The local entertainment scene is in mourning with another industry giant crossing over to the great beyond.
Popular director and songwriter Freddie Santos was reported to have died this morning, Dec.17, after struggling with diabetes.
He was 64.
Among celebrities who expressed their condolences to his bereaved family were Lea Salonga and Jett Pangan.
"Rest In Peace, my Daddy Warbucks. I’ll never forget you. With love, your Annie," Lea wrote on Facebook.
She revealed that the latter was her first leading man, a mentor, a teacher.
"A brilliant writer and director," she added. "You will be missed, Tito Freddie."
Meanwhile, Jett recalled good memories he had with the late artist.
"Wish I owned old pics with him when he had long hair and a beard, when he directed The Dawn back in the late '80s (Teddy Diaz on guitar, Clay Luna on bass) for what was probably our first mainstream production experience involving an actual director... and a script," he shared.
According to Jett, despite Freddie's extensive resumé, he extended much patience to him and his bandmates.
"I will never forget what he told me after the show: 'Jett, your spiels are getting better... and better...' in a fading, exasperated tone... The rest of the band laughed," he vividly recalled.
"In that gig at Light And Sound, a record exec watched and eventually took the risk of signing us up. A big THANK YOU to Direk Freddie Santos. May he now rest happily. He will be missed," he ended.