By David Belmonte
“I don’t intend to leave a legacy. Whatever they see when I’m doing or directing a film, if they enjoy it, then that’s my legacy.”
-Eddie Garcia (1929-2019)
Veteran actor Eddie Garcia, who fell into a coma last June 8 after a bad fall, died at 4:55 p.m. today, The Philippine STAR reported in its online edition today.
On June 18, two days before he died, Eddie won the Best Actor Award for the movie, ML (Martial Law) produced by Roselle Lorenzo and directed by Benedict Mique in the 42nd Gawad Urian Awards at the UP Film Center.
It wasn’t too long ago that PeopleAsia was given the opportunity to interview veteran actor and director Eddie Garcia during one of his TV projects in Cainta, Rizal.
At the time of the interview, Eddie was his witty, charming, all-in-all suave self. He reminisced to then PeopleAsia features editor, the late Greggy Vera Cruz, his directorial debut for a film titled Karugtong ng Kahapon, which was made in 1961. The esteemed actor was in his early thirties at the time. It had been 60 years since, and within this time frame, he has established a name for himself as one of the Philippines’ greatest talents.
He’s directed 25 different movies and acted in over four times that number throughout the course of his career, solidifying himself as one of the most prominent and iconic Filipino actors of all time.
Yet, despite this, he’s remained extraordinarily humble, which was one of the first things PeopleAsia noticed about the actor. When asked about his humility, he simply snickered at the notion. He usually responds with a laugh every time people call him a “living icon.”
“Movie-making is just a job. You finish one project; you move on to another. It’s a nice way to make a living,” shares Eddie. He isn’t the sort of man who believed in “dream roles” and “dream projects,” as well, leading him to become the consummate professional he is today. It’s his grounded approach to acting and directing that has helped him thrive in the film industry.
Stating in his matter-of-factly way, “Whatever role or project is offered to me, I grab it. I also don’t have any ready script to peddle.”
With the recent events surrounding his condition and the dozens of projects under his belt, Eddie Garcia is undoubtedly a household name in Filipino cinema. Loved by many, this man has filled in almost every role imaginable, from leading and supporting roles, to roles behind the camera.
Eddie has amassed a wide range of awards from numerous credible award-winning bodies over the years, as well, garnering a grand total of 38 awards—20 of which came from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences.
He’s the only man in the Philippines who has successfully been inducted into the FAMAS hall of fame in three categories: for Best Actor, for Best Supporting Actor and for Best Director. Safe to say, Eddie’s an absolute colossus in the film industry.
Eddie has even gone on record saying that he didn’t “intend to leave a legacy.” He believes his true legacy lies with the people who enjoy his films, whether it’s one that he acted in or directed himself.
And it’s unlikely that the country will get to see another career as incredible as Eddie Garcia’s for a very long time.
Here’s to an unparalleled career, Manoy Eddie.
This article is based on the story “Eddie Garcia: Manoy of the Hour” from PeopleAsia’s December 2012-January 2013 issue, back when the magazine named him a People of the Year awardee, and reports from The STAR.
