Nagbalik-tanaw sa kanyang mahabang tribute: MONIQUE, labis na nalungkot sa pagpanaw ng actor-singer na si COCOY

SA pagpanaw ng theater and film actor-singer na si Victor “Cocoy” Laurel noong June 14, isa sa labis na nalungkot ay ang theater and film actress-singer na si Monique Wilson.

Sa official Facebook page ni Monique nitong June 18, nag-post ito ng mahabang tribute para kay Cocoy na noong baby pa lang daw siya ay kinarga na siya nito.

Kinuwento rin ng 55-year old actress-singer na naging extra siya sa isang pelikula ni Cocoy at sa bahay ng mga Laurel siya na-discover para maging miyembro ng Repertory Philippines.

“I first met you when I was a baby. When you held me in your arms.

“As a toddler I was an extra in your film Ophelia at Paris where my mom said I refused to walk in the mud for the scene.

“I grew up in the Laurel home on Shaw Blvd. It was there, later on when I was 9, when Tito Freddie (Santos) placed me on top of the grand piano and asked me to sing, and you played for me.

“Encouraging me all the way. Tita Bibot (Amador) and Tita Baby (Barredo) were there and that started my life in the theatre with Repertory Philippines.”

Sa 1973 film na “Ophelia At Paris” ay nakatambal ni Cocoy si Vilma Santos. Produced ito ni Cocoy under Victor Laurel Productions at ang direktor ay ang ina niyang si Celia Diaz-Laurel.

Nagkasama rin sina Monique at Cocoy sa original London cast ng “Miss Saigon” in 1989 with Lea Salonga, Isay Alvarez, Pinky Amador, Junix Inocian, Jon Jon Briones, Jenine Desiderio and Robert Sena.

Monique played Mimi at understudy ni Lea as Kim sa Miss Saigon. Hanggang sa maging fulltime Kim na siya when Lea went on Broadway for Miss Saigon in 1991.

Pagpapatuloy ni Monique: “From that age, up until I was 19 when we both flew to London as part of the original West End cast of “Miss Saigon”, we spent many many hours, years, moments (birthdays, Christmas Eves, campaigns, Sunday dinners) at that same grand piano in your home, singing together. Even when there was no occasion, as soon you saw me, you ran to the piano so we could sing together.”

Nag-reminisce din si Monique sa iba pang theater musicals na pinagsamahan nila ni Cocoy through the years.

“Before London there was Rep.  I remember us in “A Chorus Line” together when I was 14.  Then what a thrill it was when I was 15 to play the mistress in Evita (and you as Che Guevara) and get to sing “Another Suitcase In Another Hall” with you onstage. Then our years in London together – another memory I’ve held close is your first ever performance as the Engineer, and how lucky I was to be playing Kim that night. And after the West End, all the concerts we did together. You were my special guest in my first concert when I was 22. And you were my special guest again at my 25th anniversary concert when I was 35.

“I recollect the specific ages now because I realize that for the first 35 years of my life, you were there. Not just onstage, but also in our beloved Matabungkay – our family homes so close to each other, we spent Easter and Christmas and summer breaks

together, always singing. And then from the age of 15 up, our shared life in the theatre, in concerts and shows, where we sang together all the time.”

Matagal din daw na hindi nakasama ni Monique si Cocoy. Huli pa raw silang nagsama sa stage ay noong 2017 pa sa 50th anniversary ng Repertory Philippines.

“Over the years we didn’t get to see each other that much. But again I was grateful to be able to share the stage one last time with you at Rep’s 50th anniversary show eight years ago. What an amazing shared history we have. And I have cherished and treasured every moment of it.

“Fly high my beloved Cocoy. Sing and soar with the angels. Because you have always been one of them. The kindest, purest heart and most glorious human being and artist that I have ever known. Thank you for your voice, your art, and your heart.”

***

HINDI man sila ang tinanghal na Big 4, pero ang mga evicted Kapuso housemates na sina Vince Maristela, Josh Ford, and Michael Sager, malaki ang nabago sa buhay nila dahil sa “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition.”

The male Kapuso housemates shared that they were pleasantly surprised by the warm reception they received from the public sa paglabas nila sa Pinoy Big Brother house.

Vince Maristela, who was evicted last month alongside Kapamilya actress Xyriel Manabat, namangha sa rami ng taong sumalubong sa kanya sa outside world.

“Ako po talaga, sobrang na-overwhelm ako ‘yung sumalubong sa akin sa outside world. Hala, ganito na pala ‘yung mga taong nagmamahal sa akin. Dati, nakikilala ako as my role sa mga teleserye, ngayon kilala na nila ako as Vince Maristela.”

Josh Ford, who was evicted alongside Kapamilya actor Ralph De Leon in May said na mas nagkaroon siya ng confidence after the eviction.

“Ako po ‘yung pinaka hindi kilala sa aming lahat, self-esteem ko sobrang baba po. Parang kinukumpara ko po ‘yung sarili ko sa kanilang lahat, ‘yung parang walang masyadong sumusuporta sa akin, wala akong masyadong fans. Grabe, as in. Yung emotion ko talaga sa paglabas, I was so struck sa pagmamahal na ibinigay nila sa akin.”

Meanwhile, Michael Sager, who was evicted in April alongside Kapamilya actor Emilio Daez, said that the warm reception ay ang tanging kailangan niya sa panahon na iyon.

“Nung narinig ko ‘yung names na china-chat nila, Team MiLi, ‘yung may malaking board, tapos ‘We love you Michael!’ Those were the words I needed the most at that time.”

(RUEL J. MENDOZA)