Cabrera, envoy-journalist, 64

MANILA, Philippines - Ambassador to Myanmar Noel Claudio Cabrera passed away at age 64 on Thursday after a brief illness, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has announced.

“DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo and the men and women of the foreign service convey their deepest condolences and prayers to Cecilia and the family of Ambassador Cabrera,” DFA spokesman J. Eduardo Malaya said in a text message.

Cabrera was a practicing journalist before he joined the government service.

He also served as press secretary of President Arroyo.

Cabrera was editor-in-chief and chief operating officer of the defunct Manila Chronicle from l993 to 1998.

After his stint with the Chronicle, he was named press undersecretary at the Office of the Press Secretary in Malacañang in l998.

Cabrera started his journalism career as special events reporter of the Philippine Daily Express, where he later became a deskman, columnist, chief editorial writer, editorial page editor and assistant managing editor.

He worked with the Express from l976 to l986.

Shortly before the 1986 EDSA People Power revolt, he became managing editor of the newly-revived The Manila Times.

After his stint at The Manila Times, he moved to the Chronicle on the same year, where he became the paper’s news editor and later managing editor.

Prior to his appointment to Myanmar in 2006, the DFA considered assigning Cabrera to Nairobi, Kenya.

A ranking DFA official said an appointment as ambassador to Kenya is an important diplomatic posting.    – Pia Lee-Brago