CEBU, Philippines - Both the government sector and the media industry grieve over the death of former Cebu City councilor and tri-media practitioner Vicente “June†Kintanar Jr. yesterday at 4 a.m. due to massive heart attack.
The well-respected and renowned public servant died at the age of 73 in his residence at Villa Aurora, Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City.
Sheldon Vincent “Boobi†Kintanar, the eldest son of Kintanar, said that his father had been suffering from heart problems and was even confined at Chong Hua Hospital for almost a week two months ago.
Even with the loss of their loved one, he said that the family considered his peaceful death as their consolation since Kintanar does not have to suffer much anymore.
“He lived his life fully for 73 years. He was contented and accomplished with his life,†he told The FREEMAN.
Kintanar had served for more than a decade as a politician and dedicated his 50 years to the media industry as a print, radio and television personality.
He started as an English and Cebuano announcer and newscaster for DYVM from 1960 to 1964 before he transferred to DYRC from 1964 to 1968. Then, he was appointed news director from 1968 to 1974 and station manager from 1974 to 1978.
In 1975 he was elected the chairman of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) - Cebu chapter until 1980.
Boobi cited that his father was even dubbed as the “Dean of Cebu Media†by his colleagues.
In 1980, Kintanar was elected councilor in Cebu City and became Cebu City’s vice mayor from 1983 to 1986. After the end of martial law, he was once again first councilor of Cebu City from 1988 until 1992.
He was one of the brains of the ordinances in Cebu City such as the proper garbage collection and the establishment of the tourism commission.
During those years that Kintanar was not a councilor, he served as consultant on legislative affairs for the mayor’s office during the stint of then mayor Tomas R. Osmeña and even during Mayor Michael Rama’s term.
Kintanar was very conversant of various issues in his radio programs because aside from his degree in Foreign Service at the Lyceum of the Philippines in Manila, he also took up law at the Southwestern University for three years.
Kintanar shared 47 years of marriage with his wife, Paula “Lese†Boholst-Kintanar, also a radio commentator, and they had four children.
Boobi as his eldest will run for councilor in the north district under Team Rama.
His other two boys are Han Kintanar, The FREEMAN lifestyle columnist, and Neil Richard or Didik, who is already based in the United States. Karla Kintanar-Fernandez, the youngest, works as the station manager of TV 5.
Boobi shared that he wants to follow the footsteps of his father as a public servant who had never been involved in any anomaly and political controversy.
“He was happy somehow. He really wanted us to continue the legacy he started. We are very proud of his achievements as a public servant and as a media practitioner,†he said.
He added that Kintanar’s own brand of service, which is known to be selfless, is worthy of emulation.
“His heart is really into public service and media. Those were his two passions and somehow he struck a balance for both. He even spends his Sunday with his barangay constituents even if it is supposed to be a day of quality time with the family. He would really go out of his way to serve the public,†Boobi said.
Boobi said his father was very caring and a good provider.
Kintanar’s remains lie at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Nivel Hills, Lahug, Cebu City and will be buried on January 12 in the family’s private cemetery, Kintanar Family Park, in Argao after a necrological mass at 1 PM. — with Rene U. Borromeo/MBG (FREEMAN)