Entertainment writers salute fallen leader

ERNIE Pecho was called Father of Star Awards for Television.

The remains of veteran entertainment writer Ernesto “Ernie” Pecho will be cremated today, even as members of the movie press, young and old, mourn his passing.

Pecho—“Tito Ernie” to younger biz reporters—who would have turned 70 in October, died Sunday evening from complications due to diabetes.

A former president of the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC), Pecho had been confined at Quezon City General Hospital for more than two weeks.

Holy Mass was celebrated last night at Funeraria Nacional on Araneta Avenue in Quezon City. The cremation will be at Eternal Gardens in Novaliches.

Pecho’s younger sister Vicky de los Reyes said his death came as a surprise. “He was still complaining of muscle pains but his health had improved greatly since his last dialysis session on May 5,” De los Reyes told the Inquirer on Monday. “In fact, we were preparing to take him home. His doctors said he would be released on Tuesday (May 20), and that he would be needing only physical therapy, so he could walk properly.”

Pecho is survived by sisters (aside from Vicky) Orlinda, Emmy and Josefina; brother June and adopted daughter Gertrude.

The writer collapsed in his Quezon City home on April 30. Current PMPC president Fernan de Guzman, whom Pecho managed to phone, rushed him to the hospital. The office of QC Mayor Herbert Bautista, who is also an actor, extended full assistance, according to Pecho’s family.

Happy, fun

De Guzman recalled,  “Tito Ernie loved life, music and singing. He looked forward to our Saturday videoke nights out.” Longtime colleague Ethel Ramos agreed, “He was a “fun-loving and happy person.”

It was during Pecho’s PMPC term in 1986, Ramos said, that the first Star Awards for Television was held. Thus he was dubbed Father of Star Awards for TV. He received a recognition for that during the club’s silver anniversary celebration in 2011, recounted writer Roldan Castro, a PMPC board member.

“He did not mince words when he criticized erring movie writers,” Castro said, “but with friends he was always warm, loving and thoughtful.”

Writer Shirley Pizarro recalled, “He was in the habit of giving me little gifts, like lipstick or mascara.”

Pecho served as PMPC board member in 2012. Said William Reyes, public relations officer, “He was very active and committed until his health started to fail. Even then, he remained watchful of PMPC activities, scolding  members who got involved in controversies.”

PMPC assistant treasurer John Fontanilla, who worked with Pecho in 2013 on Star Awards for Music, described the veteran as “strict and meticulous.” Fontanilla added, “But away from work, he was always cracking jokes, making everyone laugh.”

Much earlier, Pecho worked as public relations director for the old Dyna Records and, later, Universal Records. Colleague Aster Amoyo related, “He was very efficient as a PR man. He retired when Universal matriarch Bella Tan, who was also his very close friend, passed away in 2005.”

“He was a Noranian like me,” added Reyes, referring to Pecho’s well-known devotion to actress Nora Aunor.

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