Showbiz folks pay last respects to Tony Espejo

Showbiz folks, mostly from local theater, gathered to pay their last respects to Tony Espejo, who died due to heart failure after suffering from a stroke, on June 21, 2012 at the Medical Doctors Hospital in Manila.  He was 64 years old.   Antonio "Tony" Soriano Espejo, or Boy to his small family of two sisters, Josie and Gilda (Espejo-Lianco), is the youngest among three siblings—"but the brightest," according to Tony's brother-in-law, Wilfrido Lianco (Gilda's husband).   Lianco also noted, with great pride, that his brother-in-law, Tony Espejo, was the first Filipino to graduate (with a degree in Stage Management) from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA), in London, England.   It was from Gilda Lianco that PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) learned about the circumstances of Tony Espejo's death; that they've long been orphaned and that they've always supported the career of Tony as stage director and founder of the well-known Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Inc. (GTFI).   Gilda and husband Wilfred were present on the first night of their deceased younger brother's wake, last Friday, June 22, to welcome visitors who paid their last respects and condoled with the late theater guru's immediate family.   Upon entering the chapel one would see the casket placed at the far right corner of the Charity Chapel at John Don Bosco Parish on Pasay Road, Makati City.   But the "trimmings" had not yet been completed and placed at that time. Green ornaments with small white flowers were being rushed outside the chapel's doorsteps.  There were some guests already seated outside and inside the chapel where Mass was about to begin.   Expectedly, close friends of the departed were in the front pews, apart from immediate family members.  They included directors Soxy Topacio, Joel Lamangan, and Dindo Angeles; actors Frannie Zamora and Rolly Inocencio, Adriana Agcaoili, Dorothy Hope Matriano; and stage manager, Ed Murillo, a close friend for Espejo from way back.  Not to mention Tony Espejo's right-hand man, Julius Empredo.   Later, other noted theater/TV/movie personalities followed.  Among them were Jojit Lorenzo, Roeder Camanag, Ermie Concepcion, cinematographer Nap Jamir, Jim Pebanco, Lanie Tapia, Benjie Cayetano, Perry Escano, Molt Meneses, and Abel Napura.   Seated in the middle row beside the group were some new actor-workshoppers and staff of the GTFI; PEP.ph also took note of them: Pam Hundana, King Urieta, Bodjie and Odette Singson, Miguel Castro (from Philippine Tenors) Billie Parjan, Yutaka Yamakawa, Len Ag. Santos-Siasoco, Jun Pablo.   But there was no crew from any television network, with microphones and video cameras to document messages and reactions from friends and loved ones of the deceased.   At that time, the broadcast network staff were at the nearby Makati Medical Center where the King of Comedy, Dolphy, has been confined due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).   Maybe it can be argued that the theater field and its denizens are less popular so there wasn't much "media fanfare." But, arguably, too, theater people are not necessarily less fortunate beings.   In fact, Gilda told PEP that her late brother, during his hospitalization, had received a lot of support from generous friends, among them were Ben Chan, the owner of Bench, former First Lady Imelda Marcos and Ilocos Governor Imee Marcos, and Presidential sister, Kris Aquino.   "As art patrons, they've always been supportive of my brother," Gilda said.   DEBTS AND INTERMENT DETAILS.  After the Mass, which was officiated by an American priest, Fr. James, from the Don Bosco Parish, an important announcement had to be made.   Adriana Agcaoili, actress and events writer/host, who's also an active participant in most productions of the Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Inc. (GTFI), spoke before the generally silent group of mourners.   