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Lhar Santiago gives tribute to Mario Dumaual

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Stephanie Rose Manhit

Veteran showbiz reporter Mario Dumaual was a pillar of the industry, respected by colleagues and widely acknowledged for his significant contributions in news and public affairs. His loss was profoundly felt by the industry, with his legacy having gone past the confines of his network. He particularly made a significant mark on his best friend/counterpart, GMA-7 entertainment reporter Lhar Santiago. In his eulogy, Lhar recalled meeting Mario when they were both working on TV Patrol back in 1987. The two kept their friendship through the years, maintaining professional courtesy and a personal friendship. “Hindi po kami naging madamot sa isa’t isa. Kami, walang taguan pero may respetuhan,” shared Lhar. “Kung meron siyang story na talagang alam kong kanya yun, I’ll respect it. Kung meron naman akong story na gusto ko talaga gawin, ire-respect naman niya. Very personal ang aming professional relationship.”<div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/Lhar-Santiago-gives-tribute-to-Mario-Dumaual_.jpg" style="width:1000px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Lhar Santiago gives tribute to Mario Dumaual"/></div>Until the end, Lhar fondly referred to Mario as his sparring partner, and promised that he continues to cherish their friendship. “Hindi po madaling tanggapin na yung sparring partner ko ay di ko na makakasama,” he said. “Pero yung pagkakaibigan po namin nandito na yun, nasa puso na yun. Hindi mawawala.”Given their years of friendship and shared experiences, Lhar also considered Mario’s family as his own, and vowed to stand by them even after Mario’s passing. “Yung pamilya po ni Mario ay itinuturing ko nang pamilya ko rin. Ang isang ipinangako ko lang kahit hindi narinig ni Mario, I will always be there for his family.”Testaments to Mario’s memory were also shared by executives, celebrities and fellow journalists from ABS-CBN, his home network for over three decades. MJ Felipe shared a photo with Mario taken just last February 24, 2023. “One of the rare times na magkasama kami outside work. Nagkakasiyahan, nag-eenjoy. Me, Kuya Mario at ilan sa mga kasamahan namin sa newsroom,” he shared. <div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/MJ-Felipe-gives-tribute-to-Mario-Dumaual_.jpg" style="width:1000px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Lhar Santiago gives tribute to Mario Dumaual"/></div>In his tweet, MJ shared some of the things he would miss with the passing of Mario. “Napakaraming kwento, napakaraming alaala. Napakaraming oras na magkasama sa trabaho, napakaraming bilin at aral. Ang dami kong gustong sabihin, ang dami kong gustong ikuwento. Pero hindi ko alam kung saan sisimulan,” he said. “Wala na kong makaka-kwentuhan sa editing bay pag maaga ang script natin parehas at maaga tayo mag-e-edit. Wala nang tatawa kapag tinatanong kita ng &#x27;Ano nang balitaaaaaaaa??? &#x27;Wala nang magsasabi sa akin ng &#x27;huwag kang papayag&#x27; pag magsusumbong ako ng ganito-ganyan,” he continued. “Napakaraming kwento, sa totoo lang. Wala lang masyadong litrato sa araw-araw na ginawa ng Diyos, dahil lahat kami sa newsroom aligaga pagpatak ng alas tres ng hapon.”He expressed gratitude for all that Mario had generously given to the industry and to those who followed in his footsteps. “Kuya Mario Dumaual, maraming salamat sa lahat... mula sa aming lahat,” said MJ. “Thank you for paving the way. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for sharing your life with us. May you rest in peace and praying for strength for your family.”Marc Logan also recalled his interactions with Mario, recognizing him as a significant member of the of the Entertainment Desk. “Alam ko kabisado ko at sigurado ako kahit nakapikit kayang umukit ni Kuya Mario ng isang obra ng pagbabalita. Masarap makinig sa kanyang mga kwento. Kapag siya ang tumipa. Bawat titik at baybay punong puno ito ng buhay. Mapalad ako na naka trabaho ang isang tulad mo,” he said. “Minsan nang nagretiro si Kuya Mario noong siya ay naging Senior Citizen. Pero nung ako ang humawak ng Entertainment Desk ng News and Current Affairs, hindi ko maatim na may Star News ang TV Patrol pero walang Mario Dumaual. Hindi kumpleto ang landscape ng balitang showbiz kung wala si Kuya Mario. Pinakiusapan ko sya na bumalik bilang consultant sa ilalim ng aking entertainment family kasama sina MJ  Felipe at Ganiel Krishnan,” Marc recalled.“Isa sa huling balitang showbiz ni Kuya Mario ay nung ikasal ako kay Lois Logan noong January 10, 2023. Na sabi mo hindi ka interesadong i-cover. Pero andun ka. Hindi mo ako binigo.Marc honored Mario not just as a fellow journalist, but also as a dear friend and mentor.“Napakabuti mong kaibigan, Kuya. Hindi ko malilimutan ang mga payo mo sa akin tungkol sa buhay at kung paano itama ang bawat hakbang ko para sa kinabukasan ng aking pamilya lalong lalo na si Curry,” said Marc in gratitude. “Mahal kita Kuya Mario. Pasensya ka na tinawag kitang Kuya. Ikaw naman kasi di ka nagtitina ng buhok. You will forever be missed. Rest in Eternal Peace Mario. Kuya.”<div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2023/7/6/entertainment-industry-mourns-the-passing-of-mario-dumaual-958">READ: Entertainment industry mourns the passing of Mario Dumaual </a></div>It was last June 5, 2023 that Mario suffered a heart attack. His son, ABS-CBN News Digital editor Miguel Dumaual, shared his condition a few days later. Prayers and well-wishes poured in support for the family, yet on July 5, 2023, Mario finally passed away due to septic shock.He was 64 years old and is survived by his wife, Cherie, and their children Luigi, Miguel, Maxine, William, and Thessa.<div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2023/7/5/mario-dumaual-passes-away-at-64-1625">READ: Mario Dumaual passes away at 64 </a></div>Friends and colleagues were able to pay their respects to him during the wake held at the Loyola Memorial Chapels Commonwealth, which lasted until the afternoon of July 9, 2023. He was then interred at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.

Despite working for different networks, GMA-7’s Lhar Santiago shared a decades-long friendship with ABS-CBN’s Mario Dumaual.

Despite working for different networks, GMA-7’s Lhar Santiago shared a decades-long friendship with ABS-CBN’s Mario Dumaual.

Lhar Santiago gives tribute to Mario Dumaual

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Lhar Santiago gives tribute to Mario Dumaual

Ann Manhit

Published Jul 11, 2023 11:34 AM PHT

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Mario Dumaual

Lhar Santiago

MJ Felipe

Marc Logan

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