The most outstanding young man of my life

MANILA, Philippines - I always muse about cars or the latest realty developments because of Turbo Zone and Home Base. Seldom do I tackle love and life, so I hope there’s a lesson or two for you in this rare window that I get personal. Here I share the life story of my husband, Jiggy.

Disclaimer: Jiggy and I are not cheesy at all.

Jiggy Manicad is the other half that makes me whole. Our love story started 10 years ago when we first met in the newsroom of GMA. Yes, it was love at first sight for him. I hardly admit it, but it was the same for me.

I was a fresh hire in GMA when he had just gotten back from a coverage on the Iraq war. I was in my cubicle monitoring the story as part of my job, and the next thing I knew, there he was, standing ruggedly next door, reading a newspaper. Something in me clicked — who was this guy who was so masculine yet serene? There was just something about him that I wanted to know more about. At the exact instant that I turned away, Jiggy turned to look at me, feeling incredibly curious about this new girl who looked so fresh, young and cute. We were eventually introduced to each other by PJ Cana, then news desk editor, with a stern warning to me, “Matinik si Jiggy, mag-ingat ka.”

And so our courtship began with conversations about life over 3-in-1 coffee and Choc-nut. As I listened to his life story, I fell in love with him all the more.

Jiggy is a proud probinsyano. He hails from San Pablo, Laguna and his first dream was to become a mechanic so that he could help provide for his family. Fate, however, had other plans for him. He got into Communication Arts at the UP Los Baños under the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP) offered by the UP system. STFAP, which is a state grant, is a subsidy given by well-off students to poor students, through the tuition that the former are paying.

Jiggy was in the Bracket 3; he had free tuition fee plus an allowance of P1,250 a month. His favorite tambayan was at the back of the library where he made do with Skyflakes for his meals. He was also paying for the education of his younger brother and had to budget his stipend. He fell in love with many girls, but they didn’t give him the time of day because he had nothing to offer but his big heart and big dream to make it in life.

Jiggy’s career as a reporter didn’t start out glamorous. His first shot at entering the world of broadcast journalism was in 1994, when he applied for the position of driver or production assistant in GMA’s radio station DZBB. He didn’t get the job. As a newcomer to Manila, he hardly knew his way around the city’s streets. Determined to jumpstart his career in GMA, he again applied in 1995, this time visiting the TV network’s main office in Quezon City.

Jiggy was not as robust and muscular then that the guard mistook him for one of the petitioners asking for relief from the show Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko. After five hours of standing in the wrong line, Jessica Soho saw him and “rescued” him, eventually bringing him inside for his interview. He passed the tests, and was then given his first shot at news reporting as a beat reporter and scriptwriter in the nightshift staff of GMA Balita.

Reporting the news came naturally to Jiggy. He is tough, hardworking and passionate — all prerequisite qualities in this industry. As his colleague, best friend, girlfriend, wife and life partner, I have had the front row seat all these years to watching him grow into the hard-hitting, award-winning journalist that he is today. I consider myself lucky that I met him when he was still a young reporter. He had no shows of his own then, and I witnessed him put to use what he did have — fierce determination.

Seventeen years since that first news beat, we now know him for shows like 24 Oras Weekend, Reporter’s Notebook and Quick Response Team, but he is still the same Jiggy I knew 10 years ago. He still goes to work every day loving his job. He eats and breathes news. I see this not only as his passion for the work, but as his response to a deeper calling to serve. For him, delivering the news is public service. He suffers sleepless nights to follow through on his reports to bring truth to light and justice to those who seek and need it. We have encountered several scares, both from on-location dangers to personal threats, but these have not kept him from doing what is asked of him as a reporter.

Being blessed with this kind of profession, a lot of people come up to him for help. I have never seen him say no to anybody, always giving what he can in one way or another. Probably it’s his roots that give him this passion not only to excel but also to give back. Through and through, he is still the probinsyano from San Pablo, whose only dream was to help his family — only now, his family has gotten bigger and wider to include each and every Filipino. Early in life, he had a vision and hunger to succeed, not for himself, but for others, and in all his triumphs, he has remained humble and loving.

I have said much about Jiggy, but if you ask me what inspires me most about him, it is this: How much of a family man he is. He may be a tough guy at work, but at home he is Pampi, a doting husband and father who is so in love with his girls. He sees to it that he gives his two young daughters daily baths. He reads them stories at night, plays monster or house with them and wakes up early morning to personally cook their meals for the day. He is funny and sweet, always sending me text messages to make me laugh or update me about his day. I am constantly humbled by his love for our family and I appreciate the weekly date nights he devotes to me. We’ve been together for 10 years, but Jiggy has never stopped courting me. Matinik na matinik talaga. And every day, my thanks and admiration grow deeper.

People always associate us as a power couple, perhaps because of our profession and what we have achieved in life. But we both know that the true power lies not in our hands but from the Big Guy Up There. We start our day by giving thanks for those that we most hold dear: Our children and the love we have for each other. We are blessed to have a true partnership, with either one stepping in to lead when the other falters.

Jiggy, from your humble beginnings to where God has led you today, I can never be too happy for and proud of you. Thank you for teaching me that there are no prerequisites to success and happiness — with determination, faith and a grounded heart that celebrates not just its journey, but its roots and foundation, anyone can make it in life.

The girls you loved before me may have not seen past your good looks, but since day one, I saw your big heart and knew that I wanted to be with you. Here we are almost 10 years after, still having conversations over 3-in-1 coffee, talking about our next big project, the future of our children, current news or even Pinoy showbiz.

Of the man that you were, are and have yet to be, I am very proud. Ever the stage wife, I share and bear witness to this new milestone in your life as you now join the ranks of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of our country. I hope and pray that God will give you more years and opportunities to serve and glorify His name.

To Mr. Jiggy Manicad, from Mrs. Marnie Manicad — and I say this with much love and admiration — you will always be The Most Outstanding Young Man of my life.