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Marga Ortigas: Beyond the Headlines, Behind the War Zones
Marga Ortigas: Beyond the Headlines, Behind the War Zones
Leah Puyat
Published Feb 01, 2024 06:26 PM PHT
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Updated Feb 01, 2024 09:29 PM PHT
Marga Ortigas
Marga Ortigas“Memory, you realized long ago, is a game that a healthy-brained person can play all the time, and the game of memory is won or lost on one criterion: Do you leave the formation of memories to happenstance, or do you decide to remember?”—Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin
“Memory, you realized long ago, is a game that a healthy-brained person can play all the time, and the game of memory is won or lost on one criterion: Do you leave the formation of memories to happenstance, or do you decide to remember?”—Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin
In her latest book, There Are (No) Falling Stars in China, one-time broadcast journalist and news producer and now-author Marga Ortigas, recalls that her earliest memory is of being two years old and staring at a man without arms. She insists that her parents explain to her why she has arms and that man doesn’t; a very early intimation of her deep need to delve into the stories and memories of people around her.
In her latest book, There Are (No) Falling Stars in China, one-time broadcast journalist and news producer and now-author Marga Ortigas, recalls that her earliest memory is of being two years old and staring at a man without arms. She insists that her parents explain to her why she has arms and that man doesn’t; a very early intimation of her deep need to delve into the stories and memories of people around her.
Part memoir, part travelogue, part self-help book but brimming over with heart and humanity—in this sophomore outing, Marga combines vivid literary metaphors with cold, hard facts; so much so that it is not easy to pin down the genre of the book, nor its intentions.
Part memoir, part travelogue, part self-help book but brimming over with heart and humanity—in this sophomore outing, Marga combines vivid literary metaphors with cold, hard facts; so much so that it is not easy to pin down the genre of the book, nor its intentions.
“Well, I’ve been told that it’s a rollercoaster experience,” Marga reveals when we begin our Zoom call to discuss her latest book. She released her first novel under Penguin Random House (SE ASIA), The House on Calle Sombra, in 2021 and then quickly (at least in publication terms) with her second book.
“Well, I’ve been told that it’s a rollercoaster experience,” Marga reveals when we begin our Zoom call to discuss her latest book. She released her first novel under Penguin Random House (SE ASIA), The House on Calle Sombra, in 2021 and then quickly (at least in publication terms) with her second book.
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She tells us that the writing of the novel was actually a break from this collection of essays; and then her publishers decided to release the novel first. She quickly assures us that her second novel is also soon to be released.
She tells us that the writing of the novel was actually a break from this collection of essays; and then her publishers decided to release the novel first. She quickly assures us that her second novel is also soon to be released.
When asked what exactly it is that journalists have to recover from, she admits, “Oh a lot, a lot! We are just so deep into the stories that we really don’t get to process anything. My mom told me to keep a journal, if only to know which country I was in, and I wish I had followed her advice!”
When asked what exactly it is that journalists have to recover from, she admits, “Oh a lot, a lot! We are just so deep into the stories that we really don’t get to process anything. My mom told me to keep a journal, if only to know which country I was in, and I wish I had followed her advice!”
When asked what is the stronger part of her, the precise journalist or the literary storyteller, she admits, “It’s really a marriage of both; I am led by what is secret and what is real.” Is she out to portray the unvarnished truth, without missing a beat, she quips, “Truth hidden with a wink.”
When asked what is the stronger part of her, the precise journalist or the literary storyteller, she admits, “It’s really a marriage of both; I am led by what is secret and what is real.” Is she out to portray the unvarnished truth, without missing a beat, she quips, “Truth hidden with a wink.”
People, people who need people
Marga divides the chapters of her books geographically. And with every chapter, she doesn’t just recount or relive her own experiences; she makes sure to resurrect the people that she encountered on her many assignments and adventures.
Marga divides the chapters of her books geographically. And with every chapter, she doesn’t just recount or relive her own experiences; she makes sure to resurrect the people that she encountered on her many assignments and adventures.
On one of her earliest assignments deep in Sulu, she writes: “Like a collection of endangered turtle eggs in deceptively opal-esque waters, the Sulu Islands are among the most beautiful in the Philippines. Pearlescent white against crystal blue... This guy was reed thin, and only bulked up by the oversized sweater he wore in 35 degree heat. The red pullover was emblazoned with a teddy bear. Not a look one might expect from the most dreaded people on the islands.”
On one of her earliest assignments deep in Sulu, she writes: “Like a collection of endangered turtle eggs in deceptively opal-esque waters, the Sulu Islands are among the most beautiful in the Philippines. Pearlescent white against crystal blue... This guy was reed thin, and only bulked up by the oversized sweater he wore in 35 degree heat. The red pullover was emblazoned with a teddy bear. Not a look one might expect from the most dreaded people on the islands.”
