Veteran journalist Sheila Crisostomo; 54
MANILA, Philippines — Sheila Crisostomo, a reporter for the Philippine Star for over 30 years, died on Wednesday at East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City from a stroke.
“We are saddened to say that our beloved Sheila Crisostomo y Villaflores died at 10:53 p.m. on Jan. 15, two days after she suffered a stroke. She was 54,” her brother Allan said in a Facebook post.
In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Health (DOH), a beat that Crisostomo covered for over 20 years, condoled with her family.
The DOH said that Crisostomo “was always true to her duty—asking the right questions, gathering data and helping communicate health risks and information—so that Filipino public health may be better protected,” adding that “she will be missed.”
Crisostomo also covered several other beats, including national and local elections, the police, education, transportation, and the House of Representatives.
Miguel Belmonte, Star president and CEO, paid tribute to the veteran reporter, describing her as a “loyal and hardworking staff member” of the paper for many decades.
“Most of all, she had a good heart, toward her coworkers and for the less fortunate. She will be greatly missed,” he said.
Channel NewsAsia Philippine correspondent Buena Bernal shared in a Facebook post that Crisostomo was one of her mentors when she started as a reporter 13 years ago.
“So much of what I know now I learned from generous veterans like Ate Sheila,” she said. “I will always remember her for her consistency, humor, positive outlook in life, and her drive to never stop pursuing stories.”
Crisostomo is survived by her mother Luzviminda, brother Allan, sister-in-law Acel, and nieces Abby and Alecs. Her wake will be at the Saluysoy Barangay Hall, which is at the back of the Saluysoy Chapel, in Meycauayan, Bulacan.
