Journalist Ricky Poca dies of cardiac arrest

The Cebu media industry mourns the passing of fellow journalist Ricky Poca who died of cardiac arrest at his residence inside the Rama Compound in Barangay San Nicolas, Cebu City yesterday dawn.

Poca, a columnist and host of 888 News Forum, was 58 years old. He had been undergoing dialysis for the last five years.

“We did not expect nga ma-cardiac arrest siya… Untimely because he was confronted with the challenges in dialysis but the availability of dialysis always gives an optimistic message that he will have a continuous living,” said former mayor Michael Rama, a cousin of Poca.

Rama said he received a call from Poca's sister about 2 a.m. yesterday saying Poca had no pulse. He rushed to Poca's house, just walking distance from his own residence, and found that responders from the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) recorded no pulse anymore.

According to Rama, Poca was immediately brought to Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City where doctors tried to revive him for an hour before he was finally declared dead at 4 a.m.

Rama said the last time he spoke to Poca was on Christmas Day. Poca sent him a text message greeting him a Merry Christmas.

Rama said that due to his poor health, Poca missed their annual family reunion for the first time.

Rama, who grew up with Poca in the same compound, said he personally witnessed how good a person Poca is. He considers Poca as a kind and an outspoken cousin who is also open and loyal to their family.

“Ricky... can make everybody laugh... He was an articulate cousin of mine. He keeps on giving suggestion, and he was very loyal to me and other Ramas when we are oppressed. Ricky is a very good journalist and cannot be questioned on his professionalism because during Martial Law, Ricky is already active,” he said.

The wake of Poca will be held inside the Rama compound.