Mr. C’s precious photo

From left: Ryan Cayabyab, Lino Brocka, Nestor U. Torre, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Behn Cervantes, Elvira Manahan and Ishmael Bernal

It’s too precious a photo not to share with our readers who grew up watching “Two for the Road,” the ‘70s talk show hosted by Elvira Manahan and Inquirer Entertainment columnist Nestor U. Torre. Last weekend, we joined newly conferred National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, his wife Emmy, and longtime RCS members Celine Fabie and Poppert Bernadas when they decided to visit NUT, who suffered a stroke in February.

We knew it was going to be a special get-together, because Nestor fought long and hard for Ryan to get the country’s top artistic honor. Mr. C, as Ryan is known to close friends and colleagues, told us: “Nestor was the very first person who came to mind when I was told that I had won the award. He pushed this issue relentlessly,” he recalled.

During that happy reunion, Mr. C also disclosed that among the treasure trove of photos he recently unearthed was a picture of Nestor and Elvira with their special guests, directors Marilou Diaz-Abaya and Behn Cervantes, and three national artists: National Artist for Film Lino Brocka, National Artist for Film Ishmael Bernal and Ryan himself, now National Artist for Music. If you’ve been raring for that burst of feel-good nostalgia, here’s one that instantly spreads good cheer. —RITO P. ASILO