Ajero, publisher and editor-in-chief of Edge Davao and chair of the Board of Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc., and Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc., was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in May this year.
The veteran journalist also worked as publisher and editor-in-chief (EIC) of SunStar Davao from 1995 to 2002 and as its publisher from 2002 until he retired in 2008.
Sir Tony was well-respected and honored; an eminent and figure among the community of media men in Davao he is. A father figure especially for budding journalists, he is sweetly called as AMA that incidentally stands for his initials.
On different roles he played
To some, he was a teacher. Maybe not by profession, but a teacher in life, nonetheless. Jon Joaquin, former EIC of Mindanao Daily Mirror, penned a touching message for Sir Tony narrating the lessons he has taught him — the value of fairness, diligence, and duty.
“One of the duties of the newspaper, he would tell me, is to keep a record of events so that future generations can see and learn from them. It won’t matter a hundred years from now if our news today is a little late,” Joaquin wrote.
And maybe being a mentor was an inherent character to him, as he was an instrument for betterment to the people he met. Adrian Tamayo of the Mindanao Development Authority can attest to how significant of a figure Ajero had been to his, and other people’s lives.
“He opened the door for me to share university research to the public which led to the establishment of the IPO. He was the man who gave opportunity to use the media as platform to share academic views,” Tamayo shared.
Sir Tony was, in whatever he did, strove for excellence, yet was not hesitant to share his knowledge – he could not bring himself to be – to those who need it. This was evident with how people who had a great pleasure to know him, describe what kind of person he was.
Davao Inventors Association President Virgilio M. Sangutan thanked Ajero for his invaluable contributions to the group.
“To my dearest friend Tony, I really salute you, and my highest respect and thanks to all of what you have done by helping in promoting the creativity and innovativeness of all the members of Davao Investors Association, which I know that your contributions to the group… will always be treasured and remembered,” he wrote.
Former Davao City Councilor Danny Dayanghirang sends a message to his beloved friend, of which he considers his mentor, his critic, and now his angel.
“You have been my wings when I started young in politics until your last breath, I know you always believed in the bond we potted together,” Dayanghirang said.
On giving posthumous Datu Bago Award
The media community calls on the DATU BAGO AWARDS COMMITTEE TO BESTOW ON ANTONIO “TONY” AJERO, a posthumous DATU BAGO award.
“If they failed to do that when he was living, they should honor him posthumously,” according to Jun Ledesma of Mindanao Journal Publisher.
He wore many hats and played different roles in so many people’s lives, but it is certain that he will leave a lasting mark in them. And it’s one less person in photos.
A man worth emulating, with all the lives he inspired and taught. Rest in power, Sir Tony.