PNoy pays last respects to Angelo Castro Jr

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III condoled with the family of the late broadcast journalist Angelo Castro Jr.

Aquino took time out of the Good Friday holiday to visit the wake of the veteran anchor at the Castro family residence in Quezon City. The President spoke with Castro’s widow, June Keithley.

Castro, known as ACJ, succumbed to lung cancer on Thursday, April 5, at the age of 67. The multi-awarded journalist was best known for anchoring The World Tonight, ABS-CBN’s erstwhile flagship newscast which was later moved to ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel. (Read more about his life and legacy here.)

Castro’s remains were cremated on Friday, April 6, according to ABS-CBN’s website. 

Malacañang honored Castro in a statement released shortly after news of his passing broke.

“For many years, he was a calm and reassuring presence in the late evening news. His passing marks the closing of an era of gentlemanly broadcasting, where erudition and dignity were the hallmarks of news and current affairs,” said Aquino’s spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Same battle

The broadcaster’s wife, Keithley, is known as the voice of radio station Radio Veritas, which was instrumental during the first EDSA People Power Revolution that installed Aquino’s mother as president. Keithley is also battling breast cancer.

Aquino’s mother, former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, likewise died of colon cancer in 2009. 

Castro is survived by Keithley and their children Diego, Gabriela, and Angelica.

The Castro family has planned a wake that is set to last until Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

Colleagues’ special tribute 

Castro’s co-anchor on The World Tonight, Tina Monzon-Palma, is planning a special tribute for him at the ABS-CBN chapel or studio. Palma told ANC she would like his colleagues to be able to come together and pay tribute to him for the last time.

ABS-CBN honored its long-time anchor and news executive in various statements.

“We deeply mourn the passing of an icon,” said ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Department head Ging Reyes.

“Angelo was our leader in the pioneering years of ABS-CBN News. He is more familiar to the public as the suave news anchor with a smooth delivery and calming presence in The World Tonight. But to those of us who knew him well, Angelo was also an effective taskmaster, a creative thinker and an innovator.”

ABS-CBN Head of Corporate Communications Bong Osorio hailed Castro as an icon of Philippine broadcast news. “ABS-CBN is thankful for his contributions to media and many years of service as its news anchor for The World Tonight. We enjoin the public in praying for the eternal repose of his soul.”

On Twitter, reporters and anchors also expressed gratitude to Castro, whom they considered a mentor and friend. 

After the wake, Castro’s remains will be kept near a pond in his home. – Rappler.com