Journalist Vicky Arnaiz writes 30

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Vicky Arnaiz, a correspondent for the Philippine News Agency and the Philippine Daily Inquirer in Eastern Visayas, succumbed to a heart failure on the afternoon of December 27 in Tacloban City, where she had been residing. She was 55.

Vicky---fondly called "Ate" or "Queen Victoria" by colleagues, friends and family---was a native of Southern Leyte who made a name for herself in journalism, and earned the respect from among media practitioners in Eastern Visayas. She was also an active member of the Philippine Red Cross-Leyte chapter.

Vicky also specialized in travel stories, and had even contributed some articles for the Lifestyle section of The Freeman daily newspaper in Cebu. Before her death, she was president of the PNP Press Corps-Region 8.

Vicky was the daughter of Agustin 'Guz' Arnaiz Sr., publisher of the now defunct "The Reporter," the most prominent weekly newspaper in Eastern Visayas at the time. She was also its marketing manager until it closed business in the mid '90s. The older Arnaiz died a few years back, also on December 27.

Vicky is survived by her children Vanessa Rodillo, John Paul, James and Joshua Lanting. She will be buried in Maasin City, her hometown, on December 31. (FREEMAN)