Bobby A. Suarez RIP

[Andrew Leavold]

The Philippines has lost another of its B movie legends.

Bobby A. Suarez, the director of the Cleopatra Wong series, The One-Armed Executioner, Searchers Of The Voodoo Mountain and American Commandos, passed away in Manila at 2.00am this morning (Monday 8th February).

Bobby was in hospital recovering from a series of heart attacks and a kidney operation.

I was privileged to call Bobby a brother, to be taken into his home, his family and his confidence. His story (including a lengthy interview) is at http://bamboogodsandbionicboys.blogs...y%20A%20Suarez

Rest in peace, my brown monkey-faced brother.

[Nick Nicholson]

Sad news even if I never worked with him. There isn't anything about this on the local news! I just saw a text blurb on Channel 9 and that was it.

[Jason Lee]

Originally Posted by Nick Nicholson

Sad news even if I never worked with him. There isn't anything about this on the local news! I just saw a text blurb on Channel 9 and that was it.

It's sad when it's not even mentioned on the local news...

RIP man, you gave us some entertaining movies...and some wild stories!

[Andrew Leavold]

Hey all,

It probably won't make it on the news, as Bobby's been out of the local filmmaking scene for almost twenty years, and may only get a passing mention in the newspapers. Which is a shame, because along with Eddie Romero and the late Cirio H. Santiago, he was a tireless pioneer of peddling Philippines-lensed genre films to the international market. Cirio received the column space because he was still a visible and active member of the film industry, within which he had a extensive network of family and friends, and because of the legacy of his family's Premiere Productions dating back to the 1940s.

Bobby, on the other hand, had a very closed circle of family and confidantes, had little interest in the local film industry other than its export market potential, and was virtually a recluse since his health problems dating back to the late Eighties.

I really do hope gets the recognition from his peers, who have all but forgotten his contributions to Filipino cinema.

I rang Bobby's wife Gene this afternoon to check on Bobby's health and received the terrible news. She was in shock and had not made plans for the wake or funeral. Nick, as soon as I hear details I'll pass them onto you. Most of the BAS Film family have been notified of Bobby's passing.

If anyone wishes to leave a tribute, I'll make sure Gene and the Suarez family read them. My deepest condolences go out to Gene, Richard, Roma and the entire Suarez family at this saddest of times.

[Nick Nicholson]

A few years back, he was given an Achievement Award by the Film Academy. However, he snubbed it. Pacquito Diaz accepted the award on his behalf. Well Andrew, I will just have to wait for your update, which I will put in my blog.

[Jack J]

Oh no!!! This is terrible news!!! I was in contact with him last year and was planning to write him again. Those emails I got from him were the nicest. So sad. Goodbye Bobby.

[Robert F]

Rest in Peace Bobby, thanks for the entertaining films you gave us over the years. My condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Suarez.

[todd wieneke]

My heart sank reading the headline. I only knew him the last few years but he was always remarkably kind and compassionate. He will be missed by many, myself included. It would have been great to have finally met him in person and hand him the U.S. releases of OAE and CLEO WONG. My sincerest condolences to his family. God speed, my friend.

[Andrew Leavold]

Jack, he treasured those emails, and spoke fondly of you.

Todd, it's a hell of a way to hear about it. Sorry, I should have sent you an email. He thought you were the cat's pajamas, and got a real kick from the fact those films were coming out in the States - legitimately! It's a shame he couldn't stick around for all of the attention that was coming his way, but that was Bobby - an odd, humble, manic, sweet and completely insane nutjob who shunned attention (Nick, the story of him shunning the award makes complete sense!) and only agreed to be filmed by me as a personal favour. Are you able to use any of that footage? It turns out it was the only ever filmed interview with him.

[Andrew Leavold]

From Bobby's son Richard: It is a great sadness that my Dad Director Bobby A. Suarez (BAS) passed away February 08, 2010 at the age of 67. Interment will be at Krus Sa Wawa Memorial Bocaue Bulacan on February 11, 2010 at 2 pm. Relatives, Friends and business associates your prayers are deeply requested...

[Jack J]

Originally Posted by Andrew Leavold

Jack, he treasured those emails, and spoke fondly of you.

Thank you for letting me know. Shows you should get things done when there's time instead of postponing.

[J Dewey Wallis]

Rest In Peace. He brought some real honest to goodness entertainment.

[todd wieneke]

The only known interview footage of Bobby?! Wow... I absolutely will use it for the dvd. Thanks again, Andrew, not only for the material but for your tireless energy and knowledge.

A few years ago I was pursuing the U.S. rights to PAY OR DIE, which had been sold outright decades ago to a long defunct company, and I mentioned to Bobby how righteous the poster art was and a week later he sent me one of his last original one-sheets. I've since framed both it and the manila envelope it arrived in, which was inscribed, "For my good friend Todd." He was truly a class act.

[Jack J]

Originally Posted by todd wieneke

I absolutely will use it for the dvd.

Hey Todd,
You are behind the US release, ey? Can you say anything about when they might get released? Thanks.

[todd wieneke]

Nothing concrete yet-- the heads only recently lifted the temporary moratorium on catalog titles-- but I'd say August or September of this year. I hope!!