THE NATIONAL Union of Journalists of the Philippines mourns the death
of Nick Joaquin, National Artist for Literature and one of the country's
preeminent journalists.
As a literary giant, Mr. Joaquin was an exemplar. As a journalist
(he used the byline Quijano de Manila for his journalistic writings),
Mr. Joaquin displayed a remarkable talent and dedication that inspired
a generation of Filipino journalists. His reportage on politics, culture,
crime and the travails of ordinary people were unparalleled; he plumbed
the depths of his subjects as no reporter in his time ever had.
Perhaps even before the Americans invented the word "literary
journalism,"
let alone practice it, Mr. Joaquin was already into it, infusing his
stories with the sensitivity and flair of a literary genius and a
great reporter. (One of Mr. Joaquin's reports, "The House on
Zapote Street," was later turned into the movie Kisapmata.)
As editor, particularly at the Philippine Graphic magazine, Mr. Joaquin
was not only well-liked for his lively presence (oftentimes with that
beer bottle in hand) -- he was also admired for giving new literary
talents their break in the literary section of the magazine. Many
of these fictionists and poets are now among the country's best.
This great journalist, this great Filipino, will be sorely missed.
