He tripped and fell while shooting a TV series for GMA Network last Saturday and had been in critical condition.
Garcia left behind an impressive and unforgettable legacy in a showbiz career that spanned nearly 7 decades, with over 600 films to his name as an actor and film director.
Eduardo Verchez Garcia was born on May 2, 1929, in Juban, Sorsogon. His parents were Antonio Garcia and Vicenta Verchez.
Garcia spent his early years in Juban. After World War II, he was stationed as a military policeman in Okinawa, Japan.
He was part of the occupation troops of the Philippine Scouts with the US Army for 3 years.
However, in 1949, President Elpidio Quirino disbanded the troops. Garcia would have wanted to re-enlist for the US Army, but he got sidetracked and joined the movies instead.
A man named George Sanderson convinced him to try out as one of the talents for director Manuel Conde, who was developing a swashbuckling film, “Siete Infantes de Lara.”
There were about 40 who were screen-tested and after 10 days, Conde chose 7 and the good-looking Garcia was one of them, along with Sanderson. The others were Mario Montenegro, Johnny Monteiro, Albert Madison, Terry Campillos and Jimmy Castelvi.
Since then, there was no turning back for Garcia. While he really wanted to become a soldier when he was younger, Garcia was destined to face the cameras.
Garcia remembered how they were made to practice discipline on the set in Sampaguita Pictures. They were instructed to be always punctual. If the call time for the shoot was 8 a.m., the actors had to be on location at that time.
Garcia recalled how one actor often lost his weekly allowance because the latter was always late. Punctuality was strictly observed and the actors were fined every time they were late.
DIVERSE ROLES
In his early years, Garcia portrayed villain roles – from a robber to a rapist to a killer. When people hated him for the bad-boy role that he did, Garcia knew he was effective in his portrayal.
To him, that was a “bonus,” as he asserted that filmmaking was simply a job. An actor is only good as his last job and when he makes it to his next assignment, that’s the best recommendation he can get.
Aside from essaying villain roles, Garcia was also known for his comedy-action films punctuated with his humorous lines.
He was known never to be selective with the roles offered to him. From a priest to a rebel, from a closeted person to a loud, cross-dressing gay, Garcia portrayed every part like proudly.
Versatile and enduring, hero and anti-hero, comedy, drama and even action, Garcia attacked minor or major roles with equal fervor.
Acting was his profession. Known for his versatility onscreen, Garcia never got tired. Being on the set invigorated him and he worked in showbiz for 7 decades.
Neither did he have qualms about billing. To him, as long as his name was spelled correctly, that was the only thing that mattered.
In 2018’s Cinemalaya entry, “ML (Martial Law),” Garcia played a retired Metrocom colonel with a slight dementia. At the helm was Benedict Mique.
In the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) award-winning entry, “Rainbow’s Sunset,” Garcia portrayed a senator who had a gay romance with Tony Mabesa. The film was directed by Joel Lamangan and written by Eric Ramos.
In 2012, he headlined a Cinemalaya entry, “Bwakaw,” where he played yet another gay role. Jun Lana directed.
Acting was not Garcia’s only profession. He also excelled in directing memorable films.
In 1961, Garcia made his directorial debut in “Karugtong ng Kahapon,” starring Mario Montenegro, Rita Gomez, Ric Rodrigo, Marlene Dauden, Carlos Salazar, Rosa Mia and Zeny Zabala.
Garcia was best remembered for Nora Aunor’s “Atsay” (1978), Sharon Cuneta in “P.S. I Love You” (1981), “Forgive and Forget” (1982), “Cross My Heart” (1982), “Friends in Love” (1982) and “Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita” (1985).
Garcia also megged memorable Vilma Santos starrers like “Palimos ng Pag-ibig” (1986), “Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig” (1987) and “Imortal” (1989), as well as Dina Bonnevie in “Magdusa Ka” (1986), “Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin” (1987), “Kung Kasalanan Man” (1989)“ and Lorna Tolentino in “Abakada Ina” (2001).
He was the only individual inducted in 3 categories in the FAMAS Hall of Fame: Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Director.
Earlier, he was the only actor to win 3 consecutive Best Supporting Actor FAMAS Awards – “Taga sa Bato” (1957), “Condenado” (1958) and “Tanikalang Apoy” (1958).
Meanwhile, Garcia won the Urian Best Actor award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino in 2000 for “Death Row.” The following year, the Natatanging Gawad Urian was bestowed upon him.
Garcia earned his first international film acting award at the 55th Asia-Pacific Film Festival in December 2012 for lead actor in “Bwakaw."
He maintained a healthy lifestyle through exercise, vitamin supplements and a healthy diet of fish and vegetables, with occasional meat. He read books and practiced shooting that took him to Fort Bonifacio, Valenzuela and as far as Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato and Cebu.
He had a daughter, Lisa Ortega, living in San Diego, California. He originally had 3 children, 2 of whom died at a young age. His son died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 22. A daughter died of a heart attack at the age of 39. He has 7 grandchildren.
In the 2004 presidential elections, Garcia and ace comedian Dolphy campaigned for late actor Fernando Poe, Jr. However, just like Dolphy, Garcia was never lured or tempted to dip his hat into the political ring.
He played the roles of mayor, senator, generals and colonels, some even in true-to-life flicks.
Who can forget his role as a philandering husband in comedy flicks like “May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo” (1984) or “May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga,” (1984) opposite former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz. Both films were megged by Danny Zialcita.
Many portrayals were marked, if not memorable. However, the roles ended as soon as Garcia detached his character from the glare of the film cameras.
The actor took many vitamins, from A to Z, daily as part of his health regimen. His secret? He did everything in moderation. He never retired from acting. While he did slow down in making movies or acting in teleseryes, Garcia never left the business.
Had he remained in the US Army, Garcia attested he could have fought in the Korean war or if he survived it, he could have joined the Vietnam war. Or he could have been killed, too.
Aware that he couldn’t avoid death, Garcia had long prepared for his demise. He never wanted to be seen inside the casket. From his deathbed, he wanted to be cremated immediately.
No obituary, no wake. His ashes would be spread on the sea, at Manila Bay. That, too, was instructed early on to a pilot friend.
SOURCE: https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/06/20/19/eddie-garcia-passes-away-at-90
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