Friends, kin have fond memories of Douglas Quijano

MANILA, Philippines – He might have been a collector of colorful masks, but veteran talent manager Douglas Quijano was someone who had no pretensions in an industry plagued by intrigues and controversies. This was how family, colleagues, and talents described Quijano, who was found lifeless in his rest house in Lucban, Quezon, Saturday morning. He died of heart attack, according to his attending physician, Dr. Uli Nantes. “The only thing I will never forget is he has to be true. Maging totoo ka lang [You always have to be true to yourself]," shares brother Mark Quijano in an interview on "Showbiz Central" on Sunday. Gelli de Belen said Tito Dougs, as he is fondly known in the show business industry, instilled professionalism among his wards. “He just tells you what that reality is. He is not strict; he will not impose. Late ka, ayaw mo na magkaroon ng trabaho? Maarte ka, ‘di ka na kukunin next time," De Belen recalled how Quijano handled his talents. [If you’re late, he’ll ask you if you do not want a job anymore. If you have a lot of qualms, he will warn you that you might land any role next time.] De Belen reiterated that her manager was always "fair and objective" in giving compliments so that "our feet would remain planted on the ground." The ‘Godfather’ Dubbed as a "star-builder," Quijano also launched the careers of big stars Tirso Cruz III and Aga Muhlach. Among his roster of talents were famous celebrities Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Joey Marquez, John Estrada, William Martinez, Jomari Yllana, Anjo Yllana, Antonio Acquitania, and Wendell Ramos. Martinez described Quijano as the "godfather of all talent managers," having founded the Philippine Artists Managers Inc. (PAMI). Estrada, for his part, said: "Every day was a learning experience from Tito Dougs. He taught us to love what we’re doing." ’He’s my rock’ The remains of Quijano, the eldest among six siblings, lie at Chapels 7 to 9 at the Heritage Park in Taguig City. No date of burial has been announced yet, as the family is still waiting for some of their other relatives to arrive. His younger brother, Mark, says that "there is no fitting word to describe" his kuya. “He is the best," he says. Members of the showbiz industry whose lives Quijano had touched couldn’t help but agree. "Siya ang rock ko [He’s my rock]," describes fellow talent manager Lolit Solis. “Not everyone knows, he’s my second father," Martinez says. "He’s like my father. I (tell) him everything that happens in my life," adds actress Nadia Montenegro. “Iba siyang kaibigan [He’s a friend unlike any other]. He’s completely thoughtful," shares Yes! editor-in-chief Jo-ann Maglipon. “He’s the one na pag may problema, sinasangga niya…‘Pag natanggalan ako ng braso, kamay, kumpiyansa [He shields me from my problems. When I seem to lose everything], I really don’t know how to get it back without him," adds Marquez. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV