Arnold Clavio pays tribute to ‘Arn-arn’ puppeteer Danilo ‘Totong’ Federez

Arnold Clavio announced on “Unang Hirit” Wednesday that Danilo “Totong” Federez, the voice and puppeteer behind puppet “Arn-arn,” passed away in his sleep in the same morning.

On Instagram, the broadcaster posted a slideshow of their photos together and paid a lengthy tribute to his dear friend.

The witty, socially aware puppet Arn-arn is Igan’s sidekick on the morning news show and was made in his likeness. Some of Arn-arn’s iconic moments include interviewing former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, going around the Philippines to cover events, and doing guestings on GMA shows.

Arnold talked about Totong’s passion when it came to his work, calling him “ang kaluluwa ni Arn-arn.”

“Hindi biro ang trabaho ni Totong bilang ‘puppeteer’ … Ilang oras din siyang nakaluhod pero walang reklamo … Napaka-professional ni ‘Totong’ sa pagbibigay ng saya sa umaga sa loob [ng] dalawang dekada,” he said.

“Saksi ako kung paano inalagaan at iningatan ni Totong si Arnarn na parang tunay niyang anak … Galit siya pag nakikitang pinaglalaruan si Arnarn … He treated Arnarn na tila buhay na nilalang … May respeto maging sa pagpapalit nito ng damit kapag may shoot kami ng OBB.”

During their 2019 appearance on “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” Arnold said it was their first time to see each other in a long time because of Totong’s health condition.

“Sobrang lungkot niya,” he said. “Malaki na ang pagbabago sa kanyang kalusugan … Maging sa kanyang kilos at paggalaw … Sinadya kong itago ang pagkagulat at kumilos ng normal sa aming pag-uusap.”

Arnold revealed that Totong said that he was ready to come back to “Unang Hirit,” to which he replied that once he had doctor’s clearance, he could return to work right away.

“Pero alam kong malabo nang mangyari yun … At that time , nakita ko na ang blangkong pagtingin sa mga mata niya at naramdaman ko rin ang labis niyang pagkalungkot … Nagpaalam ako sa kanya na may pilit na ngiti dahil sa bigat ng kanyang situwasyon,” he said.

The TV host ended his post by honoring his Kuya Totong.

“Si ‘Totong’ ay parang ‘Kuya’ ko na hindi ako nagkaroon … Sa mga pagsubok, siya ang aking tagapagtanggol,” said Arnold.

“Para kay Arnarn, siya ay bahagi na lang ng alaala … Hindi buhay, hindi rin patay … Isang ulila na nilisan na ng kanyang ama,” he added.

“Paalam ‘Totong’ … Nasa mabuti ka nang kalagayan sa piling ng ating Amang lumikha … Isang maligayang paglalakbay.” – RC, GMA News