BRIEF HISTORY
In December 1995, The SUN came out with a four-page inaugural issue that began one of
the most intriguing success stories in publishing. Given away free to Filipinos in Hong Kong,
The SUN soon took root in the community, becoming the leading Filipino publication in less than
a year. Growing demand for copies of The SUN prompted the growth in circulation from the
original 10,000 to 20,000 in June 1996, to 30,000 in January 1997, to 40,000 in June 1997,
51,000 copies in August 1999 and finally to 53,000 copies in November 2001 -- roughly one for
every four Filipinos in the HKSAR. With the increase in circulation came a steady increase in the
number of pages, to an average of 40 every issue, as the newspaper took on the role of the
community's main marketplace for goods, services and ideas.
In the second half of July 2000, The SUN broke new ground by coming out with a
mid-month edition. This new edition has grown so popular it now has 32 pages, and a
guaranteed circulation of 25,000, which is often exceeded due to the influx of new advertisers.
These two editions have helped ensure that The SUN becomes THE source of news
and information for, and about, Filipinos living in Hong Kong.
In November last year, The SUN again set a new record with the airing of its news and
public affairs program, Tribong Pinoy, for Digital Broadcasting Corporation (DBC), the first digital
radio station in Hong Kong. Tribong Pinoy serves as the perfect complement for The SUN, with
its timely discussion of news and issues affecting Filipinos in HK and elsewhere in the world. It
now airs live, three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), from 8pm-11pm, over
digital radio, channel 575 of Now TV, and via the internet:
www.dbc.hk, Digital We station. Tribong Pinoy's topics and guests for each episode can be viewed on its Facebook page: 05 DBC
Tribong Pinoy.
As an additional service to Filipinos anywhere in the world who hanker for news from
home, or those about their fellow overseas Filipinos, The SUN has upgraded its internet edition. Log
on to www.sunweb.com.hk to see the latest news and information about HK and the Philippines,
or click on the links on the right-hand side to view the exact pages in each issue.
For more information, please contact:
Leade Publishing Co.
Rm 1002 Yue Shing Commercial Bldg.
15 Queen Victoria St., Central, Hong Kong
Tel (852) 2544 6536
Fax (852) 2366 8841
Email: leade@sunweb.com.hk
THE STAFF
Leo A. Deocadiz,Publisher
Leo A. Deocadiz, its publisher and one-time editor, founded the SUN. Leo is a
veteran newspaper and magazine editor. Educated at the University of the Philippines in Diliman,
Metro Manila and Georgetown University in Washington, he has worked for various newspapers
and magazines both in Manila and Hong Kong. In Manila, he was associate editor of Business Day,
an economic daily newspaper; business editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer; and news editor of
the Manila Chronicle. In Hong Kong, he was the editor of the following publications: Corporate,
a business magazine; HK STAFF, a magazine which focused on human resource management in
Hong Kong; China STAFF, which focused on HR management in China; and Best Practice
Management, which focused on quality management practices in Asia. He is well-known in the Filipino
community in Hong Kong, having served as chairman of the Philippine Association of Hong Kong in
2005, founding member of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association, and adviser to
several migrant workers' organizations.
Email: leade@sunweb.com.hk
Daisy Catherine L. Mandap,Editor
Daisy, a lawyer and journalist, became The SUN's editor in September 1999, after serving as
the newspaper's editorial consultant from its inception. Prior to this, she worked for 21 years in
several publications both in the Philippines and Hong Kong. Immediately before joining The SUN as
its editor, she worked as a part-time writer for the Cable News Network (CNN) in Hong Kong, and
for 10 years before this, as editor, producer and writer for English news at Asia Television HK
(ATV). Daisy earned both her journalism and law degrees from the University of the Philippines in
Diliman, and was a writing intern at the Jefferson Fellowships program of the East-West Center at the
University of Hawaii. She has been an active leader of the Filipino community in Hong Kong, having
served as chairperson of the Philippine Association of Hong Kong, founding member of the University of
the Philippines Alumni Association Hong Kong and as adviser of several community organizations.
She is now serving her second term as a member of the Committee on the Promotion of Racial
Harmony, an advisory body to the HKSAR government.
Email: daisy@sunweb.com.hk
Jan Yumul,Reporter
Jan is the latest addition to The SUN family. Though born in the Philippines, she spent much
of her growing-up years in Hong Kong, and thus speaks several languages: English, French,
Cantonese and Filipino. Jan, who holds a journalism degree from the University of Sto Tomas in Manila,
brings to The SUN the idealism and enthusiasm of the young, which helps ensure the paper remains
attuned to the needs of its readers.
Email: jan.yumul@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTORS
A pool of writers, mostly Filipina domestic helpers who make up The Sun Writers Club,
regularly contribute articles to The SUN. The contributors are mostly degree holders from the
Philippines, and completed the annual writing workshop conducted by The SUN's editors. They also get
regular guidance and training in their quest to pursue a writing career after leaving Hong Kong.
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
The SUN has regular staff who take care of advertisers' needs and tackle the difficult task
of distributing 78,000 copies of the newspaper throughout Hong Kong every month. They include
Johna M. Acompanado, Elena P. Villaprudente and Joy Luberas-Tan.
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ARTICLES IN THE SUN FALL UNDER THREE CATEGORIES:
News about Filipinos in Hong Kong
Through The SUN, the Filipinos have become one of
the most informed ethnic groups in Hong Kong. Coverage of events ranges from policy changes to
the burning issues of the day, from personal experiences to the myriad of problems confronting
Filipinos in Hong Kong, as well as business opportunities both in Hong Kong and the Philippines. Such
coverage has made The SUN the most respected Filipino publication in Hong Kong.
News about the Philippines
From the information gathered by a retained reporter in Manila,
from the internet and from Manila newspapers, The SUN's editors write in-depth and analytical pieces
on significant developments in the Philippines. The stories are supplemented by choice articles
supplied by the prestigious Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and the OFW Writers' Consortium.
Features and Columns
The SUN regularly carries feature stories about life in Hong Kong,
from the Filipino point of view. Regular sections include "Do it Yourself Travel" about interesting places
in Hong Kong, "Tribong Pinoy," where the many organizations that make up the Filipino
community here are featured, "Chinese Horoscope," written by an in-house seer, "Balitang Artista" which
reports on the latest news and intrigues about famous entertainers in the Philippines, and "Food Trip"
where readers get to share their favorite recipes, as well as their pictures. There are also regular
columns that cater to the various needs of its readers, including the "Editor's Note," "Migrants'
Forum," "Know Your Rights", "Food Trip", "Pera Mo, Palaguin Mo" and "Pinoy Jokes." But the most
popular one is easily "Anak Araw," written by an anonymous author with the pen name "Ate Kulit".
At times funny, at times sarcastic but always informative, Ate Kulit is one of the reasons The SUN is
the most-read Filipino publication in Hong Kong.
ADVERTISING
For details on The SUN advertising rates for Hong Kong, please contact Tel:
(852)25446536 Fax: (852) 2366 8841 Or E-Mail us at leade@sunweb.com.hk.
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