Joey Marquez (left) and Iza Calzado (right) speak to reporters after visiting the wake of the late Gloria Romero (center). Images: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net, FILE PHOTO
The late screen veteran Gloria Romero, who died last January 25, was remembered by Joey Marquez and Iza Calzado, as they recalled how her kindness was a testament to her inner beauty.
Romero died at the age of 91. Before the cremation of her remains, several celebrities paid tribute to her legacy, including Barbie Forteza, Vilma Santos, Amy Perez, Gina Alajar, Liza Lorena, Pepito Rodriguez, Boots Anson-Rodrigo, Sharon Cuneta, and Cherry Pie Picache.
Marquez and Calzado visited Romero’s wake on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 28, where they showed their love for the late actress for the last time.
“Siya ang second mother namin (She was our second mother),” Marquez said of Romero during a brief chat with reporters during her wake. They worked together in the 1987 sitcom “Palibhasa Lalake.”
“Among all the personalities na nakasama namin [sa show], she was the most special. Kagalang-galang, mabait, and advised us what to do. I think she’s the most beautiful actress in the industry… she’s an angel to us” he added.
(Among all the personalities we had in the show, she was the most special. She was respectable, kind, and advised us on what to do. I think she’s the most beautiful actress in the industry. she’s an angel to us.)
Marquez also looked back at the time when he accidentally spilled water on Romero on set. According to the actor, instead of getting mad at him, she calmly reminded him to be careful.
“There was a scene na lalabas si Richard [Gomez], parang basaan, nan’dun sa kwarto sa set si Tita Glo. Ang ginawa ni Richard, pinalabas niya, tapos pagbuhos ko, parang slow motion sa utak ko at napunta sa kanya. Pero what she said to me was, ‘Don’t do it again ha,’ gan’un ka mild. Walang mean bone,” he said.
(There was a scene that Richard Gomez was supposed to come out in sort of a dousing-of-water scene. Tita Glo was in the set’s separate room. What Richard did was he let her out, and then I accidentally spilled water on her. It was like a slow motion in my mind. But what she said to me was, “Please don’t do it again.” That’s how calm she reacted. She had no mean bone in her body.)
LOOK: The wake for the late screen veteran Gloria Romero is held at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City.
Today, Jan. 28, is the last day of the public viewing and it will be held until 1 p.m.
Romero died at the age of 91 on Saturday, Jan. 25. | @HMallorcaINQ
READ… pic.twitter.com/VxqZmanNnp
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) January 28, 2025
‘Graceful’
Calzado, on the other hand, was sentimental as she looked back at the projects she worked on with Romero, including “Moments of Love” and “Fuschia.”
“Napakaganda niya. Hindi lamang sa itsura niya, kundi sa kanyang pagdadala sa sarili, pakikipagkapwa tao (She was very beautiful, not only from the outside but also from the inside as well. She also treated people nicely). She was really a beautiful human being,” she said.
While looking back at her unforgettable memories with the late actress, Calzado said her presence was hard to ignore, and her “warmth and sincerity” won’t be forgotten.
“When she was onscreen, she had a presence. And you can certainly feel her presence kahit hindi siya nag-iingay or nagsisigaw. It was a silent, beautiful, yet very strong and serene kind of presence… iniisip ko nga kung magiging kasing ka-grasiyosa ko si Tita?” she said.
“Si Tita talaga, very soft-spoken. Nakakamiss ‘yung warmth and sincerity. Lagi kong iniisip that I want to age as lovingly and as gracefully as Tita Gloria,” she added.