CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/10 November) — With the theme “Balik-lantaw, Pamanlandong, Pasalamat ug Tubag sa Hagit sa Panahon” (Looking Back, Reflection, Thankfulness and Response to the Challenges of the Times), the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) will mark its 60th anniversary on Friday, November 11,

The COPC is the oldest press club in the Philippines, older than the National Press Club of the Philippines, which was founded on October 29, 1952.

In a text message Thursday, COPC executive vice president Bingo Alcordo said the mere age of the club shows how dedicated the local press has been to the ideals of fair and credible journalism.

“11.11.11 is a red letter day. The 60th founding anniversary of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club is a graphic testimony of the staying power of the club and its resilience against all odds. Sixty years is 60 years,” Alcordo said.

The COPC board of directors has lined up activities to highlight the diamond founding anniversary celebration.

The founding anniversary will kick off with a “Media Walk-for-a-Cause” at 5:00am where members of the COPC and other local media organizations will march from Rodelsa Circle passing Apolinario Velez Street to the Press Freedom Monument at the Capitol Compound.