Mike Enriquez, a legendary figure in Filipino television and radio broadcasting, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at the age of 71. His death comes over a year after he returned to work in March 2022, following a kidney transplant.
Born on September 29, 1951, Enriquez had a storied career that spanned more than five decades. He served as a Consultant for radio operations at GMA Network and was the President of its regional and radio subsidiary, RGMA Network Inc.
In December 2021, Enriquez took a medical leave to undergo a kidney transplant. The procedure required hospital confinement and a three-month mandatory isolation period, according to an Esquire report. He returned to work in March 2022 and during a media conference, he opened up about his challenging medical journey.
“The process was hard,” Enriquez said, adding that the isolation was crucial to avoid organ rejection and infection. Being a senior citizen with diabetes, he was at greater risk during the procedure. When asked why he chose to have the transplant, he stated it was to “improve my quality of life.”
He described the physical toll of the thrice-weekly, sometimes four times a week, dialysis treatments as being akin to getting “beaten up by Manny Pacquiao.” Enriquez decided to go forward with the transplant after consulting with doctors, mentioning that such life-altering medical procedures only happen “if God wills it so.”
Sharing wisdom from his health challenges, Enriquez emphasized the importance of keeping faith. “You need two things: You need prayer, and you need humor. If you take life too seriously, nothing will happen to you,” he advised.
Enriquez started his career in 1969 as a staff announcer at the Manila Broadcasting Company. He rose through various positions in the industry, including at Freedom Broadcasting Radio Network and Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), where he served as vice president. He was notably responsible for elevating DWKC 93.9 to the number one spot for several years and was the voice behind the Mellow Touch 94.7 signature and introduction.
He also had a cameo role as a disc jockey in Andrew E.’s 1992 film “Mahirap ang Maging Pogi” (It’s Not Easy Being Handsome).
