Pumanaw ang TV Patrol Star Patroller na si Mario Dumaual ngayong Miyerkules ng umaga, July 5, 2023.
Siya ay 64.
Binawian siya ng buhay isang buwan matapos maratay sa Philippine Heart Center mula noong June 5 dahil sa karamdaman sa puso.
Read: Prayers sought for recovery of ABS-CBN entertainment stalwart Mario Dumaual
Naulila ni Mario ang kanyang asawa na si Cherie at ang kanilang apat na anak.
Kinumpirma ng pamilya ni Mario ang pagpanaw ng beteranong entertainment news reporter sa pamamagitan ng official statement na inilabas ngayong hapon:
"We are devastated to announce the passing of Mario Dumaual — Papa to his wife Cherie and children Luigi, Miguel, Maxine, William, and Thessa; Wowo to his grandchildren Sky, Alonzoe, and Tali; and Yayo to his siblings.
"Mario, who would have turned 65 on July 31, died at 8:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5 due to septic shock. He had been battling a severe fungal infection, a complication during his recovery from a heart attack. He was confined for a month at the Philippine Heart Center.
"Papa was strong, he kept fighting on, overcoming the heart attack then a cardiac arrest. He would always say he wanted to go home because he missed us, his family. But the infection overwhelmed his body’s ability to recover.
"What comforts us is he knew that we were always with him, waiting for him, and that home was wherever he felt our love. We also made it a point to let him know how loved he was by his friends in the industry and even kind strangers who have been offering prayers and help for his recovery.
"Papa was our rock, we depended much on him. But he also nurtured us to become strong and able and to be the best version of ourselves.
"Beyond us his family, we’d like to think he also left a legacy in entertainment journalism. He made us proud as Mario Dumaual, the reporter, but ultimately more so as a devoted husband, father, ang granddad.
"Our family will share details of Papa’s wake in the coming days."
Nag-umpisa ang entertainment writing career ni Mario sa Journal Group of Companies noong 1982.
Nagsimula ang kanyang TV career bilang entertainment reporter ng ABS-CBN News noong 1987, at tumagal ito hanggang sa kanyang pagpanaw.
Sa 5th EDDYS Awards na ginanap sa Metropolitan Theater noong November 26, 2022, si Mario ang ginawaran ng Joe Quirino Award bilang pagkilala sa kanyang kontribusyon sa entertainment industry.
Read: ABS-CBN News reporter Mario Dumaual, malaki ang pasasalamat sa Kapamilya network
Kabilang din si Mario sa pinarangalan ng bituin sa Eastwood City Walk of Fame noong January 18, 2023, kaya mananatili siyang buhay sa alaala ng lahat ng mga nagmamahal at umiidolo sa kanya.
Magdiriwang sana si Mario ng kanyang 65th birthday sa July 31.
PERSONAL ANECDOTE
Huling nakita ng writer na ito si Mario nang personal noong June 1, 2023 dahil sa panayam niya kay Quezon City District V Councilor Alfred Vargas sa B Hotel, Quezon City.
Mula sa nabanggit na lunch interview, tumuloy si Mario sa ABS-CBN para pirmahan ang renewal ng kanyang kontrata sa ABS-CBN News.
Noong June 5, may usapan kami ni Mario na magkikita kami sa interview para kay Julia Barretto, pero hindi siya nakarating.
Sa kanyang mensaheng ipinadala, sinabi niya,“Pasensya na. Masama ang pakiramdam ko. May hospital check-up ako.”
Dinala si Mario sa Philippine Heart Center noong June 5 dahil sa heart attack.
Ipinagbawal kay Mario ang paggamit ng cellphone habang nasa ospital kaya nagulat kami nang makatanggap kami ng text message mula sa kanya noong June 9, 2023.
Aniya, “Salamat sa malasakit, restricted ang fone ko dito sa Heart Center. Pagod daw sa pasyente cause of stress.
“Nagka-severe myocardial infarction ako, left valve leading to angioplasty. Mahaba pang gamutan ito.”
Sa tuwing may mga kilalang personalidad na namamatay, mortal sin para kay Mario maglabas ng balita kung walang opisyal na pahayag mula sa mga kamag-anak ng namayapa dahil sila lamang ang may karapatang magsalita at magkumpirma ng malungkot na balita.
Sa kanyang pagpanaw ngayong Miyerkules, hinintay naming maglabas ng official statement ang naulilang pamilya ni Mario dahil ito ang tama at kagustuhan ng pumanaw na TV personality.
Itinuturing si Mario na icon sa aming propesyon at malaking kawalan sa entertainment industry.