MANILA, Philippines?If Dick Israel had his way, he?d have sung all night. The veteran character actor?s friends certainly didn?t mind; in fact some of them joined him onstage during the benefit gig held for him Monday at Merk?s Bar Bistro in Greenbelt 3, Makati.

Israel?Ricardo Michaca in real life?suffered a stroke last month reportedly after enduring extreme heat on a location shoot for a TV drama series.

Half of his body was paralyzed. Medical expenses wiped out his savings. He was out of work, and needed thrice-weekly therapy. Singer Richard Merk offered free use of his club for the gig after hearing Israel?s wife Melinda appeal for financial help on dzMM Teleradyo.

It was an SRO affair. Singer-actress Karylle, Israel?s screen daughter in the series, was full of energy as she did a Beatles medley. Israel, in a wheelchair, joined her on vocals. In the audience was Karylle?s dad, Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari.

Early birds

Ricky Davao, Pete Lacaba, Philip Salvador, Ronaldo Valdez and Boots Anson-Roa were early birds. Tirso Cruz III and wife Lynn shared a table with Al Tantay. Leo Martinez walked around, greeting guests. In one corner Edgar Mortiz sat, sipping red wine.

Near the bar was Dolphy Jr., who told the Inquirer, ?Mabait na tao si Dick, mahusay makisama, kaya ako nandito.? Earlier, Dophy Jr. performed a spiritual version of Eric Clapton?s ?Someone Like You? on acoustic guitar.

Snappy jam

It didn?t take long for a spontaneous jam to ensue, with Merk as host.

?Alam niyo po,? Cruz said, ?itong si Dick, alipin ng Eagles at ni Eric Clapton, kaya ang maririnig n?yo ngayon e puro mga paborito niya.?

Opener was a note-for-note cover of ?Tears in Heaven,? with Tantay on electric guitar playing lead, Cruz on acoustic and an irrepressible Israel on vocals. Next was a tender rendition of ?Love Will Keep Us Alive,? with Cruz taking over lead vocals.

?Gusto ko sanang yayain ka, Dick, na sumayaw,? joked Cruz, as the impromptu band, which included 9-year-old Grant Gil Palomares on drums, proceeded with the snappy ?Lay Down Sally.? After which, Israel raved, ?Yeah! That?s basic rock ?n? roll!?

Wonderful

More Clapton classics followed?Tantay leading the band in ?Cocaine,? as Israel struggled to remember the lyrics. He sounded fine at the start of ?Bell Bottom Blues,? but stopped during the chorus.

Cruz had returned to his seat when Rez Cortez approached him and said, ?Pip, humihingi ng tulong si Tats (Israel?s nickname). Samahan mo raw siya uli sa stage.?

Listening closely to the band?s intro, Cruz uttered, ??Wonderful Tonight!?? But he decided to let Israel sing it alone.

Heaven

?Wow, heaven sa akin ?to,? Israel later said. ?Hindi naman kami close ni Richard, pero ginawa niya ?to. Kung tutuusin, palubog na ang araw sa kin ? Puso ng show biz ang nandito ngayong gabi.?

He explained why he?s called Tats: ?It?s a term of endearment, which I also like to call my friends.?

Melinda had one wish: ?I?d like to see him walk again one of these days.?

The company of friends was a good start to get him back on track.