THE entertainment industry has lost yet another gem, film director and veteran actor Manny Castañeda on Monday, July 1.
His death was announced by good friend, the chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes in a series of posts on Facebook.
No further detail surrounding Castañeda’s cause of death was revealed in the post, not even his age. Reyes instead penned a heartfelt message for his friend of 61 years. He coupled with a black and white photo of them together.
He recalled their good old days from the time they met until they became inseparable back in college and eventually became part of the academe.
“Honestly, I do not know how it is going to be without my best friend just sitting out there ready to bitch it out with me. We may have our differences in political beliefs, we may have our arguments but we were there for each other … all the way,” he said.
He ended his message with heartfelt parting words.
“I never told this to you when you were around because I knew you would just cringe and tell me to shut up — but you are such a great part of my life because you are my irreplaceable BFF,” he said.
“I am going to miss you big time.”
In an earlier post, the veteran filmmaker uploaded a group photo which also included Cantaneda. While not revealing anything, Reyes made a cryptic statement about treasuring the people we love while they’re still here.
“Never undervalue, much less underestimate … the true treasures in your life. Always find the time to tell them you love them,” he said.
Among the personalities who expressed their condolences were Rachel Alejandro, Boom Labrusca, Wilma Doesnt, Vicky Rushton, Joshua Zamora, Vicky Rushton, Pops Fernandez, Franco Laurel and Kat De Castro among others.
As an actor, Castañeda appeared in movies such as Aliw (1979), Oro Plata Mata (1981), Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas (1986), Nang Iniwan Mo Ako (1997) and many others.
As a filmmaker, he helmed the movies Sa Kabilugan ng Buwan (1997), May Isang Pamilya (1999), and Shame (2000).
