FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES MOURN RONNIE'S DEATH
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 12 Nov 2016
Philippine sports has lost a pillar with the death of our friend Ronnie Nathanielsz, who just like broadcaster Joe Cantada before him, could never be replaced.
Ronnie died at the age of 81 at the Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame, south of San Francisco, California. He was on the way to Las Vegas to cover the Nov. 5 Pacquiao-Vargas boxing event for ABS-CBN Sports but suffered a heart failure on Nov. 3.
A powerful media personality during the Marcos era, Nathanielsz has been a fixture of PBA basketball games on the broadcasting team and was the chief liaison of Muhammad Ali during the historic Ali-Frazier Thrilla in Manila on Oct. 1, 1975. A staunch supporter of then Philippine president Marcos, Nathanielsz gained notoriety when he interviewed then jailed opposition leader Ninoy Aquino on his 'Face the Nation' program when he was taken to tasked by Aquino for his loyalty to the dictatorship.
After Marcos was deposed in 1986, Nathanielsz, who was born in Sri Lanka and was naturalized as a Filipino by a presidential decree, could have gone elsewhere but decided to remain in the Philippines as he often quipped he's got a ?Filipino heart.?
Nathanielsz, together with Quinito Henson and Ed Picson, hosted the weekly boxing show ?Blow by Blow? beginning in 1994 which featured up and coming Filipino boxers that later produced one Manny Pacquiao as one of its main attractions.
Recently, Nathanielsz, together with lawyer Ed Tolentino and Dyan Castellejo, hosted the ABS-CBN TV broadcast of the highly successful boxing series 'Pinoy Pride'.
Nathanielsz has been known for his boldness and fearlessness to discuss issues that other journalists would rather shy away. And he was not afraid to criticize anyone if he feels a wrongdoing has been committed. Because of this he gained both respect and disdain by friends and foes alike.
Nathanielsz, whose passion for boxing and sports had driven him to write a voluminous amount of articles, had chosen Philboxing as one of his outlets. His last article titled ?ARUM PREDICTS PACQUIAO-VARGAS WILL END IN A KNOCKOUT BUT HE DOESN?T KNOW WHO WILL FALL? was published on Nov. 3, 2016.
Below are some of the comments made from Nathanielsz's friends and colleagues:
Antonio L. Aldeguer, founder, ALA Boxing Gym
I am very much sadden of the passing of my dear friend Ronnie who was a dedicated sports journalist and TV broadcaster. I will surely miss him and his over-zealous reporting in PhilBoxing and his column in Manila Standard. Sports and boxing in particular, has lost a true crusader and dedicated sportsman. It will be some time before another Ronnie Nathanielz will come along.
Wakee Salud, founder, RWS Gym
Ronnie's death is a big loss to the sport of boxing. He was a big help to the sport as he writes on boxing stories big and small. He was the most active boxing writer I know and he points out any wrongdoing in the sport without fear. He will be missed.
Liza Elorde, Elorde Gym
The whole Elorde clan deeply mourns the untimely passing of a very dear friend we consider family. Ronnie will surely be missed. A one of a kind sports personality. Enjoy heaven Ronnie. The Flash is waiting for you.
Leon Panoncillo Jr, WBO Vice-President for Asia-Pacific
Our WBO President [Francisco Valcarcel] and I send our Condolences to his immediate Family and friends. He was certainly a credit to Philippine boxing bringing professional boxing to another level in your country. I have high respect for him in his write ups. He's been instrumental to boxing to everyone, promoter, managers as well as fighters taking advises from him. He is the type of man that will never tolerate anyone's wrongdoing and never fear anyone. He surely is a type of man I look up to. May he rest in peace (RIP) Ronnie Nathanielz, he will never be forgotten.
WBO president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel twitted following after news of Nathanielsz's death:
Abraham Mitra, GAB Chairman
Philippine boxing lost an institution. In my short stint at the GAB, he has provided advice and knowledge From the past for us to improve our operations and relations with the community. He will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of every aficionado. On the day of his burial all GAB personnel and officials will wear black.
Michael Aldeguer, President, ALA Promotions International
Really shocked about Ronnie, and still mourning his loss. He was a legend in sports journalism and will surely be missed in the Boxing world. I will always be proud that he was part of the growth of the Pinoy Pride series since it started in 2010. I will surely miss him.
Quinito Henson, columnist, The Philippine Star
Ronnie was a friend and colleague whose passion for sports was beyond limits. We shared many memorable moments in covering big sporting events together and the standouts were the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight in Las Vegas last year, the NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden in New York in 1998, the 555 International Basketball Championships in Beijing in 1996 and the Asian Games in Bangkok in 1998. He was extremely opinionated and for this reason, he had many backers and detractors. Ronnie was someone who enjoyed rubbing elbows with the high and mighty as well as the low and downtrodden. He was Sri Lankan but loved the Philippines with a deep devotion so that on the lapel of his coat wherever he went, there would always be resplendent a pin of the Philippine flag. He will be missed by all.
Recah Trinidad, columnist, Philippine Daily Inquirer
He was my first Boss in old dzHP. A truly dedicated journalist. It's a great loss. He has been very supportive in improving my humble craft.
Manny Villaruel, Sports Editor, The Freeman
The Philippines has lost one of its strongest pillars in sports journalism. One of the few very personalities who thrive in sports tri-media with much distinction, sir Ronnie Nathanielsz's passion for his craft is immeasurable. He has truly left a shining legacy worthy of emulation by the younger generation of journalists. Sir Ronnie will be deeply missed.
Dennis Principe, writer, TV broadcaster
Every challenge that he faced in life was like a breath of fresh air for him.. He had that much poise. Comfortably joining another dearly departed Hermie Rivera up there, I envy the angels who now have two great men capable of serenading those around them by weaving words into one magical story of pure nostalgia. Rest in Peace my friend.
Jingo Quijano, columnist, Sun-Star Daily
Ronnie was a pioneer and a trailblazer in sports broadcasting. I grew up listening to that unique timber in his voice while watching basketball and boxing events. He became an institution in phil sports and he will be missed by sports fans.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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