It's the prominent politician Rafael Alunan III who mentioned that the late actor Pepito Rodriguez was a Visayan.
Pepito, Jose Maria Rodriguez, recently died and Raffy Alunan III who grew up in Bacolod in Negros Occidental said that he and Pepito were first cousins.
"My first cousin, Lito (Pepito) Rodriguez, passed away early this morning. Last I heard from his youngest brother Antonio M. Rodriguez 'Tony' that Lito was expected to leave the hospital within 6 days. Jesus had other plans for Lito, a gentleman to the core, humble, low key, empathetic, and truly at the service of others," initially noted Raffy in his social media posts last Friday.
Alunan III, who was the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) during Fidel V. Ramos dispensation and Tourism during the Cory Aquino regime, said that Pepito was a very good soul.
Rafael added that Rodriguez's wake was held last Friday and Saturday, February 27 and 28, 2026, respectively, at the Heritage Park and Crematorium in Taguig City.
There were novena masses at 7 pm on those days. Inurnment was last Sunday.
"So long for now Lito. Have a happy journey Home to the loving arms of all our loved ones who went ahead. Tight bear hugs to Melinda, Oscar, and Tony," prayed Raffy on Pepito's obit.
Meanwhile, Pepito's household constant companion, Jecca Jamandre Abad, whom he helped raise wrote in his Facebook wall that Rodriguez had a good fight in his dying days.
"Lumaban pa siya. Sabi niya sa akin, uuwi na kami bukas sa Antipolo. Nagbibiruan pa nga kami na itakas siya sa (He was still fighting for his life. He told me that he would go home to Antipolo tomorrow. He was even joking that he would be slupped from the) admitting room,” Jecca said last Friday.
According to official data, Rodriguez rose to fame in the 1960s after being launched as part of Stars ’66, the group of young talents introduced by Sampaguita Pictures. At the height of his career, he became widely known for his on-screen partnership with Rosemarie Sonora.
Some of Pepito's movies were "Juanita Banana," "Mga Reynang Engkantada," "Mga Batang Bakasyunista," among others.
Rodriguez was the younger brother of fellow Star '66 Ramil Rodriguez who died a few years ago.
Ramil was an active actor when he kicked the bucket.
He was remembered as the screen love partner of actress Shirley Moreno of Stars '66.
Lito was 83.
Meanwhile, in the same Heritage Park, Mariel Rodriguez's grandmother, the famous actress May Villarica, May Panlilio Sazon, was also held vigil by her kith and kin and fans.
Mariel, who was joined by her husband Robin Padilla, the senator, was always by her side.
Rodriguez loved May to the core.
Villarica took care of Mariel and Robin's children.
At about this time, by the way, character actress Vangie Labalan's body is scheduled to be brought to the Philippines from Australia where she breathed her last.
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