Jacque Manabat recalls how near-death experience influenced her to become a journalist

STAR’s On The Rise, the former ABS-CBN reporter got candid as she shared how her grandfather, Primitivo, and a near-death experience influenced her decision to pursue journalism.

- By JANELLE LORZANO

Raised in Baguio City, Jacque said that she grew up around her lolo, who loves reading newspapers.

"Hindi pa ako humahawak ng children's book, nagbabasa na ako ng newspaper. Sinusubukan niya (lolo) i-translate sa akin in Filipino, ganyan. Pero hindi ko pa mag-grasp nun. Basta I know that I’m reading the newspaper with him. I know that I’m enjoying the time with my lolo. My lolo is a huge factor. Maybe that’s why I ended up being a journalist," she told this paper in an exclusive interview.

She added, “The Philippine STAR and other huge newspapers na binabasa namin tuwing morning. Reading the newspapers every day with my lolo made me realize that news is important in our lives. As cliche as it may sound, malaking bahagi siya ng buhay natin.”

She even recalled one incident of how her voice on the television saved her lolo after he went missing due to his condition.

“He had Alzheimer’s, so, I was an anchor for late-night television news in ABS-CBN back then. Tapos, ang sabi, nawawala siya. But I didn’t know that nawawala siya. Naglalakad lang siya, wandering alone. Tapos, ang kwento ay habang naglalakad siya, narinig niya ‘yung boses ko na pinapanood ng mga nakatambay. And then he remembered who he is because he heard my name. And he knows my screen name, ayun, naalala niya kung sino siya,” she said.

While her lolo got to see her building a career in broadcast journalism, Jacque was heartbroken when her Lolo Primitivo passed away in 2023.