FORMER University of the East Dawn editor, Malaya and Riyadh Daily sportswriter Dennis Eroa passed away late Wednesday night. He was 60.
“With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of my beloved husband Dennis on April 30. His wake is being held at our residential home in Olongapo City. His interment will be announced at a later date,” Eroa’s wife, Lorna, said in a post on her husband’s Facebook page.
“We are grateful for the love and support during this difficult time,” the widow added of her husband, who was also the defunct Masa and Libre sports editor on top of being a sportswriter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
“Paalam: To a mentor and dear friend – Dennis Matias Eroa – thank you for everything, for being a nice, simple person, for giving me my first byline as a sportswriter from UE Dawn to Masa, and Sports Flash that led to many great job opportunities, including stints at Malaya and Riyadh Daily (Saudi Arabia),” wrote Tempo sports editor and former Philippine Sportswriters Association president Rey Lachica on Eroa’s FB account.
“You will be greatly missed by fellow members of the Philippine Sportswriters Association…In the late 80s, Matias Dennis Eroa, Roy Luarca, Gabby Alvarado and RV (Lachica), we were called (the) Fab 4 of the PSA, not because we are so good at writing but due to our height…towering (daw)…Again, thank you Dennis E.,” Lachica added.
“Rest in Peace sir Matias Dennis Eroa. I will miss your brotherly advice and guidance,” former PTV director Brian Yalung also posted on the page of the late sportswriter, who wrote a regular column for Yalung’s online sports website Sportsbytes.
Celebrated national para swimmer Ernie Gawilan, a three-time Paralympic Games veteran, also recognized Eroa, posting: “Rest in Peace po sir Matias Dennis Eroa, maraming salamat po sa pag-cover sa sports career ko po. Condolence po sa family ni sir.”
Eroa, who had kidney problems and recently underwent brain surgery, recently announced that he had been given the “Last Rites” by Father Larry Villafuerte of the Holy Trinity Parish in Olongapo City.
“Today (April 24), Fr. Larry Villafuerte of Holy Trinity Parish in Olongapo City blessed me with oil, symbolizing God’s power and healing. I am ready. The Good Lord has given me 60 wonderful years, and I am deeply grateful,” Eroa wrote.
“I leave with smiles and gratitude to all who never tired of praying for my whole being. I was blessed to be given a grandson who will continue our bloodline.”
Eroa comes from a long line of staffers of the UE Dawn, the school paper, who took to the sportswriting trade, among them the late People’s Journal sports editor Joe Antonio, former Manila Bulletin sports editor Ding Marcelo and former Tempo editor-in-chief Rey Bancod, among others.
Eroa was an avid sports buff and was a recreational tennis player, which was one of his hobbies while he worked for the English broadsheet Riyadh Daily based in the Saudi Arabian capital with fellow UE alumni Lachica and Chito Manuel.
