Raffy Tima, Susan Enriquez, Joel Reyes Zobel share fondest memories with Mike Enriquez

From Mike Enriquez's love for street food to his warm and generous heart, fellow journalists Raffy Tima, Susan Enriquez, and Joel Reyes Zobel looked back on their fondest memories with the GMA Network pillar.

In a special episode of "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda" dedicated to Mike, the reporters gave a glimpse of what it was like working with the veteran broadcast journalist.

Raffy highlighted Mike's passion for his job. "Kahit na ilang dekada na siya sa industriya na 'to, nandun pa rin 'yung puso niya."

He also recalled the time that they worked together in Tacloban after Super Typhoon Haiyan struck the country in 2013.

"Natutulog lang kami dati sa labas nung ship, isang navy ship. Nabalitaan nung captain na papunta si Mike dun, eh walang ibang tutulugan dun eh. Sabi nya, 'Sige pwede naman siyang pumunta rito,'" Raffy said.

The captain provided a room for Mike to sleep in. And after learning that the other reporters only sleep outside, Mike invited them inside and said, "Join na lang kayo, dito na lang kayo sa loob matulog."

Five days into the coverage, Raffy remembered that they were already feeling tired.

"Pero may isang araw na nauna siya nagising samin, OK na siya na fully, pwede na siya, magku-cover na siya, ako, pupungas-pungas pa," he said.

"The whole day nun, nagku-cover na siya. So ganun siya, nakakabilib na kahit na ganun na siya katagal sa industriya, nandun pa rin 'yung passion niya sa trabahong ito."

Susan also shared that Mike was not selective when it came to his food.

'"Pag kasama mo 'yan sa mga remote coverage, naku ang hilig niya bumili ng mga street food! 'Yung mga inihaw na pusit, 'yung mani, 'yung ganyan, ang hilig-hilig nya. Parang hindi mo siya po-problemahin when it comes to food kasi parang lahat, kahit 'yan, nasa street food 'yan, kakainin niya 'yan," she said.

"Hindi sya ma-selan sa pagkain," she added. "Ako pa nga pumipigil dyan, 'Sir, ano ka ba, tama na yan!' 'Masarap 'to eh, isasawsaw mo sa suka!'"

On top of that, Mike was also a generous man.

"Madali siyang kantsawan!" Susan said, saying that whenever they teased him about pizza sounding good, he would ask, "Ilan?"

"Ganun siya, napaka-generous lalo na pagka sa mga kasama niya sa work," she said.

Joel said Mike is a "difficult" and "perfectionist" boss, but outside of work, he is a very caring friend.

"I remember, we got married, 2003, my wife and I, tapos kinuha ko siya [ninong] sa huwes. Dalawa lang silang ninong, si Mike tsaka 'yung kaibigan kong mayor."

After three years, Joel and his wife planned to get married again.

"Kinuha ko ulit siyang ninong, sabi niya, 'Bibigyan na naman kitang pakimkim?' Sabi ko, 'Pwedeng hindi naman.'"

But knowing Mike and his generous heart, he still gave them a gift.

"Pagka kami, papaalam, 'Sir, ano, babakasyon muna kami mga two weeks, three weeks,' 'Sige, bumalik ka kaagad ha!'"

"Pero papupuntahin ka niya sa opisina niya, bibigyan ka niya ng pocket money. Ganun siya ka-generous, napaka-generous na tao," he said.

Mike also did not lack when it came to providing love advice to his colleagues.

"Hindi niya nakakalimutan sa 'min pag nakakasalubong ako o kaya si Mariz [Umali], lagi nyang sinasabi, 'Uy, para magtagal kayo, maging mag-best friend kayo, lagi kayong maghawak-kamay, at lagi kayong mag-date.' Yun yung lagi niyang sinasabi sa 'min," Raffy said.

"At nakaka-encourage, na father-figure na rin kasi siya sa 'min lalo na sa mga reporters. Talagang mararamdaman mo 'yung pagba-value niya sa 'ming mga nasa field," he added.

Joel said there will never be another Mike Enriquez in the industry.

"Mike is unique," he said. "Mike can mix comic and news without sacrificing integrity. Puwedeng ang balita maging katatawanan nang hindi nasasakripisyo 'yung essence ng balita. And nobody can do that. Only Mike Enriquez can do that."

Mike passed away at the age of 71.

He was one of the anchors of GMA's flagship newscast "24 Oras" and hosted long-running GMA Public Affairs program "Imbestigador."

On Tuesday, Mel Tiangco and Vicky Morales could not help but cry as they reported Mike's death on "24 Oras."

Following the sad news, Mike was remembered by many including his alma mater, De La Salle University.

Posting a photo of Enriquez, where they called him a "veteran broadcaster, industry leader, and Lasallian," the university highlighted the many positions Enriquez held within and for the community.

Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes also joined the many media personalities in mourning Mike’s death.

Pia Arcangel, Kim Atienza, and other GMA Integrated News reporters and hosts also paid tribute to Mike.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and senators mourned the loss of the GMA Network pillar.

A small tribute was also set up at Mike's star on the German Moreno Walk of Fame in Quezon City.

—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News