"He was a man of few words."
That's how Sampaguita Pictures luminary Boots Anson-Roa portrayed the late character actor Charlie Davao (Charles Dabao in real life) in a conversation with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) last Thursday, August 12.
Charlie succumbed to colon cancer on August 8 at the age of 75. He was laid to rest on the morning of August 13 at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.
Boots Anson-Roa mentioned, however, that Charlie Davao had quite a sense of humor, which belied his strong Spanish features and serious screen roles throughout his career.
"Charlie was very mapagbiro and mahilig mang-good time," recalled Boots, whose broadcaster husband Pete Roa died of cancer on August 9, 2007.
Ricky Davao wept during the memorial mass and eulogies celebrating the life of his father that evening
"Underneath that strict exterior, he was a fun-loving family man," Ricky recalled nostalgically.
"'Yong dad ko po masyadong mapaglaro. Naaalala ko po 'yong mga kabataan namin, lagi niya kaming ginu-good time. He would sometimes go home fully made up lagi tapos medyo aarte na nasaktan. Kami naman po aakayan namin siya paakyat ng kuwarto niya tapos atsaka niya kami yayakapin sabay tatawa.
"One time po umuwi siya, kinarga niya ako, humalik tapos lahat po ng nakaharap sa akin nagtatawanan. 'Yon pala lumalabas na po ang fangs niya kasi galing siya sa shooting ng isang pelikula na kung saan ay Dracula siya, kasama po si Tita Bella Flores."
ROAD TO STARDOM. As a good-looking youth from Iloilo, the former University of the East (UE) student and part-time print-ad model was eager to become a movie star. He auditioned upon learning that Sampaguita Pictures was on the lookout for new talents.
His showbiz debut was in 1959 via the film Isinumpa. Charlie was particularly proud of his Agent 009 role in the 1965 action flick, Pitong Matahari. A slew of films followed, establishing Charlie Davao as one of the country's versatile actors.
Charlie often portrayed villain and supporting roles to major stars like Rudy Fernandez, Lito Lapid, Ramon Revilla Sr., and Fernando Poe Jr.
The popularity of television soaps did not affect Charlie's career. He went on to star in several primetime and afternoon shows. Some of these were Basta't Kasama Kita, Mula sa Puso, Sa Piling Mo, Sine Novela Presents: Ngayon at Kailanman, Totoy Bato, Darna and Rosalinda.
DISCIPLINARIAN. Ricky Davao admited that their father-and-son relationship was far from perfect.
"We had our differences," he said.
Although Charlie liked to play pranks on his close friends and relatives, he was a stern disciplinarian as a father.
"Lagi niya kaming pinagsasabihan, pinapagalitan, paminsan-minsan napapalo. Meron pong kasabihan na 'spare a rod and spoil a child,' in which we reacted like typical teenagers. Nagtatampo kami sa kanya, nakikipagtalo paminsan-minsan and, of course, in our young minds, he was wrong and we were right," Ricky recalled.
Charlie was not one to openly express his innermost feelings. His usually reserved conduct and desire to impose authority often evoked mixed reactions among his growing children.
"Ang sabi po ng mga kaibigan niya karinyoso siya. Sa amin po siguro nung mga baby pa kami, pero nung kami'y teenagers na, hindi po siya ma-hug na tao. Hindi po siya ma-I love you na tao. Dapat po makilala ninyo ang daddy ko dahil isang hawak sa balikat, isang sakal sa likod ng aming neck, e malaking bagay na po 'yon," explained Ricky.
Charlie's first marriage was in 1959 with a Spanish-language professor named Emma Marie. Their union was blessed with four children: Bing, Ricky, Mylene (who died in an accident when she was only five), and Mariella.
After Emma Marie died, Charlie married Mary Grace Yñigo and they had two children: Mylene and Charlone.
Mary Grace Yñigo is currently based in New York. She was not able to attend her husband's wake.
THE COURAGE OF CHARLIE DAVAO. Charlie's strong determination was the stuff of legend among his peers.
Ricky recalled how his father's vow to stay away from alcohol was tested one festive evening.
"Sa Sampaguita po one time nag-iinuman 'yong kanyang mga colleagues niya. Isa po sa mga colleagues ng daddy ko, hindi ko na po babanggitin ang pangalan, binuhusan siya ng beer dahil ayaw niyang uminom."
Doused with cold beer and cajoled by drunken co-workers to grab a bottle, Charlie never flinched: "Right after that nirespeto na nila si daddy and hindi na nila pinilit uminom... Mula pa po nung '70s, clean living na po ang daddy ko."
Unfortunately, Charlie's vice-free lifestyle was no match against the cancer cells that were gradually multiplying inside his body. Cancer runs in the family; before him, relatives succumbed to the Big C despite putting up a brave fight.
The cancer cells were discovered in December 2009, but Charlie refused to go through chemotherapy, fearful of the pain that the medical procedure usually inflicts.
"During the last few months of his life my dad has shown the resiliency and strength of character that I've never seen before. Sabi ng doktor he was ready to go... In front of my dad sinabi sa amin that he can go any time. 'I don't know when, later, tomorrow, next year, he is very strong and ang tibay ng father ninyo at napakatapang niya'.
"In spite of his illness and physical challenges, my dad did not wallow in self-pity or complain. Hindi po siya nag-pain killers. Karamihan po ng nagkaroon ng colon cancer palagi pong naka-pain management. My father wala po. Para lang siyang kandila na nauupos dahan-dahan," narrated Ricky, his voice shifting between great pride and unbearable sadness.
Charlie was still able to reunite with his showbiz friends and contemporaries two days before he died. The reunion lifted Charlie's spirits, he looked delighted to see the familiar faces around him. As Boots Anson-Roa recalled, he was smiling and joking like the young Charlie. But it was also evident that the illness had taken a lot out of him, emotionally and physically.
Despite all the laughter and stories shared between old friends on that special get-together, everyone knew that time was ticking away and that they would have to bid Charlie goodbye for the last time.
That's all Charlie was waiting for before surrendering to his fate.
On August 8, at 11:30 a.m. Charlie breathed his last while confined at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila.
"I'm very proud and happy to say na mahal na mahal siya ng mga colleagues niya," smiled Ricky.
In final tribute, he said, "Hindi po ito goodbye. This is till we meet again, magsasama-sama tayong muli. Pero sana huwag muna ngayon at marami pa tayong gagawing lahat. May kanya-kanya po tayong trabaho na dapat gawin sa mundong ito. But you are in our hearts, just as we know we are in your heart."