Actor-director Abbo dela Cruz dies of heart attack

Early Tuesday morning, July 22, actor-director Abbo dela Cruz took out his bicycle to travel around the quaint town of Lucban, Quezon as he usually did every day. He never came back home alive. In a phone call with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) this afternoon, director Uro dela Cruz explained that his brother Abbo died of a heart attack today. "Nag-bike siya early this morning as usual then he collapsed out of the vicinity of the town, nasa labas ng konti. People who were passing by saw him and brought him to the hospital in Lucban, Quezon," narrates Uro, who is the director of GMA-7's gag show Bubble Gang. Abbo, 45, left behind his wife Teresita and their five children. He is best known for writing and directing the movie Misteryo Sa Tuwa in 1984. Abbo also appeared in the movies Oro, Plata, Mata (1982) and Orapronobis (1989). In recent years, he has been documenting the cultural practices of Lucban, Quezon as a way of preserving the rich heritage of the province. His remains lie in state at his home in Lucban, Quezon. Abbo's interment is tentatively scheduled for this Saturday, July 26. - Philippine Entertainment Portal