Photographer, ex-Punch columnist Art Valenzuela dies, 82
HOBBYIST photographer, public relations practitioner and former Sunday PUNDAY columnist Arturo ‘Art’ Valenzuela passed away on Thursday, March 21. He was 82 years old.
Information gathered by The PUNCH reveals Valenzuela died peacefully early morning in a hospital in Dagupan City.
A true blue Pangasinense, Valenzuela hails from Barangay Tagac, Mangatarem town.
He inherited his knack for photojournalism from his father Marcial, Malacañang official photographer during the Magsaysay and Garcia presidency. But Art’s talents did not end there.
He also engaged actively in radio, print media. He expanded his passion in creative work by setting up his own advertising agency in the early 70s and public relations firm in the 1990s.
Valenzuela made his radio debut at the DZTD (The Manila Times radio station in Dagupan City) as DJ from 1962 to 1965.
He then began managing radio stations from 1967 to 1986, in between breaks to handle his business.
With photography and photojournalism in his blood, Valenzuela in his later years began collating and restoring his and his father’s old photos.
Unfortunately, his untimely demise prevented its completion.
According to the family, Art’s remains will be at the Garden of Eden Funeral Chapel in Calasiao town.
His last contributed article in Sunday PUNCH, titled “Only a Few Liters Left in The Tank,” published on March 03, 2024, and posted on his Facebook account, reminded readers how short and unpredictable life can be, and how he coped with challenges in his life.
Despite admitting to his declining health, Valenzuela has been a harbinger of hope and spending quality time with loved ones and close friends.
Art is survived by his wife Norma, and children (and spouses) Norman and Abigail, Chato and Arthur, Rosanna and Eric, and Vita and Abraham. (Ahikam Pasion)
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