A devastated Sharon Cuneta posted a tribute on Instagram for veteran actor Eddie Garcia who passed away yesterday, June 20. He was 90.
Read: Eddie Garcia passes away
The Megastar was deeply saddened by his loss and said that she would always remember him as a cheerful man just like what he showed during an interview with reporter Noel Ferrer.
In a now edited post, Sharon initially wrote, “He should not have died yet. Had there been no neglect of safety for the actors, he would have lived to more than 100…!!!”
But later on, she edited her post and said, “For ‘World Peace,’ I edited this. I am grieving. Let me be.) Thank you for this, [Noel]. This is the way I will remember him too. Or better yet, as April’s Papa in Dear Heart.”
In the interview, Eddie was asked about the challenges of his career and said, “Para sa ‘kin (For me), every role assigned to me is a challenge because it will be the best recommendation for another job.”
He then joked and said, “I’ve practically done all kinds of roles. Mayroon lang isang hindi ko pa nagagawa: leading lady (laughs).”
With Eddie’s passing, Sharon said that it was really “an end of an era” and she lauded his contributions to the local entertainment industry.
“I love you, my Direk, my Tito Eddie...Thank you for all that you gave me, us...It is truly the end of an era. Hindi na maaaring ibalik ang napakaganda at kagalang-galang na kagandahan ng showbiz noon,” she wrote.
“Kokonti na lang ang mga artistang ‘old school’ na napakalaki ng kontribusyon sa industriya at sa puso ng bawat Pilipino, at marunong trumato ng katrabaho ng tama, sikat man o ‘maliliit’ ang tingin sa trabaho nila pero malaki naman talaga ang naibibigay sa ating mga artista.
“Maraming salamat po, Mr. Eddie Garcia. Walang sinuman sa showbiz ngayon o kahit sa mga ipanganganak pa ang puwedeng umupo sa tronong iniwan ninyo,” she added.
One of his notable roles with Megastar was playing the role of Don Manolo in the 1981 film Dear Heart as a strict father to April (Sharon).
“I will miss you, my Papa...I will love you forever. Your baby girl, April,” Sharon wrote in one of her posts.