Peque Gallaga’s death mourned by Judy Ann Santos, other celebs

Peque Gallaga (Image: Philippine Daily Inquirer/Bayani San Diego Jr.)

Judy Ann Santos, Solenn Heussaff and other celebrities mourned award-winning filmmaker Peque Gallaga after he passed away today, May 7. He was 76.

Santos penned a heartfelt message for the director on her Instagram page today.

“My dearest direk [Peque]… [I] will forever be grateful for the chance na nakatrabaho kita (that I got to work with you),” she said.

Santos accompanied her post with photos of her and Gallaga with director Lore Reyes, production manager Jo Macasa, Solenn Heussaff, Tom Rodriguez and Sid Lucero. The group worked together on the 2014 horror film “T’yanak.”

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She then noted how Gallaga’s passion for his craft was “undeniable in so many ways.” Santos also highlighted his wisdom, honesty, professionalism, genuine love and kindness to those around him.

After expressing how she will miss his hugs and laughter the most, she thanked Gallaga for “allowing [her] to know [him] personally.” Santos added that Gallaga, Reyes and Macasa “will forever have a special place in my heart.”

“[Y]ou added more color and texture in my career,” Santos stated. “[M]araming maraming salamat sa lahat direk (Many many thanks for everything director) [P]eque [G]allaga.”

Meanwhile, Heussaff also thanked Gallaga for “always believing in [her] and being the best teacher [she] could ask for.”

“You literally moved my scenes with music and taught me to be simple in a loud way,” she stated. “Will miss your joie de vivre, your sarcasm and views on certain subjects/people, the way you brought a cast together and made set feel like an actual home.”

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“I will forever be your fan in all aspects of your Art and the great human being you are,” Heussaff said. “[Rest in peace], I love you.”

Heussaff’s sister-in-law and fellow actress Anne Curtis also mourned the director’s passing.

Curtis said she will “forever be grateful” to Gallaga and Reyes for choosing her to portray Princess Dahlia in the 1997 film “Magic Kingdom,” which was her breakthrough role in the entertainment industry.

“[It] breaks my heart knowing that he won’t get to meet my own little Dahlia,” she added. “Direk Peque, thank you for giving me a role that would change my life forever. I will miss you and will treasure the memories and lessons you taught me in the craft of acting.”

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Actress-singer Zsa Zsa Padilla also paid tribute to Gallaga on her Twitter page. She posted a photo of the director while they were shooting for his 1988 horror film “Hiwaga sa Balete Drive.”

From Hiwaga Sa Balete Drive. Took his photo while he was giving me instructions for one scene. Maraming salamat, Peque Gallaga. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/f7jTekfsIY

— zsa zsa padilla (@zsazsapadilla) May 7, 2020

“Maraming salamat, Peque Gallaga,” Padilla said.

Joel Torre, who Gallaga discovered as a stage child actor in 1970, expressed his gratitude for the director as well. Following his time in theater in their hometown of Bacolod, Torre starred in Gallaga’s 1982 film “Oro, Plata, Mata.”

“Peque is a great man and a very generous artist who knew talent when he saw one! He was family to me,” Torre said in an ABS-CBN report. “He nurtured my craft. I would not be here if not for Peque.”

Along with “Oro, Plata, Mata” and co-directing “Magic Temple” with Reyes, Gallaga is also known for his other films such as the 1985 erotic thriller “Scorpio Nights” and the war drama “Virgin Forest.”  /ra

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