Peque Gallaga, one of the Philippine cinema’s great directors, died on Thursday, May 7, 2020. at the age of 76.
Some of his film projects included Tiyanak with Janice de Belen and Lotlot de Leon, Shake, Rattle, & Roll in 1984, Magic Temple in 1986, Batang X with Carlo Aquino in 1995, Enteng Kabisote 4 in 2007. His most notable work was Oro, Plata, Mata (1982).
Gallaga’s death was due to complications from his previous health conditions, as confirmed by his collaborator director Lore Reyes. Judy Ann Santos, Mark Bautista, Anne Curtis are some of the celebrities who mourned for Director Gallaga and recalled their fond memories with him.
Judy Ann remembers the professionalism, wisdom, and honesty of Gallaga.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_4Cyv2HOBt/
Mark Bautista
I did my very first acting workshop in Manila with Direk Peque Gallaga for 2 weeks..I will never forget that moment and what it taught me..Rest well Direk!🙏🏼
— Mark Bautista (@iammarkbautista) May 7, 2020
Anne Curtis was grateful to Gallaga for choosing her to portray Princess Dahlia in Magic Temple which changed her life.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_4BeUHheP5/?igshid=4mhv307pczm
Solenn Heussaff will definitely miss the sarcasm and the greatness of Gallaga on how he set the mood for everyone and made them feel at home.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_3_CwnA9Wt/
Khalil Ramos
RIP Peque Gallaga 🙏🏽 Definitely one of the best to ever do it. ☝🏽
— Khalil Ramos (@TheKhalilRamos) May 7, 2020
Zsa Zsa Padilla posted the photo she took while Director Gallaga was instructing them during in the Hiwaga Sa Balete Drive shoot in 1988.
From Hiwaga Sa Balete Drive. Took his photo while he was giving me instructions for one scene. Maraming salamat, Peque Gallaga. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/f7jTekfsIY
— zsa zsa padilla (@zsazsapadilla) May 7, 2020
Jolina Magdangal worked with Gallaga for the Puso ng Pasko film
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_4GmG1FAXO/?igshid=47xntll9e8l7
Seasoned actors such as Janice de Belen and Gardo Versoza also expressed their love and sympathies for the bereaved family of Gallaga.
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One of the celebrities closest to Gallaga’s heart would be Joel Torre who also expressed his love and appreciation for the late director who discovered his talent and made him a star in Oro Plata Mata.
Torre said: “Peque is a great man and a very generous artist who knew talent when he saw one! He was family to me. He nurtured my craft. I would not be here if not for Peque.”
