TV and movie director Joey Reyes recalls moments with the late Gloria Romero. ABS-CBN News MANILA -- Film and TV director, and current chairman and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairman Jose Javier Reyes, or more known as Joey Reyes, recalled his fondest memories of the late great Gloria Romero.

Reyes worked with Romero numerous many times in the movies and television.

“I was reviewing all the works that I’ve done, I realized that I have done three to four films with Tita Glo. There was ‘Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi’, ‘I Wanna Be Happy’, ‘Narinig Mo na Ba ang Latest?’. At saka nung writer ako, ang pinaka-paborito kong sinulat ay 'yung ‘Condemned’ ni Mario O’Hara,” Reyes said.

But they were popularly known to have worked together on the ABS-CBN sitcom "Palibhasa Lalake." Reyes wrote the teleplay for the sitcom top-billed by Richard Gomez, John Estrada, Joey Marquez, Amy Perez, Cynthia Patag and Romero.  

“There was a time that, every Tuesday or Wednesday I believe, I would be in ABS with Tita Glo during the taping of ‘Palibhasa Lalake.’ That was six years,” he recalled.

Reyes continued: “First time I saw her, sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Naloloka ako sa role na binigay mo!’ 'Yung role ng isang lasengga, Tita Minerva Chavez, na may mga alak. Nung kina-cast namin 'yan, nag-usap kami ni Douglas (Quijano), sino ang magandang nanay ni Cynthia Patag? Let’s look for somebody na hindi mo talaga aakalain na magiging nanay ni Cynthia Patag!”

Romero's portrayal of the alcoholic aunt became a primetime household fixture and Reyes lauded Romero’s inputs making it her own. “She did it so well. She made it her own,” he said.

During the press conference of the FDCP, Reyes offered a prayer and a minute of silence for Romero. Last year, Romero was one of the icons recognized by the agency’s annual Parangal ng Sining.

“It was only recently that we barely had any contact. And I realized that in last year's FDCP’s Parangal ng Sining, that (Romero's daughter) Maritess said that she was already incapable of going out of the house and it was no longer safe for her,” Reyes said.

“In a way, I’m sad but in a way, I’m glad. I’m sad ‘cause she is no longer with us. But she has left a big body of work. And more than the body of work, the life she has lived. As an example of what is it to be not just a professional but a good human being, which seems to be lacking nowadays in the new generation.

“Even to the very last day that I have talked to her, she was still the same Gloria Romero. I think what is outstanding about her is her humility and concern for people.”

“They don’t make stars like her anymore,” said Reyes.  

FDCP is planning to honor Romero’s unparalleled legacy anew in this year’s Parangal ng Sining.