Veteran actor and director Manny Castañeda has already passed away, as announced by Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair and CEO Jose "Joey" Javier Reyes on Monday, July 1.

Joey, who has been friends with Manny for 61 years, shared an emotional tribute on Facebook.

“We were eight years old when we met,” he wrote. “We missed a number of years between the final years of grade school and high school. But we made such a big deal about how we found each other again at the canteen in De la Salle College then. And we were inseparable since that time, all throughout college until we both ended up teaching then finding our place in the insane world of show business.”

In his tribute, Joey mentioned how Manny's departure will affect him deeply. 

“No, it is not going to be the same. But His Will Be Done. I know you are now having a major time giving an update to Don and Khryss and all our friends who are having eternal coffee breaks in the Great Beyond. And I know that where you are, you will be on the lookout for me, Erick Vidania, Cal Lim, Cristina A. Rodriguez, Raymund Barcelon, George Lim... everybody in our close-knit circle.”

Joey reflected on their friendship, noting that despite their political differences and arguments, they always supported each other. 

“We have been friends for sixty-one years... and how you have left. Honestly, I do not know how it is going to be without my best friend just sitting out there ready to bitch it out with me,” he shared. “We may have our differences in political beliefs, we may have our arguments but we were there for each other all the way.”

Joey also expressed how significant Manny was in his life. 

“I never told this to you when you were around because I knew you would just cringe and tell me to shut up, but you are such a great part of my life because you are my irreplaceable BFF. I am going to miss you big time.”

No age or cause of death was mentioned in Joey's Facebook post, which included a black-and-white photo of himself with Manny. As of press time, Manny's family has not addressed his death.

As a filmmaker, Manny was best known for his work in the films Sa Kabilugan ng Buwan, April, May, June, and Impakto in the 1994 film Shake, Rattle & Roll V.

Manny started his acting career in 1979 with the movie Aliw and appeared in numerous films, including Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, Oro Plata Mata, Darna, Nag-iisang Ikaw, Nang Iniwan Mo Ako, and Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas. He also made appearances in TV series such as Makiling, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, One of the Baes, Bora, and an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya.

— By Samantha Prats