Iza Calzado pays heartfelt tribute to Jaclyn Jose: 'I looked up to you as a mentor and mother'

The Philippine entertainment industry lost another veteran and multi-awarded actress last March 2, when Jaclyn Jose died of myocardial infarction commonly known as a heart attack.

Posts about love and gratitude from her co-celebrities poured on social media immediately after the news broke, and one of those who wrote a heartfelt message was actress Iza Calzado.

Related Gallery: Celebrities mourn the death of Jaclyn Jose

Iza shared on Instagram the first time she met Jaclyn in the early 2000s during an all-artist shoot in GMA Network and said, “I looked at you and immediately wanted to hug you because you reminded me of my mom who I just lost in 2001.”

She said that like her mom, Jaclyn was "tisay and a bit short but had an intensity and mystery" about her that just"gave off a ''Wag mo akong subukan' kind of energy.”

Iza worked with Jaclyn in several projects including GMA Network's 2004 TV series Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man. The two also worked together in the 2006 movie Eternity with Dingdong Dantes. Their last project together was the 2012 TV series Kahit Puso'y Masugatan.

Aside from their memorable projects together, what Iza loved the most about Jaclyn was her being a mentor and "mother" to her. Iza wrote, "You treated me like a daughter and I looked up to you as a mentor and mother. "

She also remembered Jaclyn's values and hobbies, “Our shared love for tequila and rock stars made us click. You were both generous and kind with your words of encouragement and support be it on or off cam. You were also very stern when you needed to be. That's one of the best things about you -- napakatotoo mo.”

Before ending her tribute to Jaclyn, Iza recalled the last moment she saw the late actress which was at a party for actors where they discussed the Eddie Garcia Bill. Iza fondly remembered how opinionated, vocal, and passionate Jaclyn was about the topic.

Iza then shared her regret, that she should have hugged Jaclyn tighter the last time she saw her. She said, “Kung alam ko lang, I would have hugged you more that night, 'yung yakap na sobrang higpit para alam mo na mahal na mahal kita.”

She ended her tribute by saying, “I truly love, respect, and appreciate you, Jane Guck… It has been an honor and [a] great pleasure to know you and cross paths with you in this lifetime. Pahinga ka na. Until the next one.”

She also sent her condolences and love to Jaclyn's daughter, Andi Eigenmann, at the end of her post who confirmed the passing of her in a press conference on the afternoon of March 4, 2024.