By Bohol Island News Staff| 06:05 PM December 13, 2019
Veteran reporter, host, documentarist and director Cesar Apolinario passed away on Friday, Dec. 13.
This was confirmed by his friends and colleagues.
Former GMA 7 reporter Steve Dailisan said Apolinario was his mentor.
“Rest in PEACE, mentor and colleague @CesarApolinario. No more pain just LOVE and lasting happiness in the arms of God, ”Dailisan tweeted.
In a Facebook post by entertainment journalist Mell Navarro, Apolinario was said to be in critical condition on Wednesday, December 11.
“Director Cesar Apolinario has peacefully joined our Creator. According to his close friends, they have been critical since last Wednesday, December 11, ”Navarro said.
“RIP DIREK Cesar Apolinario. Salamat sa pagiging mabuting kaibigan,” former GMA News reporter Jay Sabale posted on Facebook.
“Salamat sa magandang samahan, mabuting kaibigan,” said former reporter Dante Perello.
He was diagnosed with lymphoma earlier this year, an illness which he chose to face privately, GMA News reported.
After finishing with a degree in Communication Arts at University of Santo Tomas, he began his career with the Kapuso Network as a cameraman-researcher.
He shortly went on to become a television reporter, before further making his mark with documentaries on I-Witness, Brigada, and Born to Be Wild.
He would go on to host I-Juander, which sought to tell stories of ordinary Filipinos.
Aside from being a reporter and documentary producer on GMA, Apolinario was involved in directing films such as ‘Holy’, ‘Station’, ‘Foot’ and ‘Dance of the Steel Bars’.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our Kapuso, Cesar Apolinario, Jr., who peacefully joined his Creator today, December 13, 2019,” GMA Network said in a statement.
“An award-winning broadcast journalist, writer, and director, Cesar will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues, especially those in GMA News and Public Affairs and in the film industry, where he devoted the best years of his life. A loyal Kapuso, his dedication to his craft as a news reporter, producer, and public affairs host will continue to serve as an inspiration to all.
“We join his entire family and loved ones in praying for his eternal repose.”
