Neal H. Cruz, a veteran journalist in the Philippines, has died at age 85.
His journalism career spanned six decades, and his column, "As I See It," had been appearing in the Philippine Daily Inquirer since 1994. Apart from the Inquirer, he has also been a columnist for the Evening News, the Daily Tribune, the Manila Chronicle and the Daily Globe.
Cruz graduated from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) with a degree in Bachelor of Literature in Journalism where he was an editor of the UST journal, The Varsitarian.
"He was two-time president of the National Press Club of the Philippines and founding chair of Samahang Plaridel, an organization of journalists and media communications professionals. Neal Cruz together with the late Pat Gonzales, former editor in chief of the Manila Bulletin, founded the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Hotel media forum during the martial law years to test the limits of press freedom during the Marcos dictatorship," according to Interaksyon.
Cruz was also an advocate for animals. His home in Quezon City is known for being full of cats that have been rescued from the streets. "Aside from being a Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) supporter for years, Cruz is also a pet parent to dozens of dogs and cats whom he has adopted or rescued from the street," according to PAWS.
Memorial services will be announced later today.
