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Tony Mabesa, a pillar of Philippine theater, dies

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/tvpatrol/10/03/20191004-tony-2.jpg"/><figcaption>Tony Mabesa attends the celebration of 100 years of Philippine cinema at Sine Sandaan at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City on September 12, 2019. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA—Tony Mabesa, a stalwart of Philippine theater whose career spanned 70 years, passed away on Friday night. He was 84.</p><p>Mabesa was “surrounded by family and friends” when he died at 10:15 p.m., according to a family statement shared by Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas and playwright Floy Quintos.</p><p>“We thank you for your prayers. We hope you can respect the family’s wish for privacy at this time,” the statement added.</p><p>The founding artistic director of Dulaang UP, Mabesa staged dozens of productions over the years. He was both director and actor, with some 170 shows to his name.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/tvpatrol/10/03/20191004-tony.jpg"/><figcaption>Tony Mabesa (left) was last seen on the big screen in 2018’s ‘Rainbow’s Sunset’ opposite the late Eddie Garcia. <em>Heaven’s Best Entertainment</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Mabesa also made a mark in cinema and television. His last role was as recent as 2018, opposite the late Eddie Garcia in “Rainbow’s Sunset,” where they played elderly gay lovers.</p>

<p>Tony Mabesa, a stalwart of Philippine theater whose career spanned 70 years, passed away on Friday night.</p>

Tony Mabesa, a stalwart of Philippine theater whose career spanned 70 years, passed away on Friday night.