Mario Dumaual passes away at 64
Seasoned reporter Mario Dumaual has passed away. He was 64.
Mario's family confirmed his death in a statement posted on his Facebook account on Wednesday, July 5. "We are devastated to announce the passing of Mario Dumaual — Papa to his wife Cherie and children Luigi, Miguel, Maxine, William, and Thessa; Wowo to his grandchildren Sky, Alonzoe, and Tali; and Yayo to his siblings."
"Mario, who would have turned 65 on July 31, died at 8:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5 due to septic shock. He had been battling a severe fungal infection, a complication during his recovery from a heart attack. He was confined for a month at the Philippine Heart Center," they wrote.
His loved ones said that Mario kept fighting after overcoming a heart attack and then a cardiac arrest, but his infection "overwhelmed his body’s ability to recover."
"What comforts us is he knew that we were always with him, waiting for him, and that home was wherever he felt our love. We also made it a point to let him know how loved he was by his friends in the industry and even kind strangers who have been offering prayers and help for his recovery."
"Papa was our rock, we depended much on him. But he also nurtured us to become strong and able and to be the best version of ourselves. Beyond us his family, we’d like to think he also left a legacy in entertainment journalism. He made us proud as Mario Dumaual, the reporter, but ultimately more so as a devoted husband, father, and granddad," they continued.
In early June, his son, journalist Miguel Dumaual asked for prayers for the entertainment reporter, revealing that the latter was under critical care after suffering a heart attack.
"Papa’s never once been confined in my 32 years, so this experience has been overwhelming. But us family have kept each other anchored (love you Ma Cherie); our relatives too have been a solid source of strength (thank you Carl for helping align so much to save Papa’s life)," he wrote in a Facebook post on June 8.
At the time, he said that the “constant stream of messages and well wishes” for Mario "has been a heartwarming reminder of how loved he is.”
Mario was a seasoned showbiz reporter for ABS-CBN. He received the Joe Quirino Memorial Award at the 5th EDDYs Awards in November 2022 for his valuable contributions to the film and TV industry in the Philippines. In January, he was awarded a five-point brass star on the German Moreno Walk of Fame in Eastwood City.
Rest in peace.