The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The mirthful show business is painfully mourning the deaths of its luminaries recently.
The bleak news started with the sudden demise of award-winning actress Jaclyn Jose due to myocardial infarction or a heart attack.
While Jaclyn, Mary Jane Santa Ana Guck in real life, was being paid homage by the whole entertainment industry, veteran and iconic theater, film and television actor Joe Gruta kicked the bucket because of health complications.
On Monday, March 11, 2024, legendary make-up artist and prosthetics wizard Cecille Baun bid showbiz and the world adieu leaving behind a memorable legacy of artistic screen artifices.
Actor, director and Bruce Lee of the Philippines Vic Lee Tiro expressed his sorrow over the death of a surrogate mother in Cecille.
The following, singer and actress Baby Shake Rico announced in her socisl media posts the passing of one of his dad Emil Losenada’s friends, music composer par execellence Ernie de la Pena (“Kapalaran,” “Lupa,” “Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw,” “Tayo’y Magsayawan,” among others.
Baby Shake said that her Tito (a term of endearment to an older man or an uncle by blood or affinity) Ernie might have died physically but his music lives forever.
Meanwhile, iconic music man and local Tin Pan Alley visionary Tato Malay has these ode to de la Pena and other noted dearly departed musicians written on his Facebook pages: “I learned how to predict a hit song from the best in the business, such as George Canseco and Levi Celerio. These masters of music guided me as I embarked on my journey in the music industry. Starting as a promotion, marketing, and A&R manager for various record companies, I had the privilege of working closely with these iconic figures.
“One of the first legends I collaborated with was the renowned composer Ernie dela Peña. Mang Ernie, as we fondly called him, was responsible for creating unforgettable hit songs like ‘May Bukas Pa,’ “‘Ang Tao’y Marupok,’ and ‘Kapalaran,’ made famous by Rico J. Puno and ‘Araw- Araw, Gabi-Gabi’ by Didith Reyes. His talent was recognized when his song ‘Lupa,’ performed by Rico J. Puno, secured the 2nd Prize at the 2nd Metro Manila Popular Music Festival in 1979.
“Sadly, Mang Ernie has passed away, but his music legacy continues to inspire and influence countless musicians and fans. His contributions to the music industry remain timeless and continue to resonate with audiences today.
“Through my experiences working with these musical giants, I honed my skills in identifying songs with the potential to become hits. Their mentorship and guidance have been invaluable in shaping my understanding of what makes a song truly special and appealing to audiences.”
Filscap, the association of Filipino composers and publishers, has written this eulogy on FB through Fernando Pamintuan Gordon: “With a heavy heart our fellow Filscap Composers Ernie De la Pena passed away this morning he may be gone by flesh but his song will lives in our heart forever like Kapalaran batang quiapo theme song,Lupa,ang pag ibig kong ito, magkaisa,araw araw gabi gabi ,tayoy magsayawan,mahal kita, mahal mo siya mahal niya ay iba to name a few of the songs he wrote.”