It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Augusto “Gus” Buenaventura Villanueva this Friday, the 14th day of January, in the Year of our Lord 2022. He was 83 years old.
He is survived by his brother, Dr. Osmundo Villanueva, his children Dr. Armando and his wife Dr. Roella, and Antonette and her husband Edward, and grandchildren Brigitte Danielle, and Edward Brian.
Gus was married to the late Arlyne Magsaysay Romero.
The publisher and editor-in-chief of the Journal Group of Publications, Gus was considered the doyen of local sportswriters and a pillar of Philippine journalism.
While a student of the University of Santo Tomas College of Philosophy and Letters, Gus began as a sports scribe at the age of 17 with the Manila Times under sportswriter Ricky Llanos in 1955.
When martial law was declared in 1972, Gus was one of the founding editors of the broadsheet Times Journal that same year. He is credited with creating the popular and pioneering English tabloid People’s Journal and sister publication People’s Tonight in 1978 and 1979, respectively.
When the Journal Group was sequestered by the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino in 1986, Gus and some other former employees organized the short-lived News Today as a rival tabloid.
Gus was a former Philippine Sportswriters Association President, and received the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. He was also the media relations officer of the Philippine Olympic Committee and served as the media attaché of the Philippine delegation in the 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Summer Games.
“Tata” Gus was back at the helm of the Journal Group in 2004, and served as its publisher and editor-in-chief until his death.
Due to the present situation of the high number of COVID-19 cases, we, his family, choose to exercise caution for the health and safety of our relatives and friends. After his cremation, his remains will be kept at home until a date of inurnment is decided upon.
We ask for your fervent prayers for the repose of his soul. Let us commend him to our good Lord.
Eternal rest grant unto Augusto, O Lord, and may perpetual light upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.