Still sorely missed

MANAHAN. Still alive—and laughing—in many mature televiewers’ hearts.

It goes without saying that the unsolved murder of Nida Blanca remains the entertainment world’s most painful collective trauma. As the years further accumulate, many theories have been advanced as to the real reason why Nida was so coldbloodedly tortured and killed.

Scenarios

But, some show biz insiders say that, as the dark scenarios fester, big and powerful names turn out to have been involved—so, as the plot thickens, the trail has correspondingly gone sullenly, skittishly cold.

Despite the impasse, however, Nida’s friends continue to pray that her exceptional worth as a talent and person will continue to be given due appreciation, and that she will finally attain the justice she deserves.

In the case of both Jay Ilagan and Ric Segreto, they died in motorcycle-related accidents, so their most untimely passing should remind both authorities and the commuting public that road safety is an ongoing battle that needs to be fought and won each day. Jay was one of our very best actors, while Ric was a fine singer and musical-theater artist, so we are the poorer for no longer having them around.

Not many people may remember Joey Lardizabal today, but we continue to honor him as one of the best radio-TV announcers and hosts in the ’60s and ’70s.

We still can’t forget the time when he hosted a morning show (with Marilou Pardo, another outstanding talent) and many of their scheduled guests didn’t show up—but he and Marilou still managed to come up with a great show, because they were so good and gifted. Many of today’s TV hosts, who rely on scripted spiels to see them through, would learn heaps of valuable lessons from Joey and Marilou.

Personality

As for Elvira Manahan, it’s amazing how she remains alive—and laughing—in so many mature televiewers’ hearts, more than 20 years after her shocking demise in the late ’80s. Quite often, we meet people who still clearly and fondly remember her and her unique personality, beauty, temperament—and signature laughter.

In fact, some of them have urged us to come out with copies of her old “Two for the Road” telecasts (how about it, Maria?), and even a book containing her many friends’ antic anecdotes about her (how about it, Elvira BFFs?).

Talking to and reminiscing along with them, we are moved by the fervor with which they continue to value and love Elvira. To many people, she may have been the height of haute, but she was also innately warm, human, caring and genuinely interested in people of all social classes—especially young artists, many of whom she helped in her own, sweetly “secret” way.

A long time ago, we asked the one and only LVira what she was most afraid of, and she candidly shared, “To be forgotten.” —Well, dearest ELM, it looks like you have nothing to fear!