Celebrities and showbiz industry insiders mourn the death of a respected colleague
ABS-CBN entertainment reporter Mario Dumaual passed away at the age of 64 following a heart attack that led to “severe fungal infection,” his family confirmed on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
The veteran reporter died at exactly 8:01AM on Wednesday, according to a
“Papa was strong, he kept fighting on, overcoming the heart attack then a cardiac arrest. He would always say he wanted to go home because he missed us, his family. But the infection overwhelmed his body’s ability to recover,” it reads.
“What comforts us is he knew that we were always with him, waiting for him, and that home was wherever he felt our love. We also made it a point to let him know how loved he was by his friends in the industry and even kind strangers who have been offering prayers and help for his recovery,” the post continues.
For the family, Mario stood as their rock, since they “depended much on him.” More so, they recall how Mario instilled core values that made them the best that they are today.
In addition to this, they also find consolation in the fact that Mario left a monumental mark in entertainment journalism. As how it was written, “He made us proud as Mario Dumaual, the reporter but ultimately more so as a devoted husband, father, and granddad.”
Celebrities, media figures look back on Mario’s life
Following Mario’s death came massive tributes from colleagues, one of which is ABS-CBN’s Marc Logan who says:
“Alam kong kabisado ko at sigurado ako kahit nakapikit kayang umukit ni Kuya Mario ng isang obra ng pagbabalita. Masarap makinig sa kanyang mga kuwento. Kapag siya ang tumipa. Bawat titik at baybay punong puno ito ng buhay.
“Mapalad ako na nakatrabaho ang isang tulad mo. Minsan nang nagretiro si Kuya Mario noong siya ay naging senior citizen. Pero nung ako ang humawak ng Entertainment Desk ng News and Current Affairs, hindi ko maatim na may Star News ang TV Patrol pero walang Mario Dumaual.”
ABS-CBN reporter MJ Felipe, on the other hand, has taken his grief on Facebook as he reminisced about Mario Dumaual’s legacy in entertainment reporting.
MJ writes, (published as is): “Napakaraming kwento, napakaraming alala. Napakaraming oras na magkasama sa trabaho, napakaraming bilin at aral. Ang dami kong gustong sabihin, ang dami kong gustong ikwento. Pero hindi ko alam kung saan sisimulan.
“Wala na kong makaka-kwentuhan sa editing bay pag maaga ang script natin parehas at maaga tayo mag-e-edit…. Wala nang tatawa kapag tinatanong kita ng ‘Ano nang balitaaaaaaaa???’ Wala nang magsasabi sa akin ng ‘huwag kang papayag’ pag magsusumbong ako ng ganito-ganyan.
“Napakaraming kwento, sa totoo lang. Wala lang masyadong litrato sa araw-araw na ginawa ng Diyos, dahil lahat kami sa newsroom aligaga pagpatak ng alas tres ng hapon.
“Kuya Mario Dumaual, maraming sa salamat sa lahat… mula sa aming lahat. Thank you for paving the way. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for sharing your life with us. May you rest in peace and praying for strength for your family.”
The sentiment is just as fond for some celebrities who paid tribute to Mario’s late life and legacy.
Beyond that, the entirety of ABS-CBN has expressed its sadness over Mario’s passing through an official statement released on Wednesday, July 5.
Banner Art Paulo Correa
