Actor-director Manny Castañeda passes away

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairman Jose Javier Reyes paid tribute to his friend on Facebook.

“We were eight years old when we met. We missed a number of years between the final years of grade school and high school. But we made such a big deal about how we found each other again at the canteen in De la Salle College then,” Reyes wrote.

“And we were inseparable since that time, all throughout college… until we both ended up teaching then finding our place in the insane world of show business.

“We have been friends for sixty-one years… and how you have left. Honestly, I do not know how it is going to be without my best friend just sitting out there ready to bitch it out with me. We may have our differences in political beliefs, we may have our arguments but we were there for each other… all the way.

“No, it is not going to be the same. But His Will Be Done. I know you are now having a major time giving an update to Don and Khryss and all our friends who are having eternal coffee breaks in the Great Beyond.  And I know that where you are… you will on the lookout for me… everybody in our close knit circle.

“I never told this (to) you when you were around because I knew you would just cringe and tell me to shut up — but you are such a great part of my life because you are my irreplaceable BFF.

“I am going to miss you big time.”

Reyes, however, didn’t give details how or when Castañeda died.

Castañeda was part of the films “Oro Plata Mata” (1981), “Relasyon” (1982), “Bukas Luluhod Ang Mga Tala” (1984), “Tinik Sa Dibdib” (1985) and “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” (1986).

He directed the movies “Guwapings Dos” (1993), “Ging Gang Gooly Giddiyap: I Love You Daddy” (1994), “Kailanman” (1996), “Sa Kabilugan ng Buwan” (1997), “April May June” (1998), “May Isang Pamilya” (1999) and “Shame” (2000). — Jan Milo Severo