JOJO TADURAN: A Journalist By Heart Celebrates His Diamond Years

The Celebrant- Mr. Jojo Taduran

MR. JOJO TADURAN

Dangerous and trained people merges and blends to its surroundings perfectly like a Chameleon. You attend an event and you don't know who is among the crowd. People with massive experience and education are worst in their tactics at being invisible in the crowd. It's like attending a new circle and there he was on a ball cap on dark glasses sitting quietly in a corner.  It wasn't his seniority in years that commands respect. It was his wisdom when he opens his mouth to interject and then you will realized how much a man of decency he is and a walking storyteller by heart. He probably was the worst fly stuck on the walls of interesting people in his active life as a print and broadcaster journalist in the prime of his life.

Yes, a Print Journalist  with the Philippines Herald, Evening News, Headline, Philippine Graphic Magazine, to name a few and a Broadcaster with nationwide daily radio program, Pulong- Pulong sa Kaunlaran (1971-1986), Voice of the Philippines (now Radyo ng Bayan). And yet, in all gatherings, I find him quietly sitting in a corner.

I always learned in life to be careful with people who are extremely quiet and unassuming because they are the ones with grenades in their hands. The ones who will put your life out of balance. But it was his simplicity that made a connection and his generous heart that builds our relationship; him as a mentor and me the so called "blogger" who is always looking for wisdom. He never failed to give his wisdom to me and occasionally kick my chair to enforce his teachings as an ace journalist.

I called him "Kuya Jojo" because respect is always to the man I've came to know not just as a journalist but as a Community leader as a Barangay Kagawad in Quezon City. Mr. Jojo Taduran is also a Member  of the Rotary Club of Quezon City, a Lifetime Member  of the National Press Club of the Philippines.  A Lifetime Member  of the Order of the Knights of Rizal. A 4th Degree Member  of the Knights of Columbus. A Foundation Leader  of the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation and Philippine Press Club of Ontario.

With wife, Fe Paca-Taduran and Sen.Tobias Enverga, Jr. and wife Rosemer 

Imagine how lucky I am as a writer only guided by a gift of writing. Mr. Jojo Taduran is a pillar where journalism is a privilege in the olden days when social media was still not even on its infancy. He is a remarkable man who at this stage in his life switches to a more private life. But journalists, they are born with it and although Mr. Jojo Taduran may have slept on his laurels as a famed journalist in his life. He remained humble and he remained true to his calling as a journalist by helping others.

It was just right and proper for me to accept an exclusive invitation on his 75th birthday recently. The gathering was absolutely private with families and friends which is this man's well guarded principles; of mingling with a few.

That night as his life transcends to another milestone, Mr. Jojo Taduran surprised me with his well defined vocals as he sang his favourite song. He was also given recognition from the Office of the Senate of Canada through the first Filipino-Canadian Senator Tobias Enverga Jr. and with his wife, Mrs. Rosemer Enverga. 

It was the most fitting occasion to truly know the man behind my many publications as he supports many undertakings in the community almost incognito. The humblest man I've known. Now he can kick my chair like a true mentor.

Happy 75th birthday, Sir!

The private party.