The Lolo Px we knew

a problem. His sponsors, the ICFJ, had banned him from traveling to Mindanao because of the security situation there. The ban puzzled Alex. He was on a journalism fellowship, and this was the perfect time for him to be a journalist in the Philippines. He got on the phone with his sponsors in the US, and you could hear the voices

In the end, Alex came back had just pulled the plug to make sure that Alex did not set foot near Maguindanao. He was being recalled home, his journalism fellowship cut short by his desire to do journalism.

his book, and started teaching journalism at his old alma mater, the University of Oregon. We kept in touch via Facebook, mostly with his and hellos and how are the kids.

Then, last year, Alex wrote that he was coming back for some un back to the Philippines to meet his relatives from his mother’s side in Tarlac, and to bring home the ashes of a grandparent. (If you don’t ask how he brought home say that he did it the way a lot of Pinoys probably would.)

on the Maguindanao massacre and its aftermath. So in July 2016, Alex his roots, to write his story, and per Lolo PX turned out to be more Filipino than many we know.

When you think about it, he didn’t have to do these things anymore. After 58 years of a life well-lived, with a loving wife and two children, and a Pulitzer Prize, he was fully an American. But he once again.

Over the weekend, we heard news that Alex had died in his sleep in Oregon. He was 58.

I found a quote from an old interview with him that best describes that fiery intensity, that thoughtful way he would hang his head, and that manner by which read. Think, think, think. Write, write, write. Go into the dark places and write about them.”

Go into the dark places and write about them. If we journalists only remember that, then Alex would never ever write 30.