'Ang Probinsyano' director Toto Natividad, who tested positive for COVID-19, dies

MANILA, Philippines — Vetaran director and barangay captain Toto Natividad died, Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco announced yesterday.

In his official Facebook page, Tiangco paid tribute to the North Bay Boulevard South barangay captain. 

The reason behind the director’s death, however, was not disclosed. Natividad tested positive for COVID-19 recently. 

“Isa na namang masipag na serbisyo publiko at matapat na katuwang ng pamahalaang lungsod sa paglaban sa pandemya ang nawala sa atin. Ikinalulungkot po nating ibalita ang pagpanaw ni Kap. Toto Natividad, punong barangay ng North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) Kaunlaran,” Tiangco wrote. 

“Kahit na senior citizen na at bahagi ng bulnerableng sektor na may mas mataas na tyansang mahawa ng COVID-19, hindi nagpapigil si Kap. Toto sa pangunguna sa pag-asikaso at pangangalaga sa kanyang mga kabarangay.  Palagi ang kanyang paalala sa kanyang nasasakupan, mapa-personal o sa social media, na mag-ingat para makaiwas sa sakit,” he added. 

TBA Studios director Crisanto Aquino also announced the passing of the veteran director in his social media account. 

“We lost another pillar in the industry. Paalam Direk Toto Natividad,” he wrote. 

Recently, Natividad’s son John Isaac took to his Facebook account to get help for his father. 

“Ako po ay mapagkumbababang humihingi ng tulong po para sa aking ama na si Direk Toto Natividad, kailangan po maconfine ni papa sa ospital. Nahihirapan po kami ngayon makahanap ng ospital dahil puno po lahat. baka po makahingi ng tulong niyo,” he wrote. 

Natividad is known for his action movies including "Wangbu," "Anak ni Boy Negro," "Notoryus," "Suspek," "Ex-Con" and "Ping Lacson: Super Cop," to name a few. 

He was also the director of longest-running teleserye "Ang Probinsyano" starring Coco Martin.