How they remember Maryo J.

For the first time in the many years he had been managing talents (among them the Masculados, Ruru Madrid and Rep. Yul Servo), director Maryo J. delos Reyes treated the movie press to a grand Christmas party last year at the sprawling garden of Annabel’s restaurant, highlighted by a raffle of prizes and other attractions.

Last Wednesday, two days before he flew to Dipolog City, Maryo hosted a belated New Year party for those close to him and gave each of them a memorable gift: An angel with a cut knee to his manager June Torrejon-Rufino (who collects angels and anything related to it), a small tray for GMA executive Lilybeth Rasonable, a Daily Bread book for Balikbayan friend Dante Dizon; also a book for Honey Tirona (sister of Maryo’s dear friend, scriptwriter Jake Tordesillas who died in June last year); and a figurine from Russia to writer Senedy Que.

Until Maryo died of two massive heart attacks last Saturday night while dancing at a friend’s birthday party at a Dakak Resort in Dipolog City, those two events were nothing unusual to Maryo’s friends, except that, when they recall now, he was extra nice and treated everybody in a special way.

“Since July last year,” June told Funfare, “Jake’s close friends would get together once a month to reminisce about shared fond memories and to give emotional support to Maryo who and not quite recovered from the death of Jake with whom he lived for 45 years. Jake’s death left Maryo devastated.

“Before our party broke up, Maryo told us that he went through Jake’s personal items and decided to give a memento to each one in the room.”

Maryo’s driver has a story to tell.

“Sir Maryo was crying all the time. Pag sinusundo ko siya sa bahay niya (at Filinvest Village in Quezon City), nakikita ko siyang umiiyak at umiiyak pa rin siya pag hinahatid ko na sa bahay.”

Maryo’s untimely passing at age 64 (he would have turned 65 on Oct. 17) shocked the industry that loved him dearly, especially actors who have worked with him.

• Albert Martinez (directed by Maryo in Linlang and Magnifico and in the teleserye Habang Kapiling Ka): Another pillar of the industry gone too soon…

• Gabby Concepcion: I did so many movies with him, one of them the comedy-drama Pepe en Pilar with Maricel (Soriano) in California, USA. It was in December. I did not feel I was working because we had so much fun, especially between takes. We were laughing all the way. His death came as a big shock to me because I was scheduled to start shooting a movie with him in March.

• Maricel Soriano: When we were shooting Pepe en Pilar, I had to learn how to dance the La Cucaracha and how to speak Spanish in some scenes. Direk Maryo would watch me and couldn’t stop laughing. His laughter was contagious. Every time we worked together, we always had a heart-to-heart talk about our lives. Those are the times that I remember fondly about direk Maryo. (Maricel did 11 movies with Maryo: Schoolgirls, 1982; Ang Boyfriend Kong Kano, 1983; Minsan May Isang Ina, 1983; Pepe en Pilar, 1983; Saan Darating ang Umaga, 1984; Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit; Anak ni Waray, Anak ni Biday, 1984; Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, 1984; Stupid Cupid, 1988; Dinampot Ka Lang sa Lusak, 1991; and A Love Story, 2006.)

• Aga Muhlach: Working with Maryo was life-changing. I practically grew up under his guidance. I was a teenager when he directed me in Bagets. That was the time I was going through growing-up pains. In the early ‘80s, medyo nag-rebelde ako. That was the time he directed me in Joey Boy Munti, a heavy drama, followed by Avel Morado and Sinungaling Mong Puso. Parati siyang naka-alalay sa akin. Many years later, after I lost weight, we worked together again in A Love Story. Maryo was Tatay-Tatayan ng lahat; maalaga sa mga artista. I was telling him that in the next two years, gusto ko uli gumawa kami ng pelikula….And now, he’s gone. I was in bed early Sunday morning when Lea (Salonga) told me about Maryo’s passing, from New York (where Lea is starring in the musical On This Island). I said, “Oh my God, it hurts, it really hurts so badly!!!”

• Vilma Santos: Sad! I was on leave from work for more than a week kasi I had an attack of vertigo. Check-up muna din ako. Anyway, nabigla ako sa pagkawala ni Maryo. I enjoyed our working relationship. Sa kanya ako nakaranas ng nag-iisang workshop sa buhay ko bilang artista para sa movie na Tagos ng Dugo kasi puro lalaki ang leading men ko at pito sila.

Sinungaling Mong Puso with Aga was also my favorite because Mother Lily gave me a bonus when the movie made a lot of money. It has been a while since I last saw him but I will definitely miss him kasi napakagaling niya hindi lang bilang director kundi bilang tao. Clannish din siya. Mahal niya at halos permanente ang grupo niya sa showbiz. In spite of his status as a great filmmaker, napaka-humble niya. I will miss him.

• Gloria Romero: Napakasakit, napakalungkot! Mahilig kumain si Maryo. He was so mabait that many people would send him food on the set. He didn’t want to eat alone. He would invite us to his tent to share his food. He would always bring me pasalubong kahit saan siya galing. I would tell him, “Ang sweet mo naman!” The last time I saw him was at Jake’s wake.

He was a perfectionist. Hindi puede sa kanya ang puede na, okey na. Pinipiga talaga niya ang mga artista niya. He never got tired training new talents. He didn’t want fake tears, so in drama scenes he would encourage his actors to shed real tears. He was also a jolly person, especially between takes.

I remember when Nida (Blanca) and I were shooting Waray vs. Biday. In the scene, manganganak na ako at isasakay ako sa kalesa kasi walang taksi. The horse was thin, payat na payat, so I was nervous. True enough, during the shoot, nag-collapse ang pobreng kabayo at munti na akong mahulog! Tawa kami nang tawa ni Nida!

• Charo Santos-Concio: I starred in High School Circa ’65, his first directorial job, with Eddie Rodriguez, Liza Lorena and Roderick Paulate; and in the epic drama Hindi Mo Ako Kayang Tapakan. Maryo J. was a very collaborative director who loved to engage his actors in conversations about people and life. He valued the opinion of his actors and creative team, thus helping create a more textured picture of the frailties of humanity. He did not think that world of himself, always ready to listen; he was kind and humble. I will miss a dear friend!

(Born Mario Margarito Jorolan delos Reyes in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Oct. 17, 1952, Maryo is survived by brothers Manny and Eddie. The wake will be held at the Loyola Memorial Chapels along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, from 6 tonight until Saturday, Feb. 3, when his remains will be cremated. His ashes will be placed beside those of his dear friend Jake Tordesillas at the Delos Reyes mausoleum in Himlayang Pilipino, Quezon City.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)