PULITZER prize-winning journalist and UST journalism faculty member Manuel “Manny” Mogato launched his self-published autobiography, “It’s Me, Bok! Journeys in Journalism,” on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Cignal TV Launch Pad Building in Mandaluyong.
The 19-chapter autobiography features both his personal and professional struggles throughout his 40-year career covering major news events.
Mogato said his memoirs serve as a guide for the next generation of journalists as it offers insights drawn from decades of experience in the field.
“Sana ‘yung future journalists, especially students, will learn from my experiences. Kasi I wrote [this memoirs] so you learn from these experiences para mapaganda ang inyong career,” he said.
Pulitzer Prize winner distills decades of journalism in new autobiography
The first 300 copies of his book “It’s Me Bok! Journeys in Journalism” sold out in three hours following the announcement of its release.
“I hope to make another [batch of] copies. And sana nga matulungan ako ng UST kasi I want them to publish my second edition,” Mogato said.
Mogato also said he plans to expand his story with a second book.
“Usually mga snippets lang ‘yan, eh. So hindi ko pa na-eexpound ‘yung ibang episode. So if I have to expound them, mukhang hahaba pa ‘yung libro,” he said.
“40 years ako sa journalism. So na-remember ko lang ‘yung mga episodes na tumatak sa career ko. And kaya karamihan diyan, ‘yung mga na-remember ko–mga embarassing moments, scary moments, near-death [experiences], ‘yun talagang hindi mo makakalimutan,” he added.
Mogato began his career as a publicist for then-first lady Imelda Marcos.
Before winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for his reporting on the Duterte administration’s controversial war on drugs, Mogato was also awarded the prestigious Marshall McLuhan fellowship in 2017, with honors from the Overseas Press Club, Union of Catholic Asian News, and the Rotary Club of Manila. Frenchshield Shayne G. Delovieres
