Mario Dumaual Dies at 64: Heartbreaking Loss of a Showbiz Icon
By Sophia Al-Mansoor
Q1: What was the primary cause of Mario Dumaual’s death?
A1: Dumaual suffered a severe heart attack in early June 2023. After a month in the intensive care unit at the Philippine Heart Center, he died on July 5, 2023, from septic shock and secondary critical care complications.
Q2: How long was Mario Dumaual with ABS-CBN?
A2: He reported for ABS-CBN News for more than three decades, joining the network in the early 1990s and remaining an active senior entertainment correspondent until his sudden hospitalization in 2023.
Q3: What does the phrase "writes 30" mean in news reporting?
A3: The notation "-30-" historically indicated the end of a telegraphic news dispatch. In modern newsrooms, "writes 30" is an honorable tribute reserved for journalists who have passed away, marking the conclusion of their life's work.
Q4: Did Mario Dumaual continue working after ABS-CBN lost its broadcast franchise?
A4: Yes. Following the 2020 franchise denial, Dumaual remained with ABS-CBN, adapting his reporting to Kapamilya Online Live, YouTube channels, and digital streaming broadcasts with the same regularity as his previous terrestrial TV runs.
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