Manny Castañeda. Image from his Facebook account
Sharon Cuneta is among the show biz personalities who are grieving the death of Manny Castañeda, saying he was one of the few persons she could trust with her innermost feelings.
On Instagram, Cuneta paid tribute to Castañeda, recalling their time when he worked as head writer of her eponymous variety program, “The Sharon Cuneta Show,” first from IBC-13 in 1986, to when they transferred to ABS-CBN in 1988, until they did movies together.
Saying goodbye to Castañeda, she said, was one of the “saddest days she had to live through,” as she considered him a dear friend whom she even called “Inay Manny.”
“More than having fun and working well with each other, we became friends. Inay Manny was one of those I could trust with my innermost feelings, as well as expect to be comforted by, often ending in fits of laughter. He was loving, kind, witty and smart. I will miss him terribly,” she said.
“There is a whole novel I could say about him, but this has been another unwelcome punch in the gut. So I will end it here, in this way: I love you, Inay. Thank you for touching my life, doing a great job with me on my show, inspiring me to be better not just at work but as a person. Thank you for your friendship,” she further said.
Cuneta likewise offered condolences to Castañeda’s family and loved ones, including film director and Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair and CEO Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes who first announced the death of his “best friend forever.”
“My deepest, sincerest condolences to those he loved and left behind. Hugs especially to his best friend, my Direk Joey Reyes,” she said.
READ: Manny Castañeda remembered by celebrities, friends in showbiz
Wake details
A relative’s post on Castañeda’s Facebook page stated that his wake will be held at the Sanctuarium Crematory on Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, beginning July 2 until July 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. His inurnment will be on July 6, with family members and close friends.
Meanwhile, a report by TV Patrol reporter MJ Felipe quoted Castañeda’s nephew Michael as saying the screen veteran died on Sunday due to complications from a heart and kidney disease.
The actor-director’s death was discovered when he failed to respond to calls of a tenant of his uncle’s apartment. According to Michael, this prompted the tenant, who was concerned that something might have happened to his landlord, to inform Castañeda’s sibling.
Afterwards, Castaneda’s body was found his lifeless body inside his home.
Born Manuel Ramon Ortiz, Castañeda, the actor-director was 69 years old upon his death.
Reyes said Castañeda had been diagnosed with pneumonia a month ago, but he was also suffering from a heart ailment.
Castañeda starred in a number of television and film productions, as well as delving in theater in the early days of his career.
He first appeared in the movie “Aliw” in 1979, and has since been in several drama and comedy films, such as “Oro Plata Mata,” “Darna,” “Nag-iisang Ikaw,” “Nang Iniwan Mo Ako,” “Sana’y Walt Nang Wakas,” and “Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo,” to name a few.
He was also a regular fixture at the “Sic o’Clock News,” a popular political satire and comedy show in the late 80’s, along with Jaime Fabregas, Ces Quesada, and the late Rene Requiestas.
More recently, he was seen in the TV series “Makiling,” “FPJ’s Ang Probisyano,” “One of the Baes,” “Bora,” and an episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”
As a filmmaker, Castañeda is best known for his work in the films “Sa kabilugan ng buwan,” “April, May, June,” “Shame,” and the segment “Impakto” in the 1994 film “Shake, Rattle & Roll V,” among others.
On top of his acting and directing stints, he was also writing for a number of shows, among them Cuneta’s show.