She first relayed the schedules of funeral services, prior to Tony Espejo's interment, on Tuesday, June 26, after the Mass at 7 a.m.   "On Sunday, June 24, a Mass will be said by a former Gantimpala artist who is now a priest.   "On Monday [June 25], a memorial [necrological rites] will be held; this will be a special ceremony, [to be] participated in by theater actors on the last night of the wake.   "On Tuesday [June 26], sasamahan natin si Tony, on his last trip.  Ang interment po will be at 9 a.m., after the [7 a.m.] Mass here at Don Bosco.   "Pupunta tayo sa Manila Memorial Park and we will say goodbye to our teacher.   "Last na sasabihin namin is that we are so happy... as of the last few days, hirap na hirap kami.   "Thankfully, we were able to get [a] substantial amount from friends.   "Being artists, hindi madali to give generously, but you were able to give out of the generosity of your hearts.   "Thank you very much!"   But as she said those words, Ms. Adriana couldn't contain her emotion.   The petite actress, who gained fame among high school students for essaying the roles of Laura (in Francisco Baltazar's Florante At Laura) and Maria Clara (in Dr. Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere), among other classic plays staged by Gantimpala, tearfully stated:   "We are still close to 400 thousand [pesos] na utang sa Manila Doctors [hospital]!" she revealed.   "Tony very generously gave his life; he was with us [all throughout].  Tulungan n'yo lang kaming maghanap pa [ng pambayad].   "'Yun lang ang hinihingi namin.  Kasi, honestly, hindi namin alam kung saan kami kukuha.   "We are hoping na our sponsors would come... [to sponsor] the casket and... mga 80  thousand [pesos] yun.   "We are realistically looking at 500 thousand [pesos], halos... we are praying for a miracle,  the way you all pray for a miracle, that God will grant us good shows, good audiences.   "We pray for a miracle that he be given a burial befitting the head of the Gantimpala [Theater Foundation]; somebody who nurtured us.   "Humihingi kami ng tulong.  Tulungan n'yo lang po kaming maghanap.  Thank you very much and God bless!"   NOTEWORTHY.  In his lifetime, Tony Espejo devoted much to local theater and many have been indebted to him for establishing the Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Inc.   The GTFI, which started in 1978 as a  theater company housed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), was formerly called Bulwagang Gantimpala.  It was the "small theater arm" that produced big names not only in theater, but local television and films as well.   Among them are directors Joel Lamangan and Soxy Topacio, Dindo Angeles; actors Pen Medina, Spanky Manikan, Frannie Zamora, Ronnie Lazaro, Malu de Guzman, Amable Quiambao, Mia Gutierrez, Grace Amilbangsa, and Susan Africa, to name a few.   During its heyday, in the early '80s, Bulwagang Gantimpala showcased original plays by new playwrights, whose writing skills Tony Espejo helped develop.   That was the time, too, that popular actors, like Christopher de Leon, Toby Alejar, Tommy Abuel and Ricky Davao, among others, appeared in some noteworthy productions of the company.   Some may also be "unknown" to the general public, but not to the inner theater circle from where they've established their mark as thespians and movers of the theater profession.   These professionals have stuck with Tony Espejo and some other respected theater leaders and directors, from the CCP and other companies. The likes of Tony Mabesa, Nonon Padilla, Chris Millado, Dr. Anton Juan, Cecilia B. Garrucho, Fernando "Tata Nanding" Josef, and Mario O'Hara, among others.    At present, actor-director Mario O'Hara is also battling a serious illness. One can only hope that a miracle would happen and he'd be completely cured.   TRIBUTES.  Proof that Tony Espejo lived a good life and made a lasting contribution to the field of theater arts he so dearly loved were the almost endless outpourings of positive words and sentiments accorded the departed mentor, from his friends and  colleagues.  