By BINGO P. DEJARESCO III
Manila - Renowned actor-director Boholano Cesar Montano (Manhilot in real life) told the Chronicle at the Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City that devastated as he was, he is still pursuing his gubernatorial bid as official candidate of the Liberal Party.
As of this writing, many were still in limbo whether the distraught father of son Christian Angelo (23 years old) who met an untimely death Friday dawn in their Royale Tivoli abode in Yakal Street in Quezon City, would press his gubernatorial bid.
Except for immediate family relatives, Buboy as Cesar is commonly known refused to communicate Friday, apparently at a loss for words to cope with the tragedy.
Cesar Montano was with his wife Sunshine Cruz and Angelo's elder sister Angela in Bohol in preparation for the local election campaign which started Friday. They took the first flight out of Bohol Friday to be at the side of their fallen son and brother.
Angela and Angelo (angels names both) are the two children of Cesar with his first wife Marilyn Polinga who died of brain tumor in 1993.
Cesar has three daughters with actress-singer Sunshine: Angeline Isabelle, Samantha Angeline and Angel Francisca, betraying the parents' strong belief in angels.
CAMPAIGN ASSET
Montano revealed to the Chronicle that "while he sought privacy in this moment of grieving for the family, the task of setting a new direction for Bohol has also not been lost on me." He topped the senatorial slate in 2007 in Bohol under the Lakas Party with a wide margin over the second-running candidate.
Apparently, there were many Boholanos who voted Cesar singly as their only senatorial bet in the 2007 polls.
The youthful Angelo, was Montano's secretary for the campaign in Manila when the group was in Bohol even as he was concurrently the manager and chef of a huge-visited family-owned Italian restaurant in the Scout area of Quezon City.
"He would have helped in the campaign" told the Chronicle as Cesar showed some paraphernalia created by his eldest son, who reportedly donated his eyes (pre-arranged) to the Eye Foundation. Cesar Montano whose expressive eyes have been one of his most effective tools in his acting arsenal, reportedly also did the same already for the Eye Foundation, when his time comes.
"I just talked to him by phone two nights ago and we watched the Alice in Wonderland film three days ago", the actor-director said as he lamely shook his head. Angelo was Cesar's constant playmate as he played basketball and tennis a lot.
Cesar Montano, the gubernatorial candidate, is set to return to Bohol a few days after the scheduled cremation of Angelo's remains today in Arlington Memorial Chapels. A bunch of Liberal Party officials , candidates and supporters are expected to grace the activities in Arlington today.
The actor reportedly tried to put up a brave front while in Tagbilaran City as fans asked for a photo opportunity with him -all apparently unaware of the tragedy that already occured in Manila. He was wearing sunglasses.
Showbiz personalities were shocked to learn of the sudden death as Willy Revillame of Wowowee and Bayani Agbayani who took the departed youngster as their own son.
Friends were also in a state of disbelief as days ago, they had just discussed with Angelo a plan to put up together a club in Quezon City.
The office of Cesar Montano issued the following official statement:
"No words can describe the grief that I and my family are experiencing with this devastating news.He was young, a cheerful, thoughtful and loving son who has a generous heart and spirit"
"I was with him yesterday before leaving for Bohol. Little did I know that it would be the last time I was to see him alive."
"While I am still reeling from this tragic incident, my family and I would like to appeal to all to respect the privacy of my grieving family at this time. Thak you for your understanding. May God's strength be with all of us."
Cesar Montano (Manhilot) hails from Baclayon town.
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