Former Press Secretary and veteran newsman Crispulo Julio “Jun” Icban, Jr. has died at the age of 85.
UP, he was editor-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian from 1953 to 1954.
He also took up a Master of Arts in Journalism course at the Syracuse University, New York State, USA in 1958 on Fulbright and Smith-Mundt grants.
From 1965 to 1966, Icban was a Nieman fellow at Harvard University in Massachusetts.
His career in journalism started in 1954 when he joined the Manila Times as an editorial assistant, as a reporter covering the Foreign Affairs beat, and as editorial writer.
He was named news editor in 1968 up to 1972 when the paper was closed down due to the imposition of martial law.
He worked as an editorial consultant at the Manila Bulletin in 1974 and was later named news editor.
In 2003, he was appointed editor-in-chief of the Manila Bulletin.
In 2020, he was named concurrent publisher and editor-in-chief.
Icban, a fatherly figure in the Manila Bulletin’s Central News Desk, was also chairman of Samahang Plaridel, an association of Philippine Journalists, and of the Campampangan in Media.
His remains will be cremated on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
A two-day wake will be held at Loyola Commonwealth from April 7 to 8.
He was born on Aug. 3, 1935 in Tondo, Manila to Crispulo Manansala Icban of Lubao, Pampanga, and Mercedes Villanueva Julio of Pura, Tarlac.
He is married to Zenaida Pamintuan Icban with whom he has six children—Susan Icban Amores, Mercedes Icban Hermogenes, Crispulo Icban III, David Icban, Zenaida Flor Icban, and Michael Ben Icban.