Mylah de Leon

MYLAH DE LEON

Distinguished journalist and award-winning lifestyle columnist Mylah De Leon went home to heaven on May 1, 2026.

She was born and raised in the Philippines. She attended St. Theresa’s High School and graduated from the University of Santo Thomas - Faculty of Philosophy and Letters.

One of her first jobs was at the Land Transportation Commission where she worked for the Deputy Commissioner. There she met her boss’s son and future husband, Francisco De Leon. In 1960, Mylah and Francisco were married on St. Joseph’s feast day, March 19.

They had four daughters, Milkah, Christmas, Drizzle and Noelle.

Mylah continued to work while she was married. She was a delegate of the Philippine Trade Mission to France, Australia, Japan and China. She was the Public Relations Officer of three Quezon City mayors. But what she really wanted to do was write.

She began by writing short stories for magazines. She was eventually a columnist, writing about society and culture. She admits to bungling her first attempt at hard news writing, when she submitted a literary journalist’s piece on what was a police story assignment. She was promptly transferred to fashion reporting by her editors.

She was active at her daughters’ school parent committees, involved in various social action organizations and was the first female member of The 365 Club.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband on January 10, 1984.

She persevered and became a respected member of the National Press Club of the Philippines and the Malacañang Press Corps during the administrations of two presidents.

In 1995, Mylah moved to the US to be closer to her daughters.

In Los Angeles, she wrote for major Fil-Am publications, notably Asian Journal and Philippine Times. She was acclaimed for her distinct style: “exploring personal narratives, cultural reflections, and social issues, such as aging, spirituality and community events. Her work blends autobiographical style, covering topics from political commentary to poignant personal essays.”

She was a staunch supporter of the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), Philippines Press Photographers (PPP) USA, Filipino American Press Club of California (FAPCCA), among others, and a founding member of Pens and Lens. She had interviewed presidents, dignitaries, captains of industries, athletes and celebrities.

But her greatest gifts were her faith in God and her capacity to love. She was devoted to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Mother, Saint Joseph and Santo Niño. She was an extraordinary woman of strength and grace. She was compassionate, generous and kind.

Mylah is survived by her children, Milkah and Robert Barr, Christmas and Almond Abellanosa, Drizzle and Steve Gibson, and Noelle De Leon; her grandchildren, Mikey and Theo, Katharine and Jake, CJ and Kim, Eze, Eliana, Ben and Amira, Kynan, Hayden, EV and T, Angel, Josh and Amanda, Ashley and Ryan; and her great grandchild Sophia.

A Funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills at 10:30 a.m. on May 23.