Veteran showbiz columnist, movie critic Mario Bautista pumanaw na sa edad 77

Mario Bautista

NAGLULUKSA muli ang entertainment industry sa pagpanaw ng veteran entertainment journalist na si Mario Bautista. Siya ay 77 years old.

Hindi na umabot ang beteranong kolumnista at movie critic sa darating niyang kaarawan sa January 19.

Kinumpirma ng kanyang anak na si Hani ang malungkot na balita sa pamamagitan ng Facebook.

“No more pain, Dad. I don’t want to write something like this at all, but it would be a disservice to him if I didn’t because he loved updating people.

“He loved words so much he made a career out of it. Daddy is the first person to send me a daily greeting at 5 a.m. I am going to miss starting my day like that.

“Thank you all for storming heaven with prayers for Dad’s healing, but it is not meant to be. Just when we thought all his vitals were stable, Daddy died in his sleep this morning. The Lord has other plans.

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“Dad always taught us, God is in [the] driver seat, and we as passengers have to follow and accept because He always leads us where we are meant to be.

“I believe Dad got his wish because he has always said he wanted to go peacefully in his sleep. And now he also gets his other fervent wish, and that is to be with my mother. Please join our family in praying for the eternal repose of Mario Escobar Bautista. Thank you,” ang kabuuang mensahe ni Hani.

Nagpaabot naman ng pakikiramay ang itinuring na ring mga pamilya ni Tito Mario sa showbiz, ang mga opisyal at miyembro ng Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd).

“The Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) extends its deepest condolences on the passing of veteran showbiz journalist Mario Bautista.

“His indelible contributions to the field have left an enduring impact not only in local entertainment journalism but, more so, in the film and television industry, where his reviews and opinions have helped in raising creative quality for many decades.

“SPEEd, whose members honored their beloved ‘Tito Mario’ with the Manny Pichel Award for Excellence in 2021, join the industry in mourning the loss of a remarkable individual whose passion for storytelling and dedication to his craft will be remembered fondly.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May he rest in peace,” ayon sa opisyal na statement ng grupo.

Noong December 23 ay nawalan ng malay si Tito Mario at tumama ang kanyang ulo sa semento.

Nakalabas siya ng hospital noong Dec. 29, pero nagkaroon ng complications kaya ibinalik siyang mula sa ospital noong December 31.

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“Infections in the lungs and kidneys, along with sepsis, emerged. Although he showed signs of recovery yesterday and was expected to leave the hospital soon, fate had other plans.

“He deeply loved my mother, and I believe they are now reunited in happiness with our Lord,” ang bahagi ng FB post ng kanyang anak na si Miguel Mario Bautista.

Nakaburol ang labi ni Tito Mario sa Loyola Memorial Chapels, Don Mariano Marcos Avenue corner Damayan St, Commonwealth, Quezon City. Tatagal ang lamay hanggang January 18.

Nakatakda ang kanyang cremation sa January 19, 9 a.m. habang ang inurnment of ashes ay mangyayari sa Loyola Memorial Park Marikina, at 1 p.m..

Si Tito Mario ang isa sa naging daan at instrumento sa pagkakabuo ng PMPC Star Awards for Movies at Star Awards for TV at naging miyembro  rin siya ng Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Maligayang paglalakbay, Tito Mario, hanggang sa muli. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng masasayang alaala at sa mga paalala tungkol sa buhay-buhay.