The passing of entertainment reporter Virgilio Gonzales, better known as Vir Gonzales in the circle, has stunned the whole industry.
Vir Gonzales who?
Vir Gonzales, the kind-hearted and friendly movie reporter who had been writing in the vernacular about celebrities for almost seven decades.
Vir had made friendships apart from his professional connections with movie, television and multimedia stars from Susan Roces to Rizza Mae Dizon. That’s why his demise was a huge loss to the local entertainment industry.
Gonzales died early last week due to cardiac arrest in his hometown in Baliuag, Bulacan and every Juana and Juana in show business was grieving for him especially San Pablo City beauty-queen-actress Azenith Briones.
In her socmed post, Azenith sobbed as she wrote her eulogy for Vir.
“Im so sad to hear that a dear friend Vir Gonzalez wala na siya (he’s already gone) a real true friend meron at wala maaasahan kahit im (with or without token of appreciation and) not in the movies anymore panay pa di silay niya sa mga (he was always writing about me in) tabloid sa akin love your one of a kind naiiyak ako habang ginagawa ko Ito nawala na isang tunay na kaibigan isa ka sa totoo g kaibigan na mahirap naAkita gaya mo naluly gkot ako dahil di na tayo nagkita (I am nearly crying while I’m writing this because you’re one true friend who would be hard to find. I am sad because we won’t see each other again) Rest in peace bahala ka na sa akin (take care of me) I Love you my dear friend.”
According to movie writer Obette Serrano, Vir’s remains were cremated immediately after his death.
Gonzales had been the publicist of action star and former Caloocan City mayor Rey Malonzo. He was the organizer of the Escolta Boys, a group of young actors who frequent the burgeoning business center and hub of big movie productions of yore Escolta, hence the name of the motley group composed of Leo Lazaro, Gerry Roman, Ronald Nepomuceno, Jeric Vasquez, Bobby Zshornack etc.
The local members of the movie press from Ethel Ramos to Roland Lerum are still grieving about the passing of Vir.
Meanwhile, Los Baños resident Helen Aldiano, mom of international bestseller writer of inspirational books Melysa Aldiano who is based in Belgium had recently died. No matter how many miles away, Melysa rendered an emotional version on Facebook Live of “You Needed Me,” the favorite song of her mother.