MANILA, Philippines — Veteran sports journalist Ricardo “Recah” Trinidad, whose decades-long career captured the triumphs and struggles of Filipino athletes, has died at 83.
His daughter, Nice Trinidad, announced his passing Sunday, saying he “peacefully joined our Creator” at around 6 a.m.
“Our hearts are heavy as we say goodbye to our beloved Dad,” Nice wrote in a Facebook post, describing her father’s 83 years as “a life well lived.”
Trinidad had suffered a heart attack in June and had been fighting for his life for the past few months.
“Dad bravely fought for the past few months and finally found his rest. He passed peacefully in his sleep, free from pain and suffering,” Nice wrote.
Trinidad spent decades covering Philippine sports, with his work appearing in prominent publications.
He became widely known for his “Bare Eye” column, where he wrote about boxing, basketball, billiards, bowling and other sports with an unfiltered style that reflected both the triumphs and struggles of athletes.
His career also took him around the world, allowing him to cover some of the biggest names in sports, including basketball stars Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant and boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
He also chronicled the careers of Filipino sports icons such as Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Rolando Navarrete, Erbito Salavarria, Dodie Boy Peñalosa, Morris East, Robert Jaworski, Efren “Bata” Reyes, Paeng Nepomuceno and Bong Coo.
He received a special citation from the Philippine Sports Association in 2016 for his contribution as a sports writer and columnist. He also received the Don Carlos Palanca Award in 1978 for poetry.
The Philippine Boxing Historical Society and Hall of Fame honored him for his “tremendous contributions to Philippine boxing history.”
Beyond his work in journalism, Trinidad was remembered by his family as a beloved husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Maria Fe “Fe” Trinidad; sons Paolo Martin L. Trinidad and Baste; daughters-in-law Babs Trinidad and Nice; and six grandchildren — Florian, Florenz, Floresse, Coley, Coby and Chloey, who lovingly called him “Papa.”
“I find comfort knowing that Dad is now reunited with his beloved eldest son, Kuya Chino Trinidad,” Nice wrote.
Chino passed away due to a heart attack on July 13, 2024.
Nice ended her tribute with a message to her father saying, "Rest peacefully, Dad, No more pain. You are home.”
“Thank you for being our Dad, I love you. We love you! and We will miss you forever,” she added.
Details of Trinidad’s public wake will be announced by his son Paolo in the coming days.
The family has asked for prayers for Fe, their family and all those who loved the veteran journalist.
