MANILA — Actor and director Manny Castañeda has died.

His nephew, Michael Castañeda, confirmed the sad news that his uncle passed away on Sunday, June 30.

The actor/director, whose iconic look with a fan, died due to complications from his congenital heart disease, chronic kidney disease and hypertension. 

Michael narrated to ABS-CBN News that last Sunday afternoon, a tenant of his uncle's apartment went up to Manny's unit to pay his dues.

He kept ringing the door bell to Manny's room but heard nothing. Concerned, the tenant approached Michael's parents and asked for help. That's when they found Manny lifeless in his room. 

Manny's remains will be cremated and funeral service will be at the Sanctuarium Crematory in Quezon City.

Castañeda appeared in many movies, including 'Oro, Plata, Mata', 'Relasyon', 'Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas'.

He also became popular for his comedic and gay roles both on television and movies. He also directed TV shows such as 'Maaalala Mo Kaya', movies such as 'Shake Rattle and Roll', 'Nakaw na Sandali', and also wrote for different projects. 

His longtime friend and chairman of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, director Jose Javier 'Joey' Reyes mourns the passing of his best friend.

On his Facebook account, Reyes recalled his good memories with Castañeda: "We were eight years old when we met. We missed a number of years between the final years of grade school and high school.  But we made such a big deal about how we found each other again at the canteen in De La Salle College then ...  

And we were inseparable since that time, all throughout college ... until we both ended up teaching then finding our place in the insane world of show business.

We have been friends for sixty-one years ... and how you have left. Honestly, I do not know how it is going to be without my best friend just sitting out there ready to bitch it out with me. We may have our differences in political beliefs, we may have our arguments but we were there for each other ... all the way.

No, it is not going to be the same. But His Will Be Done.  I know you are now having a major time giving an update to Don and Khryss and all our friends who are having eternal coffee breaks in the Great Beyond.  And I know that where you are ... you will on the lookout for me, Erick Vidania, Cal Lim, Cristina A. Rodriguez, Raymund Barcelon, George Lim... everybody in our close knit circle.

I never told this you when you were around because I knew you would just cringe and tell me to shut up — but you are such a great part of my life because you are my irreplaceable BFF. 

I am going to miss you big time."

Castañeda was 69.

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