In Memory of Alexis Tioseco
Our Editor in Chief, Jose Mari Ugarte reacts to the tragic news of a Rogue contributor, Alexis Tioseco:
Some incredibly shocking news hit me in the face like a bucket of burning acid this morning: We lost one of our most valuable contributors, a film critic by the name of Alexis Tioseco, and his girlfriend Nika, who he loved deeply and expressed that love in a letter he wrote to her, which we had published in the July 2008 issue of Rogue as an article called “The Letter I Would Love to Read to You in Person.”
Alexis was bar-none the country’s most knowledgeable film critic, managing the popular Website Criticine and called upon regularly to appear in television talk shows. He loved the Philippines deeply and genuinely believed in the talents of our filmmakers, aggressively promoting them in any venue he could find. When it came to cinema, it was his voice everyone listened to.
I met Alexis back in early 2007. My partners and I were still putting together the origial prototype of Rogue, then known as Manifesto, and Alexis was the first person I called to write about film. I had been a fan of his Website and his writing, and was determined to seek him out, meet him face-to-face, and convince him to write for Rogue. I still remember the day I met him, at the Old Spaghetti House inside Robinson’s on Pioneer Street, and I remember being impressed not only by his deep knowledge and understanding of cinema, particularly Asian cinema, but also by his manner: soft-spoken, gentle, kind, humorous, and extremely passionate about film.
These are words you’d expect to hear in any eulogy but in this case they never rang truer—and the legions of friends that Alexis had accumulated over the years will attest to that. I hardly knew him better than most of his close friends, but from the short time that I got to spend with him, I knew I was getting to know a real friend. I’m only sorry we never got to extend that friendship. I’ll miss you, Alexis. And so will your country.
- Jose Mari Ugarte
4 Comments on this post. Add your own comment below
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The Philippine Cinema has lost one of its greatest supporters. RIP Alexis.
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The tragedy of losing you and your loved one will echo for eternity in the hearts and minds of many. You were a beacon of light Alexis, and though it’s been many years (just shy of a decade) since we’ve last seen each other, the memory of you remains just a clear.
Those were the heydays, and I would always remember the dynamism of you Tioseco brothers - you and your brother Chris - who were common fixtures in our weekly Ritz Crew meetings.
In fact, I had the rather unplanned and pleasant opportunity to meet up with your brother, who I haven’t seen for just as long, in Vancouver over the summer, and he was so enthusiastic, if not a tad bit envious, about your newfound life back in the motherland. I myself had no idea how much you progressed in pursuing your passions as a film critic, contributing a tremendous amount to the preservation of our country’s film industry. How I would have loved to catch up…
For now, I can only hope and pray that the memory of you will lead to your continued legacy. The Philippines has lost a true star. Take good care of yourself Alexis and rest in eternal peace…
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It is so awesome to see these black and white videos.
Great work…
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Jay Lara
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[Our] Philippine Cinema has certainly lost a gem in the person of Alexis Tioseco. Nonetheless, it is my prayer that his “wishes” would indeed come to fruition…