Malou Santos
“What happens to Philippine comedy now?”
This was the question raised by Star Creatives head Malou Santos on Thursday night at the wake of film and TV director Wenn V. Deramas at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City.
Deramas, who created numerous comedy flicks for Star Cinema that earned millions at the box office, will be laid to rest today immediately after the 10 a.m. Mass inside the ABS-CBN compound. His remains will be brought to the Himlayang Pilipino in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.
Santos, who arrived around 6 p.m., immediately went near Deramas’ coffin and stood there for a good five minutes. Inquirer Entertainment later asked why she did this, to which she replied: “In my mind, I spoke to Wenn to thank him for all the successful films he had created for Star Cinema. I don’t know what to do with our comedy films anymore, now that he is gone.”
Santos then described Deramas as “irreplaceable.” She added: “He played a big part in the success of Star Cinema. I can’t think of any director who can take his place. I told Wenn that I know he will give me signs, that he will continue to guide me from above.”
Star Cinema, the film production and distribution arm of ABS-CBN, organized the Mass and eulogy on Thursday. Also present were filmmaker Olivia Lamasan, Skylight Films head Enrico Santos, Star Music head Roxy Liquigan, Adprom officer Mico del Rosario, creative manager Danno Mariquit, writer Kriz Gazmen, line producer Lea Calmerin, among others.
Vice Ganda. PHOTOS BY LEO SABANGAN
Vice’s eulogy
One of those who delivered eulogies was comedian Vice Ganda, lead star of the “Praybeyt Benjamin” film series—considered the most successful local comedy franchise at the box office.
He said portraying all the roles in the 10 movies he made with Deramas seemed easy compared to what he had to do for his director on Monday.
“The hardest task you made me do was to choose that coffin for you,” Vice said in Filipino. The comedian picked a traditional casket in black and gold tones, worth P1.3 million.
“I liked it because it has the simplest design, not much engraving. I was shocked to learn how much it cost. I told Tita June (Rufino, Deramas’ manager and long-time friend) to consider cremation (for Deramas),” he quipped in jest. “But Tita June said he deserved it. His worth was neither a million nor a billion. He was worth more than how much we can ever calculate.”
Vice said he also personally approved of Deramas’ clothes—a tuxedo in black and white, accessorized with a black bow tie, by designer Avel Bacudio. “He had Avel make this for the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial awards ceremony in May. I was surprised to see it. It’s the first time that Mother (Deramas) chose a design that’s very simple. He had always liked shiny fabric and flashy designs.”
Between sobs, Vice said: “What will happen to me now? Who will be my director? What will happen to our plan to make his dream movie—‘Darna na si Ding’?”
Vice said he initially went to the wake because he merely wanted to share his grief with Deramas’ loved ones. “But when I arrived, people asked me how I was holding up. It was then that I realized that it was I who lost someone dear,” he pointed out. “Why did it have to be him? Why was I not given enough time to prepare for this?
Angeline Quinto
Also present to console the crowd with their songs were Yeng Constantino, KZ Tandingan and Angeline Quinto.
Deramas was 49. He was halfway to finishing a telesine featuring JC de Vera, Alex Gonzaga and Matt Evans.
He was supposed to direct a film for Star Cinema with Vice and Daniel Padilla as lead stars. This would have been the Kapamilya network’s entry in the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival.
“I don’t know yet what’ll happen to that project. I also don’t know how Vice would be able to handle filming,” said Santos.