Julia Buencamino loved to laugh, draw, hug pals

JANELLA Salvador described costar as jolly.

Producers of the ABS-CBN series “Oh My G!” would still discuss the fate of the character played by the late young actress Julia Buencamino, the network’s adprom department announced on Wednesday.

Julia Louise Buencamino, youngest child of character actors Nonie and Shamaine Buencamino, was found lifeless by a helper at the family home in Quezon City on Tuesday night. She was 15.

She played Aimee Chua, best friend of the series’ lead character Sophie (Janella Salvador). “The entire team is saddened,” said adprom specialist JC

Bagio. “The producers will still discuss what will happen to Aimee.”

Meanwhile, Salvador said she was shocked by her costar’s death.

Salvador recalled: “She seemed normal to me. Last week, we were even playing games with the other teens. She was her usual jolly self. I did notice (during our last taping) that she would rather sleep instead of talk to us. I thought she was just tired.”

Spiritual crisis

JOSE Javier Reyes cannot fathom the pain.

For Salvador, suicide is “a spiritual attack.” “I got bothered at first. I thought maybe if Julia and I talked more… I could’ve said something to help her.”

To other teenagers who may be going through the same crisis, Salvador said “always remember that… even if you feel like you have no one to talk to, there are people around you who are willing to listen.”

Salvador described Julia as someone who “loved to laugh. She was affectionate and liked hugging people. She loved to draw, too.” She didn’t really open up to her coworkers, Salvador said. “I never heard her mention any problem… My deepest condolences to her family. I am praying for their strength.”

Filmmaker Jose Javier Reyes said he could not “approximate the pain” that Julia’s family is feeling now. “I wish I could find the right words and construct them in comforting sentences to ease the pain of friends who must be in such a state of grief,” he wrote on Facebook. “But I cannot fathom the pain.”

TV producer Kat de Castro said, “Having depression is similar to hearing voices in your head. The voices tell you to end your sadness in the most unimaginable way possible.” On her Facebook page, De Castro encouraged her followers to “reach out [to others]. Those suffering… do not need your judgment. They need your understanding.”

On Tuesday, Julia’s dad Nonie was on the set of the film “Larawan” in Taal, Batangas, while her mom Shamaine was rehearsing for a new play, “33 Variations.”

“Our hearts… on the set of ‘Larawan’ go out to the Buencamino family,” said producer Alemberg Ang. He then offered prayers for Julia and her family “in this time of grief.”

Filmmaker Jun Robles Lana told the Inquirer, “Like many others, I am shocked and at a loss for words. I can only pray for Shamaine and Nonie and their loved ones.” The Buencaminos were part of the cast of Lana’s award-winning film “Barber’s Tales.”

On Facebook, actress Ces Quesada said her “heart is crushed.” Quesada was Shamaine’s coteacher at the University of the Philippines.

JUN ROBLES Lana is at a loss for words. ARNOLD ALMACEN

Actress Malou Crisologo said she sympathized with her friends. On her Facebook page, she said: “I pray for forgiveness and for wounds to heal… We all love you.” She last worked with Nonie in the drama series “Honesto.”

For talent manager Noel Ferrer, the recent string of tragedies “teaches us that death is a communal thing.”

Wake is at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine, in New Manila, Quezon City. Julia is survived by siblings Delphine, Gorio and Jose.

Nonie and Shamaine have extended their gratitude to those who sent their condolences, according to their manager Ricky Gallardo.