By NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES
www.nordis.net

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines grieves the loss of Press Secretary Jose “Joecap” Capadocia, our former chairman, who was among the eight passengers of the Bell 412 presidential helicopter that crashed in the mountains of Ifugao on April 6, 2009.

Joecap was a consummate newsman and a beloved colleague who always looked after the welfare of his fellow journalists.

He was elected chairman of the NUJP during the historic Subic congress of 2000, when the organization was striving mightily to bring its calling to full fruition after the passing of our founding chairman, Tony Nieva.

Indeed, Joecap played a crucial role in molding NUJP’s vision and mission. Those involved in planning the Subic congress recall that Joecap, then already one of, if not the most, senior NUJP members and officers, spoke of his vision of the Union as an organization that would unite Filipino journalists, represent their rights and establish high professional and ethical standards.

Joecap was always ready with sage but practical advice, an assuring and steadfast presence in times of uncertainty. He was a tireless worker but was never one to call attention to his accomplishments. And they were many.

We did not begrudge Joecap’s giving up his chairmanship to join government for he never succumbed to the blandishments that lesser mortals thrust into officialdom easily succumb too.

Even in government, Joecap never lost touch with his original and, now it can be said, true calling. He remained a colleague and could always be counted on to quietly help advance press freedom and the welfare of media workers. And it is now of record that he planned to return to journalism when his stint with government ended.

To Joecap’s family, we offer our deepest sympathy and our gratitude for your generosity in sharing with us the wonderful person and colleague that he was. Indeed, we feel his passing deeply for he, too, was family to us, in more ways than one.

Yet, as we mourn the loss of Jose Capadocia, we hail his many contributions to the cause of press freedom in the country and vow to continue upholding the principles he, and we, committed ourselves to upholding.

Goodbye, Joecap. Mabuhay ka! nordis.net