Obit

 

Luis Katigbak, 41

WRITER AND COLUMNIST Luis Katigbak died Wednesday, April 20. He was 41.

Katigbak was a columnist for Philippine Star’s Young STAR. He was also  associate editor of Esquire Philippines and a resident writer for Pulp magazine. He also wrote Happy Endings (2000) and The King of Nothing to Do (2006). Both books were nominated for the National Book Awards. (“Writer and critic Luis Katigbak passes away at 41”, GMANews.com, April 20, 2016)

A celebrated writer, Katigbak has won four Palanca awards, a Philippines Graphic prize, and the Young Artists’ Grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Katigbak had been hospitalized since December 2015 for complications from diabetes.

Film director Quark Henares remembered Katigbak. “Rest well, Luis Katigbak. Too many geniuses have passed this year and I count you up there with Bowie, but I’m even sadder that the world lost a really good guy.” Music video director Marie Jamora also had praises for the late writer. “Today, we lost a great writer and the biggest champion of Filipino independent music. He had impeccable taste and i followed his recommendations wherever they took me. Bands played better when he was around, and they all dreamed about him writing about them someday. Me included,” Jamora said. (“Award-winning writer Luis Katigbak dies at 41,” Rappler.com, April 20, 2016)

Katigbak is survived by his father and siblings.

 

David Beresford, 68

GUARDIAN CORRESPONDENT David Beresford died Friday, April 22. He was 68.

Beresford began his journalism career in the Guardian as a home news reporter and quickly established himself as an exceptional talent. He became widely known through his work on the series of ethno-nationalist conflicts known as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and on  the post-apartheid era in South Africa. He also covered the Persian Gulf War in 1991. His extensive coverage of conflict situations earned him the Foreign Correspondent of the Year award twice (“Award-winning Guardian reporter David Beresford dies aged 68”, TheGuardian.com, April 22, 2016)

In 1991, Beresford was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. However, he chose to pursue his profession instead of giving in to the illness. After 25 long years of battling with the disease, Beresford succumbed on April 22.

Guardian reporter Peter Preston said “David Beresford was a great Guardian reporter because he brought empathy and understanding to the areas he covered: deeply as well as wisely” (“David Beresford obituary,” TheGuardian.com, April 22, 2016).

Beresford is survived by his wife and  children.