Remembering Philippine Journalism and Publishing Stalwart Eggie Apostol
The co-founder of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and a major proponent of critical reporting during the Marcos Sr. regime died at 100 years old on Sept 13, Sunday.
by JV Ordoñez
Published on Sep 15, 2026
Filipino journalists have a lot to thank the late great Eugenia "Eggie" Obsum Duran-Apostol for and her steadfast mission to uphold the integrity of the country's fourth estate.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, who had awarded the veteran journalist and publisher for her innovative work in journalism, had announced on its Facebook page that she had died on Sept. 13 without elaborating on a cause of death. She was 100 years old and was celebrated as a "fearless champion of truth and press freedom," as the prestigious foundation put it.
Apostol had co-founded the Philippine Daily Inquirer as a response to the suppression experienced by journalists during the Marcos Sr. regime. She had reported for Catholic magazines during this period prior to her tenure at The Manila Times and the now defunct Manila Chronicle, racking up 20 years as a women's page editor.
She then launched her own publication called Mr. & Ms., which saw very critical reporting of the Marcos dictatorship.
Apostol in 1982 was among seven other women journalists who were interrogated and intimidated for their coverage of the Martial Law government.
"Through her journalism, she gave Filipinos the information and voice they needed in a defining chapter of her nation’s history," it said. "With courage and unwavering integrity, Apostol showed the power of a free press to speak truth, serve the public, and uphold democracy," according to a statement by the Ramond Magsaysay Award Foundation. The distinction is seen as Asia's Nobel Prize, which the journalist won in 2006.
"Her legacy lives on in every journalist who continues to defend truth, independence, and the people’s right to know."
Esquire PH's resident music scribe, wristwatch disciple, and essayist fluent in niche internet subcultures and Philippine politics.
View More Articles About: