Veteran entertainment columnist Ricky Lo has died, the Philippine Star, the newspaper where he had worked for decades, announced this morning.
His sister, Susan Lee, said he died at past 10pm due to a stroke, ABS-CBN reported. Lo started his career in the 1960s with the Manila Times and moved to the Star in 1986 when he was already considered well-established in the entertainment press. He was known for publishing rumors as blind items in his column called “Fanfare.” While many actors deny the veracity of his articles, almost all of his reports turn out to be correct.
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He also hosted entertainment programs The Buzz and Startalk. In 2001, he published a collection of his interviews in a book titled Conversations with Ricky Lo.
A native of Northern Samar, the Filipino-Chinese Lo graduated from the University of the East with an English degree.
In a statement, the Star said, “You will be remembered Sir Ricky. It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Entertainment editor and columnist Ricky Lo on May 4, 2021.”
His colleagues described him as “generous” and “kind.”
