Was it only last week when most of the local theater aficionados headed by film, television and stage artist Dennis Marasigan called for a unified prayer brigade to storm heavens Philippine movie and drama icon Naty Crame Rogers could be cured from a lingering illness?
Early on today, Wednesday, February 3, 2021, the Philippine dramaturgy guru breathed her last as announced in his social media post by a fellow theater artist Frank G. Rivera.
Crame Rogers was noted for her sterling performance as Paula, the seduced spinster in the 1965 screen adaptation of Nick Joaquin’s classic play “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” directed by Lamberto Avellana.
In the movie, Naty was pitted against another seasoned theater, television and film actress Daisy Avellana as Candida.
Frank quickly weaved eulogy poetry for one of his idols in acting:
“Binati pa kita kamakailan lang (I just greeted you recently)
Nang inalaala iyong kaarawan (When I thought of your birthday)
May kasamang lungkot saka agam-agam (There was a mix of sadness and uncertainty)
Nang pinagsamaha'y aking ipagdiwang (Our togetherness was celebrated)
Huling pagbati na sa kaarawan mo (I never thought it was my last homage on your birthday)
Parang pahimakas inilaan sa 'yo (It was like my last farewell for you)
Dahil nang malamang ikaw ay yumao (When I learned the news you passed on)
Namaybay sa pisngi ang mga luha ko (Tears fell on my cheeks)
Isa ka sa aking mga kapareha (You were one of my partners)
Sa ginampanan kong dula sa Arena (In my appearance in Arena)
Mga natutuhan nang tayo'y magsama (What I learned when I entangled with you)
Magpahanggang ngayon aking dala-dala (I cherish until now)
NATY CRAME-ROGERS na aking katoto (my friend) Salamat sa oras nagkasama tayo... (Thanks for the moments we’re together…)
PAALAM, NATY, HANGGANG SA MULI (UNTIL THEN, NATY, GOODBYE)
Among the celebs who took time to share grief in Crame-Rogers’ demise were Dennis, actors Edna May Landicho, Grace Amilbangsa, Malu Maniquis, Ronnie Ison, dance guru Larry Gabao, directors Arman Reyes and Ariel Franciso.