Consider the following (chosen at random):   Soxy Topacio:  "Ako ang direktor ng second play ng Bulwagang Gantimpala, Ang Magsasaka, after it opened in 1978. Ang mga actors ko, Adul de Leon, Joe Gruta, at Toby Alejar,  from Teatro Tomasino [student theater arm of UST] siya.   "Tapos, kinuha niya ako, for Bombita, seven days before the show, kasi nag-back out si Dodong Crisol; then I did Boys In The Band, Ten Little Fairies..."   The now popular indie and mainstream film director and comedian also became identified with plays produced by PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association), owing to his closeness with the late National Artist, Lino Brocka.   "Pero nagbabalik ako lagi sa Gantimpala, tatlong beses yata; I did 'Fili' [El Filibusterismo]...   "As then pioneer technical director of CCP, Tony Espejo proposed to establish the Bulwagang Gantimpala [theater company], para yung mga winning plays, ma-produce.  Du'n nag-umpisa 'yan.   "Nu'ng nawala siya [sa CCP], nagpalit ang administration, after 1986 [EDSA Revolution; start of the Cory Aquino administration]. Political naman yun."   Joel Lamangan (actor for most PETA productions and director of notable Gantimpala plays, such as In Frailty's Grace, Sipnget, Heneral Goyo, Bien Aligtad, among others):   "Si Tony Espejo ay isang magandang kaibigan at malaking kawalan sa dulaang Pilipino ang pagkawala niya.   "Malaki ang kontribusyon niya sa pamamagitan ng pagbubuo niya ng Gantimpala, na nagbigay ng mga pagkakataon sa maraming manunulat ng dulaan, at mga artista ng dulaan, kabilang ako, sa pagdidirek. Malaking malaki ang naitulong niya sa akin, bilang direktor."   Malu de Guzman (nakilala bilang si Dugong, sa fantaseryeng Marina; kasama ngayon sa Kahit Puso'y Masugatan, ng Kapamilya network.  Gumanap sa isa sa pinakamatagumpay na dula ng Gantimpala, Paano Binabalatan Ang Butong Pakwan?):   "Kay Tony Espejo nagsimula ang bokasyon ko sa pagtuturo.  I've always been an actress, sa UP pa.  Then, Tony invited Anton Juan, sa outreach program ng Gantimpala, sa CCP, in 1979.   "I did Anna Clayburn at iba pang palabas, then Paano Binabalatan Ang Butong Pakwan?, na maraming artistang kumbaga, 'creme-dela-creme' [ng teatro sa Pilipinas], nandoon.  That was the start of our association.   "Ang talagang I owe Tony, kaya nag-start yung imbitasyon sa akin to teach, was during the Summer Workshop [in Theater], in 1988.   "Nag-start dun, naging training ko ang summer classes na 'yon.  And by the opening of classes in '88, nagtuturo na ako sa UP—hanggang ngayon!   "Graduate ako ng Broadcast Communication and I teach in college.  I will always look back to that day na sinabi ni Tony, na-spot niya, na parang alam niya, 'May gift ka diyan... kaya mong gawin ang pagtuturo about "inner being..."'   "Mula noon, hanggang ngayon, I'm being contacted by people to do workshops for artists. 24 years na!"   Is Tony Espejo's death a big loss to Philippine Theater?   "Oo naman!" ang sabi ni Malu. "Kasi, ang pinaka-kontribusyon niya, ang pagtatanghal ng mga award-winning plays.  At pagbibigay niya ng opportunities sa mga Filipino playwrights, nade-develop ang new writers, through his Sining Laboratoryo.   "Ang mga classic plays [ng Gantimpala], dumaan ako diyan! Mga Flerida [ng Florante At Laura], Ibong Adarna... mga ganyan, lahat!"   Adriana Agcaoili (anak ng yumaong T.D. Agcaoili, dating screenwriter ng mga pelikula ni Fernando Poe, Sr.; at Ophelia San Juan, isa ring manunulat at dating publicist ng LVN Pictures; aktres sa mga dulang Noli Me Tangere at Florante At Laura, ng Gantimpala):   "Sa Dulaang UP ako nagsimula, then Spanky Manikan asked me, 'Would you like to act for Gantimpala?'   "Being a young UP student, excited ako to work with such a prestigious company at that time!  Sa MET [Theater, in late 80s] ako nag-perform, for them, hindi sa CCP.   "Kay Tony Espejo, in particular, priceless yung Florante At Laura; ang maganda [sa production niyon], nire-retain yung traditional form.   "Gantimpala does research on the right form; the right costumes, dialogues.  