Lina Sagaral Reyes: A tribute to a trailblazing environmental reporter

DAVAO CITY — The world of journalism lost a shining light with the passing of Lina Sagaral Reyes, an award-winning environmental reporter known for her fearless investigations and compassionate storytelling. Based in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Reyes dedicated her life to unearthing stories at the intersection of gender, the environment, climate change, culture, the arts, and mental health.

Reyes, a passionate advocate for truth and environmental justice, left an indelible mark on Philippine journalism. Her career was defined by groundbreaking investigations that shed light on pressing environmental issues and their broader societal impacts.

The Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) in a statement said the group is deeply saddened by the passing of Lina Sagaral-Reyes. She was 63.

She was an invaluable member not only of the media community but also of the Philippine literary scene.

As one of the directors of the COPC Journalism Institute, she fostered collaborations with other organizations and drafted programs to enhance the media community.

In 1998, Reyes earned the prestigious Jaime V. Ongpin Award for Investigative Journalism for her explosive exposé on sand dredging operations that disrupted local ecosystems to accommodate an international resort. Her reporting sparked public discourse on corporate accountability and environmental protection.

Two years later, in 2000, she received the National Science and Technology Journalism Grand Prize for her meticulous investigation into an algal bloom in Macajalar Bay, which highlighted the interplay between scientific phenomena and community resilience. Her work not only informed but empowered local communities to demand better environmental safeguards.

Reyes’ passion for truth-telling continued into the next decades. In 2020, her in-depth report on corporate pineapple farms in Mindanao exposed questionable claims of being “carbon-negative.” Published in the Mindanao Gold Star Daily, her work challenged the greenwashing tactics of multinational corporations and won her the Globe Media Excellence Award.

Beyond her investigative prowess, Reyes had a gift for weaving narratives that humanized complex issues. Her pieces often spotlighted the stories of women, indigenous communities, and other marginalized groups whose voices were often drowned out in mainstream media. She was deeply committed to amplifying these voices, believing that true environmental justice could only be achieved by addressing social inequalities.

Friends and colleagues remember Reyes not only for her professional achievements but also for her warm personality, radiant smile, and enduring friendships. “She was more than a journalist—she was a mentor, an advocate, and a friend to many,” one colleague said.

Her work will continue to inspire future generations of journalists to pursue stories that matter, to hold the powerful accountable, and to never shy away from difficult truths.

Lina Sagaral Reyes’ passing leaves a void in Philippine journalism, but her legacy lives on through her body of work and the countless lives she touched. Rest in peace, Lina. Your words, your courage, and your humanity will never be forgotten.