I KNEW Sir Dante Arevalo Ang (DAA) for more than 45 years, since the days when he was a struggling radio talent in the top-rated radio drama “Kahapon Lamang” in the mid-1960s at dzXL, Chronicle Broadcasting System, later known as ABS-CBN, starting in 1967.
DAA had a passion for work, creativity and respect for the workers under him. Unknowingly, he was also a good English teacher.
In 1971, I worked under DAA at the media bureau of businessman Eddie Figueras, who ran for Manila mayor against the incumbent, Antonio Villegas, and former congressman Ramon Bagatsing, with the latter winning.
At 17, as a recent high school graduate, yes, high school! I worked as a clerk-typist under DAA; I typed regularly the press releases for Figueras. During the early days of the campaign, I committed a number of typing errors in punctuation and spelling. He corrected me, using words that were gentle, but never shouted at me or fired me.
I learned a lot from DAA, not only English grammar, but also in how he treated people beneath him with calmness, respect and empathy. The young boy who went to school without any shoes in his elementary days was probably aware that I needed the income to support my college education.
I still remember the time when DAA had to pay a huge amount to a film equipment rental company for Figueras’ TV ad. There was no ATM yet or cashless transfers, so he asked his staff, Chelo Ulangca, to wrap the stack of money — in 100s, about 10 inches thick — with an old newspaper and placed it inside a small paper bag, quite wet with pork lechon oil, to make it appear that it was food. True enough, the money was handed to the company representative without any hassles after the staff walked from our office at 1010 Building (Mabini, Manila) to another office building a few blocks away.
Starting in the early 2000s, I contributed photos and feature articles to Kabayan broadsheet. Despite being very busy, DAA had time to advise me. He gave me tips on how to improve my writing. Years later, this helped me contribute feature articles, news reports and photos to the Manila Bulletin, People’s Tonight, Pilipino Star Ngayon, The Philippine Post and other newspapers.
A few years later, I wrote novels that focused on the challenges that overseas Filipino workers face in an inhospitable land. Prior to these, I worked as a publicist for former Bulacan governor Roberto “Obet” Pagdanganan. I also had the opportunity to work as a principal newswriter (tabloid) for then-senator Benigno Aquino III, who was elected president in 2010. Truly, DAA’s passion for quality work was contagious.
DAA’s passing on May 3 opened up a string of visual memories that reminded me of how a poor boy who strived really hard and rose to become one of the most influential media practitioners the country has ever had. Despite his success, DAA still embraced humility and empathy in the treatment of his workers.
Dante Arevalo Ang’s immeasurable contributions to the country as a public servant, publisher, journalist and educator — whose life was defined by integrity, vision and purpose — will continue to inspire and bring hope to millions, especially to those who have less in life.
Lino C. Soriano
