Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
HIGHLY respected and trusted television and radio news anchor Miguel “Mike” Enriquez passed away on Tuesday after battling prolonged complications from several medical issues and procedures in late 2021. His longtime home network, GMA, confirmed the news at the end of its flagship prime-time broadcast, “24 Oras,” which Enriquez anchored since its inception in 2004. He was 71 years old.
It was his permanent co-anchor, Mel Tiangco, who emotionally announced her partner’s passing at the telecast, immediately followed by a carefully detailed video tribute to recall his stellar career in media.
GMA Network simultaneously released a statement that said: “It is with profound sadness that GMA Network announces the passing of our beloved Kapuso, Mr. Miguel ‘Mike’ C. Enriquez, who peacefully joined our Creator on August 29, 2023.
“He joined the broadcast industry in 1969 and then became part of GMA Network in 1995, wholeheartedly serving the Filipino audience for 54 years. 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 statement ended.
Good friend and fellow newscaster Arnold Clavio hinted at Enrique’s demise late Tuesday afternoon via a blackened Instagram post with only a small, lit candle on the bottom frame.
Seemingly at a loss for words, Enrique’s industry colleagues immediately filled Clavio’s comments section with weeping and praying hands and heart emojis, the earliest ones from Kapuso broadcasters Connie Sison, Oscar Oida, Nelson Canlas, Kathy San Gabriel and Lala Roque as well as Kapuso artists Shaira Diaz, Miriam Quiambao, and Wendell Ramos.
It was in December when Enriquez took a medical leave to address his health problems, the most serious of which required a kidney transplant. Following a successful operation, he underwent a three-month period of isolation to minimize the risk of infections and complications. He eagerly returned to his news programs in March 2022 just as the national election coverage went full blast, even if he had yet to recover fully. Sadly, still not up to it, he was forced to take another medical leave three months later, this time indefinitely.
In November 2022, Clavio dispelled rumors Enriquez had died when fake news started spreading on social media, triggering a barrage of condolence messages. Clavio declared he had just spoken to his senior, even adding, “He’ll be back soon.” Enriquez’ loyal followers were excited at the prospect but the broadcast legend could no longer return on air.
Esteemed figure in broadcasting
Known for his unique catch phrases such as “Excuse me po,” “Pasensiya na po,” and “Hindi namin kayo tatantanan,” Enriquez served as GMA’s consultant for Radio Operations, president of the Regional and Radio subsidiary, RGMA Network Inc., and station manager of Super Radyo DZBB 594 AM.
His successful career in media began in 1969 as a staff announcer for the Manila Broadcasting Company. He went on to gain experience in various fields of broadcasting — from journalism to programming and senior management. He was also actively involved with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) at the same time.
He became vice president and a member of the Board of Directors of Radio Mindanao Network, one of the biggest privately owned radio networks in the Philippines. He was also general manager of FBS Radio Network, which, under his leadership, saw its Metro Manila AM and FM stations simultaneously dominating their respective markets.
Enriquez likewise briefly wrote for “Kabayan,” a national Filipino daily previously published by the current owners of the The Manila Times from 1998 to 2001.
One and only ‘Imbestigador’
Aside from fulfilling multiple responsibilities as GMA’s top broadcast executive for many years, Enriquez was always the lead anchor of the network’s prime-time newscasts. He also shot to fame as “Imbestigador” ng Bayan via a long-running program of the same title that continued airing throughout his medical leave.
In January 2003, the late-night newscast “Saksi,” which he pioneered, won the gold medal in the New York Festivals.
Just before the war in Iraq broke out, Enriquez led a six-man GMA news team into Baghdad, from where they filed live reports. They were the first Filipino journalists to cover the war right inside Iraq.
As the fighting went on, Enriquez was also sent to Kuwait, delivering live reports from there. He and his co-members in GMA’s “Team Baghdad” eventually produced a documentary titled “Iraq — In the Navel of War,” which won the Silver Camera Award at the 2004 US Film and Video Festival in Hollywood.
Over the years, Enriquez continually received multiple awards from the country’s most prestigious organizations and institutions, including the 1999 Golden Dove Award for Best Male Newscaster, the Ka Doroy Valencia Broadcaster of the Year Award given by the KBP, and the Star Awards Best Male Newscaster from the Philippine Movie Press Club of the Philippines. He clinched a grand slam that year when he finally won Best Newscaster at Singapore’s Asian Television Awards. He remains the only Filipino with the coveted recognition to date.
A product of De La Salle University, Enriquez shared his expertise with younger generations by teaching Broadcast Management at his alma mater. A fiercely loyal Lasallian, he was formerly chairman of the Board of Trustees of La Salle Greenhills and a trustee of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, De La Salle Health Sciences Institute and De La Salle University Araneta.
He was also a member of the National Mission Council of De La Salle Philippines which coordinates and guides the network of all La Salle schools in the Philippines.
As his listeners on radio very well know, Enriquez was a staple at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) basketball games, especially when the Green Archers were up against forever rivals, the Ateneo Blue Eagles. He would claim victory the morning of the game during his prime-time morning slot, relishing his advantage against the Ateneans with the entire nation listening.