Cebu journalism pillar Bobby Nalzaro passes on

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu tri-media personality Pablito “Bobby” Nalzaro died  yesterday of multiple organ malfunction at the hospital where he has been confined for months following bouts with hypertension and diabetes. He was 58.

GMA Network, in a statement, said it deeply mourns the passing of its beloved Kapuso broadcaster who has been a long-time anchor of GMA Regional TV’s Balitang Bisdak.

The network said Nalzaro also served as Radio GMA Cebu’s station manager and hosted a daily commentary program at Super Radyo DYSS-AM. To his listeners, he was known as “Super Bob.”

“A loyal Kapuso, his dedication to the industry will serve as an inspiration to all. We pray for his eternal repose,” the network statement read.

Nalzaro also wrote a regular column on SunStar Cebu entitled “Saksi.”

In his March 17, 2022 column, Nalzaro wrote that he was hospitalized on December 24 to 31, 2021 due to hypertension.

“Hypertension and diabetes are the only serious ailments bothering me since I reached the age of 50. Basta ‘senior citizen’ na, mao na gyud ni kasagaran bation,” he wrote in his column.

CCPC Statement

The Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC), in a statement penned by its executive director lawyer Pachico Seares, recognized Nalzaro’s contribution to journalism, saying: “Even as we mourn the death of broadcaster-newspaper columnist Bobby Nalzaro. We celebrate his invaluable legacy in journalism.”

“Bobby cut a giant and colorful figure in the media landscape, though he was not massive physically and  most of the time  was garbed all-white. Bobby achieved the kind of success that eludes most others: he earned the trust of a vast and loyal audience,” CCPC said.

“Bobby thrived in controversy and verbal fights but, as he told his colleagues more than once, ‘sometimes we need to get wet and dirty, even mugged  and bruised so we can shout the truth from the rooftop,’” the statement further read.

CCPC described Nalzaro as one who would “go in there fighting, at times get literally beaten up, for what he thought was the right thing to do in his job.”

In the late ‘80s, Nalzaro, together with the likes of Seares and former press secretary Cerge Remonde, was among those who organized what would later come to be known as the Cebu Press Freedom Week.

At CCPC, Nalzaro also helped set up CJJ Media Gallery at Museo Sugbo, as well as persuaded mayors to support the council’s street-naming project to memorialize departed journalists, and was a big cheerleader of Cebu Media Legal Aid.

“The industry lost a dear friend: he knew everyone, from publisher or editor to rookie reporter or camera handler. His family lost a beloved spouse, father, brother, uncle. Cebu lost an unforgettable media icon,” CCPC said.

Caindec statement

Land Transportation Office-7 director Victor Emmanuel Caindec, who was once the subject of commentary by Nalzaro over his radio program, also wrote a tribute to the journalist, saying that “not everyone gets to pass this lifetime in a place of prestige and prominence”.

Caindec said that Nalzaro, who is also a journalist of his caliber and influence can only be appreciated by how they touched the lives of those reached by their work as well as their persona, some with better appreciation than others.

“I would be a hypocrite to say that his acts, for whatever motivated him to do such, did not create deep wounds within, not just for myself but more to my loved ones who were unfairly dragged without remorse,” Caindec said.

“Alas, while this may be the case, the man did bring me to my own place of prominence, or infamy, however, you may prefer it to be,” the regional director said, adding, “in the end, I have become a stronger and better person for having faced a more than worthy adversary.

Still, Caindec and his family offered their deepest condolences and prayers, not only for the eternal repose of his soul but for peace, serenity, and healing to the bereaved family and loved ones of Nalzaro. – JMD (FREEMAN)