It was a heartfelt farewell for comedian Amay Bisaya, Roberto Gloria Reyes, in real life.
Amay bid adieu to all his friends, colleagues and family members in a very painful way.
Bisaya had been sick for years after he suffered a stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic and had not recovered since.
His wife, Veron, the loving and faithful person in his life had to make do with a remedy that could heal her love partner but the Lord has its own way of finishing off his pains and sorrows.
Amay’s showbiz community didn’t mince words by either sending inspirational thoughts, saying a little prayer or sending flowers to their beloved colleague.
Bisaya’s death came a few days before the midterm elections in the country and many of showbiz denizens were busy campaigning for their bets.
I guess if Amay was alive, he would root for the Marcoses—Imee Marcos for one—who were running for political posts, local and national.
It’s because Bisaya was a certified Marcos loyalist.
No wonder in his deathbed and funeral wake, the main person to take care of all his memorials was another certified Marcos loyalist, Asia’s Sentimental Songstress Imelda Papin.
“Inako ko na ito para kay Amay. Kahit na noong na-stroke siya. Mahal na mahal ko siya. Siya ang Vice-President ng Actors Guild nang ma-elect akong presidente ng grupo (I really take this on even when he suffered a stroke. I love Amay so much. He was my Vice-President when I was elected president of the Actors Guild),” intimated Imelda at St. Peter Memorial Chapels in Commonwealth Avenue where Amay’s remains laid in state for five days.
Imelda said: “Malaki ang nagawa ni Amay sa Katipunan ng mga Artista ng Pelikulang Pilipino at Telebisyon, itong kilala ring KAPPT. Nagpapasalamat ako sa kanya nang marami sa lahat ng naiambag niya sa guild. Mabait na tao si Amay. Siya ay mananatiling buhay sa aming mga puso at isip (Amay had done a lot for the Actors Guild. I thank him profusely for all his contributions to the group. He was a very kind human being. He will live forever in our hearts and in our minds),” gushed Papin, now one of the Directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
During the entire five-day wake, it was La Papin who oversaw the whole memorial arrangements from the choice of casket (with the help of Amay’s wife Veron).
“Binigyan pa tayo ng discount ng St. Peter para sa kanyang burol, cremation at libing (St. Peter also gave us discounts in the wake and inurnment),” added Mel, the singer’s pet name.
Many of Bisaya’s friends, fellow industry workers and clan members came all the way from Bohol (his family originated in Tubigon town Bohol Province), Laguna, Quezon, Cavite and other parts of the CALABARZON region.
Film director Jose “Kaka” Balagtas came all the way from Santa Rosa, Laguna where he now lives after his house in Nueva Ecija was burned and looted.
Kaka felt so lonely when he heard Amay’s passing. He said that the dearly departed was a very good friend.
Fellow director Francis “Jun” Posadas drove all the way from Imus, Cavite with action star Jess Sanchez in tow. “Mahal na mahal namin si Amay. Hindi kami puwedeng mawala rito (We love Amay so much. We cannot be absent here),” said Francis whos’ latest film, “Ukya” that would have launched Richard Quan to full stardom has to be shelved because of political conflicts among the people behind the project.
Original singer of the cult song “Pusong Bato,” Aimee Torres travelled all the way from Damasrinas, Cavite to be with her beloved Kuya (a term of endearment to an older brother or man by blood or affinity) Amay.
“Nakakaiyak pero ipagdarasal ko na lang si Kuya Amay (It’s sad but I will just pray for him),” said Aime who came with her parents and siblings.
Action star Leo Lazaro who has roots in Quezon and Mindoro but now stays in Cavite came with fellow Escolta Boys Gerry Roman.
Other sympathizers who paid their final respects to Amay were Aileen Arcilla Papin, Gloria Papin, John Nite, Rhene Imperial, Garry Cruz, Efren Reyes, Jr., Lynn Madrigal, Josie Shoemaker, Pango, Jan Romano, Premiere Water Plus Productions’ producer Marynette Gamboa, KAPPT President Hero Bautista, Baby Shake Rico, directors Mark Chua, Ern Antonio and Jek Jumawan, Tom Olivar, Rez Cortez, among others.
Bisaya was cremated on May 15, 2025.
He was 67.
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