Sa Florante At Laura, talagang inaral namin yung tamang indayog, plus, I had to learn how to fight with a sword!  Wowie de Guzman used to play [Conde] Adolfo...   "Yun ang puwede kong sabihin na talagang legacy ni Tony [Espejo].  Sure na malinis at traditional yung classics; hindi nami-mislead ang manonood."   Jim Pebanco:  (part of Joel Lamangan's upcoming indie advocacy film, on migrant workers, Migrante; and new fantasy series, Enchanted Garden, for TV5; last year's recipient of Cinemalaya Filmfest 2011 Best Supporting Actor award, for Lamangan's Patikul; did notable plays such as Sipnget, Bien Aligtad, and In Frailty's Grace, for Bulwagang Gantimpala in the early '80s):   "Mabait sa akin si Tony Espejo.  Naniniwala siya sa talent ko [as an actor].  Pero nakasama ko siya noon, bilang dancer; part kami ng Ramon Obusan Dancers, and we toured Europe.   "I'm impressed with his intelligence and abilities; he speaks German and Spanish, did consultation jobs with Bench, close friends kasi sila ni Ben Chan; and projects a 'corporate' image, very professional in his dealings. We will all miss him..."   Rolly Inocencio (part of the 2012 Cinemalaya Filmfest entry, Requieme by Loy Arcenas; the Virgin Labfest entry, Hayop by Erik Matti; the FDCP indie film, Qwerty; and Brillante Mendoza's Captive and Sinapupunan [Thy Womb], as co-actor and assistant director):   "My initial experience in theater had to do with Tony Espejo.  My first [acting] workshop was in 1980 and my workshop director was Tony Espejo; my first professional acting job was with Tony's company, where I did Maskara, directed by Anton Juan.  Ang co-actor ko was Rene Requiestas.   "But, unconsciously, as an actor, I decided to become one only in 2003. That's when I decided to pursue the job as an actor.   "I'm happy doing theater [work], kasi with theater, puwede kang mag-tantrum and nobody will take it against you.  People accept your quirks, unlike when you misbehave on a movie or television production set, issue yan.   "Sa theater, because the people understand na may kanya-kanya tayong topak, as long as you do your job well, and you come on time, sa rehearsals, mag-inarte ka man, hindi ka papansinin.  But if you miss a performance, banned ka!   "If you do your job as an actor, there's no problem about your personality."   Ed Murillo (currently on the Board of the Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Inc.; started as stage manager, for Bulwagang Gantimpala in 1978):   "Sa marketing side, malaki ang contribution ng Gantimpala [Foundation].  Nakakapuno kami ng 7 thousand to 8 thousand na tao [viewers].   "Nung nawala kami sa CCP,  gusto ng CCP fresh start, after the Marcos administration.  Nawalan lang kami ng bahay, pero mas malawak ang na-cover ng Gantimpala nu'ng lumabas ng CCP.   "Si Tony ang nag-isip ng curriculum-oriented four classics—the Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, Florante At Laura; and Ang Alamat Ng Ibong Adarna.  Na sinundan ng ibang theater groups.  Malaking contribution ni Tony 'yan!   "Kaya mas naiintindihan ng mga bata [the student-audience] ang mga plays na 'yan; in venues na accessible [like SM-Sucat and the AFP Theater, Rizal Park Open-Air Theater], kami ang lumalapit, pumupunta [sa inyo].   "Mahusay rin si Tony mag-train ng production people. Being one of the pioneers, I started my career in Gantimpala, in 1978.   "Maraming naituro sa akin si Tony, lalo sa pagiging stage manager; siya ang nagpilit sa akin na mag-SM [stage manager], kaya malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanya kung bakit, up to now, nag-e-enjoy pa rin ako sa pagiging stage manager."   Will Tony Espejo's death adversely affect the present state and future of GTFI?   Sagot ni Ed: "I don't think so.  Ayaw ni Tony na magsara ang Gantimpala.  Gusto niyang ituloy pa rin kung ano yung nasimulan niya.   "Thirty-five years na ngayon ang Gantimpala.  I'm sure gusto niyang ipagpatuloy pa rin ang nasimulan niya."   "Ang Gantimpala ang buhay ni Tony.  Buhay pa rin ang Gantimpala because of Tony Espejo." —RP.ph