Veteran actor Johnny Delgado was finally laid to rest at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. The award-winning actor died of lymphoma or cancer of the immune system at age 61, last November 19. Taking Johnny to his final resting place was his wife Director Laurice Guillen, daughters Ana and Ina Feleo, his relatives and friends.
Uploaded: November 25, 2009
Johnny Delgado, Juan Marasigan Feleo in real life, was scheduled to be interred at 9 a.m., November 24 at the Loyola Memorial Park. A memorial mass was held first at Mt. Carmel Church. Johnny's hearse and the convoy of his family, relatives and friends arrived at the memorial park at around 11 a.m.
Among the pallbearers are Johnny's close friends Tirso Cruz III (far left), Edgar Mortiz (in black shirt) and Christopher de Leon (partly hidden behind Edgar).
In procession behind the pallbearers are Johnny's widow, director-actress Laurice Guillen (in white buttonless blouse), daughter Ina Feleo (in brown skirt), family members and friends.
Inside the air-conditioned funeral tent, family and friends of Johnny wait for the mass to begin. Sitting beside Laurice is acclaimed film director Marilou Diaz-Abaya (right) who has been battling breast cancer for two years now.
Christopher de Leon's wife, Sandy Andolong (left) holds hands with her friend Amy Austria. Sandy worked with Johnny in the films Kakabakaba ka ba? (1980) and Aguila (1980). Amy worked with Johnny in Jaguar (1979) and Brutal (1980).
Raphe Fernandez, son of the late actor Rudy Fernandez, listens to Direk Laurice's tribute to Johnny. Raphe's father died of periampullary cancer in June last year.
Hyubs Azarcon says farewell to his "Tata" Johnny. "Tata ko 'yan, e. Dahil sa kanya, kaya ako narito," says Hyubs about the man who taught him a lot of things, not only about showbiz but also about life.
Romy Santos will miss Johnny's laughter and his being strict and frank. "Istrikto yan, pag alam niyang mali ka, mali ka. Hindi ka niya kukunsintihin. Prangka siya. Hindi porke kaibigan ka, hindi ka niya sisitahin. Pero maraming naitutulong yan." Romy worked with Johnny in Goin' Bananas (1989) and Altogether Now! (2004).
Gina Alajar bids her Johnny good-bye for now. Gina and Johnny were together in the films Brutal (1980, directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya) and Salome (1981, directed by Laurice Guillen).
Tirso considers Johnny a true friend. "I would rather have a Johnny
Delgado na who would tell me straight to my face na mali ang ginagawa
ko," says Tirso.
Direk Laurice said Direk Edgar "Bobot" Mortiz was always by Johnny's side, and was always available whenever they needed him. Edgar, Johnny, Christopher de Leon and Jay Ilagan (who died in a motorcycle accident in the early '90s) were friends since 1970s. Together with actor Al Tantay, they formed the group Bad Bananas and starred in their own show, Banana Sundae (1986) and Goin' Bananas (1989).
Ina says she will miss her dad's touch and hugs. "Mahilig kasi siyang humawak, 'saka yumakap. Yung presence niya, mami-miss ko talaga. So pag-uwi ko, pag gusto kong maglambing, wala na siya. Hindi ko na mararamdaman yung yakap niya." Ina gives her dad a kiss.
"Si Daddy, involved siya sa lahat ng ginagawa ko, e. Mami-miss ko ang lahat sa kanya...yung presence niya, yung tawa niya, yung galit niya, yung kantiyaw niya, yung yakap niya, yung halik niya... Yung amoy niya. Yung paggawa niya ng sandwich para sa akin...Lahat," recalls Ana about her dad. She kisses him for the last time.
"Mami-miss ko yung presence niya. Siya kasi kahit nasa ibang kuwarto siya at di mo siya nakikita, alam mong nandun siya. He is frank, minsan nagkakapikunan, yung iritasyon. Pero as you grow old together, nasasakyan mo na siya. Nadadala mo na. Mami-miss ko yun," Direk Laurice says about her husband. Johnny wanted to see only her face before he died. Direk Laurice touches Johnny's face as she says her good-bye. "I love you. Gabayan mo kami. Look after us."
