Feliciano "Fel" Maragay, one of the country's renowned political journalists as the chief Malacañang reporter for the Manila Standard and a respected columnist, died Thursday at their family residence in San Juan City. He was 68.
Maragay was found lifeless in his room by his wife and one of his daughters at around 10 a.m. A longtime political reporter, he covered the presidencies of Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the Standard's chief Palace reporter.
He was also a veteran of the Senate beat, and served as one of the Standard's esteemed columnists.
A political science graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, Maragay pursued his passion for letters, serving as a staff member of The Varsitarian, the university's official student publication.
As a budding student journalist, he wrote pieces critical of the Marcos administration, particularly the massive corruption and human rights abuses that marked the regime.
Fel is survived by wife Judy and children William Louie, Sheila, Carmella, Dave, Joseph and Judy Fe. His remains lie in state at St. Peter Chapels along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City. Interment will be announced later.