Local show business is still in mourning.
After the passing of popular entertainment writer Mario Bautista, award-winning cinematographer Romy Vitug kicked the bucket after a long bout with cancer.
Romy died while showbiz people were holding a vigil for Mario at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
According to Vitug's son VJ Vitug, his dad died of leukemia at the City of Imus Medical Center in Cavite.
Here are some of his fellow entertainers and artists' eulogies for him:
Joel Lamangan, director: "Paalam Romy Vitug! Isa na namang ICON ng pelikulang Pilipino ang namaalam. Hindi matatawaran ang iniwang legacy ni Romy sa sining ng pelikulang Pinoy. Si Romy ang cinematographer ng mga pelikula kong kinilala dito sa ating bayan at sa ibang bansa! Kabilang dito ang 'The Flor Contemplacion Story,' 'Bakit May Kahapon Pa,' 'Pangako ng Kahapon,' 'Ngayon at Kailan Man,' 'Hihintayin kita sa Langit,' 'Muling Umawit ang Puso,' 'Sara Balabagan Story,' 'Pusong Mamon' atbp obra na kumilala sa kahusayan niya sa pag-iilaw ng mga eksena (Adieu, Romy Vitug! Another ICON of Philippine cinema has bid goodbye whose talent and legacy are unparalleled. Romy was my cinematographer in my movies that are locally and internationally recognized which showed his impeccable sense of artistry)."
Australian filmmaker Andrew Leavold: "Very sad to hear of the passing of one of the Philippines' most celebrated cinematographers, Mr Romy V Vitug. He worked with all the greats (Lino Brocka, Celso Ad. Castillo, Mario O'Hara etc. but was so humble and generous with his time. I had the pleasure of hanging out with him at several ABS-CBN Film Restoration screenings with filmmaker Emmanuel Dela Cruz at the premiere of the restored 'Mga Bilanggong Birhen/The Captive Virgins' (1977) back in 2019. So long Romy and thanks for your friendship. (Also kudos to Leo P Katigbak, Manet A. Dayrit and their teams for their wonderful restoration work)."
Emmanuel de la Cruz, filmmaker: "Paalam Mang Romy V Vitug. Salamat po sa Lahat-lahat ng makinang, matulain at busilak na mga larawan nyo sa higanteng pinilakang tabing...Hindi namin kayo malilimutan... Mga awit ng anghel ang naghihintay sa Inyo sa Kalangitan...(Goodbye, Old Man! Thanks for everything that was glistening, poetic and pure photography of your films...We will always remember you...Songs of the angels await you in Heaven)."
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