Celebs extol traits of their ‘personal heroes’

About 120 years ago today, our valiant forefathers made sovereignty possible. So, in commemoration of Independence Day, I asked some celebs who their personal heroes in show biz are—after all, even icons have their own idols, too.

In this crazy entertainment biz, stars have mentors and tormentors. Today, they pay homage to those who matter—or lodi, in local parlance.

GABBY CONCEPCION: I look up to Eddie Garcia. I am in awe of his staying power. I salute Tito Ed’s ability to maintain his “fierce” image. It’s amazing that an actor of his stature is so approachable.

Gabby Concepcion

OGIE ALCASID: Dolphy. He was the epitome of a gifted artist who had a golden heart. He was an actor we all tried to emulate. His love for music and dance were unparalleled. He was a classy and intelligent superstar who has inspired so many artists of different generations.

Ogie Alcasid

RHIAN RAMOS: I will always be grateful to Joyce Bernal not only for her guidance during scenes and changing my perspective on acting, but also for caring enough to talk to me about personal things I had been going through in different life stages. She helped me understand and be forgiving to others and myself. I will always care a little more about people after working with her.

Rhian Ramos

NIÑO MUHLACH: Tito Ronnie Poe (Fernando Poe Jr.). He helped so many people in and out of show biz without letting anyone know about his good deeds. That FPJ charisma never failed to make everyone feel starstruck. “Ang Leon at ang Daga” and “Tutubing Kalabaw, Tutubing Karayom,” the two movies I made with him, were the best moments of my career.

Niño Muhlach with the late Fernando Poe Jr.

JAYA: My Mama Beth (Elizabeth Ramsey). She paved the way for Filipino women of color to enter show biz and take pride in their image. She always believed in me and my talent, and molded me in so many areas of my life.

She was everybody’s friend, whether rich or poor. She was a fighter when necessary, yet she was a softie. She helped a lot of people financially, even when she didn’t have enough for herself. And she rocked the stage like no other.

Jaya

JOLINA MAGDANGAL: The late Wenn Deramas. I idolize direk because of his talent, work ethic, professionalism and the way he took care of artists and his family.

Jolina Magdangal

ANDREW E: I owe it all to Run DMC. They were the ones who introduced me to rap music. They helped me believe in myself by paving the way for me to perform onstage.

Andrew E

JOHN ARCILLA: Lauren Dyogi. After I bagged my first best actor award in 1996, there were rumors that I was swell-headed and that I demanded unreasonably huge talent fees. So, show biz turned its back on me. I didn’t feel the need to clarify a mere hearsay, so I went back to theater and did TV ads.

John Arcilla

Lauren didn’t know me personally, but took a chance on me for a TV project despite the rumors. After the shoot, he told me, “It was nice working with you. I knew it. The rumors about you aren’t true at all.” From then on, he kept casting me in shows, which opened a lot of doors for me and made show biz people regain their trust in me.