Mike Enriquez passes away at 71

GMA Network pillar Mike Enriquez has passed away. He was 71 years old.

The veteran broadcast journalist was one of the anchors of GMA’s flagship newscast “24 Oras” and hosted long-running GMA Public Affairs program “Imbestigador.”

He served as President of  RGMA Network, Inc. and GMA Network’s Senior Vice President and Consultant for Radio Operations. He also anchored DZBB’s “Super Balita sa Umaga” and “Saksi sa Dobol B.”

“It is with profound sadness that GMA Network announces the passing of our beloved Kapuso, Mr. Miguel ‘Mike’ C. Enriquez, who peacefully joined our Creator on August 29, 2023,” GMA Network said in a statement. “He joined the broadcast industry in 1969 and then became part of GMA Network in 1995, wholeheartedly serving the Filipino audience for 54 years.”

“The Board of Directors, management, and employees of GMA Network, Inc. deeply mourn the passing of Mr. Enriquez. His dedication to the industry will serve as an inspiration to all. We pray for the eternal repose of our beloved Kapuso.”

Enriquez won many awards for his work both in radio and television.

Last year, he was hailed as the Most Outstanding Male News Anchor for the fourth consecutive year at the Gawad Lasallianeta Awards.

In 2019, he was recognized as one of 10 media icons by the Media Specialists Association of the Philippines. In the same year, he was named Best Male News Anchor on AM radio and Best Male News Anchor on Television at the Animo Media Choice Awards.

In 2018, he was named the Best AM Radio Anchor at the COMGUILD Media Awards for Radio and Television. He was also the recipient of the Adamson Media Award in 2016 for becoming the voice for the poor in his radio and television programs.

In 2013, he received an Award of Excellence in the Field of Broadcasting from the School Press Advisers Movement Inc.

Enriquez won a gold medal at the New York Festivals in 2003 for his work in "Saksi" and a Silver Camera Award in the US Film and Video Festival in 2004 for a documentary about the Iraq War.

He also bagged the Best Newscaster Award at the Asian Television Awards in Singapore in 1999.

In an interview on “Suprise Guest With Pia Arcangel” last year, Enriquez opened up on how he ended up in the broadcast industry. He wanted to be a priest when he was young and entered the seminary, but an invitation from a friend gave him the opportunity to be in media, where he served for over 50 years.

Enriquez took a medical leave in December 2021 to undergo a kidney transplant and returned to work in time for the 2022 election coverage.

“Ang daming nangyayari eh. And people like us in media, this is what we live for,” he said in a press conference last year.

“This is one of my prayers to the Lord. I kept telling him, Lord, please let me be well enough in time for the election coverage. And He answered my prayer. Pinagdasal ko ‘yan,” he added.

Asked if he was mulling retirement, he said he had been reflecting on what he wanted to do with his life.

“Is it time to turn off the microphone? Is it time to not turn off the microphone completely, but to lessen?” he said. “I am still in the process of making that discernment.”

In 2018, he also took a medical leave to undergo a heart bypass and get treated for kidney disease.

Enriquez previously said he hoped to help other Filipino patients who are in need of kidney treatments.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News