Pastor Ed Lapiz offered a prayer for the family of Rudy Fernandez.

Now that Rudy is no longer with them, he asked Lorna, Ralph, Renz, and Mark to make God take charge. "Let Him be the padre de familia."

At 5:00 p.m., a mass officiated by Fr. Arthur Yap was held. In his homily, the priest said: "Lorna, Raprap, Renz, I know how difficult this time is for you. It's terrifyingly overwhelming. People will always say, 'Di ka bibigyan ng Diyos ng 'di mo kaya.'

And then read Corinthian 10:13, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Alma Moreno, mother of Rudy's eldest son Mark Anthony, arrived with her niece LJ Moreno.

Former beauty queen Evangeline Pascual also attended the mass.

News personality Jay Sonza arrived in the middle of the mass. He chose to stay beside a TV cameraman, then closed his eyes and offered a sincere prayer for Daboy.

Ness, nickname of Alma, warmly greeted Luz Valdez.

The inseparable duo Ariel and Maverick also came to pay their last respects to the Action Prince.

Another duo who were seen that day: Tia Pusit and Vangie Labalan. 

The two comediennes innately have a cheery attitude. 

German Moreno also came to hear the mass for Rudy.

People listened intently to the words of Fr. Yap.

In the end, he said: "To those who know him, this can be gratifying. Gratifyingly overwhelming!"

Right after the mass, Dulce rendered a religious song.

"Walang kupas ang power ng voice niya. Grabeh!" commented a showbiz writer.

Isabel Rivas (top left) and Gina Alajar were among the "punong abala" that day.

The two actresses are close friends of Lorna.

The necrological service happened at around 7:00 p.m. By this time, the chapel doors were closed, and only those who were included in the gues list were allowed to enter.

The widow of Daboy re-emerged with close friend Amy Austria (left) and friend cum make-up artist Fanny Serrano.

Pastor Ed Lapiz gave the special message. He assured Rudy's family that he is already "at peace," and the one inside the coffin is just the "katawang lupa."

"Ano ba ang mag bagay na mahalaga sa iyo? Kung ano o sino yung mga gusto mo na nasa tabi mo kapag nag-aagaw buhay ka na, yun ang mga mahalaga sa iyo." And it's neither wealth nor fame.

 

The Fernandez family (from left to right) Lorna, Renz, Ralph, Mark Anthony and his wife Melissa were all ears to the message of Pastor Ed.

"Si Rudy, noong nag-aagaw buhay na siya, sino ang hinahanap niya? Si Lorna. Ano ang huling sinabi niya? 'I love you.'"

Family, relatives, celebrities, friends all raised their right hands while Pastor Ed was offering a prayer for Rudy. "Huwag niyo pong pababayaan ang mga naiwan niya."

After the necrological service, more celebrities began arriving. Johnny Delgado (left) was seated beside Milette Santos, the wife of Bobot Mortiz (right).

The friendship of Johnny and Bobot, along with Christopher de Leon and the late Jay Ilagan, was formed when they all starred in the defunct show Goin' Bananas.

Johnny with his daughter Ina Feleo, a stage actress.

Phillip Salvador, a kumpadre of Rudy, with partner Emma.

From the mass to the service to the special tribute,the multi-awarded actor was ever-present.

Lorenzo Mara (right, first row), couple Mariz and Ronnie Ricketts (second from left, second row) described Rudy as "mabait na tao and a peacemaker." He came with his wife Mariz (left).

Direk Joyce Bernal (second from right), and LJ Moreno (right) were also spotted.

Sandy Andolong and Christopher de Leon, the couple who sponsored Rudy and Lorna to the Oasis of Love, were constant visitors of the chapel.

Amy Austria's support went as far as distributing the event guide to the guests. Her husband was also assigned to head the security of the venue.

Meanwhile, Rez Cortez helped in controlling the human flow.

Piolo Pascual's arrival created quite a stir. Why? She was ushered to his seat by no less than Lolit Solis.

The two had truly reconciled!

Annabelle Rama went to the wake accomplishing two things: 1) To show support to Rudy and his family 2) To make peace with Lolit Solis.

The latter was the request of her "kabarkada" Rudy before he died.

Cesar Montano arrived in solo.

Lorna wouldn't have possibly made it without her closest friends—Isabel, Gina, Lynn Ynchausti, and Sandy Andolong. All ladies, except for Lynn, are actresses. And all of them, except for Isabel, are married (were married, in the case of Gina) to famous actors in showbiz.

The last night of Daboy's wake was simply star-studded!

And majority shed tears for Daboy!

The Big Four—(from left) Phillip, Senator Bong Revilla, and Senator Jinggoy Estrada—definitely misses Rudy's presence. "Wala na ang isang alas...ang isang paa ng lamesa."

 

Sharon Cuneta, the "muse and mascot" of the Big Four cried buckets of tears during the wake of Dy, who considers her as his only female best friend in showbiz. "Maraming plastic dito," says Tchawie, Rudy's nickname for Sharon, about showbiz.

Jinggoy's wife Precy Vitug was seated beside the Megastar.

Pops Fernandez and Ogie Alcasid opened the special tribute with their beautiful rendition of Josh Groban's "You Raised me Up."

