Carmelito “CQ” Francisco, 54

DAVAO-BASED Inquirer correspondent Carmelito “CQ” Francisco died of cardiac arrest on April 19, hours short of his 55th birthday. He was 54. 

According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Francisco or “CQ” as called by media colleagues, was at a meeting at Cafe Tavera when he collapsed and was rushed to Davao Doctors Hospital. 

His passing sent the media community into deep mourning, his friends and colleagues filling Facebook with their memories of a journalist who had earned a special place in their community. Best known for his love of coffee and his humor on the job, colleagues and acquaintances described him as humble and as someone who was a great mentor to younger journalists. 

Francisco, at the time of his death, was the managing editor of Mindanao Times and an Inquirer correspondent. He started out as a reporter for Ang Peryodiko Dabaw, a local newspaper that was bought by owners of the Cebu City-based SunStar Daily and which eventually became SunStar Davao. In 2002, he joined the Mindanao Times as its business editor. Francisco also wrote for BusinessWorld.

From 2007 to 2009, Francisco chaired the Davao chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

His friends in the Cebu press remember him for this quote: “On the role of the media: They must continue to bring relevant pieces of information to ensure that the people are able to discern, especially in this time of extreme crisis.”

Francisco is survived by his wife Leslie. He was buried following traditional Muslim rites on Thursday, his birthday, in Mati, Davao Oriental. CMFR joins others in extending sympathy and prayers to his family, her co-workers, and friends in media.