“One night working together with Mario Blanco, they called announcing the arrival of the national boxing squad. So we went to the airport, that day I found an incentive to never quit journalism.”
And the thing is that Chiang had the honor of meeting Fidel there. “He did nothing but looking at his suit color, his teeth, his nails…”, he said with a lump in his throat, which made him stop to breathe and hold up a tear. “Later when I returned home at about 2 am I just couldn’t sleep. It all seemed unreal, I cannot describe my motivation, I felt like in heaven.”
Our interviewee cannot forget that moment. Neither that February 1981 when he was designated to carry out a mission in Ethiopia, in the Africa. Then he went there as reporter and translator. Others international trips would follow, since with tenacity and professionalism he represented Radio Reloj overseas. Thus, he was three times in Mexico, one of these on the 45th anniversary of Fidel’s departure from Tuxpan. Time came also to go to the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
About education and youth and student organizations he is dry behind the ears. That is because he has been connected with those sectors since 1983, in a complicity which is achieved by a few.
— How has Radio Reloj contributed to your professional growth?
– It has greatly contributed to my development as a revolutionary and as a professional, it has also helped understand the human being, enhance relations with my partners, understand them, help them, exchange. Radio Reloj has been a school for me, not only for professional development, but also as a human being.
The experience of a whole life linked to journalism and to that radio station allows Chiang to advise the youth. He suggest that they learn everyday, as well as to read a lot, to watch over the quality of the titles, the information and purpose. “You have to know how to get to the people, with a refined, fresh and direct language as required by the radio. We should approach the topics which affect and interest the people, attaining social facilitation”, he insisted.
His involvement in La Voz del Oyente, space for citizen journalism is a proof of this. Chiang Macate is where journalism is needed.
–How do you see Radio Reloj today?
— As Mella said “future must be better”. From those graduates of 1978 to these graduating today, the latter are undoubtedly better prepared. In the past it was a typewriter, today it is a computer. The youth needs to use the digital tools for learning, for growing day by day.
Chiang dedicates a special moment to his family, since it has been an essencial mainstay in his development, providing him unconditional support. “They always understood why I must be out somewhere”, he highlighted.
His work is dedication, professionalism and love. Radio Reloj wins everyday with his experience. And after 39 years working in this station, which is defined by him as an anvil and hammer with the journalists in the middle.
On the 70th anniversary of Radio Reloj, Chiang Macate keeps his contribution since he finds in the news passion and fuel.
Translated by ESTI
