The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Compared to the star-studded funeral wakes of recently hailed deaths of Superstar Nora Aunor, Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales and the original Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala (college girls’ heartthrob) Hajji Alejandro, award-winning actor Ricky Davao, all held at the Heritage Park and Crematorium in Taguig City, the four-day and five-night wakes for comedian Amay Bisaya was less starry.
The only shining stars that lighted the otherwise dark heavens in St. Peter Memorial Chapels along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City were one of the directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Asia’s Sentimental Songstress Imelda Papin, her sister-chanteuses Aileen Arcilla Papin and Gloria Papin; action stars Rhene Imperial and Jess Sanchez; character actors Gerry Roman, Leo Lazaro and Jan Romano; actor-director Efren Reyes, Jr. and Premiere Water Plus Productions’ producer Marynette Gamboa; veteran actress Lynn Madrigal and veteran actors Rez Cortez, Hero Bautista and Tom Olivar; character actor Pango; original “Pusong Bato” singer Aimee Torres; TV host John Nite; balladeer Garry Cruz,;techno performer Baby Shake Rico; beauty queen-actress Maffi Papin Carreon; casting director Josie Shoemaker; movie directors Francis “Jun” Posadas, Jose “Kaka” Balagtas, Jek Jumawan, Ern Antonio, Mark Chua, Perry de Guzman, Vic Lee Tiro and Bon Labora, among others.
It was, however, on the last night of Amay’s funeral wake, that many of his friends, colleagues and family members were in attendance that filled the chapel to the rafters.
Outside the viewing area, Amay mourners, of all shapes and sizes, mostly from the masses, were crowded in every corner making sure they could pay their last respects to the funny man of kitsch antics.
Inside, after the holy mass presided by a Dominican priest, performances of various songs and musical genres were rendered ala-karaoke by Aileen, Garry, John and Gloria.
Meanwhile, the eulogy that came before them was a mix of amusing anecdotes about their encounters with Amay, Roberto Gloria Reyes in real life.
He was 67. (Boy Villasanta)