Henry V. Briguera, a longtime lawyer and journalist renowned for his work with Bicol Mail and broadcast channel DZGE, died due to cardiac arrest on Thursday, Sept. 11. He was 79.
A martial law survivor, Briguera was detained in 1972 at Camp Canuto in Pili town, along with lawyers and fellow journalists. Their group, Stalag 1, experienced the harsh conditions inflicted by the former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship.
After his release, Briguera continued his work as a journalist and obtained his law degree at the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City. His DZGE radio program called “Isipon Ta” featured his opinion pieces on significant issues across the province and the country.
Briguera also served as a provincial board member of Camarines Sur. He served as the vice-president of the Provincial Board Members Association of the Philippines.
For three consecutive years, he garnered multiple awards for his work in broadcasting, including the St. Peter Baptist Catholic Mass Media Award for Outstanding Editorial on Air; Camarines Sur State Agricultural College’s Outstanding Radio Newscaster, Outstanding Editorial on Air, and special institutional award; University of Nueva Caceres’ Golden Jubilee award of achievement; and Camarines Sur National High School’s Jubilee award of achievement.
The former station manager of DZGE also gained the accolade of the Caceres Commission on Communications Illuminare Omnews Award for religious program and community service. He was also awarded the Jubilee award for his advocacy in promoting Bikol culture.
In 1979, he was awarded a special mayoral award following his work in the field of radio commentaries.
Briguera authored the books “Stalag 1: Notes of a Martial Law Victim” and “Stalag 2 & Bicol Breeze: Further Notes of A Martial Law Victim,” which detail his experience during the dictatorial regime. Briguera also wrote an opinion column for the Bicol Mail with the title Bicol Breeze.
“Papa was an inspiration for many Bikolanos. He is the definition of a self-made man who helped the needy and spoke for the values of freedom and justice. He was tough and stern, but in the end, he was always a loving father and grandfather. He will be missed,” his children said in a joint statement.
He is survived by his four daughters, Katherine, Kim, Karina, and Kristina, along with his grandchildren Karl, Joaquim, Gabriel, Faith, Will Tobias, Zoe, and Kassia Lilla.
The wake service began on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Saint Peter’s Chapel Tabuco Diversion Road until Wednesday, Sept. 17. His requiem mass is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. at the Basilica Minore at Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City.
The family requests that friends and visitors wear white for the requiem mass and internment. The family also requested that all those who will pay their respects proceed directly to the Basilica Minore at Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
