Feb
16
This is my late friend Dante Fabian. He was only over 40 when he died last year. He likewise died as a bachelor. I worked with Dante in the late ‘90s until 2004 at SunStar Pampanga, a local daily. He was a very good writer with a very bad habit – he doesn’t sleep at night.
Dante is up most of the time between 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. He stays with the local police in Angeles City. He would always get the latest police news. He would know who was murdered when or who was jailed last week. Dante knew his beat well.
But just like any other straight and honest journalist, he died poor. His only possession aside from what family fortune he might own is an old Volkswagen beetle.
The last time I saw him was in Nepo Mart, only a few days before his sudden death. He was having a good time with Rogie Pangilinan, Odilon Anicete, Porac Councilor Bestre David and Porac Vice Mayor Jing Capil.
He was his usual self – silent and compliant but happy. It is really good to think that he enjoyed his last days with us. In April 2008, he joined our trip to Aurora province and spent two days with other media friends. I want to believe that he savoured the sceneries and the waters of the Pacific Ocean. It was indeed a short-lived bliss for a silent soul like him.
Dante was one of the many journalists in the Philippines who were deprived of rightful and decent salary and benefits. Until now, journalists working in the provinces outside Metro Manila are receiving measly wages without social security benefits and most of the times are prone to harassment and murder.
Dante is up most of the time between 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. He stays with the local police in Angeles City. He would always get the latest police news. He would know who was murdered when or who was jailed last week. Dante knew his beat well.
But just like any other straight and honest journalist, he died poor. His only possession aside from what family fortune he might own is an old Volkswagen beetle.
The last time I saw him was in Nepo Mart, only a few days before his sudden death. He was having a good time with Rogie Pangilinan, Odilon Anicete, Porac Councilor Bestre David and Porac Vice Mayor Jing Capil.
He was his usual self – silent and compliant but happy. It is really good to think that he enjoyed his last days with us. In April 2008, he joined our trip to Aurora province and spent two days with other media friends. I want to believe that he savoured the sceneries and the waters of the Pacific Ocean. It was indeed a short-lived bliss for a silent soul like him.
Dante was one of the many journalists in the Philippines who were deprived of rightful and decent salary and benefits. Until now, journalists working in the provinces outside Metro Manila are receiving measly wages without social security benefits and most of the times are prone to harassment and murder.
Hi Minerva,
That photo of Dante Fabian... was he in jail? How long was he in jail? What was he in for? Just curious.
Oscar (Papa Osmubal)