Joe Taruc, one of the pillars of Philippine radio, passed away at 3:00 a.m. today, Saturday, September 30.
He was 70.
Former PTV4 news broadcaster Kathy San Gabriel announced the passing of the veteran news anchor on her Facebook account.
She posted, "Pumanaw na ang isa sa mga haligi ng Philippine radio. Paalam, Joe Taruc."
An institution in the local radio industry, Joe—or Manong Joe as he was fondly called by close friends and colleagues—was best known for his long-running public affairs radio program in DZRH, Damdaming Bayan.
He was also part of DZRH's Pangunahing Balita.
The Manila Broadcasting Company-owned radio station lauded him as the man who propelled DZRH to its success—one of his more noteworthy feats during his more than four decades as a journalist.
Joe played an integral part in the resistance against the Marcos regime and rallied people to take part in the first People Power Revolution in 1986.
He is also the father of GMA-7 reporter Jay Taruc.