Former Manila Bulletin editor Ethel Timbol, 80

MANILA, Philippines — Ethel Timbol, the formidable former lifestyle editor of Manila Bulletin, died at dawn on Sunday at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig after a lingering illness. She was 80 years old.

Timbol joined the Manila Bulletin in 1960 after graduating from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York on a scholarship from the Knights of Columbus.

She started out covering the police beat for the paper then went on to handle other topics, ranging from education to trade issues.

She was later appointed editor of the lifestyle section, Life & Leisure, a position she held until her retirement from the paper in December 2007 after a total of 47 years of service.

Timbol was one of the most feared and respected editors.

Timbol had diabetes and had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. She is survived by her children Bebeth, Alex and Dabi.

—RaoulJ. Chee Kee