MANILA, Philippines?We join members of the movie industry in mourning the death of ace director-producer, Cirio Santiago. Through the years, we have been fortunate to know both Cirio and his sister, Digna, as colleagues and friends. Scions of Premiere, one of the Big Four movie production companies in the ?50s, Cirio and Digna have been industry leaders of no mean accomplishment and influence.

Appreciation

It?s instructive to note that through the decades, quite a number of Philippine presidents tapped Cirio to head major film industry bodies, a clear sign of their appreciation of his leadership and his abiding love for Filipino films and the movie industry?s workers.

In addition, Cirio carved his own niche in the movies, because he was one of only a few Filipino filmmakers who directed coproduction features that were released worldwide. He was so busy making US-financed films that he even had an American nom de direction. And, he was one of only four Filipino directors in the US Film Directors Guild?s list of active members.

Through the years, Cirio tapped us to work with him in various capacities, and we became good friends. When he was appointed as head of the Film Development Foundation along with Marichu VP Maceda, we worked even harder together as we judged the foundation?s various competitions and taught its annual screenwriting workshops, which produced many fine writers.

We worked even more closely when, as the film foundation?s head, Cirio invited us to cover the Los Angeles Film Market. We?ve attended more than our share of film festivals, but the LA Film Market experience was different, because it taught us many valuable lessons about the business side of film production.

Best mentor

Cirio was the best mentor in this regard, because he had been selling his TV and film productions abroad for many years. He allowed us to join him as he talked movie business with producers and distributors from all over the world, and we saw how important time-tested connections were in firming up TV-movie deals internationally.

Best of all, Cirio and his loving wife Annabelle invited us to stay with them in their Redondo Beach home, and enabled us to touch base with veteran Filipino stars living in Los Angeles and its environs. The personal touch capped weeks of hectic activity, and we greatly appreciated the respite.

Back in Manila, Cirio would sometimes ask us to recommend new TV-film writers for his projects, and we arranged meetings between him and them. Thus did we see for ourselves how welcoming Cirio was of new talents, and his stock with us rose even higher.

Most recently, since last year, we were meeting on a regular basis with Cirio on what he envisioned would be his ?legacy? to Filipino viewers, a big stage musical which he wanted us to write and direct.

The project was so huge that we wanted to beg off, but Cirio had become such a good friend that we simply had to agree to do anything he wanted. His recent passing has effectively put an end to the project, but on hindsight, we value it, because it enabled us to interact even more closely with Cirio before he passed away.

Looking back on Cirio?s life and career and how they impacted on us, we value him as a filmmaker who loved the movies, film industry workers, and the viewing public with uncommon passion and fealty. And, as a friend, he was generous, considerate and true to his word.

They don?t make them better than that.