Jaclyn Jose at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016. Image: AFP/Loïc Venance via Instagram/@festivaldecannes
Seasoned actor Efren Reyes Jr. paid his respects to the late Jaclyn Jose as he affirmed that the contribution of the actress in the industry would be hard to surpass.
Attending the wake of the multi-awarded actress on Thursday, March 7, Reyes mentioned that Jose’s achievement in 2016 as the first Filipina to win the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival is her “big legacy.”
“Of course, nanalo na siya ng international best actress. Siya ang una, that’s a big legacy. She set the bar so high. I don’t know kung sino makakalampas doon ngayon,” he said.
(Of course, she had already won the international best actress award. She was the first [Filipina], that’s a big legacy. She set the bar so high. I don’t know who can get past that today.)
Having been able to work with the late actress on two projects, “Tatak ng Isang Api” and “Mula sa Puso,” Reyes affirmed that he knows Jose in and out of the camera.
“We had a good run… si Jane, maganda ang pakisama niya. Napakabait naman niya,” (We had a good run… Jane related to others well. She was really kind.)
Meanwhile, DJ Jhaiho who hosted the mini program in Thursday’s wake, which was initiated by Jose’s talent agency, PPL Entertainment, said the “Ma’ Rosa” star acted as a mother to everyone she got to work with in the industry.
“Very motherly siya. Hindi lang sa mga biological niyang anak, para sa lahat… She’s always very welcoming to everybody. Grabe siya magbigay ng words of encouragement sa’min.”
(She was very motherly. Not just to her biological children but to everyone. She was always very welcoming to everyone. She was great at giving us words of encouragement.)
KZ Tandingan also sang a rendition of “Always Remember Us This Way” and looked back on her fondest memory with the veteran actress.
“Star for All Seasons” Vilma Santos, Tirso Cruz III, Juan Rodrigo and Angelika dela Cruz, among others, also attended Jose’s wake on Thursday in Quezon City.