Labis na ikinalungkot ni Arnold Gamboa, 63, ang balitang sumakabilang buhay noong Sabado, Nobyembre 1, 2025, ang kanyang kaibigan na si Dondon Nakar, 66.
Atake sa puso ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ni Dondon.
Sina Arnold at Dondon ay mga sikat na matinee idols noong dekada ’70.
Popularidad ang programa nilang Apat na Sikat sa IBC13, kasama sina Winnie Santos, kapatid ni Vilma Santos, at Maribel "Lala" Aunor, pinsan ni Nora Aunor.
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HOW ARNOLD GAMBOA LEARNED ABOUT DONDON NAKAR'S DEATH
Nalaman ni Arnold ang malungkot na balita mula kay Jaypee de Guzman, bayaw ni Dondon.
Si Jaypee, dating child actor, ay asawa ni PY Nakar, na nakababatang kapatid ni Dondon.
"I learned about it from his bro-in-law, Jaypee de Guzman. I was numb for a few moments. It was totally unexpected.
"Guillermo, as I fondly called him (I was the only one he allowed to call him as such) and I were planning to meet up with Adrian Panganiban [movie actor], but our schedules did not cooperate.
"Last night, Jaypee told me to keep it confidential so I respected that, but I was bothered.
"My heart was pounding as memories of our heyday rushed to my mind. I was sincerely saddened,” ang pahayag ni Arnold nang makausap siya ng Cabinet Files ngayong Linggo, Nobyembre 2.
Read: Dondon Nakar, '70s matinee idol and Apat Na Sikat star, dies
ARNOLD GAMBOA'S FRIENDSHIP WITH DONDON NAKAR
Anim na taong nagkasama sina Arnold at Dondon sa Apat na Sikat, pero naging malapit lamang sila sa isa’t-isa nung nagpaalam sa telebisyon ang kanilang programa.
"We last saw each other many years ago at the opening of Lala Aunor’s salon in Mall of Asia. We would plan to meet, but when I’m free, he’s not available and vice versa.
"We actually became close after Apat na Sikat. He invited me to the events of Elim - the Catholic charismatic group headed by his father.
"I was the best man in his wedding to Candy Platon.
"When he was still part of Apat na Sikat, madalas nagkakailangan kami due to the intrigues of the fans around us.
"We were young and easily affected by the competition, but when we reconnected.
"As adults, we bacame friends,” ang kuwento ni Arnold tungkol sa friendhsip nila ni Dondon.
Ano ang mga aral sa buhay na natutunan ni Arnold mula kay Dondon at ano ang hindi niya makalilimutang kuwento tungkol sa kanya?
"We were always reminiscing and laughing when we were together so no serious talks about life.
"When he became single again, he didn’t want to talk about it. He doesn’t like serious discussions.
"One time, he had a misunderstanding with his love team, Winnie Santos. It so happened that I was in Winnie’s house in Dasmariñas Village, and Winnie got word that Don wants to talk to her.
“Winnie was not ready to talk to him so Winnie asked me to accompany her to go to the mall. Little did we know that Don followed us.
"To cut the story short, I left the two of them to settle their issues. Magkababata kasi kaming lahat.
"We were all friends even before Apat na Sikat, so it was not difficult for us to mend differences.”
ARNOLD GAMBOA'S MESSAGE
Ang pag-iwan ng magandang pamana at pagtigil sa pambabatikos sa kapwa ang mensahe ni Arnold para sa lahat.
"We live only once. Let us leave a good legacy. Tama na ang bashing. It’s not good to put someone down just to show people or impress upon people how good you are.
“Some people bash other people as if they have the perfect attitude.
"Death to me is the beginning of our soul’s entry to God’s heavenly kingdom KUNG naging mabuti tayong tao.
"Kung namba-bash ka at nakakasakit na or, in worst case scenario, leads to someone’s death, e, malamang sa eternal damnation ka mapunta,” ang sabi ni Arnold na matagal nang namumuhay bilang pribadong mamamayan.
May balak ba siyang magbalik sa showbiz?
"I’m doing good. I live simply, comfortably, and peacefully with the people which is my family.
"I really prefer a quiet life, but there are times na hindi ako maka-hindi sa TV appearances.
"Ang last exposure ko was in the YouTube channel of Julius Babao. Hindi naman ako nangangarap ng bida role dahil walang manonood.
"Maybe a 'markado' role. Sabi nga, there are no small roles, only 'small' actors.”