Obit

Antonio Eliezer L. Pionilla, 45

MANILA BULLETIN senior photographer Antonio Eliezer L. Pionilla died Sunday, July 26, of a heart attack. He was 45. (“MB lensman Tony Pionilla, 45,” Tempo July 31, 2015)

Pionilla was with the Manila Bulletin for 9 years, covering mainly sports events.

Lito Ocampo, freelance journalist, said Pionilla learned the ropes in photography while helping the Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines (PCP) in their workshops.

“Nagsimula siya sa pagtulong sa mga training [program] ng PCP. Hindi pa siya photographer noon (He started with helping the training program of PCP. He was not a photographer then).” Ocampo said. “Lately ko lang nalaman. Nagulat na lang ako na namatay na pala siya (I just learned recently. I was surprised that he had passed away).”

Joe Torres, chairperson of the Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines, said the organization knew Pionilla had been suffering from an ailment since early this year.

“Mr. Pionilla has been described by his colleagues as a humble and friendly individual who tried his best to excel in his profession. He will be remembered as such by the community of photojournalists in this country.” Torres said.

Jeff Bacus, staff at the Manila Bulletin’s photo department, remembered Pionilla for his cheerful demeanor.

“Mabait po siya. Masayahin siya kaya hindi mo mahahalatang may problema siya (He’s kind. He’s always cheerful so you won’t notice he has a problem).” Bacus said. “Nakakaloko ang tawa niya (His laughter is contagious).”

Pionilla is survived by his wife Leila, and his children Karl Anthony, Lean Antonio, and Marxlei Anton.

Amado Pineda, 77

Former TV weatherman Amado Pineda died Thursday, August 6, due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which he had been operated on shortly before his death. He was 77.

According to an interview with Pineda’s daughter, Pineda underwent surgery March last year and was bedridden early 2014 until he finished his therapy. (“GMA Network’s first weatherman Amado Pineda passes on at 77,” GMA News Online, August 6, 2015)

Pineda was also hypertensive, but made a full recovery until he complained of pain and difficulty of breathing. He died in the Saint Camillus Polyclinic in Pasig City at around 1 p.m.

A meteorologist with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Pineda was regarded as the first face of GMA-7’s weather news from the 1970s to the 1980s and the Philippines’ first widely recognized weatherman. (“Veteran weatherman Amado Pineda, 77,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 6, 2015)

Pineda is survived by his wife Carmina, his daughter Christina, and grandchildren Christian Joshua and Carl Jason.