RODERICK Paulate says his mother Paz, who died on Nov. 1 at age 86 due to diabetes complications, was one of the ?best-loved people? in show business.

That?s no empty outpouring by a deeply grieving son.

In a world of pushy stage mothers, Roderick?s ?Mamang? was a gentle wind beneath his wings.

She would accompany Roderick, who joined the biz at age 6, to his film shoots but, he recalled, ?She would invariably ?look for the darkest, quietest little corner on the set, and there she would sit quietly and patiently.?

Roderick added: ?That?s why big stars like Fernando Poe Jr. and Joseph Estrada were drawn to her and would always talk to her. FPJ even became her kumpare ? he was a principal sponsor in my sister Stella?s wedding.?

On Friday, last night of the wake quite a handful of luminaries, including Sharon Cuneta, Lani Mercado, Amy Perez, Diether Ocampo and Bayani Agbayani paid their respects.

The all-star turnout was as much a tribute to Mamang?s ?favorite son,? the youngest of 10 children (two of them deceased).

?She always made me feel as if she were my biggest fan,? Roderick recounted. ?I think I was inspired to excel because I instinctively knew that, by doing so, I?d make my mom extremely happy and proud.?

Mamang Paz encouraged all her children to hone their gifts. ?When I was young,? Roderick said, ?my siblings and I would put up plays at home and we would perform for my parents? guests. My sister Loida wrote the scripts.?

Being the smallest, and most precocious of the bunch, he was always cast as in the lead role.

In one of those home-spun programs, Mamang Paz?s friend, director Armando de Guzman was in attendance, thereby discovering Roderick, who was promptly cast in ?Kaibigan Ko ang Sto. Niño? in 1968. The boy won the Manila Film Fest Best Child Actor award for ?Kasalanan Kaya?? that same year.

Throughout Roderick?s four-decade career, Mamang remained by his side?acting as cheerleader and critic, manager and mentor.

?She took care of me all my life,? he said. ?But in her twilight years, our roles were reversed. She became my baby.?

When his father Estodito passed away at age 67 in 1986, Paulate took it upon himself to fill the void and ?spoil my mom.?

?My siblings and I didn?t want our mom to ever get depressed, so we would always take her out, to eat and shop. I?d buy her favorite perfume, Calyx by Perspectives,? he said.

Until the last few months, mom and son would still step out for their customary lunch and dinner dates.

Sadly, she didn?t get to watch Roderick?s most recent movie, Soxie Topacio?s ?Ded Na Si Lolo,? the country?s official entry in the Oscar Awards? Best Foreign Language Film category.

?But she knew it was chosen for the Oscars. I remember she was resting when I told her the news, and she was very happy for me,? Roderick said.

Mamang Paz was buried on Saturday in Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina. Her tomb is right next to her husband?s.

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