Buddy Gomez, ex-press secretary, 86

MANILA, Philippines — The family of former press secretary Tomas “Buddy” Gomez III announced yesterday his death while he was on a pilgrimage in Galicia, Spain.

“With deep sorrow in our hearts, we announce the passing of Tomas ‘Buddy’ Gomez III, who left us on July 22, 2021 while doing the Camino to Santiago de Compostela (pilgrimage in) Galicia, Spain,” the family said in a statement.

Gomez, 86, served as press secretary during the last two years of former president Corazon Aquino. He started a career in media in ABS-CBN’s dzQL-Radio Reloj in 1957 before he joined the Ayala Group.

Before his appointment as press secretary, Gomez was appointed consul general to Hawaii where he was also tasked to closely monitor the Marcoses while they were in exile.

During the Ramos administration, he was designated chairman and president of the state-run IBC-13 before he went to the US.

At the time of his death, Gomez wrote a weekly column “Cyberbuddy” for ABS-CBN News website, where he discussed in his last write-ups his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

“In a week, I will be embarking on my own spiritual adventure of a lifetime. I go contrite. Not with a broken spirit but with the sincere hope of performing a much postponed penitence. It has been a long time for penance. It is acceptance of a sinful past, as all must. It is never too late for rueful introspection,” he wrote in his column last July 10.

“Most of us know what we want of life, yet really not ever knowing what fate has in store for us. Everyday could be a ‘last hurrah,’ you know. Such is a distinct possibility for which most of us are hardly ever ready.Time having abided and permitted me a life longer than most, I seize this opportunity to express gratitude, a roadmap to happiness,” Gomez said. “Who knows, this could be my last purposeful jaunt.”