By Herbie Gomez
Rappler
NORTHERN Mindanao-based journalist Jigger Jerusalem, whose career spanned about three decades, died in a Cagayan de Oro hospital on Tuesday night, July 8. He would have turned 54 this October.
Jigger was known for his quiet persistence, generous heart, and unwavering commitment to truth-telling.
He began his journalism career with the Cagayan de Oro-based Gold Star Daily in the 1990s, later becoming a correspondent for other news organizations, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the state-run Philippine News Agency, Philippine Star, and LiCAS.news Philippines.
He briefly worked as features editor for a magazine specializing in motoring in Doha, Qatar in 2015. When he returned, he contributed news stories for the now-defunct Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro from 2016 to 2019.
Jerusalem’s work often highlighted the struggles of ordinary people, especially in conflict-affected areas, and underserved communities against the backdrop of Northern Mindanao's social and political landscape. He also wrote feature stories celebrating local culture.
He was a fellow of the Peace and Conflict Journalism Network, and was a former safety officer for the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in Mindanao.
Jerusalem had also served as a member of the board of directors of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC), and once served as the organization’s corporate secretary.
In 2023, he was diagnosed with a heart condition that would lead to repeated hospitalizations. Despite this, he remained active in the field, determined to return to the work he loved.
His final months were marked by both suffering and solidarity, with colleagues and friends passing the hat and launching donation campaigns, showing the love and respect he earned in Cagayan de Oro’s journalism community.
In a message he once posted on his Facebook page, Jerusalem said, "When you have a medical condition, nature has a way of reminding you of your mortality and it will not hesitate to let you feel it.” He said his wife Chariz was always there to take care of him during his most difficult moments.
Jigger’s words resonated with many who admired his honesty, resilience, and gratitude. He is survived by his wife Chariz and daughter Cara.
The chronic heart condition, which had long hampered his work, finally claimed him at the state-run Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro.
His wake is at the Wisdom Hall of the Cagayan de Oro Funeral Homes, City Memorial Park in Bolonsiri.
(Before joining Rappler, Herbie Gomez served as the editor-in-Chief of Gold Star Daily. He is now Gold Star Daily editorial consultant.)
