‘Remonde would’ve wanted to return to journalism after Arroyo’s term’

When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo bows out of office on June 30, her spokesperson would’ve returned to his first love: journalism. But Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, 51, would no longer be able to fulfill his plan to resume his career where he made his mark as a radio broadcaster. Remonde was found unconscious in his bathroom on Tuesday. Half an hour after he was rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead. [See: Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, 51, passes away] Paolo Romero, Philippine Star reporter and head of the Malacañang Press Corps, recounted that Remonde looked forward to the end of Mrs. Arroyo’s term despite the heavy task that fell on his shoulders as press secretary. "Hinihintay niya mag-June 30 na, para makabalik na siya sa first love niya, which is broadcast journalism (He was waiting for June 30 so he can return to his first love, which is broadcast journalism)," Romero said in an interview on radio dzBB. Facebook account Romero recalled that his last conversation with Remonde was the chat they had Monday night. Romero teased Remonde whether it was he who was really updating his Facebook account. "Binibiro namin siya kung siya talaga yung nasa Facebook. Sabi niya, oo siya daw (We were teasing if he was really the person updating his Facebook account. He replied, yes it was he)," Romero said. While he said that he had many fond memories of the press secretary, Romero said what he would not forget that Remonde was always “accessible," unlike his predecessors. "Pagi-interview-hin mo siya, magpapa-briefing siya pag kailangan. Alam niya kasi yung needs and requirements ng media (If you would interview him, he would hold a briefing if necessary. He knows the needs and requirements of the media)," Romero told dzBB radio. He added that Remonde’s almost one-year stint as press secretary would be hard to match. "Parang wala akong maisip na puwedeng pumalit (I could not think of anyone who could replace him)," Romero said. Romero was interviewed shortly after Malacañang officials gave a briefing at the Palace. Not a single eye was dry, he recalled. Remonde’s clothes Romero’s sadness was echoed by Lorelei Fajardo, Remonde’s former subordinate at the Office of the Press Secretary. Fajardo left her post as deputy presidential spokesperson after President Arroyo appointed her as Presidential Assistant for Central Luzon. On Tuesday noon, Fajardo had the task of going to Remonde’s empty house in Makati to pick the clothes the press secretary would wear in his casket. "Kinuha ko iyong damit ni Secretary Cerge na isusuot para pagdating ni Mrs. (Marit) Remonde, titingnan na lang niya kung ano iyong puwedeng isuot," Fajardo told dzBB radio in a separate interview. Among those she picked were Remonde’s favorite clothes and shoes. "Ang gwapo-gwapo niya doon (He looked good wearing those)," Fajardo said in jest. ’A big loss’ Remonde earlier blamed himself for Mrs. Arroyo’s unpopularity, even saying he felt he failed as her press secretary. "Maybe, I have failed as press secretary for ten months now to do my job of effectively communicating the achievements of our very hardworking president," Remonde said last December. But on Tuesday, Fajardo rebuffed this, stressing Remonde was "a big loss." She added she would miss Remonde, who she said was like her mentor and brother. "He’s like a family member. Hindi pa siya press secretary, siya na yung lagi naming nilalapitan ni Dr. Golez (former deputy spokesperson Anthony Golez). He is more than a boss or a colleague, but he’s a very good friend. Napakalaking loss niya," Fajardo said. Veteran journalist A native of Cebu, Remonde served for a long time as chairman of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas. Herman Bastaño, president of KBP, issued the following statement: "KBP mourns with deep sorrow the demise of Secretary Remonde, who had distinguished himself as the only KBP chair who had served for six consecutive terms. His death is not only a big loss to the broadcast industry but to the country whom he has really served with utmost dedication. Remonde assumed the post of Press Secretary in February 2009, after serving as Director General of the Presidential Management Staff for more than two years. He joined the administration of President Arroyo in 2001 and worked in various government-owned media agencies including NBN 4, RPN 9, IBC 13, Radyo ng Bayan, Bureau of Communication Services, and the Philippine News Agency. The first hours after news of Remonde’s death saw the outpouring of grief among Remonde’s colleagues in the government and friends from the media. Even his Facebook account was flooded with messages expressing their gratitude to Remonde. "We are forever grateful for you, Sec. Remonde. May you rest in peace. We will miss you," said Fatima Nacar of KBP’s Cebu chapter. "Tears are not enough. I will most definitely miss you, sir," said Aileen Intia, a former radio reporter covering Malacañang. Intia is now with NHK of Japan. - RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV