VETERINARIAN, environmental advocate, and entrepreneur Roberto Palmares Puentespina Jr., more popularly known as “Dr. Bo,” passed away Monday, November 15, 2021, the Puentespina family confirmed.
He was 57.
Chocolate maker Rex Puentespina announced the demise of his brother on Facebook Tuesday afternoon, November 16.
“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my brother Manong Bo... He fought a good fight. I guess the Lord God needs him up there. Manong Bo rest in peace,” he said.
Dr. Bo’s sister interior designer Charisse Puentespina told SunStar Davao in an online interview that her brother suffered septic shock due to pneumonia.
She also said Dr. Bo was diagnosed with late stage Esophageal cancer in July this year.
Dr. Bo’s legacies
Apart from being a renowned veterinarian in the city, Dr. Bo is known as an environmental protection and awareness advocate as reflected in his works in the proudly Davao Malagos Interactive Bird show that ran for 17 years. He created the show to educate the audience of the importance of the bird in our ecosystem and the significance of the human beings’ action in preserving and caring for our environment.
Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) pediatric oncologist and House of Hope program director Dr. Mae Dolendo honored Dr. Bo by remembering the good memories she and her family and friends had because of the bird show.
“I used to drag family, friends and guests to watch the Malagos Bird Show because to me, it equaled and even surpassed those I have seen in other parts of the world. I thought it was one of Davao’s great pride and an entertaining way to learn about how to save the environment... Dr Bo Puentespina has a passion for the environment that I truly respect; he is a significant part of my Malagos Gardens memories and more. He will be greatly missed. May your soul rest in eternal peace,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
He left the show in 2019 to concentrate on Davao Thermo Biotech Corporation, a company he founded to help clean the environment and revolutionize Philippine agriculture by transforming biodegradable wastes into organic fertilizer.
He is survived by his mother, Charita, wife, Olive, and children, Toto, Ingrid, and Sophie, and his siblings, Jun, Ed, Rex, and Charisse.