Former matinee idol Jose Mari Gonzales dies at 76

Jose Mari Gonzales (standing on left) with Jose Morelos, (from left, seated) Carmen Rosales, Amalia Fuentes, and Paraluman. (Photo from a Facebook post by Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez)

MANILA, Philippines — Former matinee idol and San Juan City Rep. Jose Mari Gonzales passed away Tuesday at 6:30 a.m. due to pneumonia and cardiac arrest. He was 76.

Gonzales’s daughter, Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, announced the news of his passing via Facebook.

“Goodbye Dad! You have been a Blessing to Mom me jolong mike anna chemari and to our whole family. I am blessed to have you as my father,” Gonzales-Romuladez wrote.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2105895849529538&id=100003274296315

“So many good memories with you and Mom since we were little never failing to take us with you on your trips out of town. Being quite strict to us but within reason. I have learned so much from you. You will always be in our hearts! We love you Dad!” she added.

Veteran entertainment writer Aster Amoyo, who is a close friend of the Gonzales family, said the wake of the former actor and government official would be from Wednesday to Friday at the Heritage Memorial Chapel in Taguig City.

https://www.facebook.com/asteramoyo/posts/10156298462832291

Gonzales, who was born June 15, 1942, in Tacloban City, entered the film industry at age 17 in the 1950s.

He appeared in “Ulilang Anghel” (1958), “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” (1958), “Mga Anghel Sa Lansangan” (1959), among others.

He became a matinee idol on joining Sampaguita Pictures, where he did movies like “Beatnik” (1960) with Susa Roces, “Operatang Sampay Bakod” (1961) with Amalia Fuentes and Dolphy, and “Tindahan Ni Aling Epang” (1961) with Liberty Ilagan.

Gonzales became San Juan City representative in 1998.

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