Saddened by the demise of Crispulo Julio “Jun” Icban, Jr. editor-in-chief of the Manila Bulletin, Senator Richard J. Gordon on Monday night said his death is a very irreparable loss to the media industry.
“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.
Icban left behind his wife, Zenaida Pamintuan Icban and their children Susan Icban Amores, Mercedes Icban Hermogenes, Crispulo Icban III, David Icban, Zenaida Flor Icban, and Michael Ben Icban.
He was editor-in-chief of Manila Bulletin for the last 18 years, and devoted 47 years of his career in journalism to the said publication. Joining the newspaper in 1974 as editorial consultant and was later named news editor. In 2003, he was appointed editor-in-chief of the Manila Bulletin and in 2020, he was named concurrent publisher and editor-in-chief.
Icban was also chairman of Samahang Plaridel, an association of Philippine Journalists, and of the Campampangan in Media.
His career in journalism started in 1954 when he joined the Manila Times as an editorial assistant, as a reporter covering the Foreign Affairs beat, and as editorial writer.
He was named news editor in 1968 up to 1972 when the paper was closed down due to the imposition of martial law.