Stars, filmmakers pay tribute to late director Francis Pasion

https://storify.com/inquirerdotnet/stars-filmmakers-pour-tribute-to-late-director-fra

Celebrities and filmmakers took to social media to express their grief and shock over the death of acclaimed film and movie director Francis Xavier Pasion.

Actor Baron Geisler, who worked with Pasion in his 2008 film “Jay,” posted a photo of him posing beside an artwork on Instagram with the message: “Francis, I feel so bad about your passing. You will forever be in my heart. Funny thing was, I was crying the entire time I drew this..”

Actress Anne Curtis, who worked with Pasion in ABS-CBN television shows “Hiram” and “Dyesebel,” said the director was “gone too soon.”

Pasion’s last project before his death was “On The Wings of Love” (OTWOL) where he worked with actress Cherry Pie Picache. Picache shared a heartwarming message sent to him by the late director on Instagram, where Pasion praised her acting prowess.

“OTWOL” star Paulo Avelino tweeted his message on the director’s death: “How sad it is to hear we lost another great director. RIP direk Francis Passion.”

Other celebrities who posted messages for Pasion included Xian Lim, Richard Yap, Zsa-zsa Padilla and spoken word poet Juan Miguel Severo.

Meanwhile, fellow filmmakers such as Mae Cruz Alviar, Antonette Jadaone and Jerrold Tarog also expressed sadness about Pasion’s death.

The 38-year-old director, who is known for his award-winning films “Jay” and “Bwaya,” was found dead in his Quezon City home on Sunday afternoon.

According to Pasion’s brother Michael, the autopsy on the remains of his brother showed that the director died of cardiac arrest. Cinemalaya film producer Joji Alonso earlier told INQUIRER.net that Pasion had been experiencing chest pains.

“He has been having chest pains which is why he went to Cardinal (Santos Medical Center) to undergo a medical exam…” Alonso said.

Pasion’s death came days after the passing of acclaimed television and film director Wenn Deramas. AJH