‘An icon of freedom, a fearless journalist’

President Arroyo led the nation in mourning the death of STAR publisher Maximo V. Soliven, whom she described as an "icon of freedom" as tributes poured from lawmakers, politicians, government officials and, most especially, from his peers.

Vice President Noli de Castro, a former television and radio journalist, praised Soliven as an "icon among Filipinos of a fearless journalist" while Senate President Manny Villar said he was a "titan of journalism."

Villar and Sen. Pia Cayetano filed separate resolutions yesterday "expressing the profound sympathy and sincerest condolence" of the chamber on Soliven’s death.

In a statement, Mrs. Arroyo said the nation was deeply saddened by Soliven’s death.

"The post-war march could not have been as vibrant without Max Soliven, who fought beside the forces of enlightenment in the struggle against despotism and wrong," Mrs. Arroyo said. "We grieve with his family and pray with the people for his eternal peace in the palms of the Lord."

News about Soliven’s passing quickly spread among people in the media industry. They expressed their condolences to the members of his STAR family.

Soliven is considered the most famous and influential print journalist in the country today not only with the number of readers following his column but in the events and occasions where he was invited to grace and speak as guest of honor.

He even landed in the list of 60 senatorial preferences based on the latest quarterly survey of pollster Pulse Asia.

For STAR reporters, landing in the column of "Mr. Soliven," as they called him, was "something." This was because reporters who made a mistake in reporting weren’t spared from his hard hitting. But he praised them too and even defended them from news sources who complained about some stories.

Soliven, despite his stature, was known for his respect for the law. He personally appeared in court for every single libel case filed against him and as co-accused of his reporters.

He said he would rush from wherever he was to make his court appearances.

Reporters who managed to be with "Mr. Soliven" in some occasions could only be amazed at the fact that even ordinary people recognized him.

Some court hearings ended up with the judge and court personnel thanking him for coming and engaging him in a conversation about politics and other issues of the day.

De Castro said Soliven was "an epitome of a fearless journalist who never wavered on his responsibilities to his readers and the Filipino people."

"Max is remembered as one of those who were in the forefront in feeding the people with a noble mission to present the true events during the dark era of journalism in the country. He has provided his readers through his column, with astute perspectives on issues with his usual flair and command of history and literature," De Castro said in a statement.

Soliven, he said, left "a void not easy to fill."

"It is with heartfelt grief that my family and I condole with Preciosa and the rest of the family. Max and the legacy he left will never be forgotten," De Castro said.

Senate tribute

In her resolution, Cayetano said Soliven was "one of the most decorated Filipino journalists of all time." Soliven was a close friend of Cayetano’s late father, Sen. Rene Cayetano.

"Soliven is acknowledged as one of the pillars of Philippine journalism, having led a colorful career in journalism that spanned almost six decades, chronicling significant events and interviewing personalities both here and abroad, and bringing the news and his commentaries to a broad range of readers," Cayetano said.

She emphasized that Soliven’s "outstanding work also earned him the distinction of being perhaps the only Filipino conferred with the highest decorations by both France and Spain."

Soliven was recently conferred the rank of Officer in the French Legion of Honor by French President Jacques Chirac. It was his second award given him by Paris, the first being the National Order of Merit with the rank of Chevalier by late French President Francois Mitterand in 1991.

Soliven was also awarded with the rank of Encomendero de la Orden Isabel la Catolica, one of Spain’s highest decorations, from Spanish King Juan Carlos I.

"Soliven had called the press ‘our last best hope’ against a tyrannical government, a description that rings true to this day," Cayetano stated in her resolution.

Villar, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Senators Alfredo Lim and Franklin Drilon were likewise profuse in their tributes.

In his resolution, Villar said Soliven was "not just a chronicler of the times, but one who articulated the dreams of our people."

"For more than half a century he celebrated with us in our triumphs and commiserated with us during the times that try our soils. With wit and grace his prose captured what we felt, whether it was a bask under the spotlight of world adulation or rage against the dying of the light," he said.

