THE NATIONAL Union of Journalists of the Philippines grieves the loss of esteemed colleague, good friend and respected mentor Lourdes E. Simbulan, or Chit Estella, as we all knew her both professionally and personally.
Chit died when the taxi she was riding in was rammed by a speeding bus near the Ayala Technohub in Philcoa, Quezon City around 6 p.m. on May 13, 2011.
She was one of the founders of Vera Files, the respected and fiercely independent investigative journalism outfit, and also worked as editor in chief of Pinoy Times and managing editor of The Manila Times.
Notwithstanding the name she had made and the respect she had earned in the profession, Chit was never one to stint at sharing her knowledge and wisdom with others, especially journalists of the emerging generation.
This is why she also chose to become a journalism professor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.
Her passing will leave a void in Philippine journalism that will be hard, if ever, to fill.
To everyone who knew, loved and respected Chit, our heartfelt condolences.
—NATIONAL UNION
OF JOURNALISTS
OF THE PHILIPPINES,
Barangay Laging Handa,
Quezon City