Obituaries

Goodbye, ‘Uncle Bob’
Robert “Uncle Bob” Stewart, founder of the TV broadcasting network GMA-7, passed away on April 6 in Phoenix, Arizona.  He was 89.

Uncle Bob was an American war correspondent who sent his first radio transmission through his AM station, the Republic Broadcasting System.  A decade after this station’s launch, he ventured into television.  Thus, on Oct. 29, 1961, RBS Channel 7 started its operations with a used transmitter and two cameras.

During the Martial Law years, Stewart was forced to surrender the control of Channel 7 to Gilberto Duavit, a Malacañang official, Menardo Jimenez, and Felipe Gozon because foreign citizens and corporations were prohibited from owning media outlets in the country.

Vestil, 76
Jess Vestil, a media practitioner for 52 years, died of pneumonia on April 7 in his hometown in Makasandig, Cagayan de Oro City.  He was 76.

Vestil was a prominent broadcast and print journalist in Cebu.  He worked for public relations, advertising, and media consultancy from 1949 to 1991.  Later in his career, he taught in St. Theresa’s College, University of the Philippines Cebu, and Cebu State College.

Vestil left his mark as the father of Yutang Tabonon, the Cebuano Version of Lupang Hinirang which he composed when the administration of then governor Lito Osmeña sought a translation of the country’s national anthem.  Together with Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, he launched “Prayer at Six” in 1990.

Cardenas, 61
Former Quezon radio announcer, Aurora “Ate Rory” Tierra Cardenas died of a lingering illness on April 10 in Biñan, Laguna.  She was 61.

Cardenas worked in the early 70s at the defunct dzWJ, owned by Jimmy Piopongco, in Lucena City while she was studying at the Luzonian University (now MSEUF University).

Madrigal, 87
Don Antonio Madrigal,  publisher of the defunct Philippine Herald, died of natural causes last April 4 in his home in New Manila, Quezon City.  He was 87.

The Madrigal family owned the Philippine Herald from the late 1940s until the 1960s when it was sold to businessman Andres Soriano. The newspaper never reopened since it was closed down in 1972 upon the declaration of Martial Law.

Madrigal was the father of Sen. Ma. Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal.  He was known as an industrialist and a participant in the famous “Leyte Landing” of Gen. Douglas MacArthur in 1944.

Borje, 87
Former political writer David “Dave” Borje, a war veteran who survived the infamous Death March during the Japanese occupation, passed away on April 17 at the family home in Makati City.  He was 87.

Borje covered Congress and Malacañang during his more than 40 years as a reporter for various news organizations.

Maribojo, 55
Selmar Selorio Maribojo, publisher of the Ati-Atihan Tribune and owner-operator of radio station dyQM, died of a heart attack before midnight on April 24 in Kalibo, Aklan.  He was 55.

Maribojo was a member of the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.

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