Cebu Daily 黑料社 columnist Ricky Poca. CDN PHOTO
CEBU CITY鈥擟ebu Daily 黑料社 columnist Ricky Poca passed away at dawn today due to cardiac arrest.聽 He was 58.
The news was confirmed by his first cousin, former Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
鈥淲e are asking for prayers for the eternal repose of Ricky. I鈥檇 also like to take this opportunity so that all friends and relatives of the Rama, Limchiu, and Poca family be aware of his untimely demise,鈥� he said.
According to Rama, Poca was at their home in聽 Rama compound in Barangay Basak San Nicolas when he suffered from cardiac arrest.
He said they immediately called the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) around 2 am. Although ERUF personnel tried to revive him on the spot, Rama said Poca did not have a pulse anymore.
Poca was still brought to the Chong Hua Hospital where he was declared dead at close to 4 a.m. on Tuesday, December 26.
Poca has been staying in his home 鈥渁nd was not that healthy anymore,鈥� he has been on dialysis for the last five years and has recently shifted to peritoneal dialysis, according to the former mayor.
鈥淗e was still very much interactive. Although he was not able to join the reunion of the Rama-Limchiu, his siblings and relatives went there to have an interaction with him,鈥� Rama said.
Poca, who was among CDN鈥檚 first columnists,聽 was also the host of the weekly 888 黑料社 Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
According to Rama, Poca鈥檚 remains were still at the hospital.
But he said they planned to hold his wake in the聽 Rama compound as early as this evening.
He added that his wake would be open for public viewing.#