Alex Esclamado

Alex Esclamado (April 2, 1929 – November 11, 2012) was a Filipino-born American newspaper publisher, lawyer, and journalist. In 1961, Esclamado founded the Philippine News out of his home in the Sunset District neighborhood of San Francisco, California.^[1] Esclamado became a vocal opponent of former Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos after his government declared martial law in 1972.^[1]

Awards and recognition

In October 1986, Esclamado was recognized as the only Filipino-American recipient of the congressionally sponsored Ellis Island Medal of Honor award.^[2]

On May 9, 1989, President Cory Aquino conferred the Philippine Legion of Honor on Esclamado.^[3]

Later life and death

Esclamado returned to the Philippines in August 2011. On November 4, 2012, he died in his home town of Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, from pneumonia, after a 10-year battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 83. He is survived by his wife, Lourdes, 7 children, 14 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.^[1]

Legacy

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and GMA Network continue to acknowledge and give tribute to Esclamado's works and contributions to the Filipino-American community by giving the Alex Esclamado Memorial Award for Community Service to deserving Filipino people.^[4] The winners for the awards are screened by the Council for Filipino American Organizations of Central Florida, the West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service, Inc., Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Texas, and the Pilipino American Unity for Progress, Inc.^[5]