A resolution seeking to honor the former press secretary and veteran newsman Crispulo Julio “Jun” Icban, Jr. has been filed at the House of Representatives.
In filing House Resolution No. 1695, AnaKalusugan Party-list Representative Michael Defensor sought to honor Icban for his “lifetime of contributions to Philippine Journalism.”
“He has led a productive life, especially in the field of journalism,” Defensor stated in his resolution.
“His contributions in the field of journalism extended beyond the workplace,” the lawmaker also said.
In his resolution, Defensor cited Icban’s humble beginnings at the University of the Philippines where he served as editor-in-chief of The Philippine Collegian. He graduated with a degree in English, magna cum laude.
According to the solon, the Manila Bulletin’s icon worked his way up in the journalism world, perfecting his craft first as an editorial assistant at the Manila Times in 1954.
In order to expand his skills, Icban took further studies at Syracuse University, New York, and finished his Master of Arts in Journalism as a Fullbright and Smith-Mundt scholar. He was also a Nieman fellow at Harvard University.
Also in his resolution, Defensor hailed Icban for spending most of his professional career at the Manila Bulletin, devoting a total of 47 years, 18 of which was as editor-in-chief.
In 2010, he briefly served as Press Secretary of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration.
He also cited Icban for previously leading the Samahang Plaridel, an association of Philippine journalists, and for writing the book the “Philippine Mass Media in Perspective” which is now being used as a textbook.
Icban died on Monday, April 5. He was 85.