Chino Trinidad, 56
VETERAN SPORTS journalist Manolo “Chino” Trinidad passed away on Saturday night, July 13. The sportscaster suffered a heart attack while on his way to a meeting. He was 56.
Trinidad’s family confirmed his passing in a statement released to the media on Sunday morning, July 14. It read: “Chino Trinidad, a passionate member of the media and sports community, has passed away last night, July 13, 2024.”
The family described the late journalist as a “loving husband and a supportive father,” a journalist who “never stopped sharing the greatness of Filipinos.”
Born on July 23, 1967, Trinidad was the son of longtime sports journalist, Recah Trinidad, who wrote for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Trinidad was first heard in DZRH’s “Balitang Bayan Numero Uno” in the early 1990s. In the same decade, Trinidad crossed over to television as a sideline reporter for Vintage Television’s coverage of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), which later earned him a spot as a play-by-play commentator in basketball and soon as an anchor in the boxing program, “Blow by Blow.”
Trinidad became the face of GMA Network’s sports coverage, serving as a commentator, sports analyst, and host of 24 Oras’ “Time Out” segment for about two decades. In 2016, he founded a cable channel called Pilipinas HD.
Other than his contributions to the media landscape, Trinidad was also intimately involved in the development of the basketball industry in the Philippines. He served as the commissioner of the Philippine Basketball League. A founding member of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, he was a consultant for the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.
His passing has been mourned by colleagues in media and in sports. In an Instagram post, fellow Kapuso and veteran journalist Jessica Soho honored Trinidad’s “hard work, love and passion for Philippine sports.”
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, in a Facebook post, remembered Trinidad, who was “more than a great journalist; he was a true patriot who loved Philippine sports with all his heart,” whose work inspired many.
Memorial messages from the PBA and Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League honored him on social media.
His wake is open to the public from July 16 to 19, from 10 am to 12 pm, at the Sanctuarium along Gregorio Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.
