Veteran journalist Raul Beltran, 62

In his last 23 days, veteran journalist Raul Beltran, whose lingering disease left his speech impaired, spent his time jotting down notes on the “Great Architect of the Universe." Beltran, 62, died after a three-month bout with lung cancer early Tuesday morning. A medical procedure related to his illness impaired his ability to speak. But Beltran, a senior political reporter for People’s Tonight covering the House of Representatives, found a way to express his thoughts as usual through paper and pen. “Pilyo (si) JESUS, gusto ko (ng mag-MEME), ayaw NIYA, sobrang pigil NIYA. Sobra (si) JESUS, ayaw NIYA talaga (akong mawala), love NIYA ako pero dapat galing na. Alam [ni] JESUS kaya ko, kaya ayaw NIYA (akong mag-MEME). Sobra daming nagdarasal kaya ayaw NIYA (akong mamahinga). Every fraction of a second after 12 midnight is a ray of hope," the late journalist wrote in an ordinary notebook. Beltran posted a related Facebook message after his two-month confinement at the Lung Center of the Philippines from May to July. "I am thankful to HIM, the Great Architect of the Universe, the Lord Almighty, his trusted Allies, friends, friends of friends, relatives and some unknowns who supported him," Beltran wrote on Facebook. Beltran’s remains lie in state at St. Peter’s Memorial Chapel along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. His remains will be transferred on Saturday to his hometown in Nasugbu, Batangas, before his burial either Tuesday or Wednesday next week. — RSJ, GMA News