Senators on Wednesday, May 5, expressed grief over the passing of veteran entertainment columnist and long-time editor Ricky Lo.
"We lost a revered writer and dear family friend. Tito Ricky was like family to us. Not only did he write about almost all of our family’s milestones, he celebrated them with us," Senator Grace Poe, daughter of veteran actors Susan Roces and late Fernando Poe, Jr., said in a statement.
"He remained very humble and low-key even if he was one of the most sought-after showbiz and entertainment writers. Tito Ricky always knew how to put his interviewees at ease and treat them with respect," she added.
Lo, she said, was "credible and a prolific writer" and had "always prioritized the truth and highlighted the positive values of his subjects".
"It’s heartbreaking to lose a true friend and champion of the entertainment industry," Poe said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto also paid tribute to Lo, citing his contributions to the entertainment industry.
"Ricky Lo's daily columns were the first drafts of the history of Philippine cinema. Compile them and the results are the authoritative annals of the local film industry, by someone who penned it with a keen eye and a sense of fairness from his front row seat," Recto said.
"His daily reportage, if pieced together into a film reel, would tell the complete story of an industry whose impact on people and influence on society are great," he added.
"Stars come and go, film companies rise and fade, but Ricky Lo had staying power because of the respect he earned from the admirable practice of his craft," Recto said.
Senator Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara also tweeted: " Ricky Lo, an entertainment media institution for many decades".
Lo died on Tuesday night, May 4, at age 75. His family did not disclose details about his passing.