In a world often defined by conflict and chaos, some individuals possess the rare ability to distill human experience into stories that resonate across borders. Marga Ortigas, a Filipino journalist-turned-author, is one such storyteller. With a career spanning over three decades in international journalism, including stints at CNN and Al Jazeera, Ortigas has reported from some of the most turbulent regions on earth. Now, as a celebrated novelist and essayist, she channels those raw, lived experiences into fiction and reflective prose that captivate readers globally.
A Journey from Facts to Fiction
Born and raised in the Philippines, Ortigas was a storyteller from a young age. She recalls crafting detective tales as a child of seven or eight, a memory that hints at her lifelong passion for narrative. Her mother, a high school English teacher in Manila, nurtured this love of words, and Ortigas soon found herself exploring essays, short stories, and poetry. This early foundation naturally led her to a career in media, beginning with radio before achieving her dream of reporting for television. “I went from fiction to facts” she shared in a personal video profile, reflecting on her pivot to journalism before returning to creative writing after three decades in the field. 
Her transition to authorship began in 2021 with the release of her debut novel, The House on Calle Sombra, published by Penguin Random House Southeast Asia. This was followed by a collection of essays, There are No Falling Stars in China, in 2023, and her second novel, God’s Ashes, in 2024. Earlier this year, she released another anthology, WTF?! Woman Turning Fifty, a candid exploration of aging and mortality. Speaking to Asia News Network, Ortigas described her journey as a cyclical one: “from fiction to fact and back to fiction again.”
Lessons from the Frontlines
Ortigas’ journalism career took her to the heart of human struggle—covering natural disasters like Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013 and the devastating earthquake in Japan in 2011, as well as conflicts in Iraq and Gaza. These assignments left an indelible mark on her worldview and writing style. “Areas in the throes of conflict. Emotions are raw, and everything is heightened” she told ANN, noting how such experiences reveal humanity at both its worst and its best.
Reporting for television honed her ability to write with brevity and purpose, a skill that now permeates her creative work. “As you are writing about real life, it makes you pay attention to your surroundings. Impresses upon you the vitalness of being present” she explained. Her global travels also shaped her perspective, teaching her to adapt to life’s unpredictable currents. Whether interviewing fighters in Mindanao or survivors in Rafah, Ortigas learned to weave the fabric of her experiences into her identity—and, ultimately, her stories.
The Freedom and Fear of the Blank Page
While journalism required Ortigas to piece together existing threads of reality into coherent narratives, creative writing offered a different challenge: a blank page with boundless potential. “In a sense, there is more freedom, but also infinitely more fear” she admitted. Unlike reporting, where structure and deadlines often guide the process, fiction demands a personal vulnerability that can be both exhilarating and daunting.
As she aged, Ortigas found herself craving silence over the relentless pace of fieldwork. No longer eager to climb mountains or sleep in tents during storms, she sought peace—a space where the written word could resurface. “I had always wanted to write a book, and I suppose when I was old enough to think I could dare try—I did” she reflected. This pause allowed her to commit to the joy and relief of crafting thoughts into words, unencumbered by the immediate scrutiny of editors or audiences.
Inspirations and Influences
A voracious reader, Ortigas draws inspiration from a wide array of literary giants. She admires Jane Austen for her vibrant prose and nuanced understanding of social dynamics, describing Austen’s work as prose that “dances.” Thomas Hardy, with his melancholic rhythm and profound empathy, also left a lasting impression—particularly through Tess of the D’Urbervilles, which evoked a visceral reaction. “I shivered and gasped aloud” she recalled, a testament to the emotional power of Hardy’s storytelling.
Ortigas also credits postmodern writers like Jeanette Winterson and Italo Calvino for their unbound approach to narrative, defying conventional formats to tell powerful stories. Closer to home, she expresses a growing appreciation for Southeast Asian literature, celebrating the region’s wealth of stories now gaining global recognition. Her current reading list reflects this eclectic taste, ranging from Filipino historical works to contemporary novels by authors like Elif Shafak and Graham Norton.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
For those dreaming of a career in writing, Ortigas offers heartfelt guidance. “Firstly, get out of your head” she advises, urging writers to overcome self-doubt and embrace boldness on the page. She encourages them to write without worrying about readers initially, focusing instead on raw expression before refining their work during editing. Above all, she emphasizes curiosity: “Be curious about the world around you and take it all in without judgment.”
Her words carry the weight of a life spent observing and documenting the human condition, whether through the lens of a camera or the stroke of a pen. For Ortigas, writing—be it fact or fiction—is a means of making sense of a complex world, a way to connect with others through shared stories.
As Marga Ortigas continues to pen her narratives, her journey stands as a reminder of the power of words to bridge divides and illuminate truths. Whether reporting from a war zone or crafting a novel, her commitment to storytelling remains a beacon for readers and writers alike, proving that even in the darkest of times, there is light to be found in a well-told tale.
