AYON sa ulat ng veteran showbiz columnist na si Gorgy Rula, natagpuan lamang pala ang bangkay ng kilalang actor-direktor na si Direk Manny Castaneda makalipas ang tatlong araw matapos itong bawian ng buhay.

Diumano, namumuhay itong mag-isa.

Ayon sa autopsy, binawian ito ng buhay sanhi ng congenital heart disease, chronic kidney disease at hypertension.

Ayon sa pamangkin ni Direk Manny na nagngangalang Michael, natagpuan ang wala nang buhay na katawan ng direktor dahil sa isang tenant sa pag-aari nitong apartment.

Magbabayad sana ng renta ang naturang tenant pero hindi raw sumasagot si Direk Manny. Agad itong ipinaalam ng tenant sa pamangkin ng direktor na si Michael at sinabihan nito ang mga magulang na siyang nakadiskubre sa bangkay ng aktor at direktor.

Nakalagak ngayon ang mga labi ng direktor sa Sanctuarium Crematory sa Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, at magtatagal hanggang July 5 ang pakikiramay mula 10:30 ng umaga hanggang 11:30 ng gabi. Ang inurnment para sa namayapa ay magaganap sa July 6, na dadaluhan ng mga miyembro ng pamilya at malalapit na kaibigan.

Samantala, isa sa sobrang naapektuhan sa pagkamatay ng actor-director, bukod sa kanyang best friend na si Direk Joey Reyes, ang megastar na si Sharon Cuneta.

Itinuturing ng megastar na parang tunay na ‘ina’ ang direktor mula pa noong magkatrabaho sila sa kanyang musical show.

Sa kanyang social media accounts, ibinahagi ni Mega ang litrato ni Direk Manny kalakip ang madamdaming mensahe ng pamamaalam.“On one of the saddest days I have had to live through, I said ‘Goodbye…’ to another dear friend,” ang simulang pagbabahagi ni Sharon.

Pagpapatuloy niya, “My ‘Inay Manny’ was my first writer for my show (TSCS) from IBC-13 in 1986 to many years after we moved to ABS-CBN in 1988. We also did movies together.

“More than having fun and working well with each other, we became friends. Inay Manny was one of those I could trust with my innermost feelings, as well as expect to be comforted by, often ending in fits of laughter.

“He was loving, kind, witty and smart. I will miss him terribly. There is a whole novel I could say about him, but this has been another unwelcome punch in the gut.

“So I will end it here, in this way: I love you, Inay. Thank you for touching my life, doing a great job with me on my show, inspiring me to be better not just at work but as a person,” lahad pa ni Sharon.

Sa huli, pinasalamatan niya ang yumaong direktor, “Thank you for your friendship.

“My deepest, sincerest condolences to those he loved and left behind. Hugs especially to his best friend, my Direk Joey Reyes. @direkjoey #tscsfamilyforever,” ani Mega.

Marami ring nagkomento sa post ni Sharon.

Komento ni Carmi Martin, “I’ve worked with him on stage, tv and movies. You will be dearly missed by the industry bye for now my friend see you in heaven in God’s s time.”

“Hugs BFF,” ang mensahe ni Ogie Alcasid.

“My heartfelt condolences,” komento naman ng broadcast journalist na si Connie Sison.