Covering 3/11, the triple whammy tragedy of a massive earthquake that triggered a giant tsunami that then caused a nuclear power plant leak that hit Japan, Marga meets Sato, who once worked at the plant. Though it wasn't his personal responsibility to clean up the leak and try to save the people of Fukushima, he faces all radiation risks with no thought for his own life. She recalls how the quake survivors even freely shared their own food rations as soon as they arrived.
Covering 3/11, the triple whammy tragedy of a massive earthquake that triggered a giant tsunami that then caused a nuclear power plant leak that hit Japan, Marga meets Sato, who once worked at the plant. Though it wasn't his personal responsibility to clean up the leak and try to save the people of Fukushima, he faces all radiation risks with no thought for his own life. She recalls how the quake survivors even freely shared their own food rations as soon as they arrived.
While covering the APEC in La La Land, Marga meets Rogelio, who mistakes her to be an illegal immigrant, as he is who gives her tips on the best places to apply for temporary employment. Marga doesn’t regale us with tales of the high and mighty or the Mission Impossible adventures of the thrill seekers. She takes us into the quiet, heart to heart moments of the unwilling survivors and the unregistered warriors.
While covering the APEC in La La Land, Marga meets Rogelio, who mistakes her to be an illegal immigrant, as he is who gives her tips on the best places to apply for temporary employment. Marga doesn’t regale us with tales of the high and mighty or the Mission Impossible adventures of the thrill seekers. She takes us into the quiet, heart to heart moments of the unwilling survivors and the unregistered warriors.
First green is gold
She compares the various locales to colors, seeing Baghdad as earth colors, for example, and Brazil as “a burst of citrus through a heavy bog. Fresh tart colors highlighting the complex shades of luscious foliage.”
She compares the various locales to colors, seeing Baghdad as earth colors, for example, and Brazil as “a burst of citrus through a heavy bog. Fresh tart colors highlighting the complex shades of luscious foliage.”
Stories are like children to authors; so I hesitate to ask her to pick a favorite. But when I do, she thinks for a moment or so and says, “I don’t want to spoil it for you if you haven't read it yet but I do really like the piece on Ireland. It really goes to the crux of what I’m trying to say.” She then pauses for a moment and adds, “And also the part on Japan. It’s not so much about Japan, but what I learned when I was there.”
Stories are like children to authors; so I hesitate to ask her to pick a favorite. But when I do, she thinks for a moment or so and says, “I don’t want to spoil it for you if you haven't read it yet but I do really like the piece on Ireland. It really goes to the crux of what I’m trying to say.” She then pauses for a moment and adds, “And also the part on Japan. It’s not so much about Japan, but what I learned when I was there.”
Oppa power
When I tell Marga about how much Metro.Style readers enjoy K-content (and thus, we are all curious about how she ended up watching PSY’s first concert), she breaks into a wide grin and says, “I am telling you, I was not a K-pop fan, and I even found his song annoying. But I was there to cover the missile attacks of North Korea, and wow, here was PSY, and in a way, South Korea saying: We are here! And we will stand our ground. It was the most sensational, amazing thing that I have ever seen. The effects, the drones! It was the first ever concert to be live streamed. And instead of having a front act, PSY integrated the other band into his show, which was way more memorable. It was defiance, definitely.”
When I tell Marga about how much Metro.Style readers enjoy K-content (and thus, we are all curious about how she ended up watching PSY’s first concert), she breaks into a wide grin and says, “I am telling you, I was not a K-pop fan, and I even found his song annoying. But I was there to cover the missile attacks of North Korea, and wow, here was PSY, and in a way, South Korea saying: We are here! And we will stand our ground. It was the most sensational, amazing thing that I have ever seen. The effects, the drones! It was the first ever concert to be live streamed. And instead of having a front act, PSY integrated the other band into his show, which was way more memorable. It was defiance, definitely.”
Shortly after we spoke, the book was sent to me, and I immediately devoured it. Some parts aren't easy to read, but on the whole, Marga tells her stories in an engaging, friendly manner. But she always reminds you of the second part of the title: “and Other Life Lessons From a Recovering Journalist.”
Shortly after we spoke, the book was sent to me, and I immediately devoured it. Some parts aren't easy to read, but on the whole, Marga tells her stories in an engaging, friendly manner. But she always reminds you of the second part of the title: “and Other Life Lessons From a Recovering Journalist.”
Full disclosure: Marga and I went to the same all-girls high school, and her mother was the most beloved English teacher there as well as our class adviser. It doesn’t surprise me that as an author, she wants to impart lessons. Teaching is vital helix in her DNA. But the world was her library and true university and the reading public is her classroom. May many more books and lessons come along.
Full disclosure: Marga and I went to the same all-girls high school, and her mother was the most beloved English teacher there as well as our class adviser. It doesn’t surprise me that as an author, she wants to impart lessons. Teaching is vital helix in her DNA. But the world was her library and true university and the reading public is her classroom. May many more books and lessons come along.
Lead photo courtesy of Marga Ortigas
Lead photo courtesy of Marga Ortigas
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