As ABS-CBN commemorated the first anniversary of its shutdown, the media company’s news head Ging Reyes shared the struggles, heartaches, also small wins that they experienced.
In a statement during the solidarity night organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Reyes recalled memories from May 5 last year.
It was when the Network went dark after the NTC’s cease-and-desist order.
ABS-CBN News Chief Ging Reyes on first anniversary of network’s broadcast operations shutdown:
“Hindi biro ang pinagdaanan nating lahat mula May 5, mula sa paghahanda natin sa COVID coverage at paghahanda sa franchise hearings. We went through all that together.” #LabanKapamilya pic.twitter.com/msiTMZMbZg
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021
Ging Reyes: Kung meron mang nagbigay ng lakas at tatag ng loob sa akin, ‘yun ay kayo sa nagdaang taong ito. I remember those moments as if they were yesterday. #LabanKapamilya
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021
Reyes said the ‘hardest’ part of that moment is saying goodbyes to colleagues who have become friends and families.
She said it’s a heartbreaking moment to let go of people for the organization to survive.
Ging Reyes: After May 5, we had to say goodbye to many of our colleagues and friends—people so close to us, people I’ve hired and people I treated as family. Next to the sign off, the most heartbreaking memory is having to let go of so many of you. #LabanKapamilya
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021
Ging Reyes: My heart breaks every time I tell some of our fine journalists and hardworking people sorry that I could not save their jobs. In order for ABS-CBN News to survive, we had to part ways with them. #LabanKapamilya
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021
Ging said while the shutdown greatly affected the Network–especially the news department [since] it caused the closure of the Regional Network Group and DZMM.
They managed to [still] cover important events and national emergencies like disasters where information dissemination is most important for the people.
Ging Reyes: We’ve been diminished in terms of resouces, our reach has declined remarkably. But there’s a silver lining to all of this—we have done a fine job in covering important events, deploying people to disaster areas, even being first in doing so… #LabanKapamilya
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021
Ging Reyes: …finding people & communities to tell their stories & giving them a voice. We have not given up our mission & on our belief that the freedom to cover news, to seek truth is a constitutional right & that we should not be afraid, no matter how they try to scare us.
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021
Reyes also paid homage to all the men and women of ABS-CBN News for their continued resolve to continue with their duty to serve the public.
Ging Reyes: I believe, since May 5, we have become stronger. Our numbers may have been reduced, but our resolve to deliver the news and continue being courageous in our work has never been firmer. #LabanKapamilya
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021
She said she’s honored to be serving with them–to whom where she’s drawing her strength.
Ging Reyes to ABS-CBN News: I feel so honored to be standing and serving with you. I am grateful for your big and small acts of courage from which I draw strength of my own. #LabanKapamilya
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021
The ABS-CBN news head also reiterated that they will not be silenced and will continue their fight to give the Filipino people the news and information they deserve.
Ging Reyes to ABS-CBN News: Isang taon na mula nang ipinangako nating hindi tayo mananahimik. Salamat sa pagtupad nito. Tuloy lang ang laban. Hindi tayo susuko. We are strong. We are ABS-CBN News. #LabanKapamilya
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021