THE entire nation is saddened by the demise of legendary actor Eddie Garcia. People will remember him as one of showbiz’s most prolific artists, a versatile actor-director, and a formidable antagonist to the country’s action and drama stars.
Based on a photo taken by a netizen, there were at least eight people assisting Manoy when he collapsed.
On the very same day, a video came out where Manoy accidentally tripped on a wire while taping an action scene for “Rosang Agimat”, his new teleserye with GMA-7, and sustained a cervical fracture.
He passed away on June 20, 2019, at the age of 90.
Manoy just recently transferred to GMA. The giant network issued its official statement.
Here is an excerpt from GMA-7’s statement on Eddie Garcia’s passing:
“An accomplished and respected actor and director, he was a movie icon and an industry pillar who has touched so many lives in the Philippine entertainment industry.
“He left behind a legacy of professionalism, dedication, and love for his craft.
“The Kapuso Network joins his family and the whole entertainment industry in mourning his passing.”
Born on May 2, 1929 in Sorsogon, Eddie joined the military at the age of 17.
He was a member of the Philippine Scouts, a military organization spearheaded by the US Army composed mostly of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans during World War II.
In 1949, Eddie was supposed to re-enlist in the US Army, but a close friend, George Sanderson, suggested that he try the movies. He was able to do around 600 movies to his credit, and the rest is history.
In the veteran actor’s interview with Esquire Philippines, he recounted his conversation with Sanderson, who supposedly told him, “Manuel Conde needs seven guys to play in Siete Infantes de Lara.”
The film, which was shown in 1950 and won the Most Popular Picture in the Philippines award, became the jumping-off point of his long showbiz career.
He had since then shone his light in an industry that made full use of his gifts up to the very end.
He was famous for his punctuality, almost always arriving on the set two hours earlier than call time.
In an interview in 2007, Tito Eddie said, “Like in the last 57 years I’ve been in the films, I never really had a problem with anyone.
“Wala namang problema iyan, e. All you have to do is do your part, do your role, don’t give your director and the cast some problems by being late.”
“I’m usually earlier than the call time.
“Because my motto is, ‘What you could do today, do it now, so you could do something else tomorrow.’”
He also said, “A disciplined person helps other people. If you are disciplined, you’re supposed to be there on time.
“If you’re a prima donna and you come late, I mean, what will these other people say?”
“When you’re given a role, it’s the best recommendation for your next project.
“So if you do it well, the casting people will say, let’s cast him.”
In terms of passion matters, Tito Eddie was emphatic about this.
He said, “Whatever I do, there’s passion in it. That’s important.
“If there’s no passion... you get out of it and find another job.
“For 69 years, I continuously did movies, because it’s a job that I like.”
“When I’m an actor, I just act — I don’t make any judgment in the direction, unless the director seeks my advice.
“I enjoy doing indies, because the filmmakers behind them always come up with fresh ideas.
“I don’t meddle — it’s their ball game.”
Tito Eddie was also known for his naughty “Manoy” alter ego.
In reality, he was the opposite of his on-screen character.
“Women should be treated delicately.
“They should be put on a pedestal. She should be worshipped.
“I’m a one-woman man. Having so many love affairs at the same time... It’s a headache! You waste your time lying and cheating.”
Tito Eddie loves the LGBT community.
While promoting Metro Manila Film Festival 2018 entry “Rainbow Sunset”, where he played an elderly gay man, Tito Eddie reiterated his acceptance of the LGBT+ community.
He told Rappler in an interview, “Everybody was created by God. If you are a homosexual, God created you that way. There’s nothing wrong with it.”
This was not the first time Tito Eddie played a gay role.
In 1971, he portrayed a closeted gay politician in Lino Brocka’s “Tubog sa Ginto”.
Asked what made him accept the role, he told CatanduanesTribune.com, “It was a very unusual role that comes once in an actor’s lifetime.
“What I particularly liked about the part was the role is not the caricature of the Filipino gay.
“The parts often played in the movies are the beauty parlor type and the town-screaming faggot.
“In the role, nobody knows I was gay because I was married, I have a teenage son (played by Jay Ilagan) and I have a respectable job.
“It was when I started looking for pick-up boys that my gayness comes to the fore.
“It was Mario O’Hara who played my lover.”
In fact, he admitted to having a sexual experience with another man when he was younger.
He told ABS-CBN in an interview, “In my younger years, siguro I was 15 years old. Kailangan lahat ng bagay sa mundo, kailangan mo subukan.”
In 2007, Tito Eddie revealed the secret to his longevity, how he remained energetic and youthful at his age. He was in his late 70s then.
The veteran actor said, “It’s a matter of moderation. You watch your diet, you exercise. You don’t abuse yourself.”
He did brisk walking every morning, ate mostly fish and vegetables, and had dozens of vitamins in his arsenal of supplements.
“After breakfast, I take about 20 supplements: vitamin A, B, C, D... Iron. One each... since I don’t like multivitamins.”
Rest in peace, Mr. Eddie Garcia!