Showbiz industry mourns death of Direk Maryo

The showbiz industry is mourning the death of award-winning director Maryo J. delos Reyes. The well-loved filmmaker succumbed to a heart attack last Saturday while attending a party in Dipolog City.

The first two nights of his wake at Loyola Commonwealth was attended by a lot of showbiz folk who were saddened by the sudden demise of the director who gave us beautiful movies like “Magnifico,” the iconic youth film “Bagets,” Maricel Soriano hits like “Saan Darating ang Umaga,” “Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit,” and Nora Aunor musicals like “Annie Batungbakal,” “Bongga Ka ‘Day,” to award-winning films of Vilma Santos like “Tagos ng Dugo,” “Sinungaling Mong Puso,” to mention a few.

Among the stars who visited Direk Maryo’s wake were Gabby Concepcion, Aga Muhlach, Alice Dixson, Ara Mina, Cesar Montano, Assunta de Rossi, Katrina Halili, Joel Torre, Sylvia Sanchez, film producer Mother Lily Monteverde, to film directors like Joel Lamangan, Joey Reyes, Louie Ignacio, Boy Vinarao, Mel Chionglo, Ruel Bayani, Roni Bertubin, as well as seasoned actors Rez Cortez and Caridad Sanchez.

Also paying their respects to the departed filmmaker were GMA-7 executives Lilybeth Gomez-Rasonable and Redgie Acuña-Magno, former GMA executive Wilma Galvante, talent manager June T. Rufino and Popoy Caritativo.

Also present at the wake was Direk Maryo’s longtime alaga, Cong. Yul Servo who was discovered by the filmmaker in 1998. It was Direk Maryo who gave Yul the break in showbiz and it was something that the actor-turned-politician will never forget.

“Whatever I have achieved I owe it to Direk Maryo,” said Yul as he wiped his tears while being interviewed by the members of the media.

“He didn’t want to give me the project ‘Batang West Side’ (the award-winning Lav Diaz film) but I told him I will do my best. Hindi kita ipapahiya Direk. Kaya ko ito.”

True enough, Yul won as Best Actor at the Cinemanila International Film Festival for “Batang West Side.” He went on to do more award-winning projects like “Naglalayag” with Nora Aunor, still directed by Maryo J.

“I  can’t still believe that he is gone,” said Yul.

Regal Entertainment, headed by Mother Lily Monteverde, sponsored the Mass on the second day of the wake which also saw the members of the Director’s Guild of the Philippines (DGPI) paying tribute to their beloved member.

In her eulogy, Mother Lily paid tribute to Direk Maryo. Here is Mother Lily’s message:

“Good evening, dearest friends and family members of Maryo J. delos Reyes. If some should ask, ‘Why is there a night dedicated to Regal Films as we mourn the passing of an important director like Maryo?’ The answer is simple. He is one of the pillars of our studio. Maryo delos Reyes is as much a part of Regal as Regal will always be the home of this filmmaker.”

“For in our many years together, Maryo was more than just a director who made films for us. He was and will always be family. He will always remain as one of my closest friends, one of my children. They call me Mother Lily because of the reasons for my pride – these geniuses of filmmakers who have made Regal Films what is has become for the past so many decades.”

“Even more than that, Maryo was a friend – a great friend. This is unquestionable – as proven by the number of people gathered today feeling a sense of loss now that he has left us. But we will not talk about sadness but celebrate his life. We will remember him for his signature laughter that will forever be heard in our hearts.”

“Maryo J. delos Reyes was a great Filipino director – but more than that, he was ‘Magnifico,’ great human being. Tonight, we salute his life. We do not say goodbye but instead applaud and say, ‘Thank you and congratulations for a life so well lived, for a job so well done.”

Direk Maryo will be missed by his showbiz colleagues. As Direk Joel said, “He is a good man. Let us celebrate his life.”

Direk Maryo will be cremated tomorrow before being interred. Let us pray for the eternal repose of his soul.