June Keithley Explained

June Keithley-Castro
Birth Name:June Keithley
Birth Date:10 March 1947
Birth Place:Manila, Philippines
Death Place:Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Resting Place:Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina, Metro Manila, Philippines
Occupation:Broadcaster, Marian devotee
Nationality:Filipino
Spouse:Angelo Castro Jr. (deceased)
Children:Angelo Diego Castro III
Gabriella Castro
Angelica Castro

June Keithley-Castro (March 10, 1947 – November 24, 2013)[1] [2] was a Filipina actress and broadcast journalist.

Early life

Castro was born to a Cebuano mother and an American father. She studied at St. Paul College, where she was mentored by James B. Reuter. She married broadcaster Angelo Castro, Jr. in 1973 and the couple had three children: Diego, an actor and anchor of UNTV,[3] Gabriella, and Angelica.

Acting career

Prior to becoming a journalist, Castro had a television and film career. She was part of the cast in the defunct ABS-CBN comedy-gag show Super Laff-In from 1969 until 1972. She appeared in several films, including Durog (1971), and Lunes, Martes, Miyerkules, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado, Linggo (1976).[4]

People Power Revolution

See main article: People Power Revolution. During the People Power Revolution in late February 1986, Keithley continued her broadcasts at the radio station booth of DZRJ-AM in Santa Mesa, Manila where she, along with Father James Reuter, Felino Interia, and Charlie Frejas, set up Radyo Bandido, which was an alternative source for news on the uprising after government troops destroyed the transmitter of Church-owned Radio Veritas on 23 February. As soldiers failed to discover their whereabouts despite proximity to Malacañang Palace, Radyo Bandido helped sustain momentum for the revolt that ultimately toppled the dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos on 25 February.

Illness and death

In 2009, Castro was diagnosed with breast cancer and told she had three years to live.[5] She died, aged 66, on November 24, 2013, at St. Luke's Medical Center, Quezon City, Metro Manila.[6] [7]

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda announced her death on Philippine television.[8] Her wake was held at Saint Ignatius of Loyola Military Cathedral inside Camp Aguinaldo.

Affiliations

Castro hosted a religious program called "The Woman Clothed with the Sun".

Awards

President Corazon Aquino conferred Castro with the Philippine Legion of Honor, making her a reservist in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of general.[9]

In 2013, she and Reuter were given a plaque of recognition and the Spirit of EDSA Award at the 27th anniversary of the People Power Revolution.[10]

In popular culture

Keithley was portrayed by Odette Khan in the 1988 Australian television film A Dangerous Life, in a scene depicting her role in Radyo Bandido during the People Power Revolution.

Notes and References

  1. News: June Keithley passes away. ABS-CBN News. November 22, 2013. November 26, 2013.
  2. News: Staff. June Keithley Castro dies at 66. Rappler. November 26, 2013.
  3. Web site: Diego Castro III profile. Untvweb. November 26, 2013.
  4. News: June Keithley, veteran broadcaster and People Power hero, dies at 66. Philippine Entertainment Portal. November 26, 2013.
  5. News: June Keithley Castro and her battle with cancer . ABS-CBN News. April 2, 2012 . November 26, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120402180311/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/lifestyle/04/02/12/june-keithley-castro-and-her-battle-cancer . April 2, 2012 .
  6. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/533935/june-keithley-passes-away June Keithley passes away
  7. http://www.rappler.com/nation/44520-june-keithley-castro-dies June Keithley dies
  8. News: June Keithley Castro and her battle with cancer. https://web.archive.org/web/20120402180311/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/lifestyle/04/02/12/june-keithley-castro-and-her-battle-cancer . April 2, 2012 . dead. October 30, 2014.
  9. News: June Keithley-Castro to receive full military honors . November 26, 2013 . https://archive.today/20131128030148/http://anc.yahoo.com/news/june-keithley-to-receive-full-military-honors-075640388.html . November 28, 2013 . dead . Yahoo! News . November 28, 2013 .
  10. News: June Keithley honored during EDSA commemoration. ABS-CBN News. February 25, 2013. November 26, 2013.