‘Pepito Manaloto’ director Bert de Leon dies

Veteran television director Bert de Leon died on Sunday, November 21. He was 74. 

Bert’s son, Niko de Leon, confirmed the death to ABS-CBN. Bert died at around 4 am at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig. 

“On behalf of the family, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who expressed their love and support. His legacy will live on and I am extremely proud to be his son,“ Niko told ABS-CBN News. 

Director Bert’s niece Joanna de Leon also confirmed the news to GMA Online. Joanna also paid a tribute to the late director in a Facebook post. 

“Ang sakit sobra, napakalungkot [nang] paglisan mo pero makakapag-pahinga ka na (It hurts so much. We’re saddened by your passing but you can get some rest, now). I’m so sorry that you’ve been through a lot of pain bago ka umalis (before you passed away). You’ve had a great fight,” she captioned the post. 

Both family members did not mention the cause of the director’s death, but Bert had been struggling with several health issues prior to his death. In July 2021, he posted on Instagram that he suffered a heart attack and had to undergo an angioplasty. In late September, comedian Michael V. set up a fundraiser for Bert, after he was diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Showbiz personalities, such as director Joey Reyes and dancer Aira Bermudez, have posted on their social media platforms to mourn the director’s passing. 

Since the 1970s, Bert has directed TV shows like Eat Bulaga, Iskul Bukol, and Okay Ka, Fairy Ko. His latest works include the GMA sitcoms Bubble Gang, Pepito Manaloto and Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento. – Rappler.com