Love and tributes pour out for late actor Eddie Garcia on first night of wake

There was an outpouring of love, sympathy and tributes from friends and admirers on the first night of the wake for veteran actor Eddie Garcia, who passed away on Thursday afternoon, Jamie Santos reported on GMA News' Saksi.

The chapel was filled with flowers and the visitors arrived one after another.

On Friday evening, the Kapuso Network led the memorial services for the multi-awarded actor.

Most of the visitors described Garcia as a kind person, a friend, a professional and a pillar of the entertainment industry.

Among Garcia's close friends who were present was actor Tirso Cruz III, who said, "Masyadong maraming na i-set si Manoy na records na hindi mapapantayan and not only hindi mapapantayan marami kaming natutunan sa kana."

Comedienne Nova Villa said, "All the actors probably na nakasama niya is gonna miss him dahil magaan siya kasama sa taping shooting saka maganda siyang ehemplo sa mga artists, very professional."

Admirers and friends said Garcia was still talking about implementing improvements to the industry for the good of his colleagues.

"Hindi tumigil si Eddie Garcia sa pag-professionalize ng industriyang Pilipino," said actor Rez Cortes.

Among Kapuso artists present were Alden Richards, "Nakatrabaho ko si Tito Ed and I've seen him how he really works as an actor."

"He's always on time, he makes sure na kahit 'di pa siya ready nakabihis na siya," he added.

GMA Network Inc. Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon said that calling the late veteran actor Eddie Garcia "an extraordinary man, an exceptional actor and director" is an understatement.

"Siguro understatement for me or it's a short message for me to say that Eddie was an extraordinary man, an exceptional actor and director. Of course, everybody knows now that his career is 70 years but I think no one in the Philippines can play that at the age of 90 he remain to be a popular actor. Continue to gain the critics' recognition and reap awards and many, many awards both on film and television," said Gozon.

"But above all that he has the love and admiration of the public," he added.

Gozon went to the wake for Garcia on Friday evening with his wife, Teresa.

The other GMA Network executives who were present at the wake were Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee Joel Marcelo Jimenez and his brother Menardo "Butch" Jimenez, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe Yalong,  and Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth Rasonable, among others. — BAP, GMA News