Ronaldo Valdez and Gloria Diaz. Image: Instagram/@gloria.diaz69
Gloria Diaz reminisced on her fond memories with her former leading man, the late actor Ronaldo Valdez, whom the actress regarded not just as her onscreen partner but a longtime friend.
Diaz paid tribute to Valdez, showing a photo of them in which the actor gives her a kiss on the cheek, through her Instagram page on Wednesday, Dec. 20.
“RON, I will miss you sooo much—my longtime partner in comedy, drama, even in real life friends,” she said in the caption.
In separate posts, Diaz showed clips from two of the films they starred in: “May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga” (1984) and “Palabra de Honor” (1983).
Image: Instagram/@gloria.diaz69
Image: Instagram/@gloria.diaz69
Fellow celebrities including Diaz’s daughter, actress Isabelle Daza, and Jake Cuenca—Diaz and Valdez’s onscreen son in “Los Bastardos”—were moved by the veteran actress’ post.
Image: Instagram/@gloria.diaz69
Cuenca, via his Instagram page, also honored Valdez, whom the younger actor described as “one of the greatest actors to have done it.”
“I will never forget everything I have learned from you all our great memories together in ‘Ikaw lamang’ and ‘Los Bastardos,’ but one thing I will always keep with me for the rest of my life is how you showed me that acting should always be fun,” Cuenca wrote.
“You are the man, Tito Ronaldo. Thank you for inspiring so many actors you’ve worked with. Thank you for touching so many lives including mine,” he added.
Other celebrities who remembered the veteran actor include Dimples Romana, Gary Valenciano and Cherry Pie Picache.
“My heart is broken but will never be disheartened,” Romana said as she recalled working with Valdez in a “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode in 2009.
“Salute to one of the greatest actors of all time for me. A man who knew how to value not only his work but more importantly every single other person on and off set,” she stated. “Mahal ka namin Lo. Mahal na mahal. Pahinga na po.”
“You were one person who I loved to watch. Your authenticity never failed to move me,” Valenciano addressed the late actor. “Rest in His peace, sir. I know His embrace will always keep you smiling.”
Picache, for her part, admitted she’s at a loss for words over Valdez’s death. “You will be missed so much and you will always be in our hearts.”
Valdez was found dead in his bedroom in the afternoon of Dec. 17. His wake is held at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Guadalupe, Makati.