VETERAN political journalist Efren Danao died last Jan. 20 in the United States. He was 75.
Danao’s death was confirmed by his daughter, Irene Salonga on Facebook, and by his fellow Faculty of Arts and Letters alumnus, the retired police general Cris Maralit.
“He was a devoted husband, father and Lolo who loved his family unconditionally. While we grieve his loss, we know that he is no longer in pain and is at peace,” Salonga’s post read.
Danao was a section editor, deskman and senior reporter of The Philippine Star.
He graduated with a journalism degree from the University in 1968.
Danao also worked as a political columnist for The Manila Times and covered the House of Representatives.
Pulitzer Prize winner Manny Mogato said he learned the ropes from “legendary journalists“ like Danao.
“Mang Efren was a veteran political reporter who covered the former first lady and four-term congresswoman Imelda Marcos when she was preparing to run for a seat in the old Interim Batasang Pambansa election in 1984,” he wrote on Facebook.
Salonga said her father’s remains would be cremated and his ashes interred in his hometown Lupao, Nueva Ecija.