Tributes are pouring in for “Bap” John Susi after it was announced that the veteran broadcaster had died on Friday (September 16) at the age of 57.
Bap John served as anchor in the morning program “Tira Brigada” which is aired over Brigada News 92.7FM and popularized the segment “Sino Ka?”. He also worked for DZBB, DZXL, TV 5, CLTV 36, GNN TV 44 and served as three-termer councilor in Lubao town, Pampanga. He is also currently Vice President for radio broadcast of the Central Luzon Media Association Pampanga Chapter.
His family confirmed that Bap John had “passed away peacefully at his home” after battling with a heart illness.
Local officials, colleagues, friends and relatives reminisced some experiences in the past with Bap John and shared their condolences and support to his loved ones during the necrological services held at La Pieta Memorial Park, Angeles City. Among the media colleagues who shared their thoughts during the necrological service were: Angeles City Councilor Jay Sangil, veteran broadcasters Boy Santiago and former City Councilor Rudy Simeon, current head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Information Officer and Central Luzon Media Association Pampanga President Arnel San Pedro, Brigada Station Manager Alvin Masangkay, Tira Brigada anchor and Central Luzon Media Assocition Regional EVP Rogie Pangilinan, CLTV 36 news anchor and reporter Jhoedie Mercado.
Among those who came early and sent their sympathy and condolence flowers were Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Pogi Lazatin, Vice Mayor Vicky Vega Cabigting, City Councilor Doc Alfie Bonifacio, Lazatin’s Chief Adviser/Tactian IC Calaguas and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, Mayors Vilma Caluag-City of San Fernando, Cris Garbo-Mabalacat City, and Esmeralda Pineda-Lubao.
“Bap John had an extraordinary ability to draw out the interviewee, knew exactly where the real story lay and how to get at it, and was also a thoroughly kind, good natured man, talented, humble and great motivator to beginners in the broadcast industry,” Lazatin shared. “I’m so sorry to hear the news. he was a fantastic broadcaster. His immediately recognizable voice was known and loved in so many homes in Pampanga, Central Luzon and Metro Manila,” Lazatin added.
“It was typical of Bap John that despite his own illness he kept on broadcasting for as long as he could. Brigada will never be the same without him. We will all miss him,” Sangil said.
“Bap John was a consummate gentleman and was one of the finest of broadcasters I had the privilege to know as a loyal friend. I’m so very sorry to hear that he has passed away, “ Vega-Cabigting lamented.
“Bap John conducted interviews in a searching and robust manner, always with courtesy and good humour. We honor his contribution to the success of one of Brigada flagship program Tira Brigada,” Simeon said.
Bap John’s death came as a great shock to his fans, friends and colleagues. Funeral and a memorial service are currently held at the said memorial park and will be transferred to Lubao by tuesday for necrological services by his colleagues in the executive and legislative department of the Municipality of Lubao where he will be laid to his final resting place.
“He was the consummate professional. His remarkable decades of radio and TV broadcasting was testament to his powerful interview techniques and his wonderful journalistic instinct,” said Calaguas, also a publisher and media practitioner.
He was known to be a real professional and I think he leaves a real hole in broadcasting and politics in Pampanga, but he has shown the way for other broadcasters this writer included.
“He will be greatly missed by his colleagues and loyal listeners and viewers who he has served for the best part of his life. Bap John clearly left a legacy in the world of media, it’s such a sad news another legend has sadly left us. Let us remember him not how he died but how he lived,” fellow broadcaster Santiago of DWRW 95.1 FM said.
I would like to pass my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones on this sad occasion.