Pumanaw na ang veteran director comedian/director na si Manny Castaneda three days ago sa edad na 70.

Ang malungkot na balita ay kinumpirma mismo ng kaibigan at kapwa-director ni Manny na si Direk Jose Javier Reyes.

Sa kanyang Facebook account kahapon ay nag-post si Direk Joey ng old photo nila ni Manny na magkasama at inalala ang mga pinagsamahan nila ng BFF for 61 years.

“We were eight years old when we met. We missed a number of years between the final years of grade school and high school. But we made such a big deal about how we found each other again at the canteen in De La Salle College then,” simula ng chairman ng Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

“And we were inseparable since that time, all throughout college… until we both ended up teaching then finding our place in the insane world of show business.

“We have been friends for sixty-one years… and how you have left. Honestly, I do not know how it is going to be without my best friend just sitting out there ready to bitch it out with me. We may have our differences in political beliefs, we may have our arguments but we were there for each other… all the way,” patuloy ni Direk Joey.

Bagama’t mahirap na wala na ang kaibigan ay tanggap naman niya ang kalooban ng Panginoon.

“No, it is not going to be the same. But His Will Be Done. I know you are now having a major time giving an update to Don and Khryss and all our friends who are having eternal coffee breaks in the Great Beyond. And I know that where you are… you will on the lookout for me, Erick Vidania, Cal Lim, Cristina A. Rodriguez, Raymund Barcelon, George Lim… everybody in our close knit circle,” aniya.

Mensahe ni Direk Joey sa kaibigang pumanaw, “I never told this you when you were around because I knew you would just cringe and tell me to shut up — but you are such a great part of my life because you are my irreplaceable BFF. I am going to miss you big time.”

Hindi na nagbigay ng detalye si Direk Joey sa pagpanaw ng long-time friend.

Napanood si Manny sa mga pelikulang Oro Plata Mata (1981), Relasyon (1982), Bukas Luluhod Ang Mga Tala (1984), Tinik Sa Dibdib (1985) at Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas (1986).

Ang dalawa niyang last projects ay ang mga GMA-7 teleserye na One of the Baes (2020) at Makiling (2024).

As a director, idinirehe naman niya ang mga pelikulang Guwapings Dos (1993), Ging Gang Gooly Giddiyap: I Love You Daddy (1994), Kailanman (1996), Sa Kabilugan ng Buwan (1997), April May June (1998), May Isang Pamilya (1999) at Shame (2000).