Reporter on Capadocia: I never thought he would be the story

MANILA, Philippines - Before the ill-fated presidential chopper went missing last Tuesday, Jose Capadocia had coaxed radio dzBB’s Aileen Intia to go to Baguio for the coverage of an important story. “Sabi niya: ‘Pumunta ka rito. Kailangan pumunta ka rito. Basta siguraduhin mo makakarating ka. Hihintayin kita dito dahil may storya tayo," says Intia as she recalled Capadocia’s exact words, adding that the “jolly" press undersecretary was “unusually serious" at the time of their conversation. [He told me: ‘Come to Baguio. You need to come here. Make sure you’ll come. I will wait for you because we have a story.’] Little did Intia know that the story would be about Capadocia himself and his seven other companions in the presidential chopper that crashed in a heavily forested mountain within the boundaries of Benguet and Ifugao provinces. Intia refused to consider that her conversation with Capadocia was a premonition because she was still thinking that the Palace official would survive the tragedy. But Intia’s hope turned into depths of despair Wednesday night. The 69-year-old Capadocia, who was known as the epitome of unity at the National Press Club, was killed in the crash. His remains and that of the other seven passengers were recovered amid the inclement weather. Capadocia was assistant press secretary for operations and headed the News and Information Bureau of Malacañang at the time of the incident. He and his companions were on their way to Banaue town in Ifugao to conduct an inspection in preparation for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Wednesday visit when the aircraft crashed on the mountain. Father figure Capadocia was loved by the media. Intia described him as a “father figure who knows how to have fun." Being a veteran print and broadcast journalist before joining Mrs. Arryo’s office, Capadocia knew how to deal with journalists and forge a good relationship with them, according to Intia. Intia says Capadocia, fondly called Joecap, was a hardworking professional. “Very professional kahit physically nahihirapan siya minsan dahil masakit tuhod niya, wala siyang reklamo. Strike anywhere siya eh," Intia said. Capadocia worked as senior reporter of the Manila Times, station manager of radio dzXL-RMN, director for Radio Mindanao Network, and editor in chief of several dailies including the Bulldog Tonight, Pinoy International, Philippine Tribune, Media Journal Express, and Headliner News. He was also a member of several media organizations including Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, International Federations of Journalists, Confederation of Asean Journalists, and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, where he was national chairman. He was likewise active in journalist associations and even founded the Philippine National Police press corps during his stint as a journalist. He was also a three-term president of the Defense department press corps. Now that Intia is reporting and updating the public about Capadocia, she tells herself: “Tama nga siya may storya nga at siya yon [Capadocia was right there was a story and it was about him]." She says it's hard to report about the situation. At times she could not help but get emotional. “Pero kailangan kong kalimutan yon. Mahirap pero hindi ako makakapag report kung iiyak ako [But I have to set aside my emotions. It’s hard, but I would not be able to report if I am going to cry]." - GMANews.TV