Jose “Joe” Antonio, who for the last 35 years was the sports editor of People’s Journal (PJ), passed away Wednesday night aged 69.
The well-loved Antonio, also the longest-serving official of the Philippine Sportswriters Association, also worked briefly for Tempo and Manila Times before officially becoming PJ sports’ boss man in 1987, turning that page into a can’t-miss reading habit behind its catchy headlines, superb layout and easy to read stories.
He covered practically every event from the Olympics to the defunct Tour of Luzon cycling and local horseracing, which he had a passion for.
Antonio started his sportswriting journey at University of the East with its Weekly Dawn organ, before he went national in 1976 at Times Journal under another late, sportswriting great, Gus Villanueva.
Joe is survived by wife Lita Antonio, son Steve Ovett, daughter-in-law Princess Anne and grandchildren Anthony James and Andre Stephen.
His remains lie at Loyola Commonwealth’s Diligence room on the second floor. Interment will be at Forest Pak Memorial on Sunday, Sept. 25.