Soliven’s opinion and critiques "will continue to have a vital role in shaping the nation’s future political landscape."

"He cried and laughed with us, always with a sharp pen that pierced our conscience, or ego of our tormentors, and sometimes even poking fun on our failings as a people. He will be terribly missed," Villar said.

"In Max Soliven’s demise, the country has lost a journalistic icon, a great writer and a citizen of the world," Pimentel said.

Lim recalled that his friendship with Soliven went back to the 1960s when he was still an ordinary detective in the Manila Police Department and Soliven was a police reporter then.

Lim, whom Soliven fondly called "brother," said he was "the kind of friend who is there especially when one is down and out."

Lim stood as a principal sponsor in the wedding of Soliven’s daughter.

According to Lim, Soliven was a "rare breed, having used his position and columns to help the downtrodden and fights for the various good causes."

"Soliven had also emulated a deep sense for patriotism and courage in standing for what is good," he said.

"Aside from being an avid reader of his columns for more than four decades, Max Soliven was also my good neighbor and friend," former Senate president Drilon said. "We will certainly miss the man and the writer."

Soliven, he said, was "one of the best newspapermen this country ever produced who never hesitated to call a spade a spade."

"By the sheer strength and depth of his critical analysis and insights of local, national and international events, Max served as one of the most influential opinion makers in contemporary Philippines," Drilon said.

Sen. Edgardo Angara said Soliven was a "valuable newsman who made significant contributions to Philippine journalism."

"He was a continuous reminder for government officials to act on virtues of accountability and responsibility to the people," Angara said.

"Indeed Max was one of the pillars of Philippine journalism history. His sudden death is a great loss to Filipino journalists who fight for press freedom and more importantly, to everyday Filipinos who seek valuable information and enlightenment on issues from the media," he added.

Sen. Manuel Roxas II described Soliven as a "great Filipino journalist who wrote with a global perspective and a patriotic heart."

"His piercing pen shall be missed by his readers, colleagues and the entire nation," Roxas said.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said "the Filipino people lost an icon and a staunch advocate of press freedom" with Soliven’s death.

"From his days as a news correspondent to being the publisher of one of the major and influential newspapers of the land, Max will be missed for his unwavering sense of patriotism and concern for our countrymen," Sen. Panfilo Lacson said in a statement. "May his legacy in the field of journalism remain alive from hereon."

The US Embassy issued a statement honoring Soliven.

"I was privileged to know Max Soliven and count him among my Filipino friends," US ambassador Kristie Kenney said in a statement.

"He was one of the giants of the Philippine media, and his devotion to the profession of journalism and commitment to the truth helped strengthen freedom of the press in the Philippines."

The embassy offered its condolences to the Soliven family and the staff of The STAR.

Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Li Jinjun sent a letter offering his condolences to Soliven’s wife, Preciosa, the Philippines’ ambassador to Unesco.

"As a friend of Chinese people, Mr. Soliven wrote lots of articles to promote China-Philippine friendship and cooperation, and made useful contributions to the development and relations between China and the Philippines," Li wrote.

"On behalf of my entire staff and in my own name, I wish to express our deep condolences to you and, through you, to your bereaved family."

Praise from peers

BizNewsAsia publisher Tony Lopez said that with 50 years experience, Soliven could be considered "the dean of Filipino columnists, the best educated, most influential and powerful journalist ever, dishing out advice to presidents and other leaders."

The Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) said it "deeply mourns" Soliven’s death, praising him as a "distinguished stalwart and strong pillar of Philippine journalism and publishing industry."

"Known worldwide as the unofficial Philippine Ambassador of Goodwill, foreign heads of states and dignitaries with whom he rub elbows regularly, readily see the Filipino soul in Max, whose full name may sound frenchy but who is a full-blooded Ilocano," it said in a statement.

Soliven’s death "will definitely be a great loss to the Philippine journalism and publishing industry and the world press. With his passing, we will miss a committed Filipino of merit." — With Christina Mendez, Marvin Sy