Today we want to pay tribute to Ricardo Rocha a great winner who distinguished himself as a communicator, journalist and interviewer; he left us a legacy of integrity and passion for his work; It was last Sunday June 4, 2023 when he passed away at the age of 76, his son Jorge Armando Rocha confirmed the sad news through their social networks with the following message “Dad spread your wings, you were good”
In 1986 we had the privilege of interviewing a great communicator and interviewer as it was Ricardo Rochawho was part of the 24 trump reps in very different activities, which gave life to the book “Winning is a lot of fun” published by editorial Diana (1986, with a circulation of 10,000 copies”) today Editorial Planet. It was a dialogue with the winners, they talked about themselves, the path they followed to achieve success, their personal philosophy and their advice for future generations; from there we have extracted some paragraphs, which in his honor we share in this collaboration.
It was in Televisa San Angel where along with Alvaro Ancona Sanchez (QPD) we interviewed Ricardo Rochathere we discovered the notorious respect and admiration that he possessed one of the best communicators that Mexico has had and has.
Ricardo Rocha He was a man who got involved, vibrated and was moved by what he did. He succeeded in different activities, from journalism to literature, through television and radio. What always characterized him was his ethics and his commitment to the truth.
In that interview we did with him in 1986, rock told us about his personal philosophy and of his advice for future generations. He told us that to succeed in life you have to be honest and work with passion. What is essential have clear goals and fight for them with determinationwhich is very important learn from failures and not be discouraged by difficulties.
But he also told us about his most human side. He told us that he liked movies, music and sports. That he loved to travel and learn about new cultures. That his family was the most important thing to him and that he always tried to spend time with them.
In his office we noticed with surprise that, next to his desk, there was a typewriter and, curiously, we asked him why he had it in that place. His response was: “Anyone who claims to be a professional journalist can hardly part with this valuable tool”and during the interview he expressed the following ideas, which are contained in the aforementioned book: ‘I live largely not so much from what I speak, but from what I write. There is no greater delight for me than sitting at my typewriter and starting to devise a program; Well now, following the tone of his book, that is very funny ”.
Richard with great pride he told us that he was born in the Mexico City, in the Tepito neighborhood, on February 20, 1950; and with great enthusiasm he told us the following: “ I did my primary studies in private schools, although we lived in a very popular area. Then in public school the sixth year and high school in the Valentin Gomez Farias; later in the Secondary 17, It was very interesting because there were children of high public officials, also people of different intellectual levels. A series of events were held that were not common in official schools: speech contests, a magazine that the students themselves edited, in short, there was great cultural and even political activity within our school. There were groups and electoral campaigns for the student society. It was really a lot of fun all that movement and the possibilities of expression”.
“Then I did high school, first a year in the High School 4, from Tacubayaand second and third I did it in the one of mixcoacthe High School 8, Miguel E. Schultz. He was torn between many races; I never knew that he could study Journalism; No one ever told me that if I wrote and edited magazines I could study at a university. In short, through vocational guidance and a little pushed by my friends, I went to study Business Administration at the FCA of the UNAM”.
“Since elementary school I already had the communication bug, because I made my debut, in the third year, reciting in public “El Brindis del Bohemio”, and since then I began to practice what I believe is an art: public speaking”.
“I always liked to read a lot, since I was little. I think that reading is essential. To the extent that one reads better writers; as long as one has conversations with smarter people that one; To the extent that one tries to practice, on a daily basis and professionally, writing and speaking in public, one will improve, because he is assimilating, he is copying others by nature “.
And in the course of the interview, among many other questions we asked him the following: What image does Ricardo Rocha project?
“Well I do not know. It is a question that people should rather answer.. I try not to worry about looking for a stereotype; I try, when I appear before the camera, not to worry about offering a certain image that I already have prefabricated. I think that the most difficult thing is precisely maintaining one’s image and doing what one wants and not forcing oneself to do other things”.
“What happens is that I make very different programs, so some people have asked me: ´You, which of the three Ricardo Rocha is: the one from ´Para Gente Grande´, ´Reportaje´ or the one from ´En vivo´”?
“I am the same, nothing more than we all act differently, consciously or unconsciously, depending on the area in which we are operating. All Human beings have different spheres. and you do not have the same attitude when you receive your friends at home as when you go to see someone in an office”.
“When I go to interview an official I feel a bit, without this sounding ‘Robinhoodesque’, the representative of the people who will seek an answer. So maybe I’m a little tougher and more demanding. If I receive someone in my study of “For Big People” I am the host and I try to be friendly. I think you can ask all kinds of questions, but the way, (as i said Kings Heroles: ´Both in politics and in life in general, form is substance´), that is to say, in the form of asking there is also the way in which one can be answered. On many occasions I try to raise a very thorny issue in the most delicate way possible, I am asking the same thing, but if I ask it with a haughty attitude and raising my finger and pontificating, well, maybe I don’t get an answer ”.
“I believe that the realization of one, as well as the solutions to problems and the overcoming of challenges they are within oneself. You have to have the decision and the character to know how to jump the stumbling blocks”.
“Another thing that I always tell people and especially those who are dedicated to broadcasting through the media and that I would also recommend to my children, is that it is very important maintain the sense of wonder. And I have developed this ability because I had deficiencies and that’s why everything has been gain, Many things continue to amaze me. I think a journalist you have to go find out the truth not its truth”.
“I think that people are revealed one and that is why the interview is an adventure of thought, It is a wonderful adventure, it is a maze. Sometimes, with the research that I do, I have more or less an idea, a profile and four or five basic questions that I know are essential, but sometimes I also get carried away by the interviewee, by his proposal, it is a game understood, of eyes and attitudes”.
“I’m a dreamer Also, I daydream, I imagine myself doing many things; I think that television has great possibilities, I imagine making programs that can unite all Spanish-speakers with common goals and purposes”.
be a winner
“I don’t think I have anything different from the others to have succeeded. What happens is that everyone succeeds in their field. But basically the one I own, First of all, it’s honesty. I can be wrong, but ultimately it is my mistake and my fault and I must admit it; honesty also in trying to give dignity to a profession which is often vilified. On the other hand, I have a huge love for my work, love for what I do. I have fun doing itI felt anguish doing it, I fulfilled myself doing it and I live with a constant gratitude for the privilege that I have”. “I would advise my children, so that they can be successful in life, that they have the courage to perform”.
The interview to Richard in the book “Succeeding is Very Fun” (1986) concluded with these expressions “If one is lucky, a single fantasy is enough to transform a million realities.” “We succeed because we get involved, we vibrate and we get excited about what we are doing”.
Ricardo Rocha was a man who knew how to succeed in lifebut he never lost his humility or his integrity. Was a communicator journalist and interviewer That involved, vibrated and excited with what he did, and that was reflected in his work. He has left a legacy of passion for communication and for life, and is an example for future generations to follow. He so he lived and departed Ricardo Rocha (1950-2023).
Appreciated RichardYou will always be in our hearts. Rest in peace.