CEBU-based broadcaster Cirse Francisco “Choy” Torralba died on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. He was 72 years old.
Torralba was still able to anchor his radio program in dyRF entitled “Tug-ani’ng Lungsod,” on Monday, Oct. 9, a day before he passed away.
SunStar Cebu is still getting confirmation on the cause of his death as of this writing.
Some of his friends in the media, including former television reporter and former Apas barangay captain Ramil Ayuman, expressed condolences in a post on Facebook Tuesday.
“Rest in peace, Sir Choy Torralba... The Torralba family will always be remembered by the people of Barangay Apas because of Major Ramon Torralba (Choy’s father), the former medical director of Centcom in the 1950s,” he said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Radio stations in Cebu, including dyHP and dyRF, also conveyed their condolences. The Cebu Journalism and Journalists (CJJ) community also remembered Torralba’s journey in the local media industry.
Torralba, a business administration graduate, began his broadcasting career in 1981 at the age of 28.
According to CJJ, Torralba first handled a morning commentary program at radio dyLA in 1981. He then moved to an evening program of the now defunct dyFX, then to dyAR in 1994, and returned to dyLA in 2005. In 2007, Torralba moved to dyRF.
In his 30-year broadcasting career, Torralba encountered challenges, including 14 libel cases within his first 20 years as a commentator. However, only one case prospered, resulting in a fine of P2,000.
He was also a survivor of a shooting in 2004.
He was shot inside his car along Don Jose Avila Street in Cebu City, outside the radio station where he was working.
SunStar Cebu reported that Torralba was hit three times but managed to fire back.
In 2008, the Regional Trial Court found the marine transportation student, whom Torralba accused of shooting him over a woman, guilty.
Torralba denied any involvement with the woman.
In 2010, however, the Court of Appeals reversed the conviction.
SunStar Cebu has yet to get details of his wake and burial.