ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez opens Pinoy Media Congress Year 7The following is an excerpt from the welcome address by ABS-CBN Chairman and CEO Eugenio Lopez III during the 7th Pinoy Media Congress held at Colegio de San Juan de Letran on March 1-2, 2012 When I was young and my father Eugenio Lopez Jr. was already running ABS-CBN, I saw him being consumed by his passion. He worked day and night, weekends and holidays, but never complained. So, I thought to myself, he must be doing something that he really liked and enjoyed.

As soon as I joined ABSCBN, I learned that media people truly liked what they’re doing despite all the stress, all the hardship, even all the frustrations and the dangers. Yes, it’s common to hear them say “nakakapagod, nakakaiyak, ayoko na talaga!” But in truth, gustung-gusto pa nila and they will never give up.

At ABS-CBN, we find meaning in making shows that inspire the Filipino through shows that reflect their values, that affirm their self-worth and recognize their strengths.

The fulfillment that you experience by doing something that has a positive impact on the lives of people is a more lasting reward than the glamour and the pay.

To millions of Filipinos out there, the media are their source of inspiration and empowerment. They also look at media as the institution that will stand up for their welfare when all else fails.

We live in a country that has been waiting for so long for prosperity, peace and pride. It cannot be achieved by the President alone, not even all the senators and the congressmen and all elected officials. True and lasting change can only happen if we, all citizens of this country, can become the change that we want to see, as Mahatma Gandhi said.

The media, through the communication of the right values, through advocacies, through fair and honest information, can play a big role in making change happen.

To make the Philippines a better place, there’s still a lot of work to be done. And such work is waiting for you, young people who wish to work in media.

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