"REQUIEM FOR MARYO J. DELOS REYES (R.I.P.)", as written by Mr. Frank Rivera

(Foreword from the Blogger:
We feel we must publish this Requiem for the late director Maryo J. delos Reyes even though he has died over a couple of months back. It's never too late. As the late director continues to inspire so many of those he had loved and shared his life upon, his legacy to everyone will continue to shine.... The writer of this Requiem, Mr. Frank Rivera is among those dear to the heart of the late director. As they both contributed so many things for the glory of the Arts- the Theater and Philippine Cinema. And beacause, the late Maryo J. delos Reyes was a product of the THEATER WORLD, and the Cinema simply followed on.--- RMS.)*

a requiem for the late maryo j. delos reyes (r.i.p.)

frank rivera: the beloved friend of the late maryo j. delos reyes

"REQUIEM for Maryo J. Delos Reyes"
(His Showbiz' Alpha)

AS WRITTEN BY MR. FRANK RIVERA

In the early 70s, Czech Director-Playwright LADISLAV SMOCEK conducted a Playwriting Workshop in PETA attended by a group of budding young theater artists like me, MARYO DELOS REYES, TONY PEREZ, PAUL DUMOL, NONON PADILLA, GARDY LABAD, REX CATUBIG, EFRAIM BEJAR, MARS CAVESTANY and BUTCH DALISAY who wrote a dramatic piece about a very young boy from the squatters. The short play was entitled "BETHLEHEM". I talked about it to BALINTATAW Literary Manager BERT FLORENTINO who decided to do it for television. MARYO DELOS REYES and I did BUTCH DALISAY's "BETHLEHEM" on TV for the much awarded BALINTATAW Directed by LUPITA CONCIO (Kashiwahara now) Produced by CECILE GUIDOTE (Alvarez now) and the Phil. Educational Theater Association (PETA) Hosted by ROBERT AREVALO. The teleplay starred the sensational child actor then RODERICK PAULATE. That episode was a big hit with loads of fan mails received by the program. PETA decided to put up a stage version of BETHLEHEM for the Twilight Theater Series at the Raha Sulayman Theater in Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila. However, MARYO was unable to direct it but LORLI VILLANUEVA did (her first directorial piece) of course with RODERICK and ANGIE FERRO and I remember we were coaxing promenaders at the parks to come and watch our show, after which they left the theater teary-eyed touched by RODERICK and ANGIE's acting and BUTCH DALISAY's dramatic play.

About this time, MARYO pondered on doing a play production for his thesis in UP. He thought of doing the play with his then favorite actor RODERICK PAULATE from the success of "BETHLEHEM". He asked CECILE GUIDOTE to pull strings with the Population Commission (PopCom) that enabled him to receive a grant for his thesis project. It was the play, " 'TAY, KAIN NA TAYO" which he asked budding playwrights TOM ADRALES and BEY VITO to write starring RODERICK PAULATE, ANGIE FERRO & JOEY GALVEZ with JOE GRUTA who he also directed in an earlier PETA Play "TATLONG MANYIKA" with me and RAFFY GUERRERO at the Dungeon.
" 'TAY, KAIN NA TAYO" had a long run at Fort Santiago and even toured the Bicol Region. Its success delighted PopCom and his UP Professors. He left for Switzerland afterwards.
Upon his return, he directed his first film "HIGH SCHOOL CIRCA '65" which earned RODERICK PAULATE an acting award for his first comic role. He directed RODERICK again for his first contravida role in "ALKITRANG DUGO" adapted from the famous novel "LORD OF THE FLIES". This project was offered to him by LUPITA CONCIO who introduced MARYO to JAKE TORDESILLAS, who became his long-time companion and who caused MARYO's greatest pain when he passed away in June, last year.
"ALKITRANG DUGO" also introduced MARYO to SUPERSTAR NORA AUNOR who starred in their box-office films together "ANNIE BATUNGBAKAL", "BONGGA KA, 'DAY", "ROCK 'N ROLL"...

'Tis difficult to accept that his auspicious beginning in the industry has come to an end. But it's the natural flow of life.
ALPHA & OMEGA.
Muling "NAGLALAYAG" si Maryo J Delos Reyes
Bon Voyage...!