In honor of journ’s T-Rex
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As an industry veteran, the late DAILY TRIBUNE associate editor Manny Angeles was a legend, as he was one of the quintessential wordsmiths who had become a rarity in the technological age.
His death means one less dinosaur, who, as an online commentator derisively described, are the broadsheet inhabitants who have failed to evolve into the digital world.
Thus, the newsroom of the DAILY TRIBUNE, occupied chiefly by print veterans, can be termed Jurassic Park, which Manny and his colleagues in this fast-growing newspaper carried as a badge since they know that they are the best there is.
After a stressful day, Manny would turn to YouTube’s videoke to belt out a song or two, and often much more before calling it a day.
Beyond the ink and deadlines, Manny harbored a secret weapon: His voice. When the weight of the newsroom grew heavy, he turned to song, his melodies a soothing balm for stress.
Whether it’s a classic ballad or a heartfelt kundiman, Manny’s singing was a quiet rebellion against the grind, a reminder that melody can thrive even in the busiest moments.
He was a writing wizard whose work was always marked with precision and soul. Reading his pieces was akin to navigating an art form, a testament to his unparalleled mastery as the finest wordsmith in the industry.
His gentle demeanor deceived as it belied the strength of his editorial prowess. With an unerring eye for detail and a heart attuned to the rhythm of language, he transformed raw words into polished narratives that inform, inspire and endure.
Manny wrote editorials and a column for the DAILY TRIBUNE, and describing these as literary masterpieces is an understatement.
In his weekly “Ground Zero” column, his last piece, titled “Rain, rain, go away,” stated, “Yet somehow, we endure. We roll up our jeans, pack extra slippers, and bring our umbrellas, even if they flip inside out the minute we step outside. Because in this city, you either learn to laugh at the rain, or drown in frustration.”
Thus, his commentary was a mix of anecdote and social critique that stuck to the mind longer than the usual fire and brimstone among other opinion writers.
Colleagues marveled at his ability to weave clarity from complexity, to find the perfect phrase where others would falter.
To call Manny Angeles the best wordsmith in Philippine journalism is no hyperbole. His legacy is etched in every story he refined and every reader whose perspective he shaped.
He was a quiet force, a humble member of a once mighty force who could change the world, one sentence at a time.
As we bid farewell to this gentle giant, we honor his legacy with gratitude and admiration.
The inurnment of Emmanuel B. Angeles will take place today, 1 August 2025, at the Ground Floor, St. Therese Columbarium, Newport, Barangay 183, Pasay City.
The scheduled times are 3 to 5 p.m. for viewing and reception in the Rose Room, followed by a Mass with Blessing from 5 to 6 p.m.
Manny Angeles, your memory will flow like music.
