Obit

Cusipag, 74

FILIPINO JOURNALIST Ruben Javier Cusipag died last July 9. He was 74.

Cusipag’s wife, Maritess, said: “They found out he had bowel obstruction but could not go for surgery because he was so weak, his blood pressure went down. They were trying to stabilize him. They gave him sedatives but he never woke up.” (“Filipino Pre-martial Law Journalist Ruben J. Cusipag, 74, Dies in Canada” ; Fil Am Extra Exchange)

Cusipag was one of the many journalists detained as political prisoners during the Martial Law regime. He then immigrated to Canada in 1974 and co-founded Atin Ito (This is Ours), one of the first Filipino-Canadian newspapers, in 1976. [“Ruben Cusipag (July 12, 1938 – July 9, 2013)” ; Balita Newspaper]

In 1978, Cusipag put up his own publication, Balita, which promised to provide “frank, sincere, and honest-to-goodness discussion of the Philippine problem.”

In 1993, he wrote the book “Portrait of Filipino Canadians in Ontario (1960-1990).” He was awarded “Most Outstanding Filipino-Canadian” for his exemplary work as a journalist.

Edwin Mercurio, a friend and fellow journalist of Cusipag, said: “It is an honour to be one of his close friends and fellow practicing journalist. Ruben Cusipag may no longer be with us but his legacy and that of his newspaper Balita will live on to serve the Filipino-Canadian community in its struggle and campaigns for truth, accountability, justice, human rights and environmental concerns.” (“Ruben Cusipag writes 30“, Mindanao Pagadian Frontline)

Ted Alcuitas of Philippine Asian News Today said: “It is important that the history of the Filipino ethnic media in Canada has to be written so that the current and future generations will understand the seeds that we have planted. There are now perhaps, more than 25 Filipino newspapers in Canada with Toronto having the most at 15 or more. It is equally important to understand that our newspapers played a role in opposing the Marcos regime abroad and documented the struggles against it. If there is one person who personified that struggle, it is Ruben Cusipag. May he find in his final resting place, the just and lasting peace for his homeland that eluded him.” (“Ruben Cusipag pumanaw“, Philippine Asian News Today)

 

 

Gonzalez, 78

FILIPINO JOURNALIST Raul Gonzalez died of cancer last May 15. He was 78.

Gonzalez began his career as a reporter for the Manila Chronicle where he was made recipient of a Fullbright grant. He then worked as columnist for The Philippine Star, Evening Star, The Evening Paper, and The Daily Tribune. (“Former Press Secretary Raul S. Gonzalez dies; 78“, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Gonzalez also served as the press secretary for President Diosdado Macapagal. He later became vice president for university relations at the University of the East (UE) and adviser to aspiring journalists of the campus publication, The Dawn.

In 1986, he became the vice president for Public Affairs of the Government Service Insurance System and later served as senior vice president for corporate planning. He was also appointed  member of the board of the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation both by former President Corazon Aquino and the current President,  Benigno Aquino III.

Gonzalez wrote a memoir called “My Malacanang/Essays on presidents, people, places and politics.” (“Malacanang memoirs“, The Manila Mail)

 

 

Daniels, 74

AMERICAN MAGAZINE editor Judith Glassman Daniels died of stomach cancer last September 1. She was 74.

Daniels was the first woman editor of Life magazine. Daniels also helped establish the Women’s Media Group in New York. Her career spanned 35 years. (“Judith Glassman Daniels Dead: First Woman To Serve As Top Editor Of Life Magazine Dies At 74“, Associated Press)

Daniels joined New York magazine in 1968 and became its managing editor from 1972 to 1974. She was also managing editor of the Village Voice and New West. She then devoted her time in developing Savvy magazine, which is “designed for the executive woman—the top segment of the working-woman pyramid—and the millions who identify with her.” (“Magazine focuses on executive woman“, Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

In an article by Ursula Vils in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Daniels said of Savvy: “I’d like to see it to be a magazine that can make a difference—useful, helpful, reassuring, heartening for women. But it will be useful only if it’s also tough, if through responsible reporting we look at the hard issues.”

Patricia O’Toole, a biographer and professor in New York who also worked for Daniels at Savvy, said: “Everybody wanted to please Judy. Sometimes when there’s a boss like that it’s because they have to please them because otherwise there’s going to be hell to pay. But Judy wasn’t like that at all. You wanted to please her because she was such a good coach. She had very high editorial standards, and she’d help you measure up.”

 

 

Whicker, 87

BRITISH BROADCASTER and journalist Alan Donald Whicker died last July 12 after suffering from bronchial pneumonia. He was 87.

Whicker joined BBC in 1957 and hosted the Tonight program. He was best known for his long-running documentary series, “Whicker’s World,” which ran on BBC and later on ITV. (“King of the globe-trotters: He was much parodied but Alan Whicker was a genius who brought the world into our living rooms“, Mail Online)

Whicker was also a captain in the Army Film and Photo Unit in Italy where he spent part of World War II providing official records and news footage. After the war, he edited the Army newspaper Union Jack in Venice. He later worked for the Exchange Telegraph news agency and covered the Korean War. (“Alan Whicker“, The Telegraph)

Among his awards are the Television Director’s Personality of the Year (1964), the Silver Medal of the Royal Television Society (1967), the Dimbleby Award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (1978), and the TV Times Special Award (1978). He was also the first person to be inducted into the Royal Television Society’s Hall of Fame in 1993. In 2005, he was made a CBE or Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

In a statement on Whicker’s death, fellow broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson said: “He was a fine journalist and great storyteller and a beguiling interviewer whose best question was the one he never asked but simply just stood there, raised an eyebrow and nodded until the interviewee felt he had to speak.” (“Broadcaster Alan Whicker dies at 87“, BBC)

 

 

Noel, 62

AMERICAN JOURNALIST John Noel died of brain cancer last June 6. He was 62.

Noel worked as general assignment reporter for NBC 4 New York in February 1998. He also reported for WJBK-TV in Detroit and KSDK-TV in St. Louis. (“John Noel, NBC 4 New York Reporter and Vietnam War Veteran, Dies“; NBC 4 New York)

For four years, Noel served in the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network as a radio programmer and announcer while stationed in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. (“TV reporter John Noel dead of brain cancer“, New York Daily News)

Noel was given the New York State Broadcasters Award in 1999 and the Tenants Council of Brooklyn Award for Excellence in Broadcast Television.

WNBC officials said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we report the loss of our beloved colleague John Noel. Two years ago, John had been diagnosed with a serious illness but continued to come to work until recently. Our WNBC family sends its thoughts and prayers to John’s family. He will be sincerely missed.”