A career that spanned nearly 7 decades, over 600 movies, and countless awards is exactly why celebrities in politics are backing the idea that Eddie Garcia should be honored as a National Artist. But more than just his long resume and accolades, there is also the appreciation for the love and passion he brought to Philippine cinema. He practiced his craft until the very end and poured everything into it and that, many believe, is something worth recognizing.
ABS-CBN reports that, amongst others, it is Senator-elect Lito Lapid, Senator-elect Bong Revilla, Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto and Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez supporting the move to name Garcia as a National Artist in Congress. Lapid and Santos-Recto even shared that Garcia had been present in both of their careers ever since the beginning.
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Lapid recalled Garcia’s well-rounded talent:
Kahit ako idolo ko ‘yan eh. Kasi lahat ng nagagawa niya sa pelikula, hindi lahat ng artista ay magagawa [na] pwedeng magkontra-bida, pwedeng magbida, pwedeng medyo gay, ano ang labas niya at kahit ano, kahit mahirap, matanda. [Even for me, he is my idol. He can play any role in the cinema, and that’s not typical for just anyone to be able to play a villain, a hero, to be gay, marginalized, or old.]
Dapat siguro. Wala pang nakakakuha sa rekord niyang ganyang edad na ’90 tapos nakakapag-action pa siya, ‘yun nga, wala pa siyang sakit. [The award has to be sure. There is no one that compares to his record and the fact that he reached 90 years and old was still able to play action roles, he wasn’t even sick.]
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While Santos-Recto affirmed her dedication to honoring the veteran actor:
Siyempre alam naman ng lahat that Tito Eddie is an institution. Nararapat lamang na ibigay sa kanya ‘yung para sa kanya kasi, kung meron man tayong dapat hangaan, up to his last breath ay nasa show business. [For sure we all know that Tito Eddie is an institution. It is only right to give him this honor, because if there is anything to admire about him, it is that up to his last breath he remained in show business.]
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On his part, Lapid promised to bring up the proposal to Senate President Tito Sotto and see what could be done in Congress. Santos-Recto committed to co-sponsoring a bill in the House of Representatives towards this end.
Do you think Eddie Garcia should be named a National Artist?
