Obit

Val Rodriguez, 67

Filipino photojournalist Val Rodriguez died last May 8. He was 67.

Chief photographer of The Philippine Star, Valentino Elvina Rodriguez started as a news photographer in United Press International back in 1971, where he worked for nine years before joining the Associated Press as staff photographer.

His outstanding work during the final years of the Marcos dictatorship caught the eye of former president Corazon Aquino, for whom he served as close-in photographer during her presidential term. Having nearly unrestricted access to the late president’s official and family affairs, Rodriguez was considered a part of the family by the Aquino clan. Rodriguez also served as a photographer for former President Fidel Ramos for two years. After his stint in the Palace, he joined The Star in 1994. (The Philippine Star)

Rodriguez is remembered by his colleagues as a professional dedicated to his craft, and for his positive outlook in life and warm regard for his peers which earned him much-deserved respect.

Raphael Tenthani, 43

Malawian journalist Raphael Tenthani passed away last May 16. He was 43.

A staunch political critic and press freedom activist, Tenthani was a contributor to the Associated Press, BBC, The Maravi Post, Nyasa Times, and the Pan African News Agency. He was also a former consultant for the South African media company Times Media Group. His weekly column “Muckraking on Sunday” often criticized the deteriorating state of public service in Malawi, and those in authority. (The New York Times)

In the course of his career, Tenthani received local and international awards, including the 2010 United Nations Media Award for his reports on the Millenium Development Goals, Best Columnist in the 2012 MISA Malawi Awards, and the 2014 Nyasa Times Person of the Year. (Nyasa Times)