By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ
April 12, 2010, 12:15pm
Veteran comedian Palito has passed away Monday, April 12, at the Philippine General Hospital due to a lung complication.
In a breaking news report on “Umagang Kay Ganda,” the 76-year-old actor was declared dead at 7:05 a.m.
Among the last to see the comedian was former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, who visited Palito the night before.
Reynaldo Hipolito (Palito’s real name) was rushed to the Imus Family Hospital on April 6 after complaining of a serious stomach pain. He was transferred to the ward section of PGH on the same night.
"Galing siya sa [trabaho]… Pagdating sa bahay halos hindi na makalakad at nanghihina na...kaya dinala na namin siya sa ospital," recalled Jhune Hipolito, one of his four children, on “Showbiz News Ngayon,” April 6.
Prior to this, he had been confined at the hospital for a month due to a lung complication.
“Kasi po si Daddy, nagii-smoke po siya. Nung tinigil po niya, dun siya nanghina po,” Jhune said.
The news of his illness first broke out via the Facebook account of Rivermaya drummer Mark Escueta. The OPM band worked with Palito for the music video of their latest single “Ambotsa.”
Support for the ailing comedian poured in from his colleagues in showbiz, including Robin Padilla, Bong Revilla, Jericho Rosales, and Fernando Poe Jr.’s half brother Conrad Poe, as reported by ABS-CBN.
Other young celebrities such as Anne Curtis, Francine Prieto, Maxene Magalona, and Angel Locsin also called out for donations through their respective Twitter accounts.
Palito, who kept a low profile in showbiz, had continued to work to support his family. He played drums in a combo that performs at a casino in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Palito, whose career began in the 60s, was dubbed “Buhay na Bangkay” because of his stick-thin figure. His comic career soared in the 70s, having starred in “Ram-Buto” and “Jones Bone,” spoofs of iconic Hollywood characters “Rambo” and “James Bond.” He was also part of the classic sitcom “Home Along Da Riles.”