Bumuhos ang mga papuri at pag-alala ng mga dating kasamahan sa namayapang veteran broadcast journalist na si Dong Puno.
Pumanaw si Puno nitong nakaraang Martes, February 15, 2022. Siya ay 76.
Si Dong ay nagsilbing host sa ilang dekalibreng public affairs programs ng GMA-7, ABS-CBN, at TV5.
Nagsimula ang kanyang TV career sa bakuran ng GMA-7, kung saan siya ang naging host ng Viewpoint (1984-1994) at Business Today (1990-1994).
Kabilang naman sa mga programa niya sa ABS-CBN ang Dong Puno Live (1995-2005), Dong Puno Tonight (2003), at Insider (2005-2006).
Nanungkulan din siyang senior vice president ng ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs.
Naging bahagi rin siya ng TV5 at Aksyon TV kung saan napanood siya sa mga programang Kalibre 41 (2011), News5 Debates: Hamon Sa Pagbabago (2011-2013), at Dong Puno De Kalibre (2011-2013).
KORINA SANCHEZ
Sa pamamagitan ng Instagram, nagbigay-pugay si Korina sa naging "News Boss" niya sa ABS-CBN newsroom.
Labis-labis daw ang pasasalamat ni Korina dahil si Dong ang dahilan kung bakit siya nagkaroon ng pangalan sa larangan ng pagbabalita.
Lahad ni Korina, “I have had the honor of working with all of the News Heads of our esteemed organization since ABSCBN reopened in 1986.
“If there were anything about being the News Boss in Dong Puno, it was he who stayed, who survived us and it all, the longest. And why is that you’ld think?
“He talked a LOT but he didn’t talk much about himself. But the little that he did, Id come to know he rose from not much—but a legacy of wits, smarts and integrity from the days of his Court of Appeals Justice father—-on to his own. He struggled and persevered and was victorious in creating THE Dong Puno.
“So if he survived putting himself through Ivy League all the way to iconic status in his country, how wouldn’t he be able to survive the ABS-CBN newsroom in its heyday of supremacy = somewhat organized chaos?
“And, whoa, the history that Dong Puno as his own personality helped weave for this country as one of the foremost interrogators of the usual suspects. Only a few can say F—- you while smiling, and end up shaking hands with his guests at the end of every show.
“On a personal note, Dong as my boss gave me all the space to fly. The most number of years I earned those feathers on my cap, as many as the missteps I made, were under his lenient and trustful guidance.
“I thank him for my career and, in a big way, my life. I love him that he had no drama.
"So I wont be so dramatic now when I say I regret I never got to visit him and sit down and chat, before it was too late. I hate it I'm dramatic when it’s always too late.
“Hard to imagine Dong Puno NOT Live. But his contributions both to the industry and to our personal lives have assured him immortality. We in this industry should all make sure to that.”
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CES DRILON
Ayon naman kay Ces Drilon, kahit may mga hindi sila pagkakaintindihan noon bilang magkasama sa Insider, hindi raw ito naging hadlang sa pagkakaroon nila ng respeto sa isa’t isa.
Saad niya, “RIP Dong. The last time I saw him was at a medical center about 4 years ago. We were both undergoing therapy. I was so happy he recognized me despite his illness.
"As my boss and fellow host in ABSCBN’s current affairs roster, we occasionally did not see eye to eye. But we respected each other and even became co-anchors of the late night newscast Insider. Farewell Dong, you can rest now."
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“The grand and good old days in ABSCBN News when we moved in one beat with RVP at the helm, before we took different paths with some entering the realm of politics. RIP Dong Puno"
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CHRISTINE BERSOLA-BABAO
Naging boss din ni Christine Bersola-Babao si Dong noong nasa Kapamilya network pa ang lady broadcaster.
Hangang-hanga raw siya sa pagiging cool boss ni Dong.
Mensahe ni Christine, “Paalam, Sir Dong. I fondly remember Sir Dong as a very kind boss. Always cool & composed. Hindi madaling magalit. Always greeting everyone in the News Room with his jolly smile.
“Rest in Peace Ninong Dong. You are now at Peace with Our Creator.
Prayers for the bereaved family of a man who was much respected in the Broadcast industry.”
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JULIUS BABAO
Ninong sa kasal nina Julius Babao at Christine ang namayapang respetadong brodkaster.
Ayon kay Julius, magsisilbing legacy sa mga baguhang journo ang mga alaala ni Dong.
