Music industry mourns Willy Cruz

Famed composer and musical arranger Willy Cruz (Wilfredo Buencamino Cruz) died on Monday, April 17, at St. Luke’s Hospital. He was 70. He succumbed to aneurism after suffering a stroke last week and went into a coma.

Considered an icon in the local music industry, Willy was the composer of many OPM classics such as “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas,” “Pangarap na Bituin,” “Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan,” “Bituing Walang Ningning,” “Kumusta Ka,” “Init Sa Magdamag,” “Never Ever Say Goodbye,” “Let The Pain Remain,” “Love Without Time,” “Mahawi Man ang Ulap,” “Kahit Na,” “May Minamahal,” among many others.

His songs were recorded by the likes of Sharon Cuneta, Nonoy Zuñiga, Basil Valdez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Donna Cruz, Lani Misalucha, Didith Reyes, Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez, Haji Alejandro and Raymond Lauchengco, just to name a few. Aside from being a songwriter, he was also an arranger, musical director and musical scorer. His songs are now timeless classics and are part of his legacy to the music industry.

The music industry is mourning the loss of the prolific composer and many OPM artists expressed their condolences in their social media accounts.

“My friend and mentor Willy Cruz passed away at 1 a.m. Such sad news. May you have peace in God’s loving arms,” tweeted Jim Paredes of APO Hiking Society.

Lea Salonga tweeted, “Rest in God’s loving arms, Willy Cruz. You have left such a legacy of amazing music to remember you by.”

From Ogie Alcasid, “RIP Mr. Willy Cruz. Thank you for the wonderful music that you have created for the Filipinos.”

Tweeted Jed Madela,  “RIP Willy Cruz...I may have not met you or worked with you but your songs were part of our lives.”

Sharon Cuneta, whose three biggest hits were composed by Willy, posted this message on her Facebook account: “My Willy Cruz...my Willy has left me. My dearest, I have no words. Only tears, gratitude and love. What kills me is you didn’t have to go this soon. I will love you forever.”

“Unti-unti kong narating, kalangitan at bituin...unti-unting kinabukasan ko ay nagningning...hawak ngayo’y tibay ng damdamin...bukas naman sa ‘king paggising, kapiling ko'y pinangarap na bituin...”

“Balutin mo ako ng hiwaga ng iyong pagmamahal... hayaang matakpan ang kinang na di magtatagal...mabuti pa kaya’y maging bituing walang ningning...kung kapalit nito’y walang paglaho mong pagtingin...”

“Kung di malimot ng tadhana...bigyang tuldok ang ating ligaya...walang hanggan ay hahamakin...pagkat walang katapusan kitang iibigin... Hangga’t di kita lubusang maintindihan...aaminin ko ang pagkukulang...hanggang kailan kita mamahalin...yan ay di na kailangan pang tanungin...”

“Maraming salamat sa mga obra. Higit sa lahat, sa tunay na pagkakaibigan at pagmamahalan. Rest in peace with Jesus, my friend. Til I see you again...”

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Showbiz newcomer Miguel Bagtas plays one of Lotlot de Leon’s sons in the film “1st Sem,” from A Kayan Productions & Team Campy Entertainment Release.

Miguel’s father worked as the driver of Piolo Pascual for ten years but resigned due to health reasons. Miguel was still young then and his father often brought him along whenever he had to drive for Piolo. Of course, his dad asks Piolo’s permission if  Miguel could tag along in his tapings and shootings.

He got acquainted with Moi, personal assistant of Piolo, who herself has appeared in movies and was a “Survivor Philippines” contestant. As a young boy, Miguel met a lot of celebrities whenever he was in the “ASAP” dressing room where Piolo would introduce Miguel to his co-hosts as the son of his driver.

He even appeared as the son of Joey Marquez in the movie “On the Job” after his father volunteered him when the talent that was supposed to take on the role failed to arrive.

It was his professor at New Era College who told Miguel to audition for a role in a film to be directed by his professor’s friend. It landed him the role of Jairus, the second son of Lotlot in “1st Sem.”

“1st Sem” is written and directed by Dexter Paglinawan Hemedez (who finished Mass Communication at New Era College) and Allan Michael Ibanez (who graduated with a degree in Statistics from UP Diliman). Both of  them attended scriptwriting workshops with Ricky Lee and became writers of the teleserye “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita” aired on ABS-CBN.

“1st Sem,” the debut film of Dexter and Allan, won Best Debut Feature Film at the All Lights India International Film Festival. The two directors and Lotlot are now in the US where “1st Sem” is in competition at the 50th Worldfest Houston International Film Festival in Texas.

“1st Sem” opens in cinemas nationwide on April 26. The movie also stars Darwin Yu, Sebastian Vargas and Allan Paule. It is rated A by the Cinema Evaluation Board and we highly recommend it for viewing especially to parents and their children.