MANILA, Philippines — Veteran actor Eddie Garcia “should not have died yet,” Megastar Sharon Cuneta said Thursday.
“He should not have died yet. Had there been no neglect of safety for the actors, he would have lived to more than 100…!!!” Cuneta wrote in an Instagram post.
Garcia passed away at the age of 90. He suffered a neck fracture after tripping on a cable wire on the set of an upcoming teleserye last June 8.
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Cuneta’s post was accompanied by a video of Garcia’s interview with film producer and writer Noel Ferrer.
Asked about the challenges in his acting career, Garcia said: “Para sakin (For me), every role assigned to me is a challenge because it will be the best recommendation for another job.”
The veteran also joked about his dream role, saying “I’ve practically done all kinds of roles. Mayroon lang isang hindi ko pa nagagawa (There was only one role I wasn’t able to do): leading lady.”
Cuneta then said: “This is the way I will remember him too. Or better yet, as April’s Papa in Dear Heart…”
Garcia played the role of Cuneta’s father Don Manolo in the 1981 film “Dear Heart.”
In a previous post, Cuneta said the passing of Garcia marks “the end of an era.”
“Kokonti na lang ang mga artistang “old school” na napakalaki ng kontribusyon sa industriya at sa puso ng bawat Pilipino, at marunong trumato ng katrabaho ng tama, sikat man o “maliliit” ang tingin sa trabaho nila pero malaki naman talaga ang naibibigay sa ating mga artista,” Cuneta said.
(There are only a few artists now who belong to the “old school,” those who have contributed immensely to the industry and live in the hearts of every Filipino. They know how to treat their co-workers well, famous or not.)
“Maraming salamat po, Mr. Eddie Garcia. Walang sinuman sa showbiz ngayon o kahit sa mga ipanganganak pa ang puedeng umupo sa tronong iniwan ninyo,” she added.
(Thank you very much, Mr. Eddie Garcia. No one in showbiz today or in the future will be able to sit in your throne.) (Editor: Eden Estopace)