CEBU, Philippines - Banat News publisher and former The FREEMAN publisher and editor-in-chief Juanito Jabat will be fondly remembered for his passion for journalism and as a man who lived a simple life in spite of his numerous achievements in the industry.
Jabat passed away at the age of 85 due to cardiac arrest at a hospital in Cebu City on October 18. He was laid to rest yesterday afternoon.
Prior to his burial, his remains were cremated at 8 a.m. at St. Peter’s Funeral Homes on New Imus Street. At 2 p.m., his family, friends and employees of The FREEMAN attended a mass celebrated by Banat News columnist Fr. Reynaldo Qui and by Fr. Jose Pareja.
His urn was then brought to Queen City Memorial Garden.
Jabat left behind three children—Fred, Annie who is based in the United States, and Arlyn. His wife, Consuelo, died of multiple organ failure in 2008.
Fred described his father as a simple and low-profile man who never took advantage of the power of the media.
He also attested to the love of his father for the media industry ever since high school and until he was admitted in the hospital for three days.
Fred shared that even if Jabat was confined in the hospital, he would still write on a yellow paper. However, the article was never published.
Fred recalled how his father would often refuse to join them during family outings since he was so dedicated to his job as a journalist.
Jabat’s sister, Alma, also testified to his passion for journalism. Alma recalled they invited Jabat to live with them in their hometown in Iloilo City but the latter refused since he loved to write in Cebu.
Jabat is the eldest and the only boy among five siblings. He was followed by Angela, Magdalena, Alma, and Manuela.
Alma said she was very close with Jabat, whom she referred to as “Manong.” She said they would often talk over the phone, her brother confiding to her all of his concerns.
Jabat’s granddaughter Rachelle Dangin, also a former journalist, admired how witty he was especially in his column “Have Bat Will Strike.”
Dangin worked as a TV reporter of ABS-CBN Cebu from 2009 to 2012. She was also a reporter for The FREEMAN from 2007 to 2009.
She said Jabat encouraged her to keep on writing even when she was no longer in the media industry.
Dangin reminded practicing and aspiring journalists to learn from the examples of her grandfather, who was resolute in defending freedom of speech and continued to write despite the challenges.
Jabat started his career in journalism in 1952 as a copy boy for Manila Times while he studied journalism at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
He then went on to work as correspondent for different newspapers and trade magazines based in the United States, Australia, and England. He also became the Asia-Pacific correspondent for the Gemini News Service of London and the international news agency Scripps-Howard Co. of New York.
Jabat also worked as a reporter of The FREEMAN and was later on as associate editor, editor-in-chief, and eventually as publisher.
Jabat, The FREEMAN chairman Jose “Dodong” Gullas and Balt Quinain were the ones who planned together the revival of The Freeman in 1965. Jabat was working as correspondent for an international news agency when Quinain, whom Gullas tapped to help revive the paper, recruited Jabat into the group.
The FREEMAN first saw print in 1919, but it stopped publication after its founder, Gullas’ uncle Don Paulino Gullas, entered politics in 1934.
Jabat was also a multi-awarded journalist with his various achievements including the Grand Perlas Award for his dedication and humility in his chosen career, the Most Outstanding Newspaper Editor award from the Cebu Newspaper Workers Foundation, and the Top Asian Trade Journalist award from the American Trade Journalists Association, among others. —Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/RHM (FREEMAN)