HOW does one write a fitting tribute to a man who made this section “stand,” and “stand out,” in the last four years and so?
I started by looking at his photos in my e-mail: pictures he took—especially those which documented his meetings with ambassadors, as well as events by foreign missions and the diplomatic community, and some with him. Because Recto L. Mercene was, largely, a photographer by heart: One who would make a key contribution to the country’s history as the lensman who captured stirring images that provoked pent-up emotions of a nation which yearned for positive change; whose camera’s rapid-fire clicks on that fateful day of August 21, 1983 at the Manila International Airport eventually sparked a revolution and altered the course of the nation’s timeline as we know it.
Those were the accounts of colleagues both from BusinessMirror and the industry on Mang Recto: Someone who holds a special place in Philippine photojournalism. In his company, I was in awe of the man and his stories: whether cruising inside his trusty 4×4, or while we enjoyed gracing many diplomatic functions prior to the pandemic.
(As to the whereabouts of the film of the photos taken at the tarmac, I queried if those were returned to him, as it would hold clues in solving the age-old mysteries surrounding the assassination of former senator Benigno Aquino Jr.: “God only knows where they are, Mike…”)
We would touch on various topics under the sun: About his transition from being an aviation pro to a journalist, the individuals he covered in his years in the business, as well as Recto, the family man.
He would freely share his admiration and, conversely, disgust at big names figuring in the headlines, with some healthy expletives peppered on the latter because of their individual reputations. Indeed, I was in the company of a true-blue storyteller—in the real sense. He told stories through photos, and the printed word.
Those skills he made use of and were in full display in his countless articles about ambassadors and functions in this section. Before the health crisis struck, Mercene would churn out at least one lengthy feature of a diplomat every month, where he deftly threw questions and sometimes, bravely asked about difficult subjects that might unsettle the interviewee at first. But his amiable demeanor would eventually win over the foreign official being queried.
Well-read
IN case there would be a lull in-between his assignments for Envoys&Expats, he would proactively reach out for a possible next task. His highly anticipated drafts were “world history lessons” of sorts; he would also sporadically throw in a piece of trivia, or general info on the side.
He once told the former Panamanian diplomat about his fancy and familiarity with Panama hats, only to receive a reply that they were originally from Ecuador. These hilarious anecdotes he made sure would form part of his mostly “serious” write-ups. Yet, they also revealed the factual facets of his writing, culled from the wisdom and knowledge of his age, as well as the volumes of books he voraciously read. Such gems from Mang Recto would leave a great void for this section to be filled, and would be greatly missed by this author and his readers.
His knowledge of historic topics and subjects from the past was outstanding. I would often provide him enough leeway on submissions, “para masarap ang pag-sulat niyo, [so you (Mang Recto) could relish and savor your writing].” He would often revert with compositions that turned out lengthy, but nonetheless substantial—and, on time. I had to respectfully apologize on several occasions that his materials would be subjected to trimming. “Okay, ikaw na bahala [Up to you]…” The onus was then on me to churn out a final version that would, at best, give justice to his by-line.
And he was rarely delayed for his meetings. An exception was during a supposed dialog with a then-newly installed ambassador, who turned him away for merely being 5 minutes late (despite the elderly journalist having braved the once notorious mid-morning northbound traffic on the Skyway). The gentleman that he is, he still proceeded with his writing chore by way of an e-mail interview, with nary a word of disgust or grumble from the uneventful schedule.
Fond farewell
PEERS from the diplomatic and foreign-affairs beat fondly called Mang Recto the “Dean”—perhaps a proper acknowledgment of his erudition and experience in their realm of activity. Social events would be less enjoyable without his company, seeing his gusto when savoring the culinary fares, and how he would sometimes “French exit” from the party—to the slight frustration of his table-mates.
He would also be a topic of documentaries produced by fellow reporters who are in awe of his achievements and “involvement” in modern Philippine history. Yet with all the attention, he remained humble in his demeanor, and without a hint of hubris, notwithstanding his incontrovertible contribution to local photojournalism.
In recent years I was witness to how his difficulty in speaking became pronounced. I made it a point to be with him in the majority of his interviews with envoys to do the “asking” on his behalf. But whatever inconvenience his vocal disability brought, he surely more than made up with his writing, both in terms of quality and being prolific. His passion for his craft and profession was visible and felt, even if he was in his 70s.
In one of our last e-mail exchanges, Mang Recto shared about his happiness on being completely vaccinated, and that we would be able to have coffee again soon. That was followed a few weeks after by a message from him hinting of being sick. But somehow, being the strong-willed and optimistic person that he was, I knew he was to recover.
Her daughter Danica’s text messages late in September bolstered my faith that he will pull through, despite him still being in the hospital. But then again, the Almighty apparently decided differently about the situation…
This humble tribute does not even hold a candle to the way Recto de Leon Mercene had positively touched lives and made a difference, especially to this writer. The latter is nonetheless proud to have spent quality time—even for a short spell—with a great man, a gentleman, and a genuinely good man, who will be fondly remembered as simply: “Mang Recto;” and to colleagues, a veritable “envoy” in heaven.