, and dozens other who sent him e-mail messages,
letters and phone calls.
The huge success in the first book, Too High The Ladder, has exceedingly
encouraged the author to write the second and he is in an advance stage
of preparing his third book. Writing a book, Emata said, is a great
challenge. It needs a lot of inspirations and little perspiration. It
puts to a test the skill of your human “hard drive” and one’s ability to
reduce them to words. Your only partner here is your soul and he is a
writer’s consultant. It is very exciting and interesting. As you begin
writing, an array of ideas comes along and they make the flow of words
faster. It develops self-confidence and trust to a writer as well as
pride, prestige and honor. Ben had been co-author of two American books
on poetry. He authored the award-winning poem “Not
In Dreams.”
Once more this book is lovingly dedicated to his deceased parents, Ben
Sambaan-Emata, Sr. and Felisa Madronio-Valmores. His father had inspired
him so much when he himself wrote a book, “Whispers
of Living Memories.” To his brothers
and sisters whose understanding, encouragement, affection and assistance
enabled him to pursue his journalistic career. Special mention to his
older brother, Atty. Melecio V. Emata, for giving him unforgettable
words of wisdom when he was young.
To his family: his eldest daughter, Engr. Ma. Liane E. Harris, married
to a Canadian; Engr. Ben Othelo P. Emata, married to half-German;
Accountant Ben Voltaire P. Emata, Nurse Ma. Emmylou P. Metternich,
married to a German and Engr. Ma. Stella P. Horsup, married to an
Englishman; and to his wife, Pharmacist Minda P. Emata. The inspiration,
memories of love and affection of his family especially when his kids
were young, linger around and continue to give him joy and happiness.
The smiles of his half-breed grandchildren who look
Canadian-German-Americans resulting in inter marriages, have inspired
him so much. Ben realized he is the patriarch of an international
family.
He acknowledged the continuous encouragement of Sen. Nene Pimentel, the
inspirations of great friends like Dr. Estrellita Guitarte, Ph.D, Dr.
Gloria Manarpaac, Ph.D. and Dr. Art Panoringan, Ph.D. His fellow
journalists in Cagayan de Oro, his friends in the American media,
friends and relatives, without their support he surely would find
difficulties in making this book a reality.
He also dedicates this work to the fallen comrades in the journalism
professions who were assassinated by idiotic maniacs who idolized evils.
The bullets destroyed only their physical structures but their ideal and
aspiration continue to live because love of press freedom resides in the
heart of the people. The author welcomes everyone to scan every page of
this web site.
Ben Emata Jr. |
