Sun.Star: Kuya Cesar now in Candaba

Sun.Star: CANDABA -- The body of the late Cesar Lacbu Nucum, more popularly known as "Kuya Cesar", was finally taken home here, allowing fellow Candabeños to pay their last respects to the popular broadcaster. A true-blooded Candabeñom, Nucum was known for decades to millions of Filipinos as the unforgettable Kuya Cesar. His body was taken home through the assistance of Mayor Jerry Pelayo and some local officials here. "Kuya Cesar is a pride of Candaba because he made a history in the media," he said. It was reported that the whole broadcast industry was surprised over the untimely demise of Kuya Cesar due to an apparent heart attack at the age of 69. Noel, Kuya Cesar's youngest brother who now lives in the US, said they were also shocked upon learning the news that their "kuya" in real life had passed away. He said in behalf of their family, he would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Pelayo for assisting them in bringing back the body of Kuya Cesar. It was learned that Kuya Cesar, who felt chest pains at his home in Pag-asa, Quezon City, was taken to the Capitol Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival. Noel recalled that on April 30, 1960, when he was still a kid, his Kuya Cesar who worked in Manila as a construction painter went back to their hometown (Barangay Pansinao, Candaba) and happily told their parents, Aurelio and Romana Nucum, that his long dream of becoming a radio announcer had become a reality. Kuya Cesar, a multi-awarded broadcaster, started his broadcasting career in the 1960s in radio. He possessed a distinctive voice and auditioned at dzRM, and landed the job. "I remember that on May 1, 1960. It was Labor Day then, we heard Kuya Cesar's voice reading love stories and giving counsel to letter senders and listeners. My parents were happy listening to him," Noel recalled. He disclosed that after some pilot program airings, two-to-three sacks of love letters were sent to his kuya. Noel said his Kuya Cesar, at a young age, was very supportive of his siblings being the eldest brother. Kuya Cesar was known for his trademark style of speaking slowly in an even voice, providing a sharp contrast in a medium that values high-octane, dramatic and even flamboyant speaking styles. Until his death, Kuya Cesar hosted two DZMM radio talk shows on Sundays ("Dear Kuya Cesar" and "Ikaw sa Likod ng mga Awit"). " Sana umulan ng pera... yung dollar ha," Kuya Cesar used to say whenever he would end his program. Kuya Cesar, who celebrated his birthday on May 15, is a "Kapamilya" from way back, having joined ABS-CBN before the martial law regime padlocked the network in the 1970s. He rejoined DZMM after ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio "Geny" Lopez Jr. reopened the network after the Edsa People Power revolution in 1986. Aside from his familiar voice on radio, Kuya Cesar also appeared in local movies such as "Bala at Lipstick" in 1994, "Gagay: Prinsesa ng Brownout" in 1993 and "Tora-Tora, Bang Bang Bang" in 1990.