Isang malaking kawalan sa industriya ang pagpanaw ni Direk Peque Gallaga, 76. Nagluksa ang taga-showbiz dahil isa na namang mahusay na director ang pumanaw.
Binawian siya ng buhay sa Riverside Medical Center sa Bacolod City. Ito’y dahil sa komplikasyon sa kanyang sakit sa puso.
Nagbigay-pugay sina Senator Bong Revilla, Judy Ann Santos, Anne Curtis at Solenn Heussaff.
Ayon kay Senator Bong: “Today is a very sad day.
“Ako po ay nagluluksa kasama ng buong industriya ng pelikulang pilipino sa pagpanaw ng isang institusyon sa larangan ng sining – si Direk Peque Gallaga.
“Taimtim na dasal po at pakikiramay sa kanyang mga iniwang mahal sa buhay.
“Napakapalad ko po na ma-mentor ni Direk Peque, isa sa pinakamagaling na direktor sa industriya. He was my director sa “Dugo ng Panday,” one of my grandest and most epic movies. Dahil sa kanya at sa tiwala ni Ninong Ron (FPJ) ko namana si Flavio.
“Hanggang sa mga pinakabago kong pelikula ay hindi ko nakakalimutang ikonsulta sa kanya. He had an eye for the art like no other. The grandness of his visions and his designs, which only he can successfully translate into film, made him a legend in his craft. Ang puwang na kanyang iniwan ay mahirap mapunan ninuman.
“You will greatly be missed, Direk. Rest well in the loving arms of our Father. Heaven will be a more beautiful place with you there.”
Sey naman ni Judy Ann Santos sa kanyang Instagram account:“My dearest direk peque… i will forever be grateful for the chance na nakatrabaho kita.. your passion for you craft is undeniable in so many ways.. your wisdom in many things, your honesty, professionalism, genuine love and kindness to everyone around you , your hugs and laughter i will miss the most.. thank you for allowing me to know you personally.. you and direk lore and ate jo will forever have a special place in my heart.. you added more color and texture in my career… maraming maraming salamat sa lahat direk peque gallaga…”
Nagkatrabo sila sa pelikukang T’yanak nu’ng 2014.
Nakidalamhati rin si Anne . Naging director niya ito sa Magic Kingdom nu’ng 1997 na first movie niya. Gumanap siya bilang Princess Dahlia na ipinangalan din sa first baby nila ni Erwan Heussaff .
“I will forever be grateful to him and Direk Lore for choosing me to be their Princess Dahlia in Magic Kingdom.. it breaks my heart knowing that he won’t get to meet my own little Dahlia. Direk Peque, thank you for giving me a role that would change my life forever. I will miss you and will treasure the memories and lessons you taught me in the craft of acting. Rest In Peace. I love you.
“My deepest condolences to the Gallaga Family.”
Saad naman ni Solenn: “I Love you Direk Peque. Thank you for always believing in me and being the best teacher I could ask for. You literally moved my scenes with music and tought me to be simple in a loud way. Will miss your joie de vivre, your sarcasm and views on certain subjects/people , the way you brought a cast together and made set feel like an actual home. I will forever be your fan in all aspects of your Art and the great human being you are. RIP, I love you.”
Naging director niya ito sa pelikulang ‘Seduction’ at ‘T’yanak’ ni Juday.