Ernie Baron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Ernesto J. Baron (1940-08-15)August 15, 1940 |
| Died | January 23, 2006(2006-01-23) (aged 65) |
| Resting place | Angelus Eternal Garden,Bacoor,Cavite,Philippines |
| Occupations | Broadcaster, weather presenter |
| Years active | 1967–2006 |
| Known for | The Philippine Walking Encyclopedia |
| Spouse | Josephine Baron |
| Children | 1 |
Ernesto J. Baron (August 15, 1940 – January 24, 2006), professionally known asKa Ernie Baron, was aFilipinobroadcaster andinventor. He spent more than 40 years in the field of broadcasting. He was best known as theweather presenter in theABS-CBN news programTV Patrol. He was also known asThe Walking Encyclopedia of the Philippines.[1][2][3]
Considered one of the pioneers of Radyo Patrol, which counts as contemporaries, among others,Rey Langit,Noli de Castro,Joe Taruc, Mario Garcia, Bobby Guanzon,Orly Mercado andBong Lapira, Baron, started his radio career with the general information programGintong Kaalaman on the old DZAQ, the forerunner ofDZMM and laterDWPM. During the Martial Law era, he also worked as one of the news anchors of the station DZSA 1230 kHz (nowDWXI 1314 AM). He also became one of the personalities of DWAN 1206 Brodkast Patrol during the mid-'80s.
When ABS-CBN returned on the air after theMarcos regime, he hosted the radio programKnowledge Power as well as its television spin-off. He also advocated the use ofherbal medicine calledpito-pito and "cleansing diet" in his programs and media appearances, though his endorsement ofalternative medicine was criticised by medical professionals as a promotion ofquackery.[4][5]
Besides acting as a weather anchor and general television presenter, Baron made a number of guest appearances in films and television series, usually portraying his usual occupation as an anchorman or weather reporter. He also made acameo in the 2000 theatrical adaptation ofMagandang Tanghali Bayan entitledPera o Bayong (Not da TV), where he encountered the lead characters and gave them his signature line of advice "Kung walang knowledge, walang power!" (transl. "Without knowledge, there's no power!").
Baron served as the namesake and product ambassador for the Baron brand oftelevision antennas and relatedconsumer electronics products, which continued on past his death;[6] fellow weather anchor and presenterKim Atienza took over as the product ambassador and endorser for the Baron brand.[7]
Baron was married to Josephine Baron and had one daughter named Shirley.[8] The Barons are adherents ofIglesia ni Cristo, thus codifying his professional nickname "Ka Ernie".
Baron died ofheart attack on the morning of January 23, 2006, at his home inMuntinlupa, at the age of 65. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Muntinlupa Medical Center.[8][9] Prior to his death, Baron had been diagnosed with kidney and liver problems.[citation needed]
Several months after his death, he was replaced by his protegeKim Atienza as weather presenter ofTV Patrol (thenTV Patrol World), and the program's weather segment had been renamed "Weather Weather Lang" (nowWeather Patrol).[10]
A parody of Baron appeared in a Philippine trailer for the Korean zombie horror television seriesAll of Us Are Dead as part of a promotional campaign forNetflix in the country.[11]
| Event/Award-giving Body | Award | Reason/Program | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS-CBN | "one of 10 Most Interesting Personalities in 2001" | 2000 | |
| 16th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Educational TV Program Host | Knowledge Power ABS-CBN[12] | 2002 |
| Film Achievers' Association | Broadcast Journalist of the Year | 2005 |