Alex Fernando writes ‘30’

A tough guy with a soft heart who lived and breathed the news.

At first, nobody wanted to believe the text messages that Alex Fernando, The STAR’s deputy managing editor, had died in his sleep yesterday morning.

And what a cruel blow it was when the reality sank in that it was not one of those mean newsroom jokes that make the rounds on an early Monday morning.

But it must have been God’s plan to let Alex write "30" at the age of 48. He is probably the only journalist in this country, and not just in The STAR family, who takes a day off only twice a year — on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the only time of year when The STAR offices are closed because the paper does not come out on Good Friday and Black Saturday.

The STAR office in Port Area was his second home. Everybody remembers him as a constant presence.

"I will always remember Alex as one of the most reliable guys in my editorial team," Isaac Belmonte, STAR editor-in-chief said. "You can always count on him to be there, manning the fort, day in, day out, year in, year out. He had the discipline to be consistent in the daily grind. That was his strength."

"He was with The STAR since day one. It’s as if he had made his job his life. That kind of dedication will surely be missed," he added.

It was Alex Fernando who wrote the banner story of The STAR’s first issue on July 28, 1986.

Jess Diaz, one of The STAR’s senior reporters and who has been with the paper also from day one, recalled that the story was about a young man wearing a yellow shirt who passed by a rally of Marcos loyalists at the Rizal Park. As he was wearing yellow, the color of the opposition then, he was mauled to death by the rallyists. The article was entitled "Wear yellow and die." The murderers were eventually caught and put behind bars.

"He is a great loss to The STAR and to me personally. He is a very good friend," Amy Pamintuan, The STAR’s executive editor and a close friend of Alex since they were young reporters at the Journal, said.

She described Alex as "a great editor."

Even Alex’s colleagues from other publications remember him as very hard working.

"I have known Alex for several years. He’s very funny but always dedicated to his work as a journalist," said Manila Bulletin reporter Aris Ilagan.

"Alex is a person who really cares and always thinks about the welfare of his subordinates," he added.

At work, he will remembered not only as a boss but a mentor.

"Alex is one of the last old-school type of editors who works really late, drinks, but never fails to teach young reporters," said Lito Tacujan, The STAR’s sports editor.

Reporters indeed recalled that Alex often send them angry text messages demanding their stories or scolding them over the phone whenever there were hitches in their stories but later in the night, when the paper has been put to bed, he would send them text jokes, apparently his way of saying sorry.

Delon Porcalla, who is assigned at the House of Representatives, said he salutes Alex’s dedication to his job. "I think he did not even regard it as work, he considered it his life," Porcalla said. "He’s always there no matter what. He’s a true friend and boss."

Rhodina Villanueva and Michael Punongbayan, who both cover the southern part of Metro Manila, said they were thankful for the writing tips Alex gave them, as well as his text messages.

Helen Flores, the newest reporter on the team, recalled that Alex often scolds or teases her but she always felt his friendship.

What impresses everyone at the office was his amazing energy for work. There was even a time when he was taken to the hospital and was confined for a few days. When the doctors finally allowed him to go home, he just dropped by at the house and went to the office immediately.

Marichu Villanueva, the news editor, remembers him as a "tough guy with a soft heart."

"He can make funny remarks even in the midst of a very serious discussion among editors in story conferences," Villanueva recalled.

She said their nightly parting routine goes like this: "Bye Alex," and he would automatically reply: "Hay salamat (Thank God)."

"It’s our term of endearment," Villanueva said.

Another editor who would miss him fondly was Starweek editor Doreen Yu. Since she stays late at the office on Tuesdays to close the magazine, Yu usually treats Alex to dinner. "And he would attend the first Mass in Baclaran," she said.

"I would always ask him whether the front page layout would win the Pulitzer prize, and he would always shout back angrily," Yu recalled.

"I’m sure the Yamashita treasure is buried here," she said, referring to the thick pile of books, boxes and papers underneath Alex’s desk.

Ann Corvera, a copy editor, recalled that there was something different about Alex in the last few days. "He was very makulit but in a happy sort of way. There was some sort of happiness in him that we felt."

For us whom he left behind still pounding the beats, Alex Fernando was a tough act to follow. But at the end of a tiring day, we can always pause to remember the boss who never had a day off. — Paolo Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe