Published April 13, 2021, 12:08 AM
The quiet general, who was the source of his troops’ quiet confidence in battle, that was what Crispulo Julio “Jun” Icban, Jr. meant to the Manila Bulletin reporters.
Now that the “general” is gone, MB reporters can’t help but reflect on how their beloved “Sir Icban” made them believe that they were each extraordinary, even if all one did was perform a job.
“Reporters, like a normal person, have insecurities. For a bunch of reasons, I sometimes feel limited or not as good when compared to my colleagues from other media outfits,” said Ellson Quismorio, an MB reporter since August 2003.
Former Speaker of the House
Since the onslaught of the Coronavirus pandemic in our country early last year, we have lost relatives, old friends, and former colleagues in the House of Representatives either due to COVID-19 or to other causes.
We earlier mentioned in this column that we felt bad that we could not personally pay our last respects to them because of the restrictions being imposed by our authorities, which are necessary in order to curb the spread of the raging deadly virus. Several times, we paid tribute to departed friends and colleagues in this column as our modest way of honoring their life and legacy.
Published April 7, 2021, 5:28 PM
A resolution seeking to honor the former press secretary and veteran newsman Crispulo Julio “Jun” Icban, Jr. has been filed at the House of Representatives.
In filing House Resolution No. 1695, AnaKalusugan Party-list Representative Michael Defensor sought to honor Icban for his “lifetime of contributions to Philippine Journalism.”
(MANILA BULLETIN)
“He has led a productive life, especially in the field of journalism,” Defensor stated in his resolution.
“His contributions in the field of journalism extended beyond the workplace,” the lawmaker also said.
In his resolution, Defensor cited Icban’s humble beginnings at the University of the Philippines where he served as editor-in-chief of The Philippine Collegian. He graduated with a degree in English, magna cum laude.
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Icban, a veteran newsman, was Arroyo’s press secretary during her presidency. He passed away on Monday, April 5, at age 85.
“I join those whose lives Jun Icban touched in mourning his death. Jun has always been a fighter, silently but resolutely facing all of life’s challenges thrown his way,” Arroyo said in a statement on Tuesday, April 6.
“Even when COVID-19 was rampaging in NCR (National Capital Region), he still consistently reported to work at the Manila Bulletin. Such was his devotion and commitment to his profession,” she added.
Arroyo recalled that when Icban was serving as her press secretary, “he showed his outstanding mettle not just in media affairs but in people management.”
Senator Dick Gordon
“So very sad that my very dear friend Jun Icban of the Bulletin has passed on. He was a journalist for all seasons. His death is a very irreparable loss to the industry. He was soft spoken and totally respected for his kindness and took his job very professionally,” he tweeted.
Icban, a former Press Secretary during President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration, died Monday at the age of 85.
Gordon expressed condolences to his bereaved family and the Manila Bulletin family as he offered prayers for Icban, whom he has known for the last 50 years.
“I am sure that we will all feel the deep void from his loss. We condole with the family of Jun Icban and the Bulletin folks. We pray for the repose of his soul and that may he rest in peace,” he said.