Ipinagluluksa ng showbiz industry ang pagpanaw ng beteranong aktor at direktor na si Fritz Ynfante.
Pumanaw si Ynfante nitong Lunes ng umaga, July 21, 2025, ayon sa kanyang kamag-anak na si Peachy Ynfante-Talanay, base sa ulat ng ABS-CBN News.
Isa sa unang nagpaabot ng mensahe ng pagdadalamhati ay ang Concert King na si Martin Nievera.
Naging malapit sina Martin at Fritz dahil sa defunct musical show na Penthouse Live, kung saan kasama ni Martin ang ex-wife na si Pops Fernandez bilang host.
Ang Penthouse Live ay umere sa GMA-7 mula 1982 hanggang 1987.
Sa matagal na panahong pagsasamang iyon nabuo ang solidong chemistry nina Pops at Martin, na nauwi sa kanilang pagpapakasal.
Read: Pops Fernandez, Martin Nievera admit staying friends after their separation was not easy
MARTIN NIEVERA
Sa kanyang Instagram post, sinabi ni Martin na isa si Fritz sa pinakamagaling na direktor ng bansa.
Perfectionist din daw ito.
Saad ni Martin: "Today we lost one of the industry’s best and most demanding directors. There was no compromise.
"It was his way or the super highway! He was a perfectionist to a fault, but that was only because he knew he could get the very best out of all those he directed, mentored and loved.
"His choice of words were a language all his own, but he got the job done. He gave me my first pair of wings as a tv host on a television show called, 'Penthouse Live,' and was a true believer of the Pops and Martin team.
"He always trusted us with his direction and his gazillion changes on every script. His attention to detail was second to none and he spared no one’s feelings when defending what he knew in his heart was right."
Malaki rin daw ang naitulong ni Fritz sa karera nila ni Pops.
Dagdag ng veteran singer: "All of these ingredients mixed with love and passion were the makings of a director I am blessed to say was instrumental with my career on television.
"He was even one of the first directors to turn the concert princess into the concert queen. Tito Fritz I will forever be grateful. I will miss you.
"Thank you for all you did not just for me , but for all of us whose careers you scolded and molded until each of our dreams came true. I love you!"
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Sa comments section ng post ni Martin ay nagpaabot din ng kanilang pakikiramay sina Amy Perez, Ogie Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Karylle, at Vina Morales.
Read: Is Janella Salvador the third party in Klea-Katrice split?
POPS FERNANDEZ AND DAWN ZULUETA
Maiksi lang ang mensahe ni Pops sa Facebook pero puno rin ng pasasalamat sa direktor.
Aniya, "Rest in Peace, Direk Fritz Ynfante . Thank you for everything"
"Rest in peace, #FritzYnfante," ang maiksing mensahe ni Dawn Zulueta.
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Mark ZAMBRANO
Nagbalik-tanaw naman si Mark Zambrano sa kanyang pagsisimula noon bilang sports reporter sa Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Mahigpit daw talaga sa trabaho si Fritz. Pero hindi raw ito nagdadamot ng kanyang kaalaman.
Mensahe niya: "Direk Fritz Ynfante was the first director I worked with when I joined the PBA coverage as a commentator and courtside reporter in the early 2000s.
"He had a commanding presence—fiery, passionate, and unwavering in his standards. Mahigpit siya, oo—pero hindi siya madamot sa kaalaman. He expected excellence and brought it out in all of us.
"Yet behind that firm voice was a generous mentor. He always made time to listen, especially to newbies like me, offering solid advice on how to be confident on camera.
“'Kaya mo ‘yan. Huwag kang matakot sa camera—kaibigan mo ‘yan.'
"Those were just some of the words he shared that stayed with me.
"Direk Fritz was more than just a director—he was a visionary. May kakaiba siyang mata—nakikita niya ang galing ng isang tao bago mo pa ito makita sa sarili mo. He believed in people, in possibilities, and in the power of storytelling.
"Maraming salamat, Direk Fritz. Hindi namin malilimutan ang lahat ng itinuro mo, at kung paano mo kami hinubog. You left a mark not just on screen, but in our hearts.
"Paalam, Direk. Hanggang sa muli."
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FRITZ YNFANTE AS TV DIRECTOR AND AN ACTOR
Bukod sa Penthouse Live, si Fritz din ang direktor ng sitcom na Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis na pinagbibidahan nina Cesar Montano at Maricel Soriano sa ABS-CBN (2002-2005).
Naging direktor din siya ng PBA TV sa PTV4.
Siya rin ang direktor ng Keep On Dancing ni Charlene Gonzalez.
Lumabas din siyang aktor sa mga pelikulang Jose Rizal (1998) ni Cesar Montano at Gumising Ka Maruja (1978) ni Susan Roces.
Iaanunsiyo pa ng pamilya ni Fritz ang detalye sa lamay ng direktor.