Taxi drivers had their own silent farewell for the late Cebu radio broadcaster and comedian Marlon Bellita.
Dozens of taxis yesterday accompanied the funeral cortege that delivered his remains to his home station in ABS-CBN Central Visayas in Jagobiao, Mandaue City and then to residence in Talisay City.
Others stopped by the road as drivers waved goodbye when the convoy passed.
“You don’t have to cry because many people loved your husband,” TV anchor Leo Lastimosa told Marlon’s widow and children during a short tribute aired live by ABS-CBN.
Ferdinand Mañus, dyAB reporter, said taxi drivers loved to listen to Bellita crack jokes and deliver comic dramas on air using his voice to portray several characters in his program “Rated R”.
“If they listen to Marlon, they would forget their frustrations with their passengers who would even laugh with them,” said Mañus, who worked with Bellita for five years.
A benefit concert was held last night by media colleagues at the Cebu City Police Office grounds to honor Bellita.
Several showbands, including the Newsbreak band composed of active media practioners performed.
Bellita’s fans, including taxi drivers crowded in the North Reclamation Area and the road in Cebu Technological University (CTU), Cebu City where the convoy passed.
ABS-CBN Cebu employees in white shirts waited for his remains to arrive at 7:20 a.m. along with fans.
A five-hour tribute program ended at nearly 1 p.m.
White balloons were released as the funeral cortege reached his home in sitio Kawayan barangay San Isidro, Talisay City.
Bellita’s radio program “Rated R” which runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m was interrupted by a TV Patrol Central Visayas newscast aired at 5 p.m.
Bellita’s program has been temporarily replaced with “Rated R, James Spider Kaka style.”
But broadcast colleagues who consider Mañus wit and comic flair on air a marvel said he was one of a kind.
Mañus noted that the popular anchor, who suffered a severe stroke on Oct. 30 and fell into a coma, died at 6 p.m., about the same time he signs off on his radio program.
Bellita was 41.