Pipo, the bible reader of Rudy, composed a song for his friend. When he sang it, he had the crowd in tears.

The last few lines went:"Don't cry for me/ For my final fight is over/ I've ran the race now it's time to come home/ To the Father/ And when I'm gone from this old world/ Keep my memory in your heart/ Once in a while, please think of me/ Then wear a smile."

 

The Company performed one of Rudy's favorite songs, the "Seasons of Love."

Among Daboy's kumpadres, Phillip was the first to give his message. Nakakalungkot pong isipin na sa totoong buhay, minsan, wala kang kalaban-laban kapag dinapuan ka ng sakit na kanser," he said tearfully. "Hindi po ito gaya ng pelikula na good triumphs over evil. Ang maysakit ay gumagaling, ang masama ay nakukulong, ang nagmamahalan, hanggang sa ending." 

Ipe described Daboy as, "Matapang na lalaki, may paninindigan, at higit sa lahat, may pusong mapagmahal."

Bong narrated how the Big Four came about. It all began in 1989 through KAPP (Kapisanan ng mga Artista ng Pelikulang Pilipino). He was the chairman of the board, Daboy was the president, Phillip was the vice president, Jinggoy was also one of the officers. And since then, they became good friends through thick and thin.

Bong said their group has faced two major hurdles: 1) Bong's rift with Jinggoy in 2001 2) Daboy's illness.

"Sa dalawang pagkakataong ito, si Daboy, higit sa lahat, ang naniniwala at gumawa ng paraan para huwag mawasak ang aming grupo.

"Si Daboy mismo ang nag-ayos sa problema namin ni Jinggoy. Siya ang tumatawag sa akin araw-araw, pinupuntahan niya ako, nakikipag-usap kay Jinggoy para ayusin ang problema. Si Daboy din ang gumawa ng paraan para mailapit muli ako kay Erap.

"Kung babalikan ko po ang mga pangyayari, isang bagay lang po ang laging pumapasok sa isip: Si Daboy pala ang nagsisilbing matibay na pundasyon ng aming grupo!" 

And he stressed, "Daboy did not die."

Sharon was perhaps the most emotional among all attendees. Daboy was her leading man in the movie Kung Kailangan Mo Ako. 

The Megastar made a promise that night: "Ate Lorna, hindi kita iiwanan. Narito lang kami para sa iyo. Kuya Daboy, hindi ko iiwanan si Ate Lorna. Please continue your presence felt, pero 'wag masyado, kay Jinggoy na lang!"

Rudy's closest friends are all famous in the line fo acting. But that night, their tears weren't for the cameras. It was for the best friend they lost.Da

Daboy's friend for more than 12 years now wasn't shy about crying. Jinggoy remarked, "Kung ano po si FPJ kay Pangulong Erap, ganun po si Daboy sa akin."

He continued, "Kung meron kang nakalimutang ibilin sa akin, sabihin mo na lang kina Bong at Ipe. Sila na lang magpaparating sa akin." 

That night, the three men who made a mark in showbiz as actors launched their singing career. They sang "Doon Lang," with Pipo's lyrics. 

Renz prepared a speech. He was actually the most calm among the sons of Rudy. He said: "Napakasuwerte ko para maging anak, mo Papa. Ipinapangako ko sa iyo na magiging magaling ako at aalagaan ko si Mama."

Ralph still couldn't believe his dad's fate. "Hindi na kita mahahaplos, mahahalikan sa pisngi. Masyadong masakit."

Mark described himself as his dad's "biggest disappointment and greatest achievement." He promised his dad he'll be a good man.

Jamie Rivera perfomed her version of "In My Life."

Lolit Solis talked about how Daboy became responsible for her friendship with Lorna.

In the end, she said: "Aylabyu."

Regine Velasquez sang "Somewhere," the theme song of the first Rudy-Lorna movie.

When it was Lorna's turn to give her message, the crowd greeted her with a standing ovation.

LT was a picture of courage and strength that night. 

"Ang hirap na wala ka na, kaya please help me, please hold my hand. Mahirap ang maging ina at ama sa mga anak mo, kaya pakidagukan mo sila kung hindi nila ako susundin, lalo ngayon na kumplikado ang buhay. Alam ko, ramdam ko, hawak mo ako ngayon, kaya hawak-kamay tayo tulad noon. Please guide me, be my angel, be our angel. Ikaw ang aking anghel sa langit. I love you so much. Please wait for me, until we meet again."

Christopher de Leon sang "Amazing Grace."

Lani Mercado, together with Ricky Davao, hosted the special tribute.

other celebrities who came: Ruffa Gutierrez, a one-time leading lady of Rudy.

Here's Sen. Jamby Madrigal.

Three more senators were spotted: Senate President Manny Villar, Sen. Allan Cayetano, and Se3n. Kiko Pangilinan.

Richard Gomez and his gorgeous wife Lucy.

Rizal Vice Governor Jestoni Alarcon and his pretty wife Lizette.

John Estrada, who arrived alone.

Faith Cuneta came with manager Jacob Fernandez (not in photo).

Ms. Maricel Soriano also went to the wake.

His friends are right, Rodolfo Valentino Fernadez did not die for he will remain alive in our hearts forver!