ABS-CBN’s veteran entertainment reporter, Mario Dumaual, passed away at the age of 64 on Wednesday morning due to septic shock, according to his family.

Dumaual had been hospitalized for a month at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City due to a serious fungus infection that had developed as a result of his recuperation from a heart attack.

He was survived by his wife, Cherie, and children, Luigi, Miguel, Maxine, William, and Thessa.

In a statement, Dumaual’s family said that he was strong and kept fighting to overcome heart attacks and cardiac arrest; however, the infection overwhelmed his body’s ability to recover.

"What comforts us is he knew that we were always with him, waiting for him, and that home was wherever he felt our love. We also made it a point to let him know how loved he was by his friends in the industry and even kind strangers who have been offering prayers and help for his recovery," the family said in Dumaual’s Facebook account.

"Papa was our rock, we depended much on him. But he also nurtured us to become strong and able and to be the best version of ourselves. Beyond us his family, we’d like to think he also left a legacy in entertainment journalism. He made us proud as Mario Dumaual, the reporter, but ultimately more so as a devoted husband, father, and granddad," they added.

Dumaual’s wake will be held today, July 6, at 2:00 p.m. until Sunday afternoon at the Loyola Memorial Chapels and Commonwealth Crematorium.

His interment will be on July 29 at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.

Meanwhile, Dumaual was supposed to celebrate his 65th birthday on July 31.

He also received a five-point brass star on the Eastwood City Walk of Fame earlier this year.