MUSICAL CLAN – Manny Villar , in his Manila Bulletin / Tempo column, Of Trees and Forest, paid tribute to the late Vice President Doy Laurel, who would have turned 90 last Nov. 18.
In the ‘70s, this columnist got to know the Laurels quite well, often visiting them at their Shaw Boulevard (Mandaluyong) residence. Cocoy Laurel, son of Doy and the former Celia Diaz, was then making movies, appearing onstage and mounting concerts every so often.
Music filled the Laurel sala with Mrs. Laurel and Cocoy leading the informal singing. Even the Vice President a few times joined the fun, gifted with a fine singing voice, His favorite was “Impossible Dream” from “Man from La Mancha.” The other members of the Laurel clan were also musically gifted.
Then Ryan Cayabyab stayed at Shaw, a scholar of Mrs. Laurel at the UP College of Music. The recently named National Artist was called Cip, from his name Cipriano. He scored the movies of Cocoy.
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MIXTURE – The Laurel clan best exemplifies the mixture of showbiz and politics.
The clan produced a President (Jose P. Laurel) , a Vice President, senators, congressmen, governors, mayors, ambassadors.
They were identified with the Nacionalista Party, which Senator Manny now heads. Incidentally, the Villars bought the Shaw home of Doy and Celia (soon a condo) and the mansion (also on Shaw) of President Laurel (preserved).
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VISIBLE – Cocoy still sings and appears in plays. He studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. He also paints, trained in Madrid. Mrs. Laurel, during her youth, was Queen of Legitimate Theater and an accomplished painter, a product of UP and Yale.
The Laurels visible on the showbiz scene are Iwi, Denise, Nicole, Franco and Ayen. Not to forget Rajo Laurel, the favorite designer of many showbiz figures, notably Lea Salonga and Ruffa Gutierrez.
Back to Doy Laurel, whose resting place is Libingan ng mga Bayani. Doy was an exemplary public servant. He sacrified his Presidential goal in the name of unity of the country, which hasn’t honored him enough.
CocoyLaurel
