Dannyka Manangan

Martin Nievera mourns the loss of TV director Fritz Ynfante: ‘He directed, mentored, and loved’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>When veteran television director Fritz Ynfante passed away last July 21, none could be any sadder than one of the artists he’s worked with the longest, Martin Nievera. Known for his monicker as the Concert King of the Philippines in the mid-&#x27;80s, the OPM artist couldn’t help but paint a candid but loving tribute for a someone he considered a dear colleague and mentor.</p><p>Director Fritz gave him one of his first big breaks in the industry as a host on the music variety show<em> Penthouse Live</em> which aired from 1982 to 1987 which he co-hosted with Pops Fernandez. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-19" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMXtDugx-Ra/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A19%2C%22os%22%3A1361876.0999999999%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-19" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>In his Instagram post last July 21, Martin credited the late director for his television career. He wrote, “Today we lost one of the industry’s best and most demanding directors. There was no compromise. It was his way or the super highway! He was a perfectionist to a fault, but that was only because he knew he could get the very best out of all those he directed, mentored and loved. His choice of words were a language all his own, but he got the job done.</p><p>&quot;He gave me my first pair of wings as a tv host on a television show called, &#x27;<em>Penthouse Live</em>,&#x27; and was a true believer of the Pops and Martin team. He always trusted us with his direction and his gazillion changes on every script. His attention to detail was second to none and he spared no one’s feelings when defending what he knew in his heart was right.”</p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-23" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMXaNodxJ_l/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A23%2C%22os%22%3A1474935.5999999999%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="853" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-23" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>In the same post, Martin also shared how Fritz also helped shape his ex-wife and co-host Pops’s career.</p><p>“All of these ingredients mixed with love and passion were the makings of a director I am blessed to say was instrumental with my career on television. He was even one of the first directors to turn the concert princess into the concert queen. Tito Fritz, I will forever be grateful. I will miss you. Thank you for all you did not just for me, but for all of us whose careers you scolded and molded until each of our dreams came true. I love you! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️”</p><p>Martin’s friends in the industry wrote consoling messages for the OPM artist like Zsa Zsa Padilla, Amy Perez, Karylle, and Ogie Alcasid who wrote, “Beautiful tribute. RIP Direk Fritz. ❤️🙏.”</p><p>Other veteran performers also posted about their own fond memories with direk Fritz on their own accounts like Louie Heredia and news reporter Mark Zambrano who worked with him more than two decades ago. </p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-24" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMZcadovh1S/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A24%2C%22os%22%3A1474950%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1015" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-24" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Mark wrote, “Direk Fritz Ynfante was the first director I worked with when I joined the PBA coverage as a commentator and courtside reporter in the early 2000s. He had a commanding presence—fiery, passionate, and unwavering in his standards. Mahigpit siya, oo—pero hindi siya madamot sa kaalaman. He expected excellence and brought it out in all of us.</p><p>&quot;Yet behind that firm voice was a generous mentor. He always made time to listen, especially to newbies like me, offering solid advice on how to be confident on camera. &#x27;Kaya mo ‘yan. Huwag kang matakot sa camera—kaibigan mo ‘yan.&#x27; Those were just some of the words he shared that stayed with me.</p><p>&quot;Direk Fritz was more than just a director—he was a visionary. May kakaiba siyang mata—nakikita niya ang galing ng isang tao bago mo pa ito makita sa sarili mo. He believed in people, in possibilities, and in the power of storytelling. Maraming salamat, Direk Fritz. Hindi namin malilimutan ang lahat ng itinuro mo, at kung paano mo kami hinubog. You left a mark not just on screen, but in our hearts. Paalam, Direk. Hanggang sa muli.”</p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-25" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMXvgU2ymIR/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A25%2C%22os%22%3A1474962.0999999999%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-25" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-26" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKpN7xQyHZL/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A26%2C%22os%22%3A1475985.7%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-26" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Former sportscaster and host Patricia Bermudez also looks back on an unforgettable moment in her and husband Vince Hizon’s life which was made even more special by the late director.</p><p>She wrote, “It&#x27;s with a heavy heart that we remember Direk Fritz Ynfante. A truly great director, and an even better person. Direk Fritz was instrumental in one of the most special days of my life – Vince&#x27;s proposal to me. As our director for the PBA at that time under PTV, he had this incredible knack for pushing creative boundaries. He made us do all these crazy intros and spiels with the most imaginative camera angles. The crazier part? We actually did it! We followed Direk Fritz&#x27;s vision because we trusted it implicitly. We literally bent over backwards for him (he even made us do &#x27;The Matrix&#x27;!), but he gave us so much more in return.</p><p>&quot;He made that proposal truly unforgettable. I also deeply appreciate our quiet conversation in the car, just moments before I walked down the aisle. Thank you for being there for me, Direk. Rest in peace. Your vision, your kindness, and your spirit will always be remembered.”</p>

<p>The late director Fritz Ynfante’s life was celebrated in multiple tributes online by celebrities like Martin Nievera, Mark Zambrano, and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon.</p>

The late director Fritz Ynfante’s life was celebrated in multiple tributes online by celebrities like Martin Nievera, Mark Zambrano, and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon.