PCIJ’s rockstar

SIR ALECKS and I sat on opposite ends at the office. Our office is small though so we were practically just a stone’s throw away from each other. I guess, true to his claim of being ‘rastamad’ — tamad meaning lazy — Sir Alecks, instead of actually talking to me, sometimes resorted to Gmail chat.

alecks is typing…

alecks: hi karol. where is your story?

But many would agree — Sir Alecks was never tamad. Just two weeks ago, he was even asking for certain documents he needed for a story he was working on. He worked like mad. He stayed late in the office, then continued at home. His dedication to his work is admirable. He cared deeply for PCIJ and its readers.

Most of the time, I was intimidated by Sir Alecks because I always thought of him as PCIJ’s ‘rockstar.’ And he was, in all the good sense of the word. He was feisty. He was sharp. He had a point of view. He had that sarcastic edge, but his wit and sense of humor will definitely win over anyone. He made people laugh. He enlightened them, most of all.

Like Harper Lee, I couldn’t say that Sir Alecks loved to write, because nobody says he or she loves to breathe. But even now that he is no longer with us, his stories, his words, his voice will continue to be an inspiration.

My Gmail chat is on, and I just wish he would go online. I got stories I want to tell him.

Former PCIJ deputy executive director Jaileen Jimeno, former researcher-writer Isa Lorenzo, the author, and Alecks Pabico at the 4th Annual PopDev Media Awards.