“Today one of the greatest broadcasters in the industry has signed off. Our Ninong Dong Puno. His family said that his sudden passing was caused by a lingering illness. Let us remember him as Dong Puno, the skillful interviewer on TV that kept as atuned with different political issues.
“He always managed to get the right answers, and expose the liars with his brilliant questioning style. He has been out of the limelight for many years now because of his illness. But we continue to miss him specially at this time where fake news is so rampant.
“Rest in Peace Ninong Dong. Your legacy will remain as a guiding light to new journalists for years to come.”
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GING REYES
Hindi rin makakalimutan ng kasalukuyang pinuno ng Integrated News and Current Affairs ng ABS-CBN na si Ging Reyes kung paano itinaguyod ni Dong ang kanilang departamento sa larangan ng pagbabalita at serbisyo publiko.
Kahit na sinasabing istrikto, may malambot daw na puso si Dong para sa kanyang mga tauhan.
Pahayag ni Ging, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our former head, anchor and colleague Atty. Ricardo V. Puno. Dong, as we fondly called him, led our news organization during the 1990s, an era marked by numerous momentous events and top-rating news and current affairs programs, including his own talk show Dong Puno Live.
“He set the bar high for talk shows. No one does an interview like him—incisive and thoughtful, no frills, no drama, always polite and fair. He is sorely missed on TV these days.
“Dong seemed strict and intimidating at first, but he had a soft heart. I had the privilege of working closely with him as one of the News Division’s Executive Producers. It was Dong who allowed me to go back to the University to finish my degree while I worked.
“Dong was a man of honor. He refused to anchor a show in deference to a colleague, even when it was an attractive post at that time.
“He was fiercely loyal to his team and his staff, and I am so fortunate to see that side of him.
“When I was in the US, heading our News Bureau and I reported to him sometime in 2003-04 (he came back to once again head the News Division by this time), Dong encouraged me to return to our ABS-CBN headquarters. It would be a while before I did.
“I will never forget how much he loved our newsroom parties and outings. He loved to sing and dance during those parties! And he never failed to give us those homemade rum cakes for Christmas.
“The last time I saw him was during my wedding in 2014, a milestone that my late husband and I agreed he should witness. Because he was at one point, a big part of our lives. Thank you for everything, Dong. Milo is waiting for you up there. Rest in peace RPV!"
KAT DE CASTRO
Ang dati namang TV Patrol reporter at ngayon ay general manager ng PTV-4 na si Kat de Castro ay may hindi rin malilimutang karanasan sa kanyang dating boss.
Ayaw raw gawing regular employee noon ni Dong si Kat sa ABS-CBN kung saan ang kanyang inang si Arlene de Castro ay isa rin sa haligi ng news department.
Pero matapos ang isang mahirap na assignment at nagkaroon siya ng touching moment kay Dong na hindi niya malilimutan.
“People who worked with my Mom and RVP (Dong Puno) knew that they had a love-hate work relationship.
“I guess that really happens when two alphas are thrown into a snake pit (newsroom).
"I was about to be 'regularized' as a reporter but RVP was not too keen on that idea. It was a showdown between my Mom and RVP. Eventually, FMG (who was the President of ABS-CBN at that time) approved my regularization.
“Because I knew that RVP was not in favor of me, I did everything I can to show him I was worth it. No assignment was too small or big for me. One of the best stories I covered was the MILF conflict in Mindanao. I stayed in Maguindanao for 3 whole weeks without complaining. As soon as I went 'back to base,' the first person I saw upon entering ABS-CBN was RVP. He looked at me, patted me on the back and said: GOOD JOB KAT.
“I cried.
“You will be missed Sir RVP. Thank you for believing in me. Say hi to my Mom in heaven."
ABS-CBN
Narito naman ang pahayag ng ABS-CBN management ukol sa pagpanaw ni Dong:
“ABS-CBN expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Atty. Ricardo "Dong" Puno Jr., who steered the company's news division to great heights during his tenure as senior vice president of ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs in the 1990s.
“With his sharp mind and eloquence, Dong tackled and addressed national issues in a way that viewers could easily understand and connect with for many years, as host of programs such as the iconic "Dong Puno Live."
“Fondly called "RVP" in the newsroom, he was a mentor who brought out the best in our journalists, and a leader who inspired the news team to produce relevant and relatable programs while remaining focused and passionate about our service to the Filipino people.
“His legacy will continue through our works and our mission. Paalam, Kapamilya Dong!”
Na-cremate na ang mga labi ni Dong Puno kaninang alas-10 ng umaga, February 18.