But at the cocktails, the major topic of discussion was about the loss of our dear friend and mentor and chairman of the board and publisher of the Philippine Star Max V. Soliven, especially from his friends like Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña who told me that Max died doing what he did best. British Honorary Consul Moya Jackson told me that she read his last piece about the new Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which she says was a classic Soliven column. Yes, the question Cebuanos want to know is, "Who will replace Max?" My reply to those who ask me is… no one can replace someone who is totally irreplaceable! There is only one Max Soliven!
There’s an old saying, which goes, "You don’t know how precious a thing is in your life until you lose it." The death of Max Soliven has reverberated through his faithful readers and they, too, expressed their sense of loss through their emailed letters. Since we are in mourning for the loss of Sir Max… allow me to reprint the messages of sympathy that I got from our faithful readers.
Here’s one faithful reader from Long Island, New York, a Cebuano friend, Mr. Oscar Corona, whom I finally met a month ago.
"Dear Bobit, Just to let you know that I also grieved the sudden demise of our nation’s most revered and talented journalist - Max Soliven. It stunned me while I was watching the Pilipino TV channel here! I’ve been following his articles since the days of Martial Law thru the Philippine Star newspaper while I was still in the Philippines. And then, thru the Internet right here in the US.
"With his vast knowledge of historical events, politics and the latest issues of the day, it would be hard to find a guy to his peer. The Beltrans, the Benignos had passed away and now Mr. Soliven is gone, I would just hope someone would fill in his shoes. Tsk, Tsk, I will be really missing Mr. Soliven’s "Alikabok," "Sanamagan" and "Susmariosep" expressions! My deep sympathy to his grieving family, may God rest his soul. God bless you! Oscar."
This letter came from a friend of Sir Max who lives in Cebu now and very much like Sir Max and those born during his time, they are computer illiterate. This letter was typewritten and sent directly to my home.
"Dear Bobit, The icon of Philippine journalism is home with his Maker. He ran the race and fought the good fight just like his own father who was an exemplar of a model public servant in his lifetime. Maxie is coming home in an urn in the next few days in the arms of Precious, his devoted wife. He was journalist’s model of truth and speed in the delivery of news. No wonder he had his last breathe in an international airport. This time it was in Tokyo at the Narita Airport because he was always running a race and he wanted to reach his destination the fastest way possible and available.
"As one of my colleagues during the College Editor’s Guild (CEG) days when he was editor of the Ateneo "Guidon" and I steered the "Augustinian Mirror" of the Iloilo University of San Agustin, I will cherish the many days of conferences during our college days. We had the late Monching Mitra, Jr. in our crowd of young college editors or former Supreme Court Associate Justice Hugo Gutierrez, Jr. or the late ex-Congressman Leonie Perez of Nueva Ecija that was under the perennial presidency of Ernie Rodriquez, Jr.
"Maxie (as we called him) stood out in national campus journalism because he always wielded his pen in truth coupled by speed and even with his vitriol. Like Doroy Valencia or other Philippine columnists who have crossed the finish line, he may be forgotten through the years, but his powerful play of words in both the local and international scene will be missed by both his friends and the subjects of his pen.
"Goodbye, Maxie, I do remember our CEG days in Zamboanga or Iloilo! I remember our debates on daily issues at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati less than a decade ago. You were always faster on the draw with your words and your pen. I know many of us will get there soon without knowing it just like what you did. You have even out-raced your mentor, Fr. James Reuter, S.J.
"Extra-sincerely, Oscar C. Mabilog, Philippine Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (PhilOsap)."
Here’s a letter from Mr. Rene Manlulu<remabuilt@yahoo.com>
"Mr. Bobit, FYI, I never read any column except of that Mr. Soliven. Very seldom I read other article unless I am looking of some topic that Mr. Soliven did not touch. Katulad ngayon browsing anything about him that’s why I end up with your column.
"Honestly (susmaryosep), may Mr. Avila palang writer sa Philstar, sorry. However, thank you very much for writing about Max. I never missed reading news on Philstar although thru Internet lang. Hope lahat ng writer sa Philstar may e-mail address so we can react sa article nila. Just like when there are articles about the NPA they are always writing their armed strength are about 7,200. Why not write also at the same time about the more than 100,000 military and police strength when reporting. Ibig kung sabihin is ratio in numbers 100,000 against 7,200. Matagal ng istorya up to now di pa rin tapos.
"It’s getting worst, imagine may representative na sila sa Congress. NPA baby ng Military. Baka nga naman pag wala ng baby wala ng darating na gatas sa ibang official. By the way, ano nga pala ang trabaho ng Military pag wala ng NPA. Minsan sa inuman tanong ng isa, Sir bakit up to now di pa tapos ang NPA problems, it has been 37 years, ilan lang sila, ang dami ninyo. Navy asking the Army officer, both are full Colonel officer. Tutoo nga naman di ba? Surely I will pray for the soul of the Honorable Sir Soliven. Once again salamat po sa article ninyo."
The Star, "What a sad day for us. What a great loss to the Star, journalism and the country! We can only console ourselves with the thought that our dear Max died with his boots on!" Finally, here’s a text message from Department of Justice (DoJ) Undersecretary Macabangkit Lanto, "It’s a great loss not only the industry but the entire nation. He was an institution himself who helped shape public opinions that are translated into national policy."