GONE too soon—that is how many people in Philippine showbiz have described how they feel about the passing of box-office director Wenn Deramas last Monday, Feb. 29 due to cardiac arrest. He was only 49 years old.
Deramas’ friend, talent manager June Rufino, told ANC that the director was rushed Capitol Medical Center at 2am, after he learned that his own brother just passed away due to a heart attack.
Rufino also said that Deramas almost had a heart attack two years, and underwent angioplasty in 2015.
Deramas’ success in showbiz did not come easy. He was, in fact, a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree holder from the University of Santo Tomas. His closest involvement in acting was being a member of the Teatro Tomasino.
After graduating from college, Deramas worked as a waiter at the Aristocrat Restaurant. In 1990, he ventured into TV as a production assistant for the show “Tatak Pilipino,” while also being a writer for “Teysi ng Tahanan.” Later on he was promoted as executive producer of “Calvento Files.”
He moved on to directing different soap operas like “Mula sa Puso” (both the original and remake), “Saan Ka Man Naroroon” (1999-2001), “Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan” (2001-2003) and “Bituin” (2002-2003). Deramas also made box-office films including the “Ang Tanging Ina” series with comedienne Ai Ai delas Alas and several blockbuster movies of Vice Ganda.
Vice Ganda, who was the star of Deramas’ 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival entry and the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, “Beauty and the Bestie,” tweeted his grief about the director’s death.
“Isang napakalungkot na araw. Sagad hanggang buto ang lungkot. Paalam Direk Wenn. Mahal na mahal kita,” the comedian said on Twitter.
Other celebrities who have worked and have become friends with Deramas expressed their shock about his unexpected passing.
“It’s too soon Direk Wenn. My condolences to your family,” tweeted actor John Arcilla. “Direk Wenn Deramas rest in peace. God bless your soul.”
“My heart is totally broken as I found out that Direk Wenn Deramas passed away when he was at the ER trying 2 revive his sister. M heartbroken,” Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano posted on her Twitter.
Singer Dingdong Avanzado twitted, “Really sad to hear the news. RIP Direk Wenn Deramas we will miss your brilliancy as an artist and as a dear friend.”
And although Deramas was with the Kapamilya network, that didn’t stop artists and talents from the other networks to express their grief. Kapuso comedian Michael V. posted on his Twitter, “My condolences sa family ni Wenn Deramas. Worked together sa ‘Ready Get Set, Go!’ & ‘Teysi Ng Tahanan.’ Will miss his infectious laugh.”
Among those very close to Deramas also expressed their grief through social media. Queen of All Media Kris Aquino, hailed the late director as a “true inspiration.”
“He made being a creative, ratings & box office genius in both television & film seem effortless & easy. Mapagmahal na ama, magaan at masayang katrabaho,” Aquino twitted. The actress/TV host has worked with Deramas in “Sisterakas,” while her son, Bimby, was part of the film “The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin” in 2014.
Actrss Claudine Barretto, who has worked with Deramas in “Mula sa Puso,” “Saan Ka Man Naroroon,” and “Marina,” said that the director has been her “source of strength.”
On her Instagram post she wrote, “To my mentor my friend & in so many ways he has been my strength. i woke up at 10am today & saw 28 messages asking me f i already know that Direk Wenn passed away. i dont know how to put in words the pain im feeling now. direk sobrang thank u sa lahat. mula sa aking puso, saan ka man, hanggang sa dulo ng walang hanggan wala kang kapalit. i luv u so so much!”
Lastly, the most pain in Deramas sudden passing was felt by Delas Alas, whose friendship with the director was tested last December when they clashed when the comedienne’s film entry, “My Bebe Love” went head-to-head with “Beauty and the Bestie” for the top spot in terms of revenues in the 2015 MMFF.
On her Instagram account, Delas Alas simply posted a photo saying “Rest in Peace” with the caption, “Mahal kita.”
Our condolences to Deramas’ family.
