Tito Alfie’s family remembers his generosity, unselfishness

Veteran talent manager Alfie Lorenzo may have been known in local showbiz for his strict and outspoken personality, but to his family, he is simply remembered for his absolutely giving nature.

The Philippine entertainment industry was shocked by his sudden demise following a heart attack in the early morning of Tuesday. As with the endearing words of his former talents, his family only has the best remembrances of him.

Of the four siblings, Lorenzo was closest to his only sister, Ligaya. To her, the soft and playful nature of the pioneering showbiz columnist had always manifested.

“Ako ang only daughter, pero ‘pag tinanong mo si Tito Alfie kung only daughter ako, ang isasagot niya hindi dalawa tayo, ako at ikaw, babae tayo,” Ligaya Lorenzo said in an interview with the entertainment media today at Lorenzo’s wake, at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City. 

(I am the only daughter [in our family], but if you ask Tito Alfie if [indeed] I am the only daughter, he would surely answer,”No, we are two, you and me, we are girls.”)

She also recalled a very distinct memory she had of her big brother when they were still little.

“Nung maliit yan, dahil ako naglalaro ako ng manika, siya rin nagmamanika. Nilalagyan niya ng kyotiks yung manika ko.” 

(When he was still little, because I was playing with my dolls, he would also do the same. He would put nail polish [on the fingers] of my dolls.)

Above all, Ligaya remembers her big brother as an ever loving sibling. She shared how good he was as a friend, and how he had always, shown his generosity even to people he did not know.

“Pero si Tito Alfie, mapagmahal na kapatid. Pusong babae kaya siguro ganon. ‘Pag kasama mo yan talagang tapat siya makisama. Kahit mali ka, ipagtatanggol at ipagtatanggol ka niya dahil tapat siyang kaibigan. Wala kaming masabi sa kanya, matulungin. Basta meron siya, lalo sa mga kapus-palad. Siguro dahil ulila rin kami.  

(Tito Alfie was a loving brother. [Perhaps] because he was a woman at heart, that’s probably why. If you’re with him, he will really be true to you. Even if you’re wrong, he will always defend you because that’s how he is as a friend. We can’t say anything bad about him, he’s very generous. If he has [the means to help], [he will surely give] most especially to the underprivileged. Perhaps it’s because we are also orphans.)

Lorenzo’s nephews particularly thanked him for sending them to school.

“Malaking part si Tito Alfie sa mga pamangkin niya, marami siyang pinagaral, ako pinagaral niya ko, masakit na nawala yung tito namin,” said his nephew Joseph Lorenzo.

(Tito Alfie played a huge role in the lives of his nephews and nieces. He sent a lot of us to school. He sent me to school. It hurts that we have lost our uncle.)

His grandchildren from his siblings shared that aside from their Lolo Alfie’s giving nature, they would particularly miss his strictness.

“Gusto niya lagi kaming pirmi, ayaw niya ng malikot kami,” said Lorenzo’s 15-year-old granddaughter Gelay Hernandez.

(He wants us to be behaved always. He does not like it when we’re unruly.)

Meanwhile, the rest of his grandchildren shared how they’ve seen their grandpa give money to poor children, especially during the early morning masses of Christmas.

Indeed, showbiz has lost a pillar in Lorenzo’s death. But in the hearts of his family, his former talents and the people whose lives he’s touched, he will eternally be remembered.

Alfie Lorenzo handled some of the biggest names in local showbiz including Judy Ann Santos, Sunshine Cruz, Jackie Forster, Ruffa Gutierrez, Gretchen Barretto, Edgar Mande, Lito Pimentel, Rey “PJ” Abellana, Patrick dela Rosa and Jeffrey Santos, Judy Ann’s brother among others.

His remains are scheduled for cremation tomorrow, and will then be transported to his hometown in Porac, Pampanga. JB

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