MANILA – Popular veteran news anchor Miguel “Mike” Castro Enriquez passed away at the age of 71, GMA Network announced last night.
The cause of Enriquez’s sudden passing was not detailed but he underwent medical procedures in the past, including a heart bypass in 2018 and kidney transplant in December 2021 that forced him to take a leave from broadcasting.
“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 Aug. 29, 2023,” a statement from GMA Network read.
“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,” it added.
Enriquez, who served as president of RGMA Network, Inc. and GMA Network’s senior vice president and consultant for radio operations, joined the broadcast industry in 1969 with the Manila Broadcasting Company.
Enriquez worked at the Freedom Broadcasting Network, and Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), where he became vice president of the company, and a board member, before he transferred to GMA in 1995.
His transfer opened doors to television broadcasting with his first on-cam appearance as an anchor in 1998 for an election coverage.
Enriquez then went on to anchor GMA Network’s top news and public affairs programs.
Often referred to as “Booma” within inner media circles, Enriquez popularized the expressions “Excuse me po!” while coughing, “Hindi ko kayo tatantanan!”, and “Naloko na!”
In his 54 years in the media industry, Enriquez had received numerous awards and accolades, including 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 bagged the Best Newscaster Award at the Asian Television Awards in Singapore in 1999. He was also recognized locally as Best AM Radio Anchor at the COMGUILD Media Awards for Radio and Television in 2018./PN
