Filipino Reporter founder Bert Pelayo, 78

The Filipino-American community in the greater New York/New Jersey area, and the friends and staff of the Filipino Reporter are mourning the death of veteran reporter Libertito Pelayo, FR’s publisher and editor-in-chief.

He was 78.

In announcing the passing of her husband from a New York hospital on Feb. 3, Dr. Linda R. Pelayo said, “Bert passed on peacefully at 12:53 a.m. after having been given Extreme Unction or Anointing of the Sick.”

Simply known in the community as Bert, Mr. Pelayo, for the past 43 years had steered his newspaper into a respected source of news, opinion and relevant information about Filipinos in America and latest stories and developments in the Philippines.

Mr. Pelayo founded the Filipino Reporter in 1972 with the slogan “FAIR, FEARLESS, FACTUAL.”

Since then, he religiously observed his journalistic motto, which brought his weekly into its current stature.

The late publisher had always prided that for the last 43 years, the Filipino Reporter never failed to publish an issue every Friday.

(FR’s editorial staff briefly considered skipping this issue in deference to the death of its owner, but it decided to publish as usual.)

A seasoned journalist and multi-awarded community leader, Mr. Pelayo was a product of Far Eastern University’s Institute of Journalism.

In recognition of his outstanding journalistic experiences and success in publishing the Reporter, FEU honored him with a “Most Distinguished Alumnus Award” in the mid-90s.

In 1988, the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America made him an honorary UPAAA member during an alumni homecoming at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City for his professionalism and outstanding work as a journalist, as well as consistent support for UPAAA.

In the history of UPAAA, Mr. Pelayo was the only non-UP graduate who was bestowed with such honorary membership.

Luz Micabalo, former UPAAA president commented, “We granted Bert Pelayo the honor of becoming an honorary UPAAA member because he was an outstanding and professional journalist who did not compromise his love for his profession. He was a staunch supporter of UPAAA.”

Mr. Pelayo also received a plaque of recognition from the President of the Philippines, not too many years ago, as an outstanding Filipino-American overseas.

He was also a recipient of a TOFA NY Heritage Award three years ago.

Joaquin Jr Taduran, a former Manila Times colleague of Mr. Pelayo, commented in Facebook, “I remember Bert Pelayo as the defense reporter of the Chino Roces’ Manila Times together with the late Bobby Ordoñez and Teddy Africa of the Philippines Herald, and the late Manong Joe de Vera, the dean of the defense reporter group of the then Manila Daily Bulletin.”

VJ Manuel, a former New Yorker who now lives in Manila, according to his Facebook, said aptly, “...Bert truly impacted the lives of many Filipinos.”

Zaldy Patron, former deputy consul general in New York, who has returned to Manila, said in his Facebook, “Deepest condolences and sympathies to the Pelayo family. Mr. Bert Pelayo was a giant in the Fil-Am press and our community in the East Coast. He lived a good life and his legacy will truly inspire both the aspiring writers and publishers, and those who choose to serve the Fil-Am community. Thank you, Mr. Pelayo, for sharing your life with us. Rest in peace and God bless.”

The deceased is survived by his wife Linda; children Joy, L.P. and Patrick; son-in-law Christopher McCarthy; daughter-in-law Dr. Tessa del Carmen-Pelayo; and grandchildren Tyler, Amanda and Brett McCarthy; and Darcy Ann, twins Dorian Tess and Reeve Patrick Pelayo. —Filipino Reporter