Actor-politician Jinggoy Estrada talked about his best friend Rudy Fernandez when he took the hot seat in Showbiz Central's "Central Jury" last Sunday, December 14.
Almost six months after the death of Rudy, who succumbed to periampullary cancer, Jinggoy said that he misses his friend so much.
"Siyempre, kahit papaano, anim na buwan ding wala si Rudy, nami-miss ko rin dahil during our friendship, halos araw-araw kaming nagtatawagan at kailanman ay hindi ako iniwanan no'n," said Jinggoy.
What are the things that he misses about Rudy?
"'Yong kanyang mga tawa, 'yong kanyang advices sa akin. Kapag may kalokohan naman, 'yon ang nami-miss namin."
As a tribute to his best buddy, Jinggoy stars in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry Magkaibigan, which is inspired by his friendship with Rudy.
"'Yong pagkakagawa namin ng pelikula, siyempre may masaya, may malungkot, kasi isa ito sa mga tunay na kasaysayan. Inimbita ko pa rin si Lorna [Tolentino, Rudy's wife] para panoorin 'yong last shooting days kung saan medyo delikado 'yong mga eksena. Nandoon si Lorna, pero hindi siya nanood ng eksena," Jinggoy said about their experience in filming the movie.
How did he handle the dramatic scenes in the movie?
Jinggoy said it was not that hard anymore.
"Na-experience ko na 'yon sa tunay na buhay, e. So, iniisip ko na lang si Rudy 'yong kaeksena ko."
OPPOSING CHAIRMAN FERNANDO. Meanwhile, "Central Jury" hosts Rufa Mae Quinto and DJ Mo Twister asked Senator Jinggoy about his decision to join the MMFF this year although he is very open in his disappointment with Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando, who also currently handles MMFF.
The actor-politician explained, "Well, I've been very, very vocal about it since last year. After the awards night, sinabi ko, kailangan siguro ibalik ng government 'yong pamamahala sa movie industry doon sa mga taga-industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino.
"Kaya naman ako gumawa ulit, it's a tribute to my friend Rudy Fernandez and, ako, gusto ko rin tumulong sa members of the movie industry. Alam naman nating naghihikahos na ang ating industry. So, in my own little way, gusto ko ring tumulong sa kanila."
OLD RIFT WITH GOMA. The "Central Jury" asked about his other friends with whom he had a misunderstanding before, like Richard Gomez.
"Wala na," the actor replied.
He clarified the old issue with Richard. "'Yong kay Richard naman, tapos na 'yon, tapos na 'yon. It's a closed book already, I've already apologized to him after the incident. Actually, kinuha ko pa siyang kumpare sa bunso kong anak. Everything's okay between us. Kapag nagkikita kami, ‘pare' na ang tawagan namin."
KILLER QUESTION. On the last part of the segment, Jinggoy was asked to choose between the "Killer Question" and the "Killer Task." At first, he chose both by saying, "Sabay-sabayin na natin ito." However, he changed his mind after reading the "Killer Task"
For the "Killer Question," Showbiz Central asked him, "Parang magkapatid na ang turingan ninyong magkakaibigan, pero minsan mo na ring nakaaway si Senator Bong. Kung ikaw ang papipiliin, sino sa kanila ngayon ni Phillip Salvador ang masasabi mong mas pinagkakatiwalaan mo?"
He gave a short laugh and said, "Rudy Fernandez! Biro lang."
Then, seriously, he answered, "Unang-una, pareho ko silang kaibigan, so pareho ko silang pinagkakatiwalaan. Kaya 'yong mga problema nila sine-share nila sa akin, problema ko sine-share ko rin sa kanila. Kaya pantay-pantay lang sila.
"Sinabi ko naman doon sa eulogy no'ng last day ni Daboy, noong nakaburol siya, wala na akong puwedeng sabihan ng mga sikreto. Pati nga asawa ko hindi ko nasasabihan, kay Rudy ko lang nasasabi, kasi hindi ako nagtitiwala sa dalawa [Bong and Phillip]. Ang mahirap, wala na si Daboy, wala na rin choice," said Jinggoy.