Actor Spanky Manikan dies at 75

PUMANAW na ang hinahangaang veteran actor na si Spanky Manikan bandang 11:41 a.m. nitong Linggo, January 14.

He was 75 years old.

Sa Facebook posts ng ilang malalapit na kaibigan ni Spanky, nakasaad na ang mismong misis ng respetadong aktor na si Susan Africa ang nagkompirma ng malungkot na balita.

Narito ang kopya ng Facebook post ng beteranong aktor na si Joel Saracho:

“Noong Biyernes, January 12, nagkaroon ng prayer brigade sa Facebook ang mga kasamahan ni Spanky sa industriya dahil sa nabalitang kritikal na kundisyon nito.

Naka-confine si Spanky sa Makati Medical Center sa Makati City, at nakaranas pa ng “seizure” at “semi-conscious” ang beteranong actor noon, ayon sa Facebook post ng theater actress na si Gardy Labad.

August 2017 nang unang mapabalitang may stage four lung cancer si Spanky.

Isang malapit na kaibigan at kasamahan sa industriya na si Nanding Josef ang naghayag na the veteran actor went on chemotherapy.

Sang-ayon sa Facebook post ni Nanding dated August 4, 2017: “Spanky, 75 years old has been diagnosed with lung cancer, stage 4, and is in need of financial assistance.

“He has been hospitalized 4 times already for various complications which has drained family savings (Spanky’s loving wife, who has been by his side all this time is fellow actor Susan Africa-Manikan).

“Though Spanky is slowly getting better, he needs 6 more cycles of chemotherapy.

“He is still confined in the hospital for pleural (lung) fluid drainage.”

Spanky was last seen at GMA Network primetime series My Love From The Star, where he delineated the role of Mr. Jang, Matteo Domingo’s close friend that was delineated by Gil Cuerva.

The soap continued airing up to July 2017 but Mr. Spanky was forced to abandon his role because of his fast deteriorating physical condition.

Looking back, Spanky had an illustrious acting career. The public had a glimpse of his terrific acting skill when he delineated supporting roles in Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag (1975) and Bona (1985), both directed by the late acclaimed director Lino Brocka.

Unforgettable rin ang kanyang pagganap sa Himala (1981) ni Ishmael Bernal, at Broken Marriage (1983).

Itinanghal si Spanky na Best Supporting Actor ng 1981 Metro Manila Film Festival para sa Himala.

Naipamalas rin niya ang kanyang galing sa pag-arte sa telebisyon.

Sa GMA-7, ilan sa mga kinabilangan niyang teleserye ay Majika (2006), Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan (2007), Amaya (2011), Pari ‘Koy (2015), at Alyas Robin Hood (2017).

Napanood din si Spanky sa mga obra ng ABS CBN tulad ng Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan (2001), Krystala (2004), Lobo (2008), Tayong Dalawa (2009), May Bukas Pa (2010), Walang Hanggan (2012), Honesto (2013), Ikaw Lamang (2014), at FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano (2016).

Nagsimula ang karera ni Spanky sa teatro at una siyang naging bahagi ng Halimaw, isang stage play sa ilalim ng produksiyon ng Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA).

And with that, ito po ang Kuya Pete ninyo na nagsasabing, Christopher, my son, I love you very, very much, my love for you goes beyond eternity.

Adios. Mabalos. I always need you, Nhong!

BANAT!
ni Pete Ampoloquio, Jr.