Angelo Castro Jr., veteran journalist, dies at 67
*Another journalism icon dies. I’ll always remember him and Tina Monzon-Palma doing the late night news during the mid 90s, back when I was still in elementary. They delivered the news with class. No shouting, side comments, and sensationalized items. I will always miss those days.
Tributes from his friends, colleagues, and his avid viewers are now all over Twitter. Angelo Castro’s death reminds me of Peter Jennings, who anchored ABC World News in the US from 1979 to 2005. He also died of lung cancer.
MANILA, Philippines – A pillar of broadcast journalism, Angelo Castro Jr., has succumbed to cancer.
The 67-year-old Castro passed away on Thursday at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. He had a long and courageous fight against lung cancer.
He is survived by his wife June Keithley and son Diego.
Castro is known for being the main man of “The World Tonight” since it returned on air on ABS-CBN in 1986 and moved to ANC in 1999.
He took a break only for two years until his return in 2011 due to illness.
His health, however, continued to deteriorate, forcing him to leave anew the show.
His wife, June Keithley Castro, recently appeared on ANC revealing both their fight against cancer. Keithley was diagnosed with cancer of the breast in 2009.
“No, he’s not well… My husband has always been a very handsome, macho, control freak… So I had to tell his doctors, ‘You know it’s very difficult for him now because it’s out of his hands, di ba? He can’t control it,’” Keithley revealed.
“I went to him and I said, ‘Okay, you can’t do this to the kids, ha.’ I told him, ‘You better fight.’”
Statement from Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda:
We mourn the passing of Angelo Castro Jr. For many years he was a calm and reassuring presence in the late evening news. His passing marks the closing of an era of gentlemanly broadcasting, where erudition and dignity were the hallmarks of news and current affairs.
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A very sad news and a tragic loss indeed. I can’t remember an instance wherein Angelo Castro Jr. made a side or opinionated comment or bias of some sort after delivering a news item. He was very professional and straight-forward.
Condolence to Ms. June Keithly, a journalist par excellence and to his family and loved ones.
I do hope that future news anchors and reporters will follow the grand tradition set by Mr. Reyes. May his legacy live on forever.
My deepest sympathy to June Keithly and family. Mr. Angelo Castro, Jr. is a rare breed of journalist – gives the news without his opinion. A very professional individual which most present crop of ‘self proclaimed journalist’ should follow.
What we have now are anchors who chuckle (like Noli) or scream (like Mike) while delivering the news. Truly disappointing. Hope sobriety will soon be back in news delivery
For the past 13 years I always follow Angelo Castro and Tina in the World Tonight. When he starts saying, “and for our final word tonight…” I am prepared with my pen and paper. I salute you very much, ACJ. My condolences to June Keithly and the family.