Goodbye, Joe

JOSE “Joe” Guevara never failed to amuse readers with his clever and witty one-liners. His widely read column, “Point of Order,” appeared daily on the editorial page of the Manila Bulletin until that fateful Monday morning last Dec. 2, when Guevara wrote his last line.

He succumbed to cardiac arrest at the Makati Medical. He was 85.

Born in Tanauan, Batangas on Aug. 27, 1917, Guevara earned his pre-law and law degrees at UST. As a student, Guevara became the editor in chief of the Varsitarian in 1938. Later, as a successful journalist, he referred to the paper as “the newspaper of destiny.”

After law school, Guevara worked for the law office of the late President Jose Laurel, but he was really more inclined to journalism, so he enrolled at the UST Graduate School, where he acquired an M.A. in Journalism.

He was called the “Tom Sawyer” of college writing during his UST days because of his endless flow of ideas and innovativeness. He would show the same traits as a practicing journalist. In 1993, he received the Outstanding Thomasian Award for Journalism.

Aside from being a good journalist, Guevara was also a good family man.

Notwithstanding his hectic schedule, Guevara would use his scant free time to check on his family. When he arrived home, he made sure he always brought pasalubong.

“Despite his busy schedule, he always had time for us,” Ramon, Joe’s oldest son, said.

Ramon told the Varsitarian that since he was still a kid, his father always treated them to a hearty meal in a Sta. Cruz restaurant every Sunday until his death.

“He taught us honesty, humility and devotion to the family, which we emulated from him,” Ramon said.

Guevara also loved music. Ramon said he and his father used to watch concerts together at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, especially when Lea Salonga and Regine Velaquez, Joe’s favorite singers, were on stage. Joe loved the part where Salonga and Velasquez would sing at the top of their voices, which Ramon disliked.

A good stage performance is always commended with a standing ovation. After typing his column, Joe took a nap. It would be the very last time his fingers would touch the keys of his typewriter. Guevara died a writer’s death.

Guevara will not only be remembered as a devoted and caring father, he will always be treasured as one of the pillars of Philippine journalism.