‘Kores’ thank LJM

LETTY JIMENEZ-MAGSANOC. LJM. To most of us in the Inquirer bureaus, correspondents in particular, she was just a name. But what a name. Many have not met her personally. But she left an imprint so profound.

Her guidelines on, for example, how to cover the elections, were not only marching orders on what the Inquirer expected from its foot soldiers in the provinces but were good read not only for their instructions but for the humor and wit, the guidance, and the mentoring infused in those memos and handwritten notes.

I did not realize this much until a former correspondent of the Southern Luzon Bureau, Ephraim Aguilar, who is now a news producer of GMA 7, wrote on his Facebook page on Christmas Day, the day the world learned of LJM’s passing and after reading on Inquirer.net her last interview:

“Now I understand why we were cultured to write in a distinct style. Ang parating bilin sa amin noon sa Inquirer Southern Luzon, lagyan ng mukha ang bawat kwento. Hindi lang puro datos at istatistika na isiniksik sa inverted pyramid. Vision pala ni LJM:

“‘I always feel that, to communicate with your readers, you have to touch them. You have to touch them where it matters to them … Stories with a human face. The more abstract, the more you should put a human face.’ -Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc”

This is indeed one of the many legacies that LJM left to us who work for the Inquirer under her watch.

The bureau chiefs, whom she called her “tribal chiefs,” got to touch base with her only during annual meetings or Inquirer anniversaries. Rarer still for other bureau-based reporters and correspondents. Yet we are as much as LJM’s “babies” as those who saw her on a regular basis in the Inquirer newsroom.

LJM casts a long shadow. Nationwide. Among the over a hundred Inquirer correspondents spread across the nation. A good one. Edralyn Benedicto

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I AM always so honored every time our bureau chief tells me that an assignment was from LJM. For 18 years as correspondent, the foot soldier of the Inquirer in Bicol, LJM entrusted to me important stories that always land on the front page.

It is always rewarding to think about LJM giving me assignments, like a regular reporter, which reassures confidence in me.

LJM was so generous and recognizes good job not only through words but bonuses in cash, which made me smile. She seemed to know me personally, though I never had a chance to meet her in person. Kaka (Maricar Cinco) excitedly told me how LJM asked about me (calling me daw in my first name like ‘Where’s Johnny?’) when they were asked to go to the Inquirer office in Makati to receive the P19,000—bonus for the full coverage of the Atimonan massacre in Quezon. Juan Escandor Jr., Naga City

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FIFTEEN or 14 years ago, I was treated like a VIP at the PDI Makati office, courtesy of LJM. It was my first time sa building. I was introduced to her. She then asked me, her face with that reassuring smile of a mother talking to her little son: “Is this your first time here?”

When this peryodistang promdi nervously answered “yes” (I was frozen. Why? That’s the legendary LJM in the flesh talking to me!), she immediately ordered Tony: Ipasyal mo si Delfin sa buong building and also to give me any take-home souvenir. I remembered she even patted my shoulder before she proceeded her way toward her office.

Whoa! I was floored. I really didn’t expect it. During that time, among provincial news correspondents (tabloid, broadsheets, radio) back home, there was this prevailing preconceived notion that “corres” are third-class citizens or plain nobody once inside their respective national offices in Imperial Manila.

LJM proved them wrong.

When I returned home, my local press buddies won’t believe my tale. My second encounter with LJM was when she invited all reporters involved in the coverage of the Atimonan massacre. Over a bottle of red wine after the closing of the next day’s issue, she congratulated all of us. She was happy with the Inquirer coverage of the story. And as a gesture of her appreciation, gave all of us a cash bonus. I immediately bought a Samsung Note 2 mobile phone. I’m still using it even if it’s obsolete now.

LJM also readily sent me a generous financial assistance after my weeklong confinement at the Philippine Heart Center early this year. I’ll bet my last cup of steaming green tea, no EIC of any other paper can beat LJM’s genuine concern for all PDI kores just like this peryodistang promdi here.

She’s really a legend. A rare breed.  Delfin Mallari Jr., Lucena City

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THE FIRST time I met you Ma’am, I did not know what to say when you said “Ikaw pala si Mark, ang bata mo pala ’kala ko sa’yo matanda ka na (sabay smile).” Then you told me “Thanks for your wonderful photo contributions, continue to capture and submit insipiring photos (sabay tapik sa balikat).”

I could not say anything except po and yes po, Ma’am. In a short span of talk, you made me feel excited to immediately go back to the field. Thanks Ma’am. May you rest in peace, iconic Ma’am. Mark Alvic Esplana, Legazpi City

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DURING LJM’s leadership, among the ones who benefited tremendously were ourselves who are correspondents in the field, particularly in the provinces.

In 1990, before I became a priest, I got instructions from our editors (Nilo Paurom, among them) that when we write we must see to it they are “front page news” or carry “national impact.”

That’s why in an effort to produce big news I once saw myself climbing with a group to the Sierra Madre mountains to interview (the late) Ka Roger Rosal of the New People’s Army. True enough, the story came out even if it was just on inside page.

During the incumbency of LJM, there were innovations that favored reporters in the provinces, especially when the regions all over the country became bureaus. We were asked to write stories on almost everything (business, success feature stories, human interest stories, religious stories and more).

Although a priest assigned in the parish, I really love to write. That’s why one day in 2001 I almost had a crisis as I was torn between two “lovers” when Leti Boniol (Across The Nation editor) relayed to me PDI’s offer (an indecent and too alluring proposal) to make me a full-time correspondent for Laguna and Cavite (I was alone covering those areas during the time).

I told Leti I had to think it over. I reflected and evaluated for a while. I talked to my confreres, friends and relatives for days. And finally I decided that I continue my time management style of working as a full-time priest and a writer for the Inquirer, although not in full-time capacity (as in skipping my Holy Masses just to cover events and write). Through the encouragements of our editors led by LJM I still performed well as a writer. In 2005, LJM had given me two big awards (Best Feature and Best Positive Story Hard News awards) signed by LJM, Sandy P. Romualdez and the late Isagani Yambot. Thank you very much, LJM, for making all these happen. Fr. Romulo Ponte, Laguna

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MY FIRST impression of LJM was that of a mother who was full of words of encouragement to her children. When I met her at the newsroom, as I was introduced by Sir Jun (Bandayrel), she had this big smile and even took off her glasses just to clearly see my face. I told her I was in Makati because I was attending a De La Salle University awarding ceremony where my story was a finalist. She said, “Very good. keep sending good feature stories that enlighten the readers.” Then we shook hands. Meeting LJM for a fleeting moment was immeasurable and more than an honor. Michael Jaucian, Legazpi City

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I HAD met “the” LJM probably twice or thrice on occasions that had, of course, to do with work. I remember being introduced to her and the tall, fine lady nodding back. On one occasion, she offered us red wine to celebrate a job well done.

I may not have the opportunity to work physically close with her but it’s no surprise why and how many loved her. We owed her the passion for journalism that was so contagious it had infected editors, reporters and even us at the hem of the organization. LJM was way bigger than the three initials of her name. Maricar Cinco, Laguna

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