MANILA - Max Laurel, famous for his starring role in the film adaptation of the Filipino comic book character Zuma, passed away on Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 71.

A former bodybuilder, Laurel played Zuma, an imposing, green-skinned figure with a pair of snakes growing from his shoulders, in the movies "Zuma" (1985) and "Anak ni Zuma" (1987).

According to a report from Pep, Laurel also appeared in a number of other films from 1979 to 1996. It includes movies such as "Durugin Si Totoy Bato" (1979), "Ang Panday" (1980), and "Bitag" (1996).

A wake for Laurel is currently being held at the La Funeraria Paz in Quezon City. He is scheduled to be buried on Friday at the La Loma Cemetery in Caloocan City.