We are celebrating INQUIRER.net’s 23rd anniversary at a time when the world is battling its toughest ordeal yet, COVID-19. Although we do not know for sure when the crisis will be over, the new normal has made us realize how essential and pivotal journalism is in today’s unprecedented times.

I had the distinct privilege and ultra challenge of being put at the helm of INQUIRER.net’s business operations at a time when the company was in the process of transitioning to new leadership and then COVID-19 struck. Coping with the initial shock of the pandemic was the most difficult. Nothing could have prepared us for the sudden impact of the crisis. But through grit, can-do spirit, a deliberate strategy, meticulous financial management and most of all, teamwork, I am proud to say that we have gotten over the hump and are on the road to recovery. We look at the fourth quarter of the year with excitement because of emerging segments and increasing demand as we approach the holiday season that presents new hope and growth in a pandemic year.

We have much to thank our readers from all over the globe for coming to our site for credible, trustworthy, relevant, up-to-date breaking news and information. We have seen a dramatic increase in our traffic in numbers we have not seen before largely due to COVID-19. We are aware that COVID fatigue is setting in, hence, we have expanded our offerings to include live streaming videos, lifestyle features, trending topics, human interest and positive stories that inform, entertain, inspire and help our readers cope with the new normal. With data analytics, we will strive harder to provide you with content that are better suited to your needs.

We thank our advertisers and all the brands that have partnered with us through the years who believe in the effectiveness of INQUIRER.net to reach the right audience for their campaigns. We will continue to work hard for you.

We thank our Board of shareholders who had the extraordinary vision of launching a website when digital was just a dream and whose trust inspire our confidence to push forward.

But most of all, I am extremely proud and thankful to the men and women who make up the INQUIRER.net team. They have shown true grit, commitment, courage, resourcefulness, agility and adaptability to work under a remote set-up. Our own front-liners namely, our reporters, videographers, cameramen and drivers deserve special mention. They are among our modern day heroes who risk life and limb to ensure that our readers never miss a story that help equip them as citizens and improve their lives.

Our sales and marketing team are superstars; they did not let the pandemic become an obstacle to meeting targets. Our content studio, content distribution, social media and support staff (Tech, Finance, HR and Admin) are essential cogs who contributed to the team’s wheel of success. No one person can lay claim to where INQUIRER.net is today. It is the result of everyone’s collective efforts to make the dream a reality, to turn crisis into Opportunity.

Winston Churchill said it best, “Never let a good opportunity go to waste.” The pandemic presented a lot of great opportunities that enabled us to learn and work together as a team, recover from past mistakes, make smart choices and discover what we are capable of.

Happy 23rd anniversary INQUIRER.net! Stand tall and proud!