Franco Hernandez: RIP

Being asked to give tribute to Hashtag Franco Hernandez is a privilege, but how can I start paying homage to this young man when tears are welling in my eyes and  a big lump started forming in my throat?

Framing my thoughts was a daunting task, I was literally groping in the dark. How can I find the right words to mark the passing of a good man when emotions runs high? Indeed it was difficult, especially when four weeks ago we were at the set of Showtime and Franco even manage to shake our hands squeezed it and then wave to us.(Was it his way of saying goodbye?)  Had I known the drowning incident I could have warned him not to go to Davao.

Remembering Franco, who could forget his innocent face on screen flustered when Vice Ganda put him on a noontime prank, and all he can do was giggle and giving the audience his signature impish smile. Being young he was not ready for comedy and humor using double entendre. And his participation in Cash-ya just tickle the little child in each and everyone of us ... that yes ... life is hard ... we have to play and horse around once in awhile.

But it was those short conversation we had that I will never forget. I watched him turned into a young man with so much enthusiasm and too many plans for the future. He talked about improving his craft and to better his contributions as Hashtag member. As a son I thought he was a gentle soul, tireless in his resolve and indefatigable in his desire to help his family.

Franco is well loved by his friends and colleague and it is a testament to him how many of his fans are in spirit to bid farewell to this man whose potentials of being a matinee idol started to shape up.

Losing Franco is tragic and heart-rending,  his death jolted and jarred our senses. He was so young and so full of promise, I can't help but think of the what if's had fate been kinder to him giving him more extra time in his showbiz career.

Franco doesn't want us to grieve for so long. Rather, all he wanted I believe is for us to cherish the good times he has shared with us.

Goodbye my friend.  May you will rest in peace. You will live in our hearts forever! 

Franco Hernandez: RIP

Being asked to give tribute to Hashtag Franco Hernandez is a privilege, but how can I start paying homage to this young man when tears are welling in my eyes and  a big lump started forming in my throat?

Framing my thoughts was a daunting task, I was literally groping in the dark. How can I find the right words to mark the passing of a good man when emotions runs high? Indeed it was difficult, especially when four weeks ago we were at the set of Showtime and Franco even manage to shake our hands squeezed it and then wave to us.(Was it his way of saying goodbye?)  Had I known the drowning incident I could have warned him not to go to Davao.

Remembering Franco, who could forget his innocent face on screen flustered when Vice Ganda put him on a noontime prank, and all he can do was giggle and giving the audience his signature impish smile. Being young he was not ready for comedy and humor using double entendre. His dancing skill was topnotch and his participation in Cash-ya just tickle the little child in each and everyone of us ... that yes ... life is hard ... we have to play and horse around once in awhile.

But it was those short conversation we had that I will never forget. I watched him turned into a young man with so much enthusiasm and too many plans for the future. He talked about improving his craft and to better his contributions as Hashtag member. As a son I thought he was a gentle soul, tireless in his resolve and indefatigable in his desire to help his family.

Franco is well loved by his friends and colleague and it is a testament to him how many of his fans are in spirit to bid farewell to this man whose potentials of being a matinee idol started to shape up.

Losing Franco is tragic and heart-rending,  his death jolted and jarred our senses. He was so young and so full of promise, I can't help but think of the what if's had fate been kinder to him giving him more extra time in his showbiz career.

Franco doesn't want us to grieve for so long. Rather, all he wanted  is for us to cherish the good times he has shared with us.

Goodbye my friend.  May you will rest in peace. You will live in our hearts forever! 

Charl Van Den Berg: RIP

Charl Van Den Berg, "Mr Gay South Africa 2009" and "Mister Gay World 2010" died Thursday at a hospital in Johannesburg. Charl was a victim of lymphoma, a cancer he had struggled for several years. Charl was 33 years of age at his death.
Man Central may not know this guy personally, but the whole staff console his family and friends for his untimely demise.  We pray for his eternal peace. RIP Charl.

Ozu Ong: RIP

Ozu Ong  ,who was a member of a sing and dance group Masculados Dos died beacause of a shooting incident last August 2, 2015 at 4:00 after his vehicle was carjacked in front Primrose Hill Subdivision in Antipolo City.  Ozu Ong was only 29 years old. Man Central may have not known him personally, but our heart bleeds for his family in this sudden loss. Rest in Peace Ozu Ong!

Yeison Alonso: RIP

Yeison Alonso Altahona Atencio who was "Mister Yaracuy" in the "Mister Handsome Venezuela 2009", died last Thursday  February 5 in a motorvehicular accident in Cota Mil in Caracas Venezuela. Reinaldo was only 28 years old.
Man Central may have not known him personally, but our heart bleeds for his family in this sudden loss. Rest in Peace Yeison! If you want to see other photos of Yeison go to the labels and click APC-Yeison Alonso.

Jose Reinaldo Gonazalez: RIP

José Reinaldo Gonzalez Colmenares, who was "Mister Bolívar" in the "Mister Venezuela 2004", died on Sunday December 21 in a motorcycle accident in a highway in Venezuela. Reinaldo was only 31 years old.
Man Central may have not known him personally, but our heart bleeds for his family in this sudden loss. Rest in Peace Jose Reinaldo!

