They say that in death, one
becomes bigger than life. For all of his achievements as an actor and a
certified top draw, action superstar Rudy Fernandez undoubtedly became more
than just a mere copy of his silhouette image.
Diagnosed with periampullary cancer two years ago before his 54th birthday, Daboy—as colleagues and admirers fondly call him—bravely faced the dreaded disease with much hope and laughter. His courage in dealing with his situation was simply inspiring, to the extent that it made him a certified action hero in real life.
Daboy is a unique individual and he is remembered for a number of reasons. But days after his passing last June 7, the statements coming from family members and close friends painted a concrete description of Rudy as a person.
PEP (Philippine Entertainment
Portal) pays homage to one of the most celebrated actors in the history of
Philippine Cinema by listing down his legacy both as an actor and a person.
AWARD WINNING ACTOR. With a slew of movies tucked under his belt, Daboy undoubtedly was considered as one of the finest actors in the industry. It is rare for an actor to possess both grit and sensitivity—Rudy had both.
Former President Joseph Estrada—who himself was a popular action star before his foray into politics—once cited Rudy as a possible successor to the throne of other action greats like Fernando Poe Jr.
Daboy won a FAMAS award in 1984 for Batuigas... Pasukin si Waway and another one in 1988 for Victor Corpuz. Daboy also bagged the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Best Actor plum for Batuigas, the same year he notched the FAMAS trophy.
Slowed down by cancer, which consequently put his showbiz career on hold, Daboy was accorded the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award in the 2007 FAMAS for his contribution to the local movie industry. Earlier this year, The Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) awarded Daboy the 2008 Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award during the 24th Star Awards for Movies. The FAP likewise bestowed on Rudy the FPJ Lifetime Achievement Award.
ACTION PRINCE. Rudy started out doing teen flicks before he landed his breakthrough film Bitayin si Baby Ama in 1976. Due to the success of the said film, Rudy went on to do action movies and never looked back.
After Bitayin si Baby Ama, Rudy did a number of action flicks like Wanted: Agad-Agad (1976), Alfredo Lim: Sa Kamay ng Ibabaw (1977), Bilangguan: Walang Rehas (1978), Teteng Salonga ng Tondo (1978), Pader at Rehas (1980), Pepeng Shotgun (1981), Ulo ng Gapo (1981), Get My Son Dead or Alive (1982), Kumander Elpidio Paclibar (1982), Sumuko Ka Na Ronquillo (1983), Kumusta Ka Na Hudas? (1983), Alex San Diego: Alyas Wanted (1983), Kunin Mo Ang Ulo ni Magtanggol (1983), Idol (1984), Sarge (1984), Tulisang Dagat (1984), Kriminal (1984) and Pasukuin si Waway (1984), among a handful of others.
His bankability as an action hero was further cemented when he did a biopic of popular Baguio-based police officer Bobby Ortega in 1992. The movie Markang Bungo made the famous line, "Walang personalan, trabaho lang." A sequel, Iligpit si Bobby Ortega, Markang Bungo 2, was shown in 1995.
Portraying real-life characters had always been Daboy's forte. In 1987, he took on the role of Victor Corpuz. 1991 saw Rudy portraying the life of controversial political figure Vincent "Bingbong" Crisologo. Other biopics of Rudy include Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story (1994) and The Ping Lacson Story (2000). Daboy also depicted the infamous Kuratong Baleleng story in 1995.
Rudy's last big screen appearances was in 2002 when he did Diskarte with Ara Mina as leading lady and Hula Mo, Huli Ko with sexy-comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto.
THE FAMILY MAN. Rudy, like all of us, was not a saint. And even his wife is careful not to exaggerate all the adulations and hero worship her husband is now getting. Just like any normal couple, Rudy and Lorna went through various obstacles that tested their commitment to one another.
But unlike other couples, they survived the odds right until Daboy's final breath.
"Alam ko kasi na... Siguro basta't ang alam ko, ako yung tao na nasa puso niya. Ako yung taong minahal niya. Sinasabi nga niya, ‘Ikaw ang nasa puso ko,' most of the time. And yun din siguro ang puwede kong... At alam niya sa puso niya na siguro maraming pagkakataon na may nangyayari sa buhay ng mag-asawa na dadaanan kayo. Pero sa huli, sa huling sandali, alam namin pareho na nasa puso namin ang bawa't isa," noted Lorna.
Rudy's health dilemma brought him closer to his wife and sons. Ralph said that since being diagnosed with periampullary cancer, his conversations with his dad took on a more serious, if not, deeper tone.
