Veteran journalist Margie Quimpo-Espino; 58

MANILA, Philippines — Within hours, news of her imminent death drew a small crowd by the bedside of Margie Quimpo-Espino, 58.

In her quiet, dimly lit bedroom in the family home south of the metropolis, a party of eight gathered with silent tears and pleasant conversation as she peacefully passed.

Margie was a sweet and spicy lady in her trademark pink. Pinky was her childhood nickname, after all.

In her younger years, she was the family princess, the bossy class president. As she grew older, she wore bows in her hair and frogs printed on her trousers.

A seasoned journalist, this outspoken Ilongga addressed complete strangers as well as government and private sector officials with the same familiarity as with close friends, and charmed all who appreciated her candor.

30 years with PDI

Margie was a proud journalism graduate of the University of the Philippines and went on to spend three decades with the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), starting out as a young beat reporter in 1986 and covered various beats as an economic journalist, including banking and finance.

Along the way, Margie got married, raised three children and also got a master’s degree in entrepreneurship from the Asian Institute of Management.

She was the first Filipina to work as a reporter for the Washington Post as an Alfred Friendly fellow. Margie also pioneered the widely read Business Features section of the Inquirer and was its first editor.

Her professional work was interrupted by a life-threatening aneurysm in 2008, but managed to bounce back and return to work until her mandatory retirement, having served 30 years with the Inquirer.

In 2012, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

She battled through and went in remission for 10 years. But when the cancer returned in its late stage in January 2023, she decided against further treatment, and settled down to make the most of the remainder of her life with family and friends.

Through these frequent gatherings, Margie inspired others with the joy she radiated through her pain. She always told her well-wishers: “Don’t pray anymore that I get well. Just pray that I go to heaven.”

‘Pretty in Pink’

On April 13, upon her request, family and friends organized “Pretty in Pink—Margie’s Final Fête,” an advance memorial to celebrate her life.

Close to 200 of her closest friends and family gathered at the Chapel of the Forgiving Lord in Alabang for the Holy Mass, followed by a festive reception. There were some tears but more music, laughter and cheers.

Exactly 40 days after the advance memorial, on May 23, she made her graceful departure into the waiting arms of her loving Father.

Throughout her illness, Margie’s disposition and demeanor were laced with love and humor. She will be missed.

Margie is survived by her husband, Chet, and children Mark and Kim, Patricia and Catherine; her parents Alberto and Isabel Quimpo, siblings and loving in-laws, nephews and nieces, who all continue to bear witness to her light.

(Margie’s ashes may be visited at Chapels 1 and 2, Loyola Memorial Park Sucat in Parañaque City until May 28, Tuesday. It was her wish for her wake to be a festive affair. Come in pink or other bright colors.)