Award-winning news anchor Mike Enriquez disclosed in an interview on Wednesday that he has been getting treatment for a kidney disease, while also preparing for heart bypass surgery in mid-September. This is the reason why he has not been on from his television and radio programs for more than a month and with this a lot of his avid fans and viewers are curious what happened to the veteran a growing number of inquiries.
However, Enriquez assured all his viewers and radio listeners that he was in capable hands and is determined to bounce back to his on-air duties as soon as he gets better.
In his official startement he said, “My doctors have told me that two to four weeks after my surgery, I will be able to return to my normal duties. In the meantime, it is best that I rest and avoid stress to avoid any medical emergency before my bypass.”
While he has not been visible on air, Enriquez said that he continues to perform his functions as president of RGMA Network Inc. and as Consultant for Radio of GMA Network Inc. while he is not yet back on air.
Here is the full statement of Mike Enriquez:
“I am issuing this statement in response to a growing number of inquiries regarding my prolonged absence from the radio and television programs that I host on GMA.
I am currently on medical leave. I am being treated for kidney disease and I am scheduled to undergo a heart bypass operation in mid-September. My doctors have told me that two to four weeks after my surgery, I will be able to return to my normal duties. In the meantime, it is best that I rest and avoid stress to avoid any medical emergency before my bypass. While I am not yet back on the air, I continue to perform my functions as president of RGMA Network Inc. and as Consultant for Radio of GMA Network Inc.
I thank everyone for their expressions of support and wishes for good health, and most specially for their prayers. My doctors are good and caring and God is great!
I will be back!”
Mike Enriquez
Mike was even jovial when he broke the news about his condition on Wednesday afternoon.He even made fun at his co-anchor Joel Reyes Zobel by pointing at the back of Zobel as if saying. “This is the man” while he was live on air at the dzBB booth.
The award-winning broadcaster Joel Reyes Zobel has been taking the place of Mike Enriquez in Saksi sa Double B and he is also Enriquez’ co-anchor in Superbalita sa Umaga Nationwide.
Meanwhile, Enriquez in his talk with Ivan Mayrina in “24 Oras” about his kidney condition, explained: “Namana ko ‘to (kidney condition) sa tatay ko, kaya kailangan ang regular na paggamot.”
He however assured his worried viewers and listeners, fans and friends that he was in capable hands and that his medical condition is not something to fear or cause for worry to others who wish him well. “Yung sa puso naman ay kailangan ng heart bypass, o kung tawagin ng mga doktor. ‘ung isasagawang operasyon, bypass operation, napaka-common eh. Pangkaraniwan na lang ngayon ‘yon. Kaya sabi ng mga doktor, makakabalik ako sa aking normal na mga aktibidad pagkatapos ng operasyon.”
He admitted that he already misses delivering the news during his absence.“Alam mo, kung nami-miss ka ng mga tagapakinig at mga nanonood… mas nakaka-miss para sa katulad natin, ‘yung mga audience,”he said.
“Salamat po sa mga nagparating ng kanilang pagbati, nagtatanong kung ano ang kagalayan ko, buo po ang aking sampalataya sa Panginoon at sa galing ng mga doktor at sa dasal ng maraming-maraming tao,”he said.
“Ang pangako ko po, babalik po ako.”
THEPHILBIZNEWS has been privy to the health condition of Enriquez several weeks ago but we are not in the position to disclosed this. Needless to say, Mike Enriquez texted us and said, “Maraming salamat! Am ok. Will need more treatments but everything will be fine. The doctors are good and God is great. Regards and see you all soon.”