Chito Lozada — The gentleman Boss

Writing about the executive editor of the Daily Tribune could be problematic, especially if one is the kind of journalist who balances the good and bad, the virtues and faults of his subject.

I have not known Sir Chito for long since I joined the Daily Tribune only four years ago. As a features writer, I only knew a little of the world of hard news in which he has belonged for decades.

In the short period I have worked with him, I can only praise him, not for anything grand and lofty in this leader by example, but for the humility of such an executive with significant responsibilities.

For want of time and space, allow me to tell and not show. Boss Chito smiles at me when he sees me, says something nice or funny but briefly, and goes about his work day with his eyes glued to the computer screen in front of him.

Now and then, I see him leave with some of my hard-drinking officemates, and I would assume for a beer or two or something stronger. When they return to the office, one speaks loudly, another gets bolder with his language, and the third comes on too strong for comfort. All three could get rowdy, though, in a funny way. Boss Chito is with them, quiet, smiling, and well-behaved. That is my kind of man, I tell myself, knowing I cannot approximate half of his kind, gentle, and, most significantly, cool self.

I asked three of our colleagues to share their thoughts on Boss Chito. Here's what they have to say:

John Henry Dodson, Editor
I've only known Chito since Concept took over Daily Tribune in 2018, and the guy doesn't have a single mean bone in his body. He has always been cool under fire and never pulled ranks on anyone.

From what other business reporters have told me who his contemporaries are, he's good at enterprising or investigative stories. We all know this from his series of articles on San Miguel, Malampaya, and many others.

Raffy Ayeng, Business Reporter
Chito Lozada is my editor, and he is like a father who understands his children's shortcomings. Not just for me but for the entire Tribune family. And this is the best time to tell how thankful I am for having him as my boss. I am not a perfect reporter, but he always describes me as his 'jackpot' (his words), and I treasure those words. Well, it's my job to work flawlessly and with precision, but there are times (as in many times) when I lose focus. I'm only human, after all.

And he has been there to understand and redeem me. Maybe, he is my father on the other side of the metaverse. I remember having a financial problem because my mom was at the hospital once because of her asthma. And I told him (Sir Chito) that I badly needed money, and he did not think twice and lent me some without asking for it in return. I repay him with hard work and filing exclusive stories. That makes him happy, although I know those are not enough.

As our bosses describe him, Chito is the perfect epitome of a team leader. He does not complain "Hindi nagrereklamo at nagtatrabaho.) He always tells us, "You can do it, may tiwala ako sa 'yo ( have confidence in you)." He is a great motivator, the ray of light. But I always try to impress him because I want to preserve the confidence he has given the whole business team. That drives us to excel, especially me. I don't want to fail him (Ayaw ko s'yang nabibigo). I will deliver before the deadline because that's the kind of training that he has imparted to me for the past two years.

The most admirable traits of Sir Chito are humility, being relaxed, and being an excellent boss. He could be 'sinless,' hahaha (Wala atang kasalanan sa mundo yan). I can't see any negativity about him, so working with him is easy. My personal message to him: Thank you for always understanding, trusting, being a father, and bringing out the best in me. He will give you the most impossible story you could ever imagine, but that is his way of honing you to excel and to push further.

I wish him the best life and Christmas and New Year to come.

Larry Payawal, deskman:
I have high respect for Sir Chito, our low-profile executive editor. He never gets mad if something goes wrong but asks for the details and then moves on. Sometimes I told him that maybe he needed to wield an iron hand, but he would smile and say, "Will that person change his character if I get mad at him? It's better to just talk to that person and ask him not to repeat the same mistake."

He treats everybody like his friend and is easy to get along with. If you need something from him, he'd readily give it to you.

I still remember one incident when he offered an apology. It was a Sunday, and the late Ms. Ninez (Cachos-Olivarez) was our editor-in-chief. Ma'm Ninez instructed me to inform Sir Chito and Don Cervantes (Desk Editor) to include the story of our columnist (I forgot his name) on the page one lineup.

The next day, Ma'm Ninez was fuming at the three of us and uttered in a thunderous voice, "Chito and Don, and you, Larry, you were here yesterday. How many times did I call you to include that story on page one? Why was it not included? I was confident you would follow my instructions because you three were here. What happened?"

She slammed the door and left. Then Sir Chito approached me and asked, "What happened, Larry? What story was that?" I replied, "Sir, Ma'm Ninez called several times yesterday telling us to put the story of that columnist on page one." He added, "Sorry, Larry, you got involved in this. It's my fault. I will talk to Ninez and explain things. And thank you for not 'washing your hands' and holding your tongue. Thank you."

I said to him, "Boss, we are already being reprimanded. I don't want to add to the fire. Let's all take the hit. That's okay." "I'm sorry you got involved," Sir Chito added.

That's why we love you, Sir Chito. He is our father figure here.