Philippine sports journalism lost one of its giants with the passing of Ricardo “Recah” Trinidad. To me, however, Recah was more than a great reporter. Through his words, his friendship with my father, Hermie Rivera, and the example he set, he became one of my surrogate fathers and role models.
He taught generations of writers that the best stories did not need embellishment—only truth, observation, heart, and the courage to write them well.
His beloved son, Manolo “Chino” Trinidad, preceded him in death. He leaves behind his wife, Fe, and an extraordinary body of work and many unforgettable stories.
An exceptional journalist skillfully allows stories to unfold with ease and rich detail. While many aim to reach this level of proficiency, Recah Trinidad has elevated the art and craft to a pinnacle of precision.
Ricardo Trinidad was born on June 9, 1943, in Mandaluyong, Philippines, and has had a long and storied career in journalism. His travels and adventures, particularly in sports, provided rich material for his writings in prominent broadsheets such as the Daily Express, Tempo, Champ, Sports Flash, We Forum, Malaya, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Through his hard-hitting column, "Bare Eye," readers vicariously experienced the triumphs and tribulations of athletes in the four sports Filipinos excel in—boxing, basketball, billiards, bowling and everything in between.
Through his compelling reportage, we were plunged into the heart of the action. He documented the rise and fall of global sports icons such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Muhammad Ali, along with our own revered legends like Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Rolando Navarrete, Erbito Salavarria, Dodie Boy Peñalosa, Morris East, Robert Jaworski, Efren “Bata” Reyes, Paeng Nepomuceno, Bong Coo and the list can go on.
Trinidad was ringside when Luisito Espinosa knocked out the Thai hero Khaokor Galaxy in Bangkok on October 18, 1989, and when Lindol lost the crown by knockout against Israel Contreras on October 19, 1991, at the Araneta Coliseum.
About 10 years ago, he published his novel, a self-revelation of sorts, about the Ilog Pasig called "Tales From My Lost River”.
In 2006, he penned an incisive book about the greatest boxer of his era, Emmanuel Pacquiao, Sr., titled "Pacific Storm: Dispatches on Pacquiao of the Philippines”.
If there were gold medals for writers, Recah would undoubtedly deserve many. He covered numerous Olympic Games dating back to the 1972 Munich Games to his last one at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, captivating fans and readers with insider scoops and thrilling play-by-play.
A family that reports together stays together, so they say: In the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan, his wife Fe and son Manolo joined him as part of the broadcast team.
A product of the University of Santo Tomas, he received a special citation from the Philippine Sports Association in 2016 for his unparalleled contribution to Philippine sports as a sports writer and columnist. Known for his economy of words, Trinidad was also revered by fans who appreciated unfiltered social commentary. He was honored with the Don Carlos Palanca Award in 1978 for his poetry, and has set the bar high for aspiring reporters.
At the Thrilla in Manila in 1975, held at the old Manila Hilton, he witnessed a press box banter between The Greatest and the emcee named Hermie Rivera.
To quote, "There was never a dull moment with him, but the famous broadcaster and boxing expert Hermie Rivera was once stunned into silence when Muhammad Ali turned to him onstage and quipped, 'Hey, you’re not as dumb as you look.'"
That is just one story from his vault that warms the heart. After learning of my father’s passing, Trinidad wrote in his column, "Boxing was so close to his heart that when he chaperoned the clean-cut Socrates Batoto to a world title challenge in Caracas, Venezuela, correspondents ganged up on the frayed-browed Rivera at the airport for an interview. They mistook the peppery manager for the Filipino title challenger himself. Hermie did not find that very funny. He gave a memorable interview just the same."
His son, the renowned reporter Manolo “Chino” Trinidad, considers him not only as his greatest mentor but also as someone who has set an example of what a writer should be—meticulous, fair, and incisive.
“Dad has always had my back covered. ‘Tis time I got his.”
With Philippine literary giants Nick Joaquin (L) and Erwin Castillo (R).
With Manny Piñol.
The late Smokin' Joe Cantada once likened the Bare Eye columnist to Clint Eastwood— a master storyteller.
(L-R) Recah Trinidad and his friend Hermie Rivera in San Francisco, California (Circa 1989?).
The equally late Hermie Rivera wanted his friend Mr. Trinidad to have this 1-2 punch: “Recah is the Filipino Ernest Hemingway."
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