It’s payback time for Eddie

If there’s one word to describe Eddie Garcia, it’s simple. He doesn’t flaunt himself, his talents, his box-office appeal. He is the quintessential Silent Superstar – self-effacing, unshowbiz-like. In fact, one wonders how he has managed to stay 54 years in a business that thrives on flamboyance and ultra-high visibility.

Even in the manner he wants to go (knock on wood!), the guy is quiet, even nondescript. Unlike other stars of his stature who revel in tributes and long-winded speeches extolling their virtues to high heavens, Eddie would like to make a graceful exit oh-so-quietly.

"You won’t even know it," he says enigmatically. "If you gotta go, you gotta go. I’ve already paid for my cremation services," he adds.

Eddie has even warned his family: "Spare me from long speeches, please. If you don’t, I’ll make it a point to haunt you!"

Eddie plays the title role in Viva Films’ latest action flick Masamang Ugat, where he plays the main adversary.

As the bad guy Apo Roman, Eddie sheds his prim and proper image and literally wears his (evil) heart on his sleeves. On his right arm is a tattoo in the form of a long, green, slimy snake, the better to show off his vicious side.

Topping off the bad boy look are a single earring and beads around his neck.

"I really don’t mind playing villain roles as long as the character is well-written and there’s a redeeming value in the end. Kailangan may element of good versus evil. As always, good triumphs over bad, right?" Eddie says.

As Victor Neri’s nemesis, Eddie is just paying back the favor stars before him had done. If it weren’t for these stars who agreed to support him at a time when his name was not yet that big in the marquee, he knows he won’t be where he is now.

As he says, "Before, I was supported by big stars and it’s my turn to give my support."

No wonder, the rest of his co-stars in Masamang Ugat, like Ace Vergel, Mikey Arroyo, Al Tantay, Vanna Garcia, Gwen Garci and Maui Taylor, feel proud about working with Eddie.

By not forgetting how he started, Eddie Garcia is proving he knows how to appreciate the past and look at the present with gratitude. Today’s young stars, drunk with fame and its many trappings, can take the cue from him.