1 minute read
Mike Enriquez passes away at 71
Advertisement
Veteran broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez has died after a long illness. He was 71 years old.
A statement from his home network 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.”
Enriquez was one of the anchors of GMA’s newscast 24 Oras and hosted the longrunning public affairs program Imbestigador. He also served as president of the RGMA Network and as GMA Network’s Senior Vice President and Consultant for Radio Operations. On radio, he also anchored DZBB’s Super Balita sa Umaga and Saksi sa Dobol B.
In 2018, Enriquez took medical leave to undergo heart bypass surgery and receive treatment for kidney disease. In December 2021 he took leave again to undergo a kidney transplant but returned to work in time to cover the 2022 election. Enriquez was also a diabetic.
Enriquez’s 54 years in broadcasting started by accident in 1969. In a 2022 interview with journalist Pia Arcangel, Enriquez said that while visiting a former high school friend at the Manila
Broadcasting Company he was introduced to the staff manager as a prospective employee. This brought the former disc jockey into broadcasting and journalism jobs, and later, managerial positions in radio.
Enriquez worked at the Freedom Broadcasting Network, and Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), where he became vice president of the company, and a board member, before he eventually moved to the GMA Network to lead its radio division and expansion in 1995.
At GMA he made his first on-camera television appearance as an anchor in 1998 for election coverage with journalist Karen Davila.
Source: GMA Integrated News
