MANILA, Philippines—Television director-choreographer Lito Calzado died Friday at 12:30 p.m., after a lingering battle with liver cancer.
He was 65.
A member of the folk dance troupe of the University of the East, the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company and the Ballet Folkloric Filipino in the 1960s, he worked onstage (at Clover Theater), in the movies and television, according to TV host German Moreno.
He was the director of Moreno’s current late-night show “Master Showman” on GMA 7 and was choreographer of Moreno’s old program “GMA Supershow” in the 1980s.
His daughter, actress Iza Calzado, followed in his footsteps in show biz.
“Iza took care of her father in his last days at the hospital,” said Noel Ferrer, the actress’ manager.
Wake is at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in New Manila, Quezon City, until Monday.
“Always joking around with the doctors and nurses, Tito Lito remained jolly and exuberant until the end,” said Ferrer.
After a Mass at Mount Carmel, cremation will follow at Arlington Memorial Chapels and Crematorium in Quezon City on Monday.