With high respect, Max Limpag, brilliant journo, writes 30

By Marivir R. Montebon

New York - Investigative journalist Max Limpag of Cebu has died.

It is difficult to write a tribute to a friend-colleague who I hold high respect for his integrity and bravery. Like all of us who knew him, I was shocked. Max was in the middle of it all, our chaos, I mean - digging, writing it well, without apologies, and sharing his craft fearlessly. Journalism work is never done. But he wrote 30 rather early, about two days ago. Max will be sorely missed.

He delved into investigative journalism when AI and fake news flooded us with falsehoods. He is a luminary and a loss to the media industry in these difficult times.

Max Limpag on assignment in the town of Boljoon. (Photo grab from Max Limpag’s Facebook page.)

I worked with Max at The Freeman Newspaper. He was a young journalist then. His compact, well-written copies never gave me (and all the other editors) a headache while editing. He had shown all the qualities of a good writer - enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and always on point and on time. He was brilliant, but not full of himself, satirical but respectful.

In our Freeman days, Max was smitten by colleague Marlen del Mar, but still mindful of beating his newsroom deadline. In a couple of years, they married and founded a family, while responding to the overwhelming demands of journalism work.

Such was Max.

Serious-but-humorous Max Limpag wrote for Rappler and Esquire Philippines. He’s been reaping awards and respect for his work. He was a colleague of this writer at The Freeman Newspaper in Cebu.

Thanks to digital technology, I was still able to reach out to him when horrible issues erupted in Cebu. Journalists have a quiet way of supporting each other, by simply exchanging ideas or doing a quick drop-by hi.

A few years ago, he sent me a jpg file of my 1996 work on Cebu’s economy. He said he was doing research at the Cebuano Studies Center and found my article. How very kind.

Ah this forgotten article written in 1996. Max accidentally found it while doing research at the Cebuano Studies Center and sent it to me. Thank you, Max.

Sadly, I have not guested Max in my podcast, which was a swift agreement in 2024. I am so sorry I did not interview him soon enough.

Max’s investigative work will be an inspiration to us all. His bravery and sharpness will always be something to emulate. Thank you, Max. Rest in peace. #