Mike Enriquez. Image from GMA Network.
As a way of celebrating the life of veteran newscaster and local news icon Mike Enriquez, his family has opened his wake to the public beginning September 2, Saturday, at the Christ The King Parish in Greenmeadows, Quezon City.
Enriquez died Aug. 29 after a lingering illness.
The wake, which will be opened to the general public from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., is expected to bring together figures from the media industry and politics.
In lieu of flowers, guests are enjoined to donate to the GMA Kapuso Foundation.
Known in media circles as “Booma,” Enriquez’s death was announced by GMA News’ flagship program “24 Oras” which he used to anchor alongside fellow veteran news figures Mel Tiangco and Vicky Morales.
A distinguished television and radio newscaster, Enriquez stood as one of the pillars of GMA News.
From coverage of elections, disasters, and other historical events, to crime-busting exposés through his investigative program “Imbestigador,” Enriquez became the voice of the ordinary people’s quest for justice or those seeking an accounting with government.
Apart from being a multi-awarded TV journalist, he was also the head of GMA’s radio operations with supervision over dzBB, before becoming its consultant when he stepped down after retirement.
His popular catchphrases “Excuse me po,” “Hindi namin kayo tatantanan,” “Naloko na!” and “Pasok!” have evolved into distinctive trademarks of the former radio disc jockey named “Baby Michael.”
While no cause of death had been announced, Enriquez was known to have been battling several medical conditions, including a heart ailment for which he underwent a bypass procedure in 2018, and a kidney transplant last year.
He was able to bounce back and returned on air in March 2022 in time for the coverage of the 2022 national elections. Several weeks later, however, the veteran broadcaster went back on medical leave.