Muhammad Syazwi: RIP

Young model Muhammad Syazwi Nazri  died November 3 at the Ampang Hospital for leukemia he suffered over the past five years. Muhammad, 21 is one of the finalist of Look Model Search 2013 organized by Look Magazine last year. He was also a finalist  in Mr. Planet 2014 and represented Malaysia in Mr. Global 2014 in Bangkok Thailand. Man Central and the rest of our readers extend its sincerest condolences to his family, friends and supporters. May you rest in peace.

Lucas Coppini: RIP

Too bad and too sad! The modelling world mourns the death of Lucas Coppini a Wilhemina model following a car accident last June 2. Man Central wish his friends, family especially his twin brother Luis Coppini to get through this difficult time. Rest in peace Lucas!

Maickel Javier Rodriguez Escobar: RIP

Maickel Javier Rodríguez Escobar, who was Mister Handsome Costa Oriental 2007 and fourth finalist of Mister Handsome Venezuela 2007, died Tuesday May 13 in Ocumare del Tuy, where he lived with his wife, at the age of 29 years due to brain hemorrhage. He was buried last Wednesday, May 14 at the main cemetery Charallave 

Maickel had studied law at St. Mary's University and had also participated in the contests Great  Model Venezuela 2005 and Mister Turismo Venezuela 2008. From Man Central condolence to  his family and friends

Monica Spears: RIP

Monica Spears was a model and beauty pageant contestant from Venezuela. She was crowned Miss Venezuela 2004 and competed in the Miss Universe 2005 pageant, hosted in Thailand. On January 6, 2014, Monica Spears was robbed and was killed with ex-husband in a highway in central Carabobo, Venezuela. RIP Monica

Carlo Sato: RIP

Goodbye Carlo  ... may you rest in peace! It is only now that I know what happened I was so shocked I couldn't hold my tears. My prayers goes to you and Man Central also  extend our condolence to your friends and family. To Man Central readers ... If you want to pay him your last respect please go back and look for his old photos. Just type Carlo Sato in the Search BOX or you can go the Archives and look for MOD-Carlo Sato. Again goodbye!. I hope you will find the inner peace that you much needed!

Danilo Brito: RIP

Last week we reported about Kenjie Zabala joining his creator. We were saddened by his untimely death and if that is not enough another bad news came to our knowledge three days ago telling us that Danilo Brito the current Mr. Bahia 2013 and a candidate to Mr.Brazil 2013 also died after his car collided making it a "total wreck" last August 10, 2013.

Danilo will be remembered in the Mr. Brazil Organization as a man of good character, a good friend, and a candidate who was very much willing to cooperate and collaborate with his co-candidates and his organizers. His departure is a big loss and his contribution will be forever etched in the Mr.Brazil's memory bank

Our prayer goes to Danilo's family and friends.  May they will have peace in their hearts and gradually accept his demise.  And to Danilo ... Descansa en paz!.

Kenjie Zabala: RIP

I was reading one Pinoy blog and I was shocked to know that my friendster and facebook friend Kenjie Zabala has already passed away. Gosh ... I really hate being the bearer of bad news ... but I have to ... knowing that I have some important  things to say.
The blog swore he has verified his sources and he has talked with Kenjie's friends who claimed that the cause of his death was pneumonia.
I could feel a lump in my throat  knowing that Kenjie is just so young, and you just can't  imagine what opportunities will fall in his lap knowing that Kenjie is a go-getter, has a lot of talent not to mention good looking.
Kenjie for the uninformed was a model and was active in some pageants such as Mr. International Philippines and Mosssimo Bikini Open. He was also a fixture in the past Cosmopolitan Bachelors Bash and had rocked the stage of Filipino Fashion Week. He also had graced the pages of magazines and was photographed by top Pinoy fotogs.
To Kenjie ... may you rest in peace and to his family and love ones our sincerest sympathy. Farewell my dear friend. (If you want to revisit some of Kenjies photos click APC-Kenjie Zabala)

Karol Stephanie Castillo: RIP

Karol Castillo (29 August 1989 – 10 April 2013) was a model and beauty pageant contestant from Peru. She was crowned Miss Perú Universo 2008 and competed in the Miss Universe 2008 pageant, hosted in Nha Trang, Vietnam.On 10 April 2013, Castillo was found dead in her bed while on a trip to Australia, having suffered from a cardiac arrest. Rest in peace Karol!

Dennis McIrvin: RIP

Name: Dennis McIrvin   -Country: Philippines   -Pageants Joined: Best Model Philippines 2004, Mr. Kourous 2006  -Pinoy Model, Member Men of Provoq  -Photo Credit: All photos are copyright to its rightful owners.
It's all over the blogs. News had it that Dennis McIrvin died because of a nasty vehicular accident (Unverified reports said it happen in his hometown). Man Central and all its followers would like to extend its heartfelt condolence to his family and friends who by now is still in the state of shock. Indeed he was too young to die, and we hope that his accident will remind everybody to be extra careful because death comes like a thief in the night ... you will never know when the time comes!

