GMA cameraman succumbs to heart attack

"A thinking cameraman," was how one co-worker described lensman Noel Almadrones, who worked for GMA Public Affairs shows during the five years he was with the network.

But more than that, his colleagues at GMA remember him as a good friend and a thorough professional, someone who was great to work with and who had a passion for his work.

On Friday, Almadrones succumbed to a heart attack while working. He was 38.

Almadrones was with reporter Cesar Apolinario and the iJuander team in Isabela, where they were going to shoot a story on Ilagan City's rare fish.

Apolinario noted that Noel was his usual cheerful self when they were traveling. It was so hot, he said, that he was getting headaches, and Almadrones would carefully remind him to drink water and stay inside the vehicle. The cameraman himself did not complain, Apolinario added.

En route to the city of Ilagan, Almadrones asked the driver to stop so he could take a video of a sign on a hill bearing the province's name and, below it, the words, "Thy will be done."

The iJuander team were shooting in Ilagan City Hall when Almadrones fell ill. He was rushed to Ilagan Provincial Hospital, where he was declared dead at 5:11 p.m.

'Magaan katrabaho'
 

Almadrones worked as a cameraman for Alisto, Motorcycle Diaries, iJuander, Rescue and i-Witness.

Segment producer Maharlika Corrullo described Noel as "magaan katrabaho," noting that he was always cheerful and jolly during shoots.

"Thinking cameraman siya. Hindi na kailangang bantayan pagkumukuha...Magaling din siyang magtahi ng story," she told GMA News Online.

Corrullo added that Almadrones was one of GMA's “ace cameramen,” someone who was a joy to work with due to his skills and outgoing personality.

"Isa siya sa pinakamasayang katrabaho. Masayahin talaga siya saka alam mo 'yung passion niya 'pag nagtatrabaho," she said.

Soldiering on

The iJuander team decided to continue the shoot in Isabela, Apolinario said, in memory of their friend and colleague.

On his Facebook page, Apolinario posted some of Almadrones' photos, with the following message: "You've been so good at capturing such simple yet remarkable images. Thank you!

"But we can't thank you enough for all the happy and beautiful moments you shared with us. Just amazing that even in your darkest hours we didn't hear you complain about things that made you suffer.

"I honestly don't #JUANder why you were so good at it."

Almadrones' wake is at St. Peter's Chapel in Quezon Avenue. On Thursday, his remains will be brought to his hometown in Vinzons, Camarines Norte. — BM, GMA News

GMA News Online is the new media arm of GMA Network.