Jose Mari Velez

Summary

José Mari Uhler Vélez (May 27, 1942 – June 3, 1991)[1] was a Filipino lawyer, journalist, business executive, and activist best remembered for his long career as television newscaster anchoring The Big News on ABC 5 (now TV5) and for his service as an oppositionist delegate to the Philippine Constitutional Convention of 1971.[1][2] He was one of the opposition delegates at the convention, which was why he was one of the first to be arrested when Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial law in September 1972.[3][4][5] In April 1989, Velez became one of the first recipients of the Ninoy Aquino Fellowship Award for his accomplishments in journalism, with President Corazon Aquino stating that she believes he "share[s] in Ninoy's vision of preserving and strengthening our democracy."[6]

Jose Mari Velez
Detail of the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, showing names from the 1998 batch of Bantayog Honorees, including that of Jose Mari Velez.
Born
José Mari Uhler Vélez

(1942-05-27)May 27, 1942
DiedJune 3, 1991(1991-06-03) (aged 49)
New York City, New York, United States
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines Diliman, Center for Research and Communication
Occupation(s)Lawyer, Journalist, Business Executive
AwardsHonored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani wall of remembrance

Vélez died on June 3, 1991, at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City after battling lung cancer.[7] He was a graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman and of the Center for Research and Communication, which eventually evolved into the University of Asia and the Pacific.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "VELEZ, Jose Mari U." Bantayog ng mga Bayani. May 16, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  2. ^ "Jose Mari Velez on Ninoy Aquino". Government of the Philippines Presidential Museum and Library. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  3. ^ Rappler.com. "Ninoy's life and times in TV special". Rappler. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Duka, Cecilio D. (2008). Struggle for Freedom' 2008 Ed. Rex Bookstore, Inc. ISBN 9789712350450.
  5. ^ Teodoro, Luis I (September 1, 2008). "The Press on the eve of Martial Law: On a learning curve". Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  6. ^ Ramos, Anna Karenina (April 19, 1989). "Velez wins award; Nora changes residence". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. p. 27. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "VELEZ, Jose Marie U." www.nameless.org.ph. Retrieved February 22, 2019.