Tribute to ‘past’ stars

I’ve been getting loads of e-mail from both friends and strangers. I’m sharing some of them with you.

• From Arnold Radovan

Hi, there. I am an avid reader of The Philippine STAR and your column as well. As you can see, I titled my mail "Tribute to past stars" to remind us that we have forgotten most of the brilliant actors and actresses who have contributed greatly to the movie industry.

I noticed that we pay more attention to gimmicks, lies and insane acts of showbiz people. The industry has not really paid due respect to the other real talents who have passed on. Let me list down some of the actors and acteresses who have died and got only a little bit of news on their demise.

1. Pugo, Panchito, Bayani Casimiro, Teroy de Guzman, Bentot and Chiquito. This is a bunch of real talents; they were comedy personified. Until now, their antics are still being copied by the new generation of comedians.

2. Leopoldo Salcedo, Mario Montenegro, Rita Gomez and Rogelio dela Rosa, to name a few stars who helped evolve the new movie genre. They touched many Filipinos with their acting ability in wholesome movies.

3. Eddie Peregrina, Ruben Tagalog, Levi Celerio and Diomedes Maturan. They enriched our music.

4. Mars Ravelo, one of the best komiks writers.

5. Johnny de Leon, Rod Navarro (just passed away), Rafael Yabut, Ben David and Ike Lozada, who were commentators and radio talents.

They are but a few of the fallen stars who will remain in the hearts of those who have seen them and followed their programs. Are they worthy of a tribute? I guess they are.

Hope that the remaining good talents like Dolphy, FPJ, Ramon Revilla and German Moreno will come together to pay tribute to their fallen comrades.

This is just a thought.

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Meanwhile, I want to thank readers (Jercam of Canada, Tess G of Toronto, Marilou Wee of San Francisco and my friend Wilson Lee whom I haven’t seen for ages, among them) who reacted to my piece For Whom the Bells Ring (Funfare, April 12 issue).

Here are some of the other letters:

• From Henry Yu, Cebu City

Honestly, I was so touched by that article. I was teary-eyed while reading it because deep in me I saw it as a very noble task, a donation that comes from the heart, a gift that will last more than a lifetime. Something that will always be there even if you’re no longer around. Something that your future relatives will be proud of – that once upon a time, you and your family donated those bells to your townfolks. Indeed, they’re very meaningful and very significant. That’s why I want to congratulate you and your family for this great contribution.

In my second text message, I was telling you that I’ll be with you in spirit as you ring the bells at 4 a.m. Sunday (April 13).

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• From Lolette, Vallejo, California

I was touched by your article about the bells you donated to your church in honor and memory of your parents and brothers. Surely, they must be watching with smiles on their faces. I am out of words to describe to you how I would feel if my children will do that. But in fairness, I am proud to say that I am proud of my good children, too. Aside from finishing school as self-supporting student, they are now successful in their own careers. They never cease to call or come home whenever possible to spend time with us and check on us. And would you believe, they bought us a house when they were still single. My three girls are now married and are on their own. My only son lives in his own place, too, in San Francisco.

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• From Al R. Suan, Detroit, Michigan, USA

I live here in Michigan, USA, but was born and raised in Allen, Northern Samar. I am pleased to know that you are a Samareño, too.

It fascinated me to read your story about the bells. It brought back beautiful memories of customs back home, like watching people pausing to pray, facing the church tower everytime the church bell rings in the evening for the Angelus. And when somebody is laid to rest, our church bell is distinctly rung to signal the townfolks to pray for the dead. Oh, just what value that a church bell gives!

That’s why, I can’t help but admire you and your family’s efforts in donating a bell to your church. You will be greatly rewarded for that. The ringing of that bell must be the sweetest music you’ll ever hear in your life. What a joy, huh!

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• From Ed Sicam (of the Philippine Daily Inquirer):

What a great way to honor your Nanay and Papa! I must think of something as creative as your idea to honor my Mama and Papa, too.

As an addendum to your piece, Ernest Hemingway got the title of his novel from the following poem of John Donne:

No man is an island, entire of itself;

Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;

If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were;

Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

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E-mail reactions at: [email protected]