Eddie Garcia suffers heart attack on set

MANILA, Philippines — Nobody shouted “Cut!” when Eddie Garcia collapsed on the set of a GMA adventure-series at a tenement house in Tondo, Manila, yesterday morning.

It was for real.

Eddie, who turned 90 in May, had just finished the shoot of a scene showing him simply walking when he suffered a heart attack.

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“Nothing heavy,” said Redgie Magno, vice president for Drama Production of the GMA Entertainment Group, who rushed to the set as soon as she was informed of the incident.

“He was just resting, waiting for the shoot of his next scene when he collapsed. He would have gone home after that second scene.”

Garcia was rushed to the nearby Mary Johnston Hospital. As of press time, he was on life support at the intensive care unit.

Tentatively titled Rosang Agimat, the TV series was on its first stage of the shoot, with Jeric Gonzales and Gabbi Garcia as Garcia’s co-star. It’s directed by Toto Natividad.

Garcia was among the iconic actors honored as Natatanging Bituin ng Siglo at the recent Star Awards for Movies of the Philippine Movie Press Club, together with Nora Aunor, Tirso Cruz III, Christopher de Leon, Joseph Estrada, Anita Linda, Niño Muhlach, Susan Roces, Phillip Salvador, Gloria Romero, Vilma Santos and former senator Ramon Revilla Sr., Garcia’s contemporary at Sampaguita Pictures.

Last year, Garcia broke his pelvic bone during a minor accident at an event for the ABS-CBN series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

Here’s the official statement from Garcia’s family:

Manoy Eddie Garcia was at a taping this Saturday morning when he suffered a severe heart attack. He is still under critical observation and all his doctors are doing their best to assure that he gets the best care.

Our family would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all those who have expressed concerns and extended prayers. Please continue praying for Tito Eddie’s fast recovery.

At 90, he is still doing what he loves most, acting. He is a pillar of the industry and is very passionate about his craft. We would like to request his fans and everyone to pray with us so he could get better the soonest time possible. Thank you.

According to The STAR sources, as soon as his condition improves, Garcia will be transferred to a medical center in Quezon City (or Bonifacio Global City).