Media personalities mourn passing of veteran newscaster Mike Enriquez: 'The industry lost a pillar'
Media personalities took to social media to mourn the passing of veteran journalist Mike Enriquez, who passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 71 years old.
GMA Network confirmed his death in a statement provided to 24 Oras earlier in the day. "Malungkot pong ibinabalita ng GMA Network ang pagpanaw ng aming minamahal na Kapuso't kaibigan—si Mike Enriquez," his colleague Mel Tiangco held back tears before reading the announcement on television.
"The Board of Directors, management, and employees of GMA Network, Inc. deeply mourn the passing of Mr. Enriquez. His dedication to the industry will serve as an inspiration to all. We pray for the eternal repose of our beloved Kapuso," the network said.
Several journalists expressed their grief over the loss of their colleague in separate posts. Television presenter Pia Arcangel shared a clip of her previous interview with Enriquez. “Lahat ng meron tayo, hiram lang natin ito. Pinahiram lang sa atin. And that’s enough reason na magpasalamat,” she quoted him in the caption, adding that the late journalist's "attitude of gratitude was with him always."
News personality Connie Sison shared a photo of Enriquez on Instagram and wrote: "You will be sorely missed, our beloved Sir Mike. Marami pong salamat sa lahat."
Broadcast journalist Christine Babao expressed her sympathy in the comment section of Sison's post: "Rest in peace, in God's loving embrace, Sir Mike."
In another post, Sison said she only has good memories of Enriquez. "From the very first time I met you as a newbie in GMA, to the very last time we conversed after our program, your graciousness to me was impeccable," she wrote. "Babaunin ko po lahat ng paalala niyo at magsisilbing inspirasyon sa akin ang inyong ipinakitang kabutihan. Mananatili kayong buhay sa aming lahat na nagmamahal sa into."
News personality Nelson Canlas described Enriquez as "funny and full of surprises" in his tribute on Instagram. "Kapag nakasalubong mo siya sa hallway, biglang kukunin ang kamay mo at mag aabot ng mani o butong pakwan and ikaw naman would wonder why he’s doing it in the process," he explained. "We know him to be that co-worker and boss—funny and full of surprises. And, he is a good man. Hindi siya madamot. Sa maraming bagay."
Reporter Love Añover said Enriquez was one of the people who gave him a warm welcome when she joined GMA Network two decades ago. "Isa ka sa mga naging magiliw at mabuti sa akin nung ako ay bagong Kapuso. Kapag nakakasalubong kita at nakikita, laging may say kapag tinawag ko po ang pangalan ninyo," she said in an Instagram post. "Rest in peace, Papa Mike."
Journalist Mara Cepeda also paid tribute to the veteran anchor, who was one of the people who inspired her to pursue a career in media.
"He was one of the reasons why I wanted to pursue journalism. The industry lost a pillar today. Rest in power, Mike Enriquez," she wrote in a tweet.
"You will be missed, Booma," television host Lyn Ching wrote in her Facebook story.
GMA News anchor Raffy Tima, meanwhile, shared how he will remember his "Ninong Mike" on his Facebook page. "Always ready, always eager, and always happy to be out on the field even after being in the industry for decades."
"Rest in peace, Mike Enriquez. Hindi namin malilimutan ang iyong matapang at tapat na pamamahayag," ABS-CBN reporter Jing Castañeda tweeted on X (formerly Twitter). "Maraming salamat sa iyong serbisyo para sa Pilipino."
TV Patrol anchor Karen Davila looked back on times she shared the anchor seat with Enriquez—from GMA-7's election coverage in 1995 to Saksi’s 15-minute newscasts to its 30-minute segments in 1999.
"Mike was a good guy. Down to earth. Funny. Magaan ka-trabaho, napakasaya kasama. I’ve always kept close to my heart what he told me, 'The challenge is staying humble as you go up the ladder.' Mike, I am forever grateful for having known you. We will miss you. My heart goes out to his family," she wrote in a tweet.
Enriquez is best known for hosting Imbestigador, an investigative docudrama that featured crime stories and anomalies. He also headlined news programs Saksi and 24 Oras as well as radio show Super Radyo dzBB.