Goodbye Dearest Jobert Sucaldito

By Oggie Medina

As I was about to go to the wake of entertainment writer-columnist-radio commentator Jobert Sucaldito, OOTD (Oras ng Opinyon, Talakayan at Diskusyon) co-host, at Loyola Memorial Chapel on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on August 3, 2026, Monday night, Jobert’s mobile phone kept ringing mysteriously.

I just assumed it was an automatic call for I did not click the call actually.

As I arrived at the funeral home or mortuary, I saw fellow Police Files Tonite columnist Beth Gelena at the lobby. I greeted her as I was about to go to the 2nd floor.

I saw so many people who came to the wake. It was OOTD co-host Chaps Manansala who attended to me. Later, I met the OOTD staffers who were friendly to me.

Then I extended my sincerest condolences to Jobert’s son Carlo Bryan.

Afterwards, I had an exchange of conversations with Jobert’s sister, Sol Sucaldito, who lives in Baguio City. Through the length of our talk, I found out from her that their last video chat with Jobert was on July 13, 2026.

According to Sol, the Sucaldito siblings had a regular rosary session through a group video chat.

But on July 30, 2026, Jobert was unable to join. Sol shared to me Jobert’s message: “(I) won’t be able to join our rosary kasi erratic pa oras ko. Naghahabol ng tulog pag may chance — di pa recovered sa anxiety. But don’t worry, lagi akong nagpi-pray for all of us.”

I was touched by Jobert’s message to his siblings. As his sister Sol said Jobert was caring, thoughtful, generous and kind. Then I saw tears silently flowed from her eyes.

To the Sucaldito family, my sincerest condolences for the passing on of Jobert, a true dear friend who had been active in my outreach activities for the elderly, the kids with cancer, the disabled and the special children.