A musical reminiscence for Pepito

No more tears were shed Sunday last week (July 1) during the marking of the 40th day after the death of Pepito Vera-Perez who had been incapacitated by a stroke more than six years earlier. Instead, there was fond recollection of episodes in Pepito’s colorful life, highlighted by an impromptu “mini-concert” after the Mass.

The affair was held at the family’s Sampaguita Events Place (on Valencia St., Quezon City) hosted by Pepito’s sisters Marichu “Manay Ichu” Maceda, Lilibeth (Betchay) Nakpil, Chona Ampil and former Pangasinan Rep. Manay Gina de Venecia (with husband, former Speaker Joe de Venecia, son Philip and daughter Carissa with her daughters Gab and Bella). 

Manay Gina and husband former Speaker Joe de Venecia with son Philip (fourth from left), daughter Carissa (rightmost, with her daughters Gab and Bella), Pepito’s son Lander Vera-Perez (second from left), Chona Ampil (third from left) and Lilibeth ‘Betchay’ Nakpil (between Gina and Joe)

The guests partook of a lutong-bahay lunch consisting of chicken-pork adobo, embutido, pinangat and sabang minatamis, etc. prepared by the Vera-Perez long-time family cook Aling Tessie. Those yummy tummy-filling dishes never fail to bring back burp-inducing memories because way back when Sampaguita Starmaker Dr. Jose R. Perez (fondly called Doc Perez) and his wife Nene Vera-Perez invited their friend movie writers to a press conference at the sprawling studio, those were the looked-forward-to items downed with fragrant steaming white rice. Even before the subject movie started shooting, Doc Perez would already generously distribute movie passes among the writers.

Them were the days, my friend!

Roger Calvin now and then (left): Back in good health, still has the ‘star look’ fit for a movie comeback

At that time, the Vera-Perez children were active in the pioneering family business, with Manay Ichu as fashion designer (she designed Susan Roces’ gowns in Debutante) and Lilibeth appearing as a child actress (a short career marked by a starring title role in Vicky). What about Pepito? Yes, he starred in some romantic movies with the company’s Stars ’66 (Rosemarie Sonora, Gina Pareño, Loretta Marquez, Shirley Moreno, Blanca Gomez, Edgar Salcedo, the Rodriguez brothers Pepito and Ramil, Dindo Fernando and Bert Leroy Jr.), the forerunner of the Regal Babies.

The Vera-Perez mansion has become iconic since many memorable scenes were shot there. The winding staircase was a favorite set. That was where the villainesses (Etang Discher, Bella Flores and Zeny Zabala among them) would slip to Kingdom Come during intense confrontation scenes with the api-apihan bidas. “Ang dami-daming nahulog sa hagdanang ‘yon,” noted a member of “Lumang Album” (the affectionate name given to retired, semi-retired and still-active veteran stars).

Oh yes, the “mini-concert”…

Mr. and Mrs. Romeo Rivera, Ricky Davao, Dulce and husband Bernard Beltran Cruzata II

The ever-reliable Dulce shook (that’s how powerful her voice is…as if you didn’t know!) the Events Place with her heart-tugging rendition of Minsan Ang Minahal Ay Ako which she sang in Katy The Musical. To the audience’s demand for “More, more, more!,” Dulce obliged with a medley of What I Did For Love, A Time For Us, Love Story and Speak Softly Love. Pepito must have been teary-eyed listening to Dulce.

By special request, Carissa’s pretty daughters Gab and Bella wowed the guests with a few songs from musicals, starting with the classic Tomorrow (sung by a cute girl named Lea Salonga in the local presentation of Annie).

Carissa’s daughters Gab and Bella Evangelista rending Broadway songs

By the way, it was nice to see former LEA actor Roger Calvin up and about, hale and happy. Did you know that (in his own words) “I almost died!” two years ago when he came for a vacation and contacted pneumonia? Roger was hospitalized for seven days at a hospital in his native Pampanga.

“It was during the Holy Week,” said Roger. “I lost more than 20 lbs.”

Susan with young fan Meg Panganiban

His daughter Cher (a TV host in the US) came to fetch him. Roger was wheeled to the plane and, upon arrival in Los Angeles, was rushed to Cedars Sinai Medical Center where he was confined for several days.

“I’m staying for a longer vacation,” added Roger who has regained his lost poundage.

Lander with half-brother Luis Vera-Perez, 13, a star material

You can see from his photos here that Roger (who was paired with Amalia Fuentes, Divina Valencia and other LEA stars during his heyday) still possesses that “star” look, good enough for a movie comeback.

From left: Suzette, Baby O’Brien, Lollie, Gloria Sevilla, Manay Ichu, Susan, Nova Villa, Pepito, Manay Gina, and (seated, from left) Chuchi de Vega, Naty and Pempe

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