EJAP founding chair Aydinan passes away

The Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) mourns the passing of its founding chair, Abrino Aydinan.

Aydinan, who was then working for the defunct Business Day, the precursor of BusinessWorld, was the one who made the bold suggestion in 1985 to create an organization of economic reporters.

In her account of EJAP’s history, the late Arleen Chipongian-Perez, who was also an EJAP founding member, said Aydinan suggested the creation of the organization since their group of 15 junior reporters would always meet after work to talk shop.

It was as simple as that but what Aydinan did not yet realize was that his suggestion would grow to a 90-member institution dedicated to upholding excellence in business reporting.

“EJAP owes much to ‘Abring”’and we will forever be grateful for his contribution to the industry,” the organization said in a statement.

As EJAP’s first president, his commitment and “intense intellectual” prowess is recognized by all as the moving spirit behind the group during its early years, according to Fe dela Cruz who, like Abring, was a former Business Day reporter and editor. She recalled that Abring, a trade beat reporter, led journalists at the time to weigh in on turbulent political issues of the 1980s, something they rarely did before that.

Another founding member, Chi Liquicia, former Daily Express reporter and Reuters correspondent, described Abring as “quiet but deep” and very credible as EJAP leader. Later, he was recruited by the government as director of the Department of Agrarian Reform and contributed to the efforts of the Cordillera Regional Consultative Commission as its chair.

“He will be remembered dearly,” she said.

“We express our deepest condolences to his family and friends. May we all find comfort in knowing that Abring and his contributions to journalism will not be forgotten,” EJAP said. “We will always remember Chipongian-Perez’ words: ‘There would be no EJAP without Abring.’”

Abring is survived by his wife, Socorro Queipo Aydinan; his children, Maimai-addi and Macliing Gabriel; and grandchildren, Manuel and Kurt.