Local actors hail Robin Williams

NATHAN Lane (left) and Robin Williams in “The Birdcage” imdb

NYOY Volante: “We have no reason to judge him.”

Whenever I need some comic relief, I watch Robin Williams in “The Birdcage.” He and Nathan Lane portray a gay couple in this 1996 remake of the French  comedy, “La Cage aux Folles.” Robin’s restrained flamboyance as a gay bar owner always cracks me up.

Too bad someone like Robin, who gave us laughter when we needed it most, could not laugh away his depression. If only he had seen himself through the eyes of his adoring fans, he would have stayed on.

Thank you for the gift of laughter, Mr. Williams.

Here’s my little tribute to the man who gave us the best in all his movies. Sad to think that he did not live up to his famous movie line in “Dead Poets Society,” “Carpe diem!”

CESAR Montano: “He was a consummate performer.”

May his death remind us that, even on days when life is no laughing matter, we must not allow our demons to have the last laugh.

Cesar Montano
In “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Robin Williams showed that he was a consummate performer. As an actor, he had no boundaries. As Peter Pan in “Hook,” I saw the little boy’s struggle in Robin’s portrayal when he came back to his senses as Peter. I am saddened by his suicide. He seemed like a very intelligent person.

John Estrada
It was a shock to wake up to the news of Robin Williams’ death, and the reported cause made me even sadder. He was a genius at his craft. His suicide only goes to show that people can hide sorrow behind a happy exterior. I really wish someone had been there for him who could have made him change his mind about ending his life. Losing him makes Hollywood a little darker.

John Arcilla
I love all of Robin Williams’ films. He is the living combination of the two faces that symbolize theater (the comedy/tragedy masks). I’ve never felt so deeply sad…Now I understand what his character in “World’s Greatest Dad” said: “The worst thing in life is ending up with people who make you feel all alone.”

Niño Muhlach

MARC Pingris gets reunited with French dad. August De la Cruz

My favorite Robin Williams movie is “Awakenings” with Robert De Niro. Though De Niro had the better role, Williams still delivered a brilliant performance as the doctor. It’s sad to know that he had been depressed. It’s ironic that he could not cheer himself up.

Nyoy Volante
“You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win no matter what the outcome.” This line from Robin Williams’ movie, “Patch Adams,” never fails to remind me that caring really matters. We have no reason to judge him. We don’t really know what was going through his head. He’s a great loss.

Paolo Santos
My favorite Robin Williams movie is “Jack.” It showed his versatility as an actor. Being a dad myself, I could relate well with the movie, which is about helping your kids grow up. Despite his passing, his movies will continue to live on and bring laughter to future generations.

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Marc’s French reunion

Marc Pingris of Gilas Pilipinas is ecstatic to be reunited with his French father in France. The national team went to the City of Light for some tune-up games in their preparation for the 2014 Fiba World Cup. In 2012, Ping was overjoyed to be selected for flag duty—to play for Gilas. But one of the obstacles he had to hurdle was a planned vacation with his dad in France, initially scheduled for August 2013.

Marc told him, “Kinukuha ako sa RP team. Ang sabi niya sa akin, ‘Huwag mo akong problemahin. Matanda na ako. Minsan ka lang mabigyan ng pagkakataon na ganyan. Go ka na.’”

Catch the excitement of all Gilas Pilipinas Fiba World Cup games live, only on TV5 starting Aug. 30. Let’s have a ball cheering them on to victory!

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