Eugenia Apostol’s legacy endures in every journalist – UP CMC, Plaridel

MANILA, Philippines—The University of the Philippines Gawad Plaridel and the UP College of Media and Communication (CMC) mourned the death of Eugenia Duran-Apostol, Philippine Daily Inquirer co-founder and first recipient of the award, saying her “legacy endures in every journalist.”

In 2004, Apostol became the inaugural recipient of the UP Gawad Plaridel Award, the highest honor the UP CMC bestows on outstanding media practitioners. 

“Eugenia Apostol’s passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy endures in every journalist who continues to defend truth, independence, and the people’s right to know,” said the UP Gawad Plaridel and UP CMC in a statement on Monday.

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Apostol’s legacy, UP Gawad Plaridel and UP-CMC said, lives on through “generations of media practitioners who carry forward her vision of fearless journalism.”

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Apostol passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, Sept. 13, just weeks before her 101st birth anniversary on Sept. 29.

READ: Inquirer founding chair Eugenia ‘Eggie’ Apostol; 100

“Her life’s work embodied the award’s ideals of integrity, social responsibility, and excellence.”

During the Martial Law period, Apostol emerged as a key figure behind the so-called “mosquito press.” 

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Through Mr. & Ms. Special Edition and later the Philippine Weekly Inquirer, she documented Ninoy Aquino’s assassination and the growing resistance to the Marcos dictatorship.

In 1985, she helped establish the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which became one of the period’s most prominent independent voices leading up to the 1986 People Power Revolution.

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“Her work exemplified the power of independent journalism to challenge dictatorship and empower citizens,” said UP Gawad Plaridel and CMC.

Her contributions to journalism earned her the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts in 2006. 

She was also named one of Time Magazine’s Asia’s “Heroes” alongside Inquirer editor-in-chief Letty Jimenez Magsanoc.

READ: PH journalism’s Wonder Woman in the time of dictatorship

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Fondly known as “Eggie,” Apostol devoted her life to journalism, using the power of the press to champion truth, defend press freedom and stand for democracy.  /gsg