Eva Ekvall: RIP

Eva Ekvall Miss Venezuela 2000 and a third runner Up in Miss Universe 2001 has given up her fight with the BIG C. She died in Houston Texas due to breast cancer.
Eva to her fans is a beauty queen, a news anchor, an author and Venezuela's greatest cancer charity advocate. At age 28 and a mother of 1, Eva will be long remember as one of those refreshing Venezuelan beauties that awed and mesmerized the world. Whereever she is now ... may she rest in peace.

Tyrone Perez: RIP

Another Starstruck alumni has left a very promising career in a hurry. Police reports said they found Tyrone Perez body in his car near Valenzuela City last December 29, 2011. Unverified reports said they still can't say whether it was suicide or there was a foul play.
Tyrone Perez is the second Starstruck alumnus who died in the month of December, the first one was Marky Cielo a few years back. Tyrone was best remember in his last teleserye Imortal and Mula Sa Puso. His last TV appearance was Maalaala MO Kaya where he played the boyfriend of Ejay Falcon. Tyrone is young at 26 and whatever there is to his death we say RIP: Rest In Peace kiddo! Let's pray for his eternal rest. -Photo credit: PJ Tiongson

RIP: RJ Rosales

Name: RJ Rosales -Country: Philippines, Australia -Work: Stage Actor, Singer -Photo and Text Credits: Starmometer -All photos are copyright to its rightful owners.

Fil-Australian RJ Rosales died Sunday morning in Sydney according to a report by “Ang Kalatas.” However, the exact cause of his death was not disclosed because RJ’s family requested for privacy. He was 37 years old. RJ started his career as a cast-member of the Australian production of “Miss Saigon” in 1996. He then moved to Singapore in 1998 where he landed title roles in several musicals including “Chang and Eng – the Musical”, “Cabaret”, “Forbidden City”, “The Student Prince”, and “Man of Letters.” He also appeared in a couple of Singaporean shows such as “Spin” and “Style Doctors.”In early 2001, Rosales became a Kapamilya talent. He was seen every sunday on ABS-CBN’s musical variety show “ASAP”. He also appeared in various Kapamilya shows like “Your Honor”, “Attagirl” and “Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka.”RJ last appeared in the local showbiz scene in the 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Blue Moon,” which earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination. In late 2007, Rosales returned to Australia for the revived staging of Miss Saigon. And this year, the theater actor had been performing regularly at the Esplanade Theater in Singapore with Karen Valeza.

TO RJ Rosales may you rest in PEACE!

RIP: Ram Revilla

- This is kind of an eerie experience for us ... especially that a day from now is All Saint's day. Was it just coincidental ... or there was some kind of magnetic or shall we say divine plan that lured me into featuring Ram Revilla and include him in Man Central Hall of Famers.
-A day ago I posted a feature on Ram Revilla, I was debating myself that if cousin Jolo Revilla made it to our elite list of Pinoy hunks, so should Ram. And he should. I painfully researched on his filmography and after an hour, his first landing in the orbit of Man Central pages was published.
-I was listening to TFC's TV Patrol that time, and I almost fell on my chair when Alex Santos dropped the bomb as he read the headline that Ram Revilla was shot, stabbed and was killed in his house. PHEEEEW!
-I feel numb and my head start spinning like Im going to vertigo. After recovering my dizzy and giddy state, I consoled myself ... the Man Central piece I did for him, I guess is my way of singing hossana in his name ... a little swan song before he said goodbye.
-To Ram ... may you rest in PEACE!

RIP: Murillo Rezende

Photo # 1Photo # 2Photo # 3Photo # 4Photo # 5Photo # 6Photo # 7Photo # 8 Now it can be told! For the last two weeks Man Central was in a quandary after reading a news item written in Portuguese about Murilo Rezende and his alleged death. The initial reaction for Man Central and Murilo-believers was disbelief ... of course we don't want other blogs to beat us bringing the news... but we cautioned ourselves to keep the urge to write in its low decibels. We are talking about somebody's death here ... and Man Central being a responsible blog want to take it slow ... and sure.

Also ... Man Central was in its bargaining mood. We are still hoping, the news was a fluke and was just made up. We have been a Murilo supporter from the get-go. Lucas Malvacini was on top of Mr. Brazil totem pole ... he is untouchable ... but we really hoped Murillo could at least compete in Mr. International. I guess it was some cosmic design not to make him win. Imagine the sadness of his fans and his family if he won the right to compete in an international pageant and then weeks before the contest ... Mr. Death knocked on his door?

This will be Man Central's last feature of Murilo. This is a tribute to what he could attain ... and to what he could possibly gain in showbiz and modelling world. Although we could write more of him, but we want to give the guy a REST.

Let me end this feature by borrowing an epitaph from a Sam Milby-KC Concepcion movie which run something like this: ... "It is quite quick we fell in love with Murilo in one day ... now it take us forever to say goodbye ..."

Goodbye Murillo ... and may you REST IN PEACE!