KORINA, nagbahagi ng emotional tribute sa biglaang pagpanaw ni RICKY LO

NAGLULUKSA na naman ang local entertainment industry dahil sa biglaan at nakagugulat na pagpanaw ng ‘well loved’ veteran entertainment editor at TV host na si Ricky Lo.

Noong gabi ng May 4, bandang 10 p.m. kumalat na ang balitang namaalam na si Kuya Ricky or Tito Ricky hanggang sa makumpirma na ayon mismo sa kanyang kapatid na si Susan Lee ay na-stroke ito.

Kaka-celebrate lang niya last April 21 ng kanyang 75th birthday at nakapag-bakuna pa sa Quezon City ilang araw bago ang kanyang kaarawan.

Nagsilbi siyang entertainment editor ng Philippine Star sa loob ng ilang dekada kung saan mababasa rin ang kanyang daily column na ‘Funfare’ na sinusubaybayan ng marami, dito at sa ibang bansa.

Agad namang naglabas ng statement ang Philippine Star:

“You will be remembered, Sir Ricky.

“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Entertainment editor and columnist Ricky Lo on May 4, 2021,”

Tulad nang inaasahang bumuhos nga ang mensahe ng pakikiramay, pagdarasal at pasasalamat sa social media mula sa mga kaibigan, katrabaho at kasamahan sa industriya dahil isa nga si Kuya Ricky sa nicest person na nakilala namin, na sa kabila ng kanyang kasikatan ay nanatiling siyang humble, palabati at walang sini-sino, kaya sobrang mapalad ang mga taong naging malapit sa kanya.

Isa nga si Ricky Lo sa mga co-host ng The Buzz sa ABS-CBN nang magsimula ang programa noong 1999.

Nakasama naman niya si Ms. Melanie Marquez noong 2005 sa Showbiz Stripped ng QTV 11 hanggang sa palitan ito ng The Ricky Lo Exclusives noong 2007.

Naging regular co-host rin siya ng Startalk noong 2008 na tumagal ng ilang taon, hanggang matapos ito noong September, 2015.

Naglabas din si Ricky Lo ng libro noong 1995 na Star Studded, na naglalaman ng compilation ng mga articles niya about the stars at Conversations with Ricky Lo na compilation naman ng kanyang exclusive interviews na nilabas noong 2001.

Samantala, isa naman sa nagbigay ng emotional tribute ang sikat na broadcaster na si Korina Sanchez-Roxas sa kaibigan na si Ricky Lo.

Sa kanyang Instagram post noong May 5, sinimulan niya ito ng, “He began as my tormentor. Ricky Lo was Ricky Lo. In the 80’s and 90’s everyone in the industry revered and feared him.”

Sa pagpapatuloy ni Ate Koring, “His Philippine Star column was the column to be in. He makes or breaks you.

“Through years of talking he became a friend and supporter of this struggling, determined TV reporter and host. I gave him the scoops. And the friend eventually because an ally.

“In later years Ricky Lo was still Ricky Lo. The one I could always rely on. Will never forget his tribute to me when I turned 50, dedicating three whole pages to testimonials to my person and career.

“I loved my friend Ricky. Till the day he had finally gone, no press conference was truly legit without his presence.

“Then on his 75th birthday recently I sent him his favorite food and I wondered why he was slow to respond. I marveled at how good he still looked. Am shocked. Am saddened. What a loss to all. End of an era.

“Never to be forgotten. To be so, so missed. I love you and will see you again one day my friend. Godspeed.”

Sigurado kami na maraming pang lalabas na fondest memories nila noong nabubuhay pa ang nag-iisang Ricky Lo.

Goodbye Tito Ricky and may you rest in paradise!  (ROHN ROMULO)