Filmmaker and screenwriter Emmanuel Maning Borlaza died Thursday, October 12. He was 81.
An award-winning writer-director of over a hundred movies since the ‘60s, Borlaza is remembered for such classics as “I Love Mama, I Love Papa,” “Lipad, Darna, Lipad,” “Dyesebel,” “Bukas Luluhod ang Mga Tala,” “Bituing Walang Ningning,” and “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.”
At the “Spirit of the Glass 2” press con, writer-director Jose Javier Reyes fondly recalled the vivacity, generosity and humor of his colleague and friend.
“He is so funny,” he shared. “Naalala ko dyan, three things. Number one is he always had words of wisdom for young directors. He would always tell us that this is not forever and what is important is you leave a good track record, not of box office hits, but by being a good worker. Ang sabi nya, ‘yung popularidad darating ‘yan at mawawala, dapat maalala kayo most importantly na mabait kang katrabaho.
“Secondly, he always had a sense of humor. Regardless of situation, regardless of the tension, may sense of humor sya.
“And thirdly, he was always proud of his legs. He wore what we call ‘pekpek shorts.’ He was always so proud of his legs. So much so, nung katandaan siya at hinaharap ko siya, sinasabi ko, o kumusta na ang legs? Tawa lang siya nang tawa.”
Reyes described Borlaza as a “pillar” of the Director’s Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (DGPI) and said that until last month, the filmmaker remained active in their meetings.
“We are going to miss him kasi he was one director who really really worked hard for the protection of directors,” said Reyes.
Borlaza’s remains lie in state at the Loyola Memorial Chapels & Crematorium, Inc. in Sucat, Paranaque. The burial will be on Sunday, October 15, at the Loyola Memorial Park.
