'Pepito Manaloto' stars turn emotional as they remember late director Bert de Leon
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Seasoned television director Bert de Leon passed away at the age of 74 in November 2021.
The passing of their long-time director Bert de Leon is still fresh on the minds of the stars of Pepito Manaloto.
Yesterday, June 7, the original cast of the high-rating Kapuso sitcom was asked by veteran entertainment writer Gorgy Rula during the online media conference on what it was like during their first taping day shooting again without Direk Bert--the seasoned director passed away last November 2021. He was 74.
Veteran star and fellow director Ronnie Henares admitted that they all really felt his absence.
Sir. Ronnie recalled, “Bitoy was sitting, where he normally sits. And it was obvious na he was not there and of course we all felt it.
“And we still feel it. We feel his absence, we feel that we miss him a lot, but at the same time. I'm sure, he would want us to go on.”
Multi-awarded Kapuso actress Manilyn Reynes echoed what Direk Ronnie said, for her part she shared, “Alam na alam mo kulang, like they said nga noh. Kasi nga kung saan nakaupo si Bitoy nung first-time na nagread uli kami ng script, doon talaga si Direk Bert. Pero, 'yun nga 'yung sinasabi na naramdaman namin 'yung absence, sabi ni Tito Ronnie, pero naramdaman din namin 'yung presence 'di ba.”
“Kasi alam natin na nandoon siya,” she added. “Nakaka-miss, pero alam namin masaya rin siya na nanonood [at] nakikita tayo ganito.”
StarStruck alumna Chariz Solomon, who was very close to the late Kapuso director was overwhelmed with emotions remembering her fondest memories with him.
With her voice cracking, she said, “Naalala ko lang nung kasama ko din siya sa Bubble, tapos he was more than...parang ano ko siya tatay-tatayan ko na talaga, e. And pamilya kasi kami talaga, e.
“Si Direk Bert kasi, mahilig kasi ako magluto. Tapos mero'n siyang mga food [na gusto] 'yun nga 'yung salad, 'yung salmon na baked. Tsaka 'yung cookies na bini-bake ko sa kaniya for a time.”
“So, naalala ko 'yung last na nag-dinner kami ni Kuya Bitoy 'yung…” Chariz turned emotional and started crying.
Composing herself, she then continued, “Masaya naman ako na bumalik na kami together. 'Yun nga lang hindi pa siguro okay masyado. 'Yung pagka-kumakain kasi kami lagi kami natitira nila Direk Bert, nagku-kuwentuhan pa kami, naalala ko naa-award kami minsan.”
“Kasi, nagku-kuwentuhan pa kami ni Direk Bert [laughs],” she added. “Miss na miss namin siya siyempre.”
It was announced last week that highly-respected comedian and content director, Michael V, who is also the lead actor of the sitcom, will now become the director.
The original cast is set to make a big return this coming Saturday, June 11 via Pepito Manaloto: Tuloy Ang Kuwento.
Catch the new adventure of the Manaloto family, right after 24 Oras Weekend.
Meanwhile, here are some of the memorable throwback photos of the cast in this gallery.
