WHEREAS, one of the pillars of Davao media, eminent publisher and editor-in-chief of Edge Davao, Antonio “Tony” M. Ajero, passed away on July 17, 2022 at the age of 76, in Davao City;
WHEREAS, the late Tony Ajero was considered the “Dean of Davao Media” who has built a long and impressive career in journalism covering print, television, and radio for six decades;
WHEREAS, he started as a student campus journalist for Davao City High School and later for Mindanao Colleges (now University of Mindanao), where he graduated and received his high school diploma in 1955;
WHEREAS, he founded the University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network (UMBN), served as station manager of DXMC and DXUM for more than a decade, and was one of the pioneering investigative reporters on radio in Davao City on Radyo Ukay;
WHEREAS, he hosted a popular weekly public affairs television program, “Brainstorm,” in the late eighties and early nineties;
WHEREAS, he served as an AsiaWeek correspondent since the late seventies and shepherded several community newspapers in Mindanao including Davao Sentinel, Davao Star, Mindanao Gazette, and The Oro Eye;
WHEREAS, he holds the distinction of having served as the editor-in-chief of all of the major community newspapers in Davao City at various points in time — Mindanao Times, Mindanao Daily Mirror, Ang Peryodiko Dabaw, Sun.Star Davao, and Edge Davao;
WHEREAS, he published the Annual Davao Yearbook, a publication that chronicled the history and culture of Davao City;
WHEREAS, he was the President of the Davao Press Club, Chairman of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas Davao, and Trustee for Mindanao of the Philippine Press Institute;
WHEREAS, his leadership and contribution went beyond the media industry as he was also a respected socio-civic leader in the Rotary Club of East Davao, the Ambassador Club of Davao International, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Young Men’s Christian Association, and the Davao Inventors Association;
WHEREAS, throughout his life, he had stood for integrity, truth, fairness, and freedom of the press and had dedicated his life to mentoring young journalists, many of whom consider him a father figure;
WHEREAS, he is recognized as one of the most influential editors and publishers in Mindanao who shape public policy and public opinion;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF DAVAO, to express, as it hereby expresses, its profound sympathy and sincere condolences on the death of Antonio “Tony” M. Ajero and honoring his significant contribution to Davao City’s development.
RESOLVED, FURTHER, that a copy of this Resolution be given to the bereaved family of the late Tony Ajero.
Adopted,
PILAR CAÑEDA BRAGA
