JERRY OLEA
Dalawa ang mukha ng showbiz—isang masaya at isang malungkot.
At sadyang mapagbiro ang tadhana.
Noong Enero 4 pa ang ika-44 kaarawan ni Vhong Navarro, pero ipinagdiwang niya iyon sa It’s Showtime ngayong Enero 23, Sabado.
Suwabeng-suwabe ang selebrasyon, nag-uumapaw sa galak.
Ang handle ng account ni Vhong sa Instagram at Twitter ay “vhongx44.” Nagbida kasi si Vhong sa pelikulang Agent X44, na ipinalabas noong Enero 17, 2007.
Base ang naturang pelikula sa sikat na karakter ni Tony Ferrer na Agent X-44 Tony Falcon, na unang napanood sa pelikulang G-2 (1965).
Nag-cameo si Tony Ferrer sa nasabing movie ni Vhong.
Sa araw ng pagdiriwang ni Vhong ng ika-44 kaarawan, pumanaw ang orig na Agent X-44.
Post ng mga anak ni Tony Ferrer na sina Mutya Crisostomo at Maricel Laxa sa Facebook:
“On 23 January 2021, our beloved father, friend, and Philippine movie industry treasure ANTONIO D. LAXA popularly known as TONY FERRER joined our Creator quietly in his sleep and in the comfort of his home. He was 86 years old.
“Our Dad as Tony Ferrer became an action movie superstar with his most iconic role as Tony Falcon in the Agent X44 movie series. He appeared in 203 movies.
“During his last days, he was surrounded by the care of his San Antonio family, the love of his children, and the joy and songs of his grandchildren. He was a remarkable, selfless man who always thought of others first, impacting a lot of lives on and off screen. We shall all remember him with fondness.
“Following his last wishes, there will be no public viewing of his remains. In lieu of flowers and cards, an online mass and memorial shall be announced to family, relatives and friends shortly.
“We will always thank God in remembrance of our father. To all who have loved him and cared for X44, we shall be forever grateful. We appreciate all the messages we have been receiving. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.”
GORGY RULA
Hindi ko na naabutan si Tony Ferrer nang pumasok ako sa showbiz. Pero kilalang-kilala ko siya dahil magkapitbahay kami dati sa Panay Avenue, QC.
Di kami magkatsika kapag nagkakasalubong kami, pero matsika ang kanyang asawa.
Kahit ang ilang veteran reporters na nakakausap ko ay sinasabing ma-PR talaga ang asawa niya noon sa movie press.
Maraming salamat kay Agent X-44 Tony Falcon sa naiambag niya sa industriya at nagkaroon siya ng anak na si Maricel Laxa na isa sa pinakamagaling pa ring aktres sa movie and TV industry.
NOEL FERRER
Noong bago ako sa industriya, madalas tanungin sa akin kung kaanu-ano ko si Tony Ferrer.
Sinabi ko na lang na screen name niya lang iyun.
Hanggang sa maging kaibigan ko ang anak niyang si Maricel Laxa.
Nang mabalitaan ko ang pagkamatay ng tatay niya, alam kong nagdadalamhati ang pamilya.
Sa post ni Maricel, kita ang paggalang at pagmamahal niya sa yumaong ama.
In fairness to Sir Tony, he has reared really good kids.
Thank you po for being part of Philippine cinema and of our lives, Sir Tony!