Ramon Santa Dacawi, 68

JOURNALIST AND environment advocate Ramon “Mondax” Santa Dacawi died on June 27 after a long bout with diabetes. He was 68.

Dacawi was an environmental awareness advocate and wrote about his advocacy in his weekly column “Benchwarmer” in SunStar Baguio.

Prior to joining the local government of Baguio City as chief of its public information office, Dacawi contributed to national broadsheets and local weekly newspapers. He was a correspondent for the Gold Ore, the People’s Journal, and the Philippine News Agency; a columnist for The Manila Times; news and sports editor for the Baguio Midland Courier; and editor of the UB Forum.   He was also president of the Baguio Correspondent and Broadcasters Club for four terms.

Dacawi was also active in community development and civic work. He campaigned for free dialysis treatment in the country and headed Baguio’s Eco-walk Children’s Environmental Program focused on environmental protection, and the Children’s Urban Heritage Walk Program for cultural and historical preservation.

Dacawi is survived by children Veronica and Johann, and his wife Rebecca.