PAGKARAAN ng magkakasunod na pagpanaw ng limang kilalang personalidad from showbiz nung isang buwan, two days apart lamang ang pagitan ng pagyao ng entertainment icon, TV producer-director at dating big boss ng Broadcast City na si Kitchie Benedicto na mas kilala sa palayaw niyang KB. Ang Broadcast City ay naging tahanan ng RPN-9, IBC-13 and former BBC-2 networks na pag-aari noon ng kanyang yumaong ama na si Roberto Benedicto na isang abogado, businessman, diplomat at ambassador who was closely associated with the late former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos.

KB who was well-loved in the entertainment industry passed away last Wednesday, August 4 at 11: 15 p.m. sa kanilang tahanan sa Pasig City. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her death.

Nung aktibo pa ang Broadcast City during the martial law days, KB produced quite a number of popular TV shows for IBC Channel 12, RPN Channel 9 at BBC Channel 9 at kasama na rito ang mga long-running programs tulad ng weekly sitcom na “John en Marsha” nina Dolphy at Nida Blanca at kung saan nagsimula ang showbiz career ng bata pa noong si Maricel Soriano, ang “Superstar” show ni Nora Aunor na tumagal sa ere ng mahigit 20 taon, ang kiddie show na “Kaluskos Musmos,” ang “VIP” ni Vilma Santos at marami pang iba. Bukod sa pagiging producer, naging director din si KB sa ilang TV programs and TV specials. Nagtatag din siya ng sarili niyang kumpanya, ang KB Entertainment Unlimited, Inc. na isang media production agency. Nagtayo rin ito ng sarili niyang production studio along Marcos Highway in Marikina na ngayon ay studio na ng ‘Eat Bulaga ‘

Sa kabila ng kanyang status, KB was so friendly with everyone she encountered and had a ready smile laluna sa kanyang mga kakilala. A very humble and down to earth person. The last time we chanced upon her ay sa tanggapan ng Viva Communications in Pasig City where she was connected for a short period of time.

KB will be sorely missed not only by her family, relatives and close friends but by the entire entertainment industry kung saan siya naging bahagi nang mahigit apat na dekada.

Why it was hard to say goodbye to Ansel

SAYING goodbye to a departed dear friend is never easy. My good friend at dating co-host sa aming showbiz-oriented talk show na “Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot” (1993-1996) sa dating ABC5 (now TV5) produced by the late Inday Badiday (Lourdes Jimenez-Carvajal) and directed by his longtime partner na si Direk Gene `Bo’ Palomo, si Ansel Beluso (Anselmo Tayco Beluso) ay tuluyan nang namaalam nung nakaraang Biyernes, August 6 ng 3:45 pm. sa Binangonan Lakeview Hospital sa edad na 61.

An active member of the Missionary Families of Christ along with his wife of 20 years na si Joyce Supnet-Beluso, si Ansel ay pang-lima sa kanilang walong magkakapatid. He was born in the Province of Antique.

When Ansel was still active sa showbiz, he would always sponsor their family gatherings and reunions. He was very generous to his siblings, in-laws maging sa kanyang mga pamangkin maging sa kanilang mga kasambahay. Perfectionist si Ansel. He would plan everything up to the tiniest details at may activities din siya for the kids at kasama na rito ang swimming o di kaya watching VHS (uso pa ito noon) up to sawa. Ang mga elders naman ay naglalaro ng mahjong or kwentuhan till they drop, He was the family clown. Hindi rin siya nakalimot sa kanila tuwing dumarating ang Christmas.

Si Ansel ay lumaki sa kanilang lola in Antique before he decided to come to Manila to pursue his dreams.

Ansel was a very good writer. He used to work for Loca and Lobo Productions owned by the late Ate Luds or Inday Badiday (Lourdes Jimenez-Carvajal) and his longtime partner Gene Palomo.

Ansel and his wife Joyce was able to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. Bago ikinasal sina Ansel at Joyce ay meron nang isang adopted son si Ansel, si Noel (Bimbom) now 30 years old at meron silang dalawang anak ni Joyce, sina Gian (18) and JBen (15).

Pagpasok ng taong 2021 ay isa-isa nang lumabas ang mga sakit ni Ansel at kasama na rito ang kanyang kidney problem. He had his first dialysis on February 25, 2021 and from then on ay naging labas-masok na siya ng hospital for regular dialysis procedures. His health continue to deteriorate at nung nakaraang July ay nagsimula na itong magbilin at magpaalam sa kanyang wife at mga anak dahil nararamdaman niya marahil na hindi na siya magtatagal. Last May, ang buong pamilya ni Ansel ay kinapitan ng Covid-19 coronavirus pero lahat sila ay naka-recover including Ansel. Before he died, he was diagnosed positive of the coronavirus sa kanyang RTpCR test but the cause of his death ay hematemesis secondary to peptic ulcer disease. The doctors believe a may remnants pa sa katawan ni Ansel ng virus nang ito’y magpositibo last May with his family.

Joyce describes her husband Ansel loving and sweet hindi lamang sa kanya kundi maging sa kanilang mga anak.

“He was happy when I am happy,” pagbabahagi ni Joyce.

“Ganun din siya sa kanyang mga anak. Very caring and thoughtful and full of wiscom,” dugtong pa niya.

We will always remember Ansel as a funny person. Hindi siya noon nauubusan ng mga kuwento laluna nang kanyang personal experiences. Siya parati ang naka-bangka sa mga kuwentuhan kaya tuwang-tuwa sa kanya si Ate Luds and her staff, family and friends.

Paalam, kaibigan. You will